Deborah Price
Jeffrey Samorano2024-06-27T10:44:01-07:00I have always had a love for animals. As a child, I would bring home any, and all stray animals till they could be reunited with their families. Our home was the first stop before shelters for folks to see if we had their beloved pet, it would drive my mother crazy. Fast forward, as an adult, I am married to James and have two children (twins). We still had many animals, (turtles, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, and cats) and we were ready for a dog. I’ve always had golden retrievers as our family pets, but I was ready to have a different breed. I did some research and met with a few breeders; we landed on Portuguese Water Dogs. We haven’t looked back since. We got our first PWD in 2010, she was the best, was gentle with the kids and just loved being with us, but of course needed fur friends. Second PWD came in 2012, then we unfortunately lost our first in 2020 and just broke our hearts, we were able to adopt our third in late 2020 at 10 months of age, a fourth in 2021and fifth in 2023. I started showing my dogs in 2021 and it has been a new challenge, however loving all the new places we have been to and the great people I have met because of this sport. We also do other sports with our dogs, agility, rally and dabble in nose work. These dogs are our best friends, and we love every minute we get to share with them.
Ann Gaskell
Jeffrey Samorano2024-02-28T14:18:29-08:00I joined the PWDCNC in 2003, became active in 2007, and have been on the PWDCNC board, in various positions, since 2009. I am also the Programs Chair and a Member of the PWDCNC Water Committee. I got my first PWD, Scamp, in 1993. Scamp was the family dog, my second son and my son’s little brother. Scamp definitely trained us. In 2006 I got my wonderful Norman. I decided that I would train the dog this time instead of the other way around. It is still questionable who is training who, but at least Norman and I are having fun. We compete in Obedience, Rally, PWD Water Work and Barn Hunt. We also do therapy dog visits. Norman is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He is also certified with the therapy dog program at El Camino Hospital in Mt. View where we make weekly visits. Nationally, I am a member of both the PWDCA Seizure Committee and the PWDCA Gastrointestinal (IBD) Committee. I love the PWD breed with their wonderful and crazy personalities combined with their hilarious antics. The club members also have wonderful personalities and are lots of fun to work with. I really enjoy my volunteer time with the PWDCNC and the PWDCA.
Kathy Souza
Jeffrey Samorano2024-03-07T09:47:02-08:00I grew up with dogs but my first serious involvement began in college with an American Cocker Spaniel and obedience training. We worked up to the Utility level before his epilepsy became uncontrollable. Looking for a healthier breed I purchased an English Cocker Spaniel bitch imported from England and spent the next 20 years breeding, showing in conformation, obedience and training tracking and field work. I was a member of the Davis Dog Training Club in the 70s and 80s, serving on the board, as an officer, and as an obedience trainer. I took a break from competition and breeding while raising my family and operating our custom screen printing business. When my girls reached high school age I chose to return to actively working dogs and researched breeds carefully with an emphasis on health, testing and awareness having had a couple of “well-bred” Standard Poodles with inheritable issue that were denied by their breeders. About this same time I left our business and first worked for the City of Dixon, then spent over 20 years with the county transit department as an executive assistant and Clerk to the Board until my retirement at the end of 2021. In 1996, after months of research, I purchased my first PWD from Lorraine Carver and joined the PWDCNC. We did a little conformation but he turned out to be simply interested in being a family pet. My next dog I was introduced to water work and we competed there and in obedience. In 2004 I decided I was ready to consider returning to breeding and was privileged to purchase Ashbe Legado Somente Uma from Linda Kelly and Janis Watts. We were active in conformation where she achieved her championship, obedience, tracking, and water work. I kept 2 boys from her only litter. Both achieved GCH, rally, water, and Nosework titles. I currently share my home with 3 PWDs each of whom compete/train in a variety of areas, conformation, rally, obedience, tracking, Nosework, Trick Dog, Parkour and we’re looking forward to the new Fetch Dog program. I served as Recording Secretary for the PWDCNC for 15 years and continue to serve as Water Committee Chair and Scent Work Chair. I’ve returned to the board as an at-large director. I’m the current chair of the PWDCA Legislative Issues Committee. I’ve served as Scent Work Trial Secretary for both of the west coast National Specialties, Colorado and Oregon. I am a current member of the PWDCA Awards committee and a contact member for the Multiple Achievement Certificate program.