I started my dog journey, as many do, with the family pets growing up. My grandmother had Lhasa Apsos, and when I was old enough to express an interest in having a dog of my own, my parents took me to an adoption event, where we came home with an Australian shepherd named Pepper. As a teen in the 90s, I got an Australian terrier and then my first Alaskan malamute.

Malamutes are the breed I have stuck with over the years, and I currently have four (two boys, two girls). I like to say that I do “all the things” with my dogs, and our activities include things like pack hiking, sledding, paddleboarding, bikejoring, as well as organized dog sports with the Alaskan Malamute Club of America, American Kennel Club, and United Kennel Club. I’ve put many titles on my dogs in various venues and events, including Rally Novice (AKC & UKC), Beginner Novice (AKC), Show Champion (AKC, UKC, IABCA), Canine Good Citizen (AKC), Trick Dog Novice (AKC), STAR Puppy (AKC), Fast CAT (AKC), Weight Pull (UKC & AMCA), Working Pack Dog (AMCA), Working Team Dog (AMCA), and Working Lead Dog (AMCA).