Unlike many dog lovers, I did not get my first dog until I was in my mid-40’s and since then, my life has truly “gone to the dogs”! My first dog was a little black cocker spaniel boy who had finished his championship and who was being retired. Jimmy was the perfect dog for a newbie owner. We went to an obedience class and I was hooked. I have attended and still attend classes with all of the cocker crew. We trial in agility and rally and I have recently returned to obedience with Joey and Tommy.
I have been teaching all of my adult life, first as an elementary school teacher and later as an employment counselor doing adult workshops, seminars and employment-related training. I started teaching at SOTC about 10 years ago and have taught basic and advanced obedience, a puppy class, and lots and lots of rally classes! I hope that my students enjoy the classes as much as I do.
The most important lessons that I have learned were from my buff boy, Edward. Edward went several years between his first Q in agility and his second. He taught me that both members of the team need to enjoy the sport, that these are games that we play together and that I shouldn’t take myself too seriously…all good lessons!
My Current Dogs:
Thomas (Tom) - CH Marshens Showin’ Me the Way BN RAE2 AX AXJ XF ThD TKN CGCA CGCU
Oliver - CH Lehi N Amik-Creek Full of the Dickens BN RE NA NAJ TKN CGC
Calvin - CH Lehi N Amik-Creek By Design TKN CGC
John - 15 yr old who came to live with us 2 years ago from a shelter
Waiting at the Bridge:
Joseph (Joey) - CH Marshens Technicolor Dream RE BN NAJ OF NJP OJP NFP; CPE CL3 H CL3 S CL4; ASCA RN; USDAA ADJ SS
Jimmy - CH Kittcarrs Jimmy Valentine CD
Chester - Chesterfield of A’vantage CD NAJ OJP
Edward - Marshens Edward McBear RA NAJ OF NFP; USDAA SG SPK ADJ; CPE CL3 F CL3 S
Andrew (co-owned rescue) - McJammah Comes Home RA NF NAJ; CPE CL2 F CL2 S