10 Questions ...

Profession: Retired USA gymnastics judge

Dog-sport involvement: Breeder of Merit, AKC delegate and judge, Delegates Advocacy and Advancement Committee member, past judges education coordinator for the Bichon Frise Club of America

Hometown: Born in New York City

Astrological sign: Scorpio

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?  

When I first started showing, I had rituals: a certain lead, a favorite color outfit. After a while I realized all I needed was a good dog and the rest just faded away.

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

Well, that’s a toss-up between “The Bachelor” and “The Housewives of New Jersey.”

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

I would bring Westminster back to the city and have it in February.

4. Most valued material possession?

My diamond wedding band. So many memories ….

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

That I am quiet, demure, wear a size 4 and am a virgin.

6. Who would you compare yourself to?

Rather, who would I like to emulate … I would love to be compared to women who are compassionate, open minded, strong and determined. I would like to be compared to women who are able to stand on their own two feet, who fight for all women and their rights … Who am I? Hopefully a woman who possesses a drop of these attributes.

7. What are you “famous” for?

In the dog world, I guess I am famous for having the breeding program that produced JR, the first Bichon to win Best in Show at both Westminster and Eukanuba; I bred his mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and his grandfather.

In my other world I was highly respected as a gymnastic judge, having judged both here and in Europe.

But I guess I am most famous for having produced four wonderful children that are …well, they are just great human beings that I am so proud of.

8. What website do you visit most often?

Facebook, Infodog, Wordle.

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

How do you really weigh this? Do you have to have suffered loss to realize how good victory feels? Loss can cut you to your core if you let it. Victory can give you a false sense of security if you let it. … Maybe because I have been through so much this past year I take each occasion on a minute to minute basis … I hurt, and I know this too shall pass … I glow, and I know this too shall pass as well.

10. What do you wish someone would ask you?

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”