10 Questions ...

Profession: Professional dog handler

Dog-sport involvement: Handler, breeder, steward, club officer

Hometown: Pennington, New Jersey

Astrological sign: Taurus

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?  

I try not to worry about such things, but whatever you do, please don't ask me to use more or fewer than six rubber bands for my armbands, divided into two groups of three. Purple Westminster rubber bands preferred, except on the second Saturday of each month, when I switch to plain rubbers bands, unless the month starts with an S....

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Sponge Bob Squarepants!

3. If you were president of AKC for one day, what would you do?  

As AKC president, I would institute a judge "renewal" system, wherein judges would have their knowledge of breeds they are already approved for reevaluated, via oral or written exam, every two to three years. This would help ensure they aren't mixing up their knowledge of the standards they already know as they add breeds, and will keep them up to date on standard changes as well. I would also reinstitute the AKC Weekly Winners online publication.

4. Most valued material possession?

My engagement ring, which has graced my finger for almost 21 years, means everything to me as it reminds me daily of my dear husband Thomas and our amazing life together. Much more recently acquired and also making the list are the gold Palladio pendant Thomas gave me on our trip to Italy this past summer to celebrate our 20th anniversary, and my Breville Espresso Machine, new to our kitchen since our visit to Italy, where I picked up a major cappuccino habit!

5. What is something no one would guess about you?

Before my dog life, I spent 20 years as a professional oboist and owned an oboe shop where I sold and repaired oboes, called OboeWorks.

6. Who would you compare yourself to?

My husband says Parker Posey in "Best in Show," but I REALLY hope that isn't true!

7. What are you “famous” for?

I'd like to be famous as someone who is always willing to lend a hand, offer knowledge and support, answer questions, welcome newcomers and always exemplify good sportsmanship. I think I'm actually famous for the goodies I bake and often bring to shows.

8. What website do you visit most often?

AKC.org to keep up with my client dogs, and Facebook and Instagram to hear about and celebrate everyone's wins!

9. What was more memorable, your most satisfying win or disappointing defeat? And what was it?

My most satisfying wins are definitely more memorable in my career thus far. I am beyond fortunate that I have experienced MANY, MANY, MANY great wins ... but I'd say chief among them are two wins at our National Specialty: Winners Dog with my first show dog to finish him at our 2010 National, and Best of Breed with my client dog, who spent the rest of the year #1 All Systems, at our 2018 National ... just eight years later. I have been incredibly blessed to have owned, bred and shown amazing dogs, worked for amazing clients, and been given amazing guidance, training and encouragement by so many from the very start of my dog life! The losses will happen, and as disappointing as they are, there is always something to learn from them, and it makes the wins even sweeter.

10.  What do you wish someone would ask you?

I wish someone would ask me to help them find a nice dog to co-own and help support.