My goal as I finished high school was to go on to be a veterinarian. I started at Texas A&M with that in mind. Little did I know that most of that knowledge would come to me through personal experience and the wonderful vets I became friends with. All my life I had studied, raised and shown rabbits, dogs, cats, horses, mice, chickens, waterfowl and about anything else you can think of with the intention of veterinary practice. Yes, I even have experience in snakes and other reptiles. Some not all that pleasant, but such beautiful creatures.
And then I met my "to be" best friend. She showed up at my house with a dog (Borzoi) that I thought was incredible and that started my 25 year show career with the Borzoi and Australian Shepherds. Because of Carolyn Miller, I started training dogs in obedience, showing both my own dogs and a successful career handling dogs for some major kennels in the country, showing here and abroad, grooming dogs, and whatever else you can do with and to dogs, both physically and behind the desk. I briefly enjoyed assisting with a national magazine but found I enjoyed the outside activities so much more, I chose not to pursue that route. I had a wonderfully successful show career completely multi titled dogs, Mex, Am, Can, Int Champions with CD's, Lure coursing titles, and whatever else I could do with to fully explose every avenue of the dog world. This resulted in my bloodlines being represented in the show rings of Europe and England. There are now so many organized events to participate in, and so many "worlds to conquer" that you develop a relationship with your dog that is indescribable. I found I fully enjoyed every one of them!
When I sadly realized I couldn't keep up with the large breeds I so enjoyed, I briefly retired from the shows. Fortunately I remain friends with the wonderful people for whom I trained and showed not only their large dogs, but included their smaller dogs also. One of those kennels was Stillwater Borzoi. I handled their French Bulldog, and training, grooming and handling their English Toy spaniels put me right in the middle of the toy group, where I felt quite comfortable. Except for those obnoxious Toy spaniels, Sorry Kathe! <BG>. When I lost my last borzoi, I started searching for "just the right for me" dogs that could fill the terrible void in my life. The dogs that would be smart enough, adaptable enough, energetic enough, attractive enough, sturdy enough, and so very very happy enough, they'd have the "extra" to share their joy with me. After a bit of careful consideration, I realized I could be totally engaged with the toy poodles and the yorkshire terriers. I found them to be so fulfulling in their temperaments and personalities. And their nice, small size makes them so easy to cuddle and travel with. I made the right choices and I am completely enamored of them.
I am currently training one of my poodles to become my re-introduction into the show world in 2010 in obedience. It will be wonderful to be back in the ring competing with my old friends again! Watch out you all!!!