From the time I can remember, animals have been a big part of my life. For a first grade project, ‘What I Want To Be When I Grow Up’ I chose the role of a veterinarian. In the fifth grade I volunteered to clean cages and feed and water the dogs at my vets office. Animals have always been a big part of my home. Growing up I always had a dog and a cat. First dachshunds, then German Shepherd dogs. I first became interested in maltese after my sister owned a little girl named Kowee. She was adorable and I decided, the maltese was for me. I bought my first pet maltese in 1993. She was so loving and playful and we just knew, we would have to have more. I started to think about showing and breeding early in 1994.

My first show dog was a Su-Le line bred bitch, Ch. Bonita’s Sugar Magnolia (Maggie). Barbara Bergquist of the famed Su-Le kennels worked with me and advised me. She has been a wonderful mentor to me and I will never be able to thank her enough for all of her help.

Not long before Maggie finished her championship, I met Bonnie Palmer of Angels maltese who sold me a beautiful little puppy who grew up to be Ch. Angel’s Risque’ Flirtation (Flirt). Handled by Barbara Cantlon, Flirt went on to receive four group placements from the classes and won Winners Bitch at the prestigious Progressive Dog Club show in February of 1999. Flirt finished 1998 as the #18 maltese and after a brief Specials career, is still placed in the top 20 maltese rankings from Showsight magazine through 7/31/99.

During this same time period, Joyce Watkins, of the famed Marcris Kennels offered me a beautiful bitch. I was thrilled to be able to add Ch. Marcris Risque’ Rumor to my growing, yet still small group of spectacular maltese. Rumor finished her championship quickly under the expert guidance of Barbara Cantlon and is now retired to motherhood.

While I still consider myself a novice in the breed, I have come a long way thanks to a few wonderful breeders who have shared their knowledge and their bloodlines with me. I consider myself very lucky to have worked with Barbara and Bob Bergquist of Su-Le, Joyce Watkins of Marcris, Bonnie Palmer of Angels Maltese and most recently Angie and Larry Stanberry of Divine Maltese. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful breed and hope to make these fine breeders proud of what I am accomplishing with their help.