Otis was my first dog. I got him while living in China. When he was about 1-year-old, we moved back to the states.

In China, the expectation is you put your puppy on the ground, and they follow you around. I never put a collar or leash on him until shortly before I moved (I cringe thinking about this now).

He was an amazing first dog and I was so lucky. I have worked with so many people who were in over their head with their first dog, and I’m grateful that Otis matched me so well.

He died tragically at 8-years-old due to breathing issues and it broke my heart. His death propelled me into learning about better health for my remaining dogs and learning about well-bred dogs so I could avoid such a tragic ending again (although, I think it will never feel like enough time with any of them).

Jazzy was my second dog, also a pug. I found her through Craigslist (almost never a great place to find a dog) and when I met with the people, I felt too bad to say no. Her nails were overgrown, she was underweight and she was still bleeding from a recent pregnancy.

She was sensitive and fearful when I got her and had some annoying habits (non-stop peeing and barking - it was not medical, I checked!).

When I got her healthy, I started thinking about having a litter from her with Otis. I did all the research I could and thought I was being responsible. In retrospect, breeding her was not a good choice, but this is part of my journey and why I want to share what I’ve learned.

Jazzy had 8 puppies, 3 of which didn’t survive. I didn’t plan on keeping any, but Marigold burrowed her way into my heart. Helping Jazzy with the litter was hard work and it was hard on Jazz. After the litter, I spayed her.

Fast forward to my dog training years and I was struggling to train her. She is sensitive, but not biddable. I finally found something she enjoyed - Nosework! She has since earned her AKC Novice titles in Containers and Interior.

Marigold’s theme song is “Eye of the Tiger.” She earned it as a 4-week old puppy and its stuck. Her sassy attitude and energetic demeanor is what drew me to her. She pushed me into training.

We started in Agility just for fun, but I began working on her Competition Obedience as I began to learn the sport and that eventually led me to Rally.

I’m very fortunate that she’s in good health, but her not-so-great breeding did impact her. When she was spayed, she got a nose job (nostrils enlarged) and shortly after Otis died, she got the Soft Palate surgery. It was terrifying. About 10% of dogs don’t survive the surgery and it takes quite a few weeks to heal. Plus it’s expensive.

I love showing up to events with her. When I first began going to Agility trials, people would ask me what kind of dog I was running, and I’d point to her at the end of my leash. She’s not the fastest dog out there, but when she goes, she’s fun to watch.

Up to date, we have titles in Agility, Rally and Obedience.

Abel is a mutt’s mutt. My aunt got him as a puppy in a very suspicious situation. She was told he was a 2-month-old purebred lab. It was pretty evident the lady was lying, but he was extremely underweight, so my aunt took him. It was a bad mash-up. My aunt wants dogs to snuggle with her on the couch and Abel wanted to tear up the countryside.

After I started training Marigold, I offered to take Abel. He was about 4.5 years old. He wasn’t getting what he needed, and she was frustrated.

I went through home obedience classes with him to get him used to working around other people and dogs (those first classes were painful). Then we started pursing dog sports, first Agility, then Obedience. I just wanted a dog I could live with.

At 8 years old he got his CGC, and since then, he has titles in Rally, Obedience, and Barn Hunt.

Felix is my first well-bred dog. He’s a boxer and I got him specifically as a sport/show prospect. That doesn’t mean, he’s not a pet, just a pet with goals!

When I went searching for a dog, I wanted a dog that had a lot of the same characteristics as my pug, Marigold, but I wanted a bigger dog with more stamina. The boxer breed was recommended to me. I had met some not-so-nice boxers and wasn’t keen on adding one to my pack, but the person said, “I don’t recommend just any boxer, but [breeder’s name] boxers.” My breeder was and is incredibly supportive. She let me watch her work one of her boxers in class, then let me come over and meet her other dogs. She doesn’t breed often, so she even recommended other breeders if a puppy from her litter didn’t pan out. Since getting Felix, she has answered so many questions and has always been one of the first people I brag to. I think I owe her the cost of another puppy, just for how supportive she’s been!

Felix is still young and we’ve been building a lot of foundation and attention until his growth plates close and I can get X-rays (to ensure he has a body that can hold up to high-impact sports). He has his CGC, Novice Barn Hunt title and multiple trick dog titles.

We’re training in IPO/IGP, Agility and Conformation.

One of my students called me and told me they were about to bring their 4.5-month-old German Shepherd (GSD) puppy to the shelter and asked if I knew anyone who would take him before they did. I told them, I’d take him and rehome him for them. He was too much for their family and they weren’t prepared to meet his needs.

I am still trying to rehome him, but in the meantime, I’m having fun with him.

He’s learning Obedience, Nosework and Herding.