I grew up in a dog-friendly house, with parents who were real "animal people". As a kid, I had everything from hermit crabs to a pony as a pet, but dogs were always my constant companions. My mom was a dog groomer & trainer for a large part of my young life - I completely credit her with catching the bug!

When I was 13 years old I decided I wanted, more than anything, a Pug. My mom found a wonderful rescue (Delaware County Pug Rescue), and with my parents approval, we started the adoption process. We brought home a 32lb fawn boy named Biggs who was the result of an elderly couple not having enough time to deal with a young pug who had separation anxiety issues. I decided I wanted to do something with Biggs to keep him busy - but his knees weren't sound so Agility was out, and he wasn't the brightest bulb so obedience was also eliminated. I decided to try conformation for the heck of it. I went to my first class, and at the end of the class I turned to my mom and said "this is it. this is what I want to do." The instructor, Darin Cox of Wudaface Shar-Pei, seemed to agree. He told my mom, "she'll do, but get her a show dog!". It was probably for the best, Biggs wasn't exactly shaping up to much more than a great couch potato.

A long-time family friend, Marlene Lippert of Cocolamus Boston Terriers & French Bulldogs, clued in my parents to a local Pug breeder. We went to her house, and she didn't have any Pugs at the time, but would I be interested in seeing her litter of Bostons? What teenage girl is going to say no. We met the 3 week old Bostons and I immediately clicked with the tiniest puppy of them all, a petite brindle bitch that was throwing her weight around the whelping box. 5 weeks later, we brought home Lucky J's Lady Godiva Of Koch aka "Dee". Dee was my first show dog, and my juniors dog. We did not end up competing much, but I learned so much by training my first dog myself.

One thing led to another and I got into the breeding aspect of showing. 5 generations later, I'm extremely pleased with my Boston Terrier line, which is still (although distantly) related to Dee. I have worked with several other breeds throughout the years as well. My mother had been breeding Chihuahuas, which I briefly became involved with, showing & finishing CH Mataje's Dust Devil and pointing his puppies. I got the privilege to co-own & show a Toy Manchester Terrier that was bred by my friends Kevin & JoAnn Skovira of BlackPearl Manchesters, and Paula & Jim Shumake of Scarlett's Manchesters. Olive, the Toy Manchester, achieved most of the points required for her championship and is now successfully running agility.

Right around 18 years old, I began taking on client dogs to show in the ring. I have been very blessed to have shown some wonderful dogs for equally wonderful people. Some of the breeds i've worked with include Boston Terriers, Toy Manchester Terriers, Chihuahuas, Giant Schnauzers, Labradors, Smooth Fox Terriers, Rough Coated Collies, etc.

Most recently i've begun showing/breeding English Toy Spaniels. I find the Bostons & ETS are a wonderful compliment to each other, and I share my home with multiples of each breed. My English Toys come from my dearest friend & mentor Sherry Lutz of Enchanting Spirit English Toys & Cavaliers, and her sister Gloria Buck of Draggonfly Kennels. I have had much early success with these wonderful little dogs, and am looking forward to a bright future with them.