WATER WORK

I 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.