It is with great sadness RIP Smokey, Robin Kuhns

a real character, a true dogman, he loved his dogs. A rough, gruff man with a heart of gold. Robin and I couldn’t be more different, and those that really knew the 2 of us know just how differently we saw the world, but Robin saw the world through his own lens and lived his life to the beat of his own drum. He was truly blessed and I am convinced Robin had an angel on his shoulder wherever he went. Robin had a certain kind of luck, a grace he carried along with his entourage of misfits that was always a sort of traveling carnival show. I got to the point where I could sense him before I would see him, often by scent. Once you really got to know Robin you couldn’t help but love the guy, he had a twinkle in his eye and always saw the world through the eyes of a child, he had a source of innocence that was infectious. Time spent with Robin was always like a dream, a technicolor trip from the black and white of the normal day to day reality.
Godspeed my friend and please say hello to your beloved Smokey’s CH Tramp

 

Maybe some of you met him, Robin was a popular ADBA judge for several years.

 

Kenny on the left, if I remember right he was from down by Paducah. Rod K in the middle Barbwire Steve on the right.
Robin top left big grin as usual.
This picture was taken shortly after Robin lost his farm east of Des Moines. He had to find homes for quite a few dogs and he took Tramp out to Rods. Pups and sometimes grown dogs would run loose at Rods. Tramp wasn’t there long and Robin got a call from Rod saying “I’m gonna shoot this red fucker unless you come get him now, like today” seems tramp had been doing some culling for Rod.
Robin called me all upset so I sent my car with a buddy driving to pick robin up and they got Tramp back that night. Robin loved that dog Tramp and I was proud of them both. Robin conditioned tramp at my place for 2 out of his 3 w. I really enjoyed spending time with Robin and soon he developed a grudging respect for me that lasted the test of time.
I will miss that smelly fucker.

 

Proof you could breed Deacon to anything and get game dogs

 

They weren’t the ‘purest family’ haha. Most of what Robin had at the time was expensive ofrn dogs from the likes of Bill Trumpler, Bill Pritts etc. Both Bills mentioned had good game dogs they kept to themselves and ofrn dogs they sold to the public, see where I’m going here?? Bill Pritts had a bitch off the Deacon x Assassinator breeding, you didn’t see that advertised in the Gazette!!!
In my opinion Rod was delusional. Once Mayfields dogs got out of Paul Sofiakas’ hands they went to shit.
Rod was all talk, I never saw one of his dogs being used with a nickel backing it up. Is that just a coincidence or is the reality they weren’t worth laying down a nickel because you’d lose that nickel??
Everything happens, or doesn’t for a reason.