10 Questions ...

Profession: All-breed handler

Dog-sport involvement: Showing dogs, breeding Portuguese Water Dogs and doing waterwork with them, working with service dogs and their families

Hometown: Lugoff, South Carolina

Astrological sign: Aries

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?

When a special retires, the lead goes in my trophy cabinet at home. It's bad luck to use it on any other dog. And I always shine my shoes. (Thank you, Bill Trainor.)

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

“Yellowstone” and “Blue Bloods.” Nothing better than some Kevin Costner and Tom Selleck.

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

Bring back Bred-by groups and Bred-by Best in Show for the breeders.

4. Most valued material possession?

The cross my son gave me for Mother's Day.

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

I absolutely love being a mom to my son, Colin, and I love to help and teach new people in our sport. I am their biggest cheerleader and so proud of them when they succeed.

6. Who would you compare yourself to? 

I wouldn't. I strive every day to make my mentors proud. I was so lucky to learn from them, I never want to disappoint them.

7. What are you “famous” for?  

My love of and ridiculous passion for the Portuguese Water Dog breed.

8. What website do you visit most often?

Temu and Poshmark.

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

I have to say the most satisfying was winning the PWDCA National Specialty in 2009 with Tilley. I was her breeder, owner and handler, and won the Deyanne Miller Trophy because of that. It was an incredible honor as a breeder and owner.

10. What do you wish someone would ask you? 

“Hey, want to go to dinner with us?”