German short-haired pointer Gemma showed signs of independence weeks after she was born July 4, 2014 at home in Edgecomb. She repeatedly found her way out of the whelping box and later over a four-foot gate around it.

The puppy had a take-charge attitude, owner Lenore Parsons of Edgecomb said.

Gemma has continued to stand out, most recently in the ring at a warmup event to the famed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Sharing the ring with her at the Sleepy Hollow German Short-haired Pointers Specialties Show in Rye Brook, New York, one day prior to Westminster, was Westminster’s eventual 2016 Best in Show winner, fellow German short-haired pointer CJ, Parsons said.

CJ won the warmup event, while Gemma, who showed with professional handler Alessandra Folz-Stymiest of Rhode Island, took home an award of merit, Parsons said.

“Only seven dogs out of 42 were given any recognition, so it’s a big deal to everyone involved,” she explained.

Asked what he thought when he saw the dog’s new long, green and yellow ribbon, Parsons’ son Zachary Poland, 11, said, “Wow ... I was very happy for her.”

Mother, son and dog met the Wiscasset Newspaper at Fort Edgecomb for pictures Feb. 18. The three stayed focused as Parsons positioned the canine in a stance fit for judging; shortly after, Gemma was standing on her back feet, hugging Poland with her forelegs and giving the boy a dog kiss.

She’s the family’s pet and will be with them for life, Parsons said.

For now, at age 19 months, the pointer also goes by her longer name, CH OPK Edenstar’s Long May She Reign, and racks up points toward a grand champion status with the American Kennel Club.

She is one point away. It took her a year to reach champion, a status that can take up to three years, Parsons said. After grand champion, she’ll keep showing until she no longer wants to, her owner added.

“When it’s no longer fun for her, we’ll stop.”

Gemma’s grandfather Duncan, or MBISS CanNSS Am Can Ch Bulkley Nectemere Nectemide, took the German short-haired pointers’ best of breed at Westminter in 2008. Duncan was also a Eukanuba 2008 National Champion and 2008 Canadian National Specialty Winner, Parsons said.

Parsons grew up in New Jersey and Damariscotta, returned to Maine after serving as an Army captain, and has been breeding German short-haired pointers about four years as a hobby. She started Ocean Point Kennels in Boothbay Harbor and kept the name when she moved to Edgecomb.

She is Gemma’s co-breeder along with Dr. Iris Goliger  of Hurley, New York and Katelyn Cox of Saco. Parsons had surgery just before the Ryebrook event so she couldn’t be there to serve as handler. She hopes to in 2017.