Five years ago I attended my very first dog show.  I was hooked !

I traveled with my friend and mentor to show, after show, after show ~ learning the ins and outs (and I am still learning), helping groom and then at the end of the summer, entered the ring with a dog at the end of the leash for the first time. Believe me when I tell you it wasn't a pretty picture.  But I WANTED to do this.  So I started learning, I went to matches with Whoppa, I took Allie to the Eastern specialty and entered her in Veteran's and then I got a special phone call.

Carol Hamilton of All-Time English Springer Spaniels had a boy that the original owner had given up over two years ago and because she  knew that I worked rescue, she hoped that I could find him a home.  He was almost a finished champion, but that didn't matter.  The home was the most important thing.  Naturally I said I would help and asked for a photo.  The rest is history.  I told her that I wanted him and that I would like to try to finish him myself.

Rolex arrived from California in May of 2005 and we were out in the ring until just before he died in March of 2009. He  became a Champion in March 2006.  In September of 2005 we lost Allie and my husband was heartbroken.

Little did we know that Whitney would end up with a similar fate as Rolex.  Being given up by the original owner.  Once again Carol called and Whitney became a part of our household just after Thanksgiving in 2005.  She was only 4 months old.  Today is a Champion in both the United States and Canada.

In April of 2009 we welcomed Gilligan into our home.  Someone asked me where he came from "Was he a gift from God?" and I said yes.  He has Rolex's coloring, his personality and he has Whoppa's face.  Gillie came along when I needed him most. He has some big shoes to fill, but we are confident that he will!