10 Questions ...

Profession: Dog lover

Dog-sport involvement: AKC-registered handler and breeder of Alisaton Dobermans 

Hometown: Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Astrological sign: Cancer. I was made by an Aries and a Taurus. So basically I have all the emotions, I’m extremely loyal and protective, and I have a stubborn streak and a temper. 

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?  

Not for winning or losing, but I do this odd thing with rubber bands. If it was a good day, if I feel like I made myself and my loved ones proud, I keep the rubber bands. If I disappoint myself with my behavior (which frequently happens), I passionately throw them out or shoot them at my friends. I’m a 40-year-old child. 

2. TV-show guilty pleasure? 

While my children are awake, “Fixer Upper” reruns, but when the little go to bed I watch the ID channel. It’s always good to be reminded right before bed of all the ways in which you can murder or be murdered. 

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

Build a position for a junior liaison to breed clubs and educate clubs on how to make sure the kids that participate in our sport are safe. I would like to make sure the kids AND the parents know safe communication, fair expectations from handlers, and the process of building your knowledge within our community so you can then be a knowledgeable handler one day. I would suspend convicted pedophiles for life because mistreatment of a child should hold the same weight as mistreatment of animals. No one who spent time in prison for sexually abusing a minor should be allowed to make a living in this sport. 

4. Most valued material possession? 

My mom’s ashes.

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

My dimples are involuntary, and even though I look friendly, I absolutely HATE being touched, and I am always sincere but not always friendly. 

6. Who would you compare yourself to? 

No one. Ever. 

7. What are you “famous” for? 

Of late my tendency for public outbursts, but before probably for the Dobermans I’ve been able to dance with. 

8. What website do you visit most often?

Amazon. I have a real problem. 

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

I don’t remember the defeats because that’s the joy of walking in the ring with a Doberman: You are never alone, and any win or loss cannot compare to that level of commitment and bond from an animal. That being said, I do have a propensity for falling, and those memories make me snort-laugh. My favorite being the time I was kneeling behind my most fabulous Doberman, CJ. All my friends in the stands had stayed to cheer us on in BIS. As Frank Sabella was writing the winner in his book, I was so nervous I forgot to breathe and just collapsed onto the floor. My friends started laughing. CJ didn’t even break her stack – she just stood there humiliated until I righted myself. 

10. What do you wish someone would ask you?

I really like when my little people ask me to do stuff with them. They still think I’m a superhero, and I intend to take advantage as long as I can.