I was born in East Tennessee, during May of 1957.  We always had dogs in my family, but none of them were what I could call my own.  I aquired a skinny little Collie/Setter mix the night before she was scheduled to be put down.  I took her with the pretense that it was just until we could find her a home.  We already had 6 dogs, but Mom quickly figured out that "Libra" had already found a home as I took her everywhere with me. 

We went though obedience because I knew she was going to be a bigger dog and I didn't want her to learn bad habits because of my lack of knowledge.  She graduated 3 in her class of 22.  Dodie Abish was a wonderful instructor and we are still friends.  Libra went to the Rainbow Bridge at 14 in 1988.  I don't think I have lost anyone that hurt me more.

After Libra's passing, I started looking at different breeds.  I wanted something smart due to my interest in obedience.  Libra's was only 35 pounds, but was tall so I had problems finding housing, a smaller dog was needed for that.  I wanted a sturdy dog because of my activities with horses.  Bump a Corgi and it will roll like a sausage.  Finally the issue of barking, not being fond of yappy dogs narrowed my search even more.

I started out in Corgis all wrong.  I bought the first puppy I found without doing any reseach on Standard, Structure Movement or Pedigree.  My willingness to learn allowed people like Lea Burkeen, Sally Wynn, Lee Hulet, Hilary Burns, Danelle Brown and many others, to teach me to how to recognize quality and movement (which I am still learning).  Danelle Brown took a chance placed Raquel with me.  I truly love her.

After a while I was looking for a different style to bring into my kennel.  Cindy and Vince Savioli of New Jersey allowed me the honor of bringing home  Aubrey's Victorian Lace. Both Raquel and Vanessa  have proved to be a winner in the ring and the whelping box, producing lovely litters.  I have kept a daughter from each, that are now pointed.  Vanessa has a son that is a Champion as well winning a Select of Merit at the 2001 PWCCA National Specialty.

Winston was my first show dog.  He came from a family that didn't have a fenced yard. He kept running away from home and had been hit by a car crushing both front paws.  Some how he survived with only a crooked toenail.  I enjoyed his parlor tricks. He was to fun to learn how to show with. Winston has a new family now in Las Vegas.

Liberty is my "Heart Dog". I kept her from my second litter.  She's the best bed warmer I've ever had. She is eager to please and VERY athletic. I call her my Fitness Trainer.  She can POP a 24 inch babygate flat-footed.  I recently almost lost her in 2000 before leaving for a Military Training.  After 14 days and at least 50 miles on her part, we were reunited.  Click on Liberty- Little Dog Lost for the "Rest Of the Story".