How I got bitten by the dog show bug
Me at the age of 3 with Yogi, a Collie
one of the dogs I groom
Gidget is now a ranked Special with multiple Group Placements
Thanks Renea for letting me show Gidget!
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| About Me How I got bitten by the dog show bug |
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| 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. Unfortnately 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 pleasent way to start I was bitten by the dog show bug. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Photo Coming Soon! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 1979 Foley Alabama Me at the age of 3 with Yogi, a Collie |
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| 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 apprentaceship 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 (now more than 15 years old) is still with me today. An injury kept Casey from being a show dog but she went on to be a thearpy 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 decendents 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Photo Coming Soon! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| My First Sheltie Andy Spring 1992 Olathe Kansas | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sage Stanley, A Blue Toy Poodle one of the dogs I groom |
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| When I returned to the Gulf Coast in 1995 to go to college, majoring in biology, I 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 opertunity to groom and show many dogs of different breeds. Although I would never claim to be a proffessional groomer or handler (I know I am FAR from it!) I think it is great fun and I am always willing to help anyone out who needs help at a show. I think this is the best way to learn about the breeds and their showing and grooming. I consider it a great honor that the owners of these wonderful dogs would give me the opertunity to learn about their breeds and their dogs by allowing me to get to show and or groom them. It has been a great ride and a lot of fun and I hope it continues for a long time to come. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| In Febuary 2008 I got the wonderful opertunity to show my favorite Border Collie, Gidget to a 5 point major win. Wow what an honor! Gidget is now a ranked Special with multiple Group Placements Thanks Renea for letting me show Gidget! |
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