In the beginning . . . .
Thanks to my grandmother who bred and raced Standardbred horses, I began riding my own horse at the age of 5. By nine I was showing horses and, at 17, was the fourth kid in California to become a Quarter horse youth champion. When my new horse had to recuperate from a leg injury, Scott suggested buying a great dane. Well, that was 1979 and we purchased a puppy who was to become multiple group winning BISS Ch. Sheenwaters Joker Jest. We enjoyed dog people and dog shows and eventually gave up the horses and began a 30+ year interest in showing dogs.
Teaming up with dogs and owners . . .
I have had the good fortune to handle a couple of great danes for good friends including the beautiful Top Twenty dane, BISS Alleanza V Dayknk (Sean) for Vickie Soper and Georgia Hymmen.
BISS GCH Double D’s No More Mr. Ice Guy (Luther)
In 2011, I was honored to be chosen to handle BISS GCH Double D’s No More Mr Ice Guy, AOM, (Luther) for friends Greg and Sheila Sammons. We showed Luther to #17 Great Dane in Top Twenty Breed System, Top Twenty All Breed, and Grand Champion systems for 2011. This ranking qualified him to be shown at the GDCA Top Twenty event in Kansas City. A huge thanks to Greg and Sheila for their superb job of conditioning, traveling miles and miles, and for always having been fun and thoughtful competitors.
Davishire’s Moving Hearts
I also filled in for Georgia Hymmen handling the beautiful Davishire’s Moving Hearts (Doolin) for Shanda Bhasker and breeder/co-owner Kathleen Davis to his AKC championship.
My professional life . . . . .
After 16 years of teaching middle school English and social studies, I finished my PhD and began teaching in a Masters degree program for prospective teachers at Willamette University in 1991. As a tenured Professor of Education and Director of the Oregon Writing Project, I loved my work teaching and researching in the field of education. That work took me to Ecuador and Australia, spending 5 summers teaching on the Galapagos Island of San Cristobal, directing a semester abroad program in North Queensland that involved dive trips on the outer Great Barrier reef, and research that returned me to Australia and New Zealand for several years of extended visits.
Breeding . . . .
I have done very limited breeding, two Doberman litters and three co-bred great dane litters in the last decade. However, with these few litters, I have fulfilled AKC’s requirements to be recognized as a “Breeder of Merit” having bred or co-bred three dane and one Doberman champion (with others pointed and active in AKC performance events) in those litters and responsibly doing recommended health testing. I am serious about the importance of dog breeding, believing that only select animals should be bred, that puppies require great care and socializing and new owners need and deserve mentoring and support. And seriously, what could possibly be more fun than loving and caring for a rambunctious flock of great dane puppies!
Dog Show Highlights spanning 30 years . . .
The Hounds:
Group winning Ch. Timbar’s Rubiat Handled by Bob Hastings, Ru was one of the top 5 smooth dachsunds in the country for three years.
Group winning Ch. Shenanigan’s Victorian Lace Also handled by Bob Hastings, “Vickie” had a successful specials career. Vickie also introduced us to what a delight whippets are. She ran with our danes and delighted us with her antics throughout her long life.
BPISS Ch. Timbar’s Ruffian Ruffy was the first dog that I owner-handled to an AKC championship.
The Dobermans:
Mult. BISS BIS Elfred’s Zarra Bob Hastings found “Z” for us when we went to New York for the PHA Super Match, the year that handlers boycotted the Tuxedo Park show and instead held a super match on the same day, a few miles away. Bob was judging Dobermans. We stayed for the great dane National (then regional) at Westchester and found ourselves taking home a black and tan Doberman that Bob specialed for us for the next two years, winning numerous Specialties and BIS in Corvallis, our home town.
Ch. Sherluck’s Silver Cloud Sylvia was the love of our life. She won breeds and group placements from the classes with Faye Straus handling before finishing her championship and becoming Scott’s constant companion.
Ch. Foxfire’s Colorado Scout We co-owned Scout with Faye Straus and Jane Chopson. She won a Best Puppy in Show in Canada from the 6 to 9 class. With Michelle Santana’s help and council, she produced one litter for us that included my current housemate: Am Can Ch Foxfire’s Smoke and Mirrors, (Cody). Scout and Cody were handled by the incomparable Michelle Santana in the States and by me in Canada.
The Danes:
Ch. Don Lu’s Key Largo (Bogey) and BIF BPISS Ch. DonLu’s Unanimous Verdict (Boomer) Shown by his breeder and co-owner, Don Carmody, the charismatic Boomer won the National Futurity at the age of 4 months. He finished easily on the West coast, handled by Jane Chopson.
Ch. Express Quintessence Tessa was the love of my life. A huge (in body and personality) harle bitch. I fell in love with Tessa when she was 6 months old and followed her career, finally being able to purchase her after she won WB under Hugo Gamboa at the pre-nationals specialty in San Diego.
Ch. Mercerwoods Boston White Socks (Joey)
GCH. Chroma Hamlin Surprise Party (Cade)
GCH. This Song IS About Me (Carly) Carly was my first Breeder/Owner Handled grand champion.