| About Me How I got bitten by the dog show bug |
| My introduction to dogs started as a young child. My grandfather always had a Collie and he cared very much for his Collies, his love for his dogs stayed with him even after Altezmers robbed him of his memory. However, I was certainly not a dog person, growing up we never had a dog in our home they were always outside and were very untrained. When I was 12 I got to show a friend's Husky at a dog show, it was fun. However it would not be until I met a Sheltie named Summer as a young teen that my view of dogs changed. Summer was different from the dogs we had, she was like my grandfather's Collies but better. Summer belonged to a school friend's mother and it wasn't long before Summer and I were best friends. Summer happened to be a show dog and she went on to do very well for herself. She became a multi-titled Champion who also had a Specials career. Unfortunately it was not with me as her owner because her co-owner refused to sign off when my friend's moved. This was my introduction to the dog show world both the good and the bad. Even though this wasn't a pleasant way to start I was bitten by the dog show bug. |
| March 1979 Foley Alabama Me at the age of 3 with Yogi, a Collie |
| My first dog was given to me by the former owners of Summer. When the co-owner refused to let me have Summer she went out and found me a puppy. Andy was my first Sheltie and even though he was never a show dog (he went oversize) he was very well bred and was a great introduction to the breed. After I got Andy I went to work for a local dog groomer. This started my apprenticeship in dog grooming and was my introduction to dog training as well because my boss taught obedience classes. Andy remained with me until a genetic illness took his life at the age of eight. My second dog, Casey, was purchased for my 17th Birthday and she was my constant companion for more than 16 years. An injury kept Casey from being a show dog but she went on to be a therapy dog (in the nursing home where my grandfather was) and a performance dog. Casey gave me my first two litters of puppies. When those litters were born in 1999 I started to help with Sheltie Rescue. I believe it is part of my responsibility as a breeder. If I bring dog's lives into the world I should be responsible for those members of the breed that are in trouble. To this day I can say I have rescued way more dogs than I would ever dream of breeding. Rescue has made me more aware of animal issues and has certainly made me more of a responsible breeder and pet owner. It is my goal to be 80+ one day with the decedents of the wonderful dogs I have now. Hopefully along the way I will have bred many champions and performance dogs but if not I hope to be the most ethical breeder I can be and that my dogs will be an asset to their breed. |
| I returned to the Gulf Coast in 1995 to go to college. I also returned to working for a dog groomer and in my spare time continued to pursue dog showing. I joined a local kennel club and took handling classes. Sometime later I started agility classes too. Over the years I have met many great friends and have had the opportunity to groom and show many dogs of different breeds. Although I did not start out wanting to become a professional handler as time went by two big things happened that changed my mind. I had an unfortunate encounter with a novice exhibitor of Border Collies who felt she was qualified to act as a professional handler simply because she had a Champion and had shown some horses. The other big event in my life was I got divorced and didn't want to give up showing dogs but needed to find a career now that I am on my own. Once again something bad pushed me in the right direction and here I am today. I was fortunate enough to prove to a professional handler that I could do the work and I have been an apprentice PHA member for a year now. The work is hard but very rewarding and I have a HUGE amount of respect for professional handlers now that I have worked for one I consider it a great honor that my boss the owners of these wonderful dogs would give me the opportunity to learn about their breeds and their dogs by allowing me to get to show and or groom them. Although I have had a few rough bumps along the way, my story is proof that sometimes it takes a few bad things to make something good. I hope that am now on the path to a great career in dogs that will last a lifetime. To everyone who has helped me along the way (including those have caused me grief) I want to say a huge thanks because thanks to all of you I am now on my way to a career showing dogs, a career that I didn't think would ever be possible. |
| Sage Stanley, A Blue Toy Poodle one of the dogs I groom |
| In February 2008 I handled my favorite Border Collie CH Sportingfield Little Surfer Girl "Gidget" to a 5 point major In addition to multiple group placements Gidget was the #4 Border Collie & #2 Border Collie Bitch in 2009 Gidget was BOS at Westminster in 2010 Even though I only got to show her once what an honor it was to get to show a dog that would go on to become such a great one! |
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| Me & my dogs December 2008 |
| In July 2010 I had the honor of showing a Smooth Collie, CH Byluc Mahan's Disquise De Limit to a Group 2 Win |
| July 2010 Simrell's Commanding Interest "Miranda" went WD for her first point from the Bred By Exhibitor class |
| November 2009 I got to show my own dog Grandgables Cosmopolitan RN CGC to a BOB win Cosmo as of late 2010 has 8 points of those he has a major and 2 BOB wins |
| Spencer finished his Rally title at the 2009 ASSA National Specialty and participated in the parade of rescues Spencer was the rescue that even rescue gave up on. Not only did I give Spencer a home I proved he was worthy of being a obedience competitor too Every dog deserves to have a chance |
December 2010