About

I have always loved animals, especially dogs. I have been told I get
this from my Grandfather. Where ever it came from my Mother used to despair, as I was always bringing dogs home. You know how it
is….."Look Mom, it followed me home, can I keep it?" Of course there
was that small issue of the rope attached LOL!

In 1974 my father bought me an Irish Setter. Autumn was unregistered and a genetic nightmare, but she was a love. At the time I lived in rural Oregon. With her I got involve in 4H. I started showing her there, and I was hooked. The club leader told me about AKC obedience, and helped me to train for it. I still remember my first dog show. It was the BENCHED show in Portland, Oregon. What an event! Autumn blew it, but I was still hooked! Autumn took 17 shows to finish her CD (companion dog) title! It was debatable who was the more stubborn of the two, her or me.

During this time I met and went to work for a Kuvasz breeder. I used
one of the Kuvasz in 4H and learned Conformation handling. Needless to say, I thought this was it!

Then I decided I wanted to be a breeder. I learned from my employer -Edith Adams - a lot regarding the pit falls and joys of breeding
dogs. I started with the Irish Setters, then went to Golden
Retrievers. In 1985 I moved back to Arizona. Right after
moving here I lost my last Golden. I was heartbroken AND dog-less.
Visiting a local park one weekend there happened to be a Sheltie
Specialty there...the rest as they say is History.

My first Sheltie was Cassi, also known as Loyal's Golden
Cassandra,CD. She was a beautiful dog, but unfortunately grew just
a tad to much. She matured at 16 1/2 inches, in a breed with a upper
size limit of 16 inches. She did have three litters for me. That was
not to be either, as all of her daughters had reproductive problems.
She has one son that has produced well and is now retired. His name
is Benden's Thief of Hearts, a.k.a. Loki. Loki has some pointed
and finished progeny. Cassi was 14 ½ yrs old when she passed away.

In 1988 I acquired a Blue Merle Smooth Collie male. Frog was his
name, a.k.a. Ch. Maramet's Back In Time. Frog was three
when I got him and didn't take long to finish his championship.
Unfortunately, I never was in a position to use him at stud, so he
never sired a litter. He lived to the ripe old age of 12 years old.
After Frog passed away, the gal I got him from asked me if I wanted
another Smooth, of course I said yes! I got Bailey, aka Altair
Restless Dreams. Bailey hated showing, therefore was retired with 6
points.  Before placing her, she had one litter for me.  That was a HUGE disaster! It is a long story… one for another time.

I grew up with a GSD… Schotzie was her name.  She was everything a GSD should NOT be!  Poorly bred is the understatement of the year.  She was vicious, and would attack anyone that was not a member of the household when she became a member of it.  That included other family members.  She had lots of health problems… but most of those could be attributed to the fact that she nearly died of Distemper as a pup.  In spite of these issues, she was one of the most intelligent dogs I have ever known.  I always wanted another after I left there.  My father’s wife would not allow it, so that is how I got the Irish Setters.

I added Goldens about 1980 when I moved to GA.

Back in the early 80’s when I had the Goldens, I met and became friends with Ruth Hartridge.  Ruth had GSDs, so I was thrilled, LOL!  What she had at the time I first met her was “byb” at best.  She eventually “upgraded” quality wise.

From Ruth I got Max, aka Heineken’s Maxmillian, CD,TC,OFA H/E and Diedre, aka Heineken v Rihadin’s I.P.O. Max was a one in a million dog. He was my heart and soul. I was heartbroken when he died (of cancer)in 2003. He was just short of 10 years old. Max was shown briefly and had two points towards his AKC Championship. He should have finished but life got in the way of showing him.

Diedre was shown a few times as a pup, but she really isn’t show material. She is now strictly my pet.

A few months ago I was able to add Charlie, a tri color Sheltie. Charlie doesn’t have a registered name yet, LOL. I hope to show him this fall. He will I hope be my reentry to Shelties.

Lately I have become more involved in GSD Rescue. THAT will be another long story I am sure.

When not working, or taking care of and playing/training the dogs I enjoy sketching. I have done several commission portraits. One even went to the UK J.