About Us

I live in Calgary, Alberta with my three dogs:  Tega, Pinot and Carson, and three cats: Merlin, Lucas and Tazzie.   I’ve had the honour of having my dogs be among the top performance boxers and Working Breed dogs in Canada and achieve “firsts” in the breed.  I’m a past-President and past-Obedience Chairperson for the Alberta Boxer Club and am currently a CKC Draft Dog judge.

I had dogs and horses all my life and spent 12 years competing in the hunter/jumper ring.  However, the realities of practicing law made finding the time to keep up with my riding increasingly difficult.  In 1997, I decided to quit riding and get a dog.

I first met Kira on Remembrance Day in 1997. Frankly, I wasn’t that impressed when I first laid eyes on her. She wasn’t the big strapping fawn dog with pricked ears that formed the image of a “BOXER” in my mind.  She was small, a black brindle and had natural ears.   As I sat in Charmaine’s kitchen being educated on her pedigree,  Kira sat patiently beside me with her front paw firmly on my thigh, staring at me.  She knew,  even if I didn’t.  Kira officially came into my life in December, 1997 and started my love affair with this magnificent breed.

Tega pulling his cart (above)

I had no intention of doing any performance competition with Kira when I got her.   However,  because she was quite noise sensitive and a bit of a “spook”,  I immediately registered us for obedience classes with the goal to help with her socialization and build her confidence.  A flicker of talent in her novice obedience class eventually turned into a quest for performance achievement that saw us earn all-breed High In Trial, an Obedience Trial Championship,  and top CKC obedience honours in 2001, 2003 and 2004.  Kira also was my introduction to Draft Dog work and Pet Therapy.  Kira and I were Team Leaders with the Pet Access League Society in Calgary for 5 years where Kira did her most important work of all:  provide love and comfort for seniors in a nursing care facility.

Tega performing the scent article exercise in the Obedience Utility class

In June, 1998,  Taylor joined our family.  Taylor was a 5.5 year old sheltie who had to leave his existing family because of a dispute he had with an older sheltie in the house, resulting in serious injury to the older dog.  Good grief.  All that HAIR!!  I knew Taylor and he was a dynamic dog.  How could I say no?  Taylor was an amazing dog and I am grateful for the time we shared together.  Taylor achieved his Obedience Trial Championship,  ran at Masters level in agility, obtained his Herding Instinct Certificate at age 7 and took great joy in quashing all great expectations I may have had for him.

When I was ready for my next performance dog in 2001,  I questioned whether or not to stay with the boxer or go to another breed such as a Golden or Terv.  I ultimately decided that I would rather share my life, 365 days of the year, 24/7,  with a boxer than any other breed.  After some discussion,  Karen Knox from Dorado Boxers graciously allowed my wonderful boy,  Tega,  to join my life.  Tega picked up from what Kira started and has continued to make strides in the performance world,  including being the first boxer in CKC history to achieve the exclusive Draft Dog Excellent title and  achieving the Versatility Boxer award from the Alberta Boxer Club. 

Our favorite vacation spot - the beach!

By spring, 2005,  I was ready to look for another puppy but it had to be a “special” puppy who was beautiful,  had a strong desire to please and, importantly, had proven longevity behind her.  It was a tough bill to fill.  I knew people in the US with Jacquet boxers who were service dogs, performance dogs and who were living well into their double digits.   It seemed the natural course to take.  I first made contact with Rick Tomita of Jacquet Boxers in April/05.  From the moment I laid eyes on Pinot, I was in love with her.  She’s everything I had hoped for.