10 Questions ...

Profession: Data analyst 

Dog-sport involvement: Assistant, owner-handler and soon-to-be breeder-owner-handler 

Hometown: Spruce Pine, North Carolina 

Astrological sign: Sagittarius 

1. Do you have any dog show superstitions? 

Three rubber bands and your lucky leash. Plus, keep the rubber bands you win with in your tack box or vehicle for good luck.

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

“The Golden Girls,” “Desperate Housewives” and “The Great British Bake Off.” I mean, that’s the Holy Trinity, if you ask me. 

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

Allow breeders to be showcased more! We see the Bred-by groups so rich in quality and depth during Orlando, why can’t we focus a little more time and effort on seeing them be more like that every weekend or even just once a month? Put on bigger showcases for the breeders to show the best they have to offer. Santa Barbara Kennel Club does a fabulous job showcasing breeders.

4. Most valued material possession?

My grandmother's wedding ring and a picture of me with my first dog, Piper, my beloved Boxer.

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

As they say, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. I am skilled with working on cars and small engines, as that was my grandpa's small business. I also have two State Championships from clogging at the North Carolina State Fair, and one State Championship from Show Choir. Plus, I like to hunt and fish. 

6. Who would you compare yourself to?

I don’t like to compare as it can become a toxic habit. The only person I compare myself to is me, because at the end of the day, what is going to happen to me will happen when it’s meant to. Outside the sport, I compare myself to Leslie Jordan all the time. I try to always emulate the joy he brought to any work or person he came in contact with. Plus, he was a simple Southern belle, just like me. 

7. What are you “famous” for

For being able to give you a little sparkle and spice in your day.

 8. What website do you visit most often? 

Canine Chronicle. Being a lover of numbers, I love to just look at the statistics and calculate different scenarios and probabilities.

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

My most memorable win is what started it all for me in this sport. I don’t come from a family of professionals, so I started from scratch, and have worked my way up, as they say. I was showing my first Juniors dog, who had graciously been shared with me by William Guappone and Gretchen Belan of Merry Music Beagles. I was at a local show with my mom in Winston-Salem. I had no idea what I was doing. This was my third AKC event and also my first time in Juniors. “Jackson” (Ch. Merry Music Smooth Criminal) and I had just met that morning and showed that evening. I was nervous, he was nervous, my mother was nervous. But we stepped foot in the ring and David Kirkland saw something and helped ignite the spark I have to this day. Many may think this is nothing, but when I think back to this moment, I see how much I have grown. From the little blond boy in the oversized suits who wore shoes too big to the young man who has learned to dress and enjoys this sport for what it is … At least, I hope people think I can dress now. 

 10. What do you wish someone would ask you?

“The house is on fire: Do you save Dolly Parton or Betty White?” In all seriousness, I welcome any questions and love to just talk to people! I love walking around the shows speaking with spectators and explaining why exactly we do this sport. For the love of the dogs!