Since 1978, Barb has been part of the 8 to 5 crowd working for Pfizer (was Pharmacia, was Pharmacia & Upjohn, was Upjohn). From 1980 on, Barb has been involved in dogs. That's when, pregnant and at home, Barb got her first dog: an English Springer Spaniel named Sasha.

Sasha, CDX, TD, Can CD started Barb out in the sport of purebred dogs: she was a pet-store, Novice A dog. Sasha was willing to participate in Barb's new-found love of obedience -- it was in the days of "jerk and pull", so she wasn't given a chance to reach her potential. Sasha did, however, earn 2 legs for her UD before being retired with hip dysplasia. Tracking was a big hit with Sasha -- walk along and eat cookies? What could be better! She had a wishful thinking approach to turns (maybe it goes straight?) and Barb learned to really study her tracking partner.

Then came the Belgians! The picture is of Barb and Jagger (CH & HTCH Winjammers Tuff Act Too, UDTX). Jagger was a wonderful, do-it-all kind of dog. He competed in conformation, herding, obedience, sledding and tracking. He would have loved agility -- see how we improvised in the old days?

Barb's biggest obedience moments were with Belgian Sheepdog, Bidder (multi-HIT Winjammers A Bid Above, UDT, Can CD). He started his performance career with a TD at about 18 months old but spent most of his performance time in the obedience ring. Bidder started in Canada, earning his CD with a 197, 199 and 199+; the last was High-in-Trial. Over the course of his AKC career, he earned over 20 HIT's and 90 OTCH points.

Over the years, Barb has owned and been owned by a number of remarkable dogs. Some were outstanding conformation dogs, some awesome performance dogs and a few were happy couch potatoes. The joy of partnering with these special animals adds spice and fun to life and Barb hopes to always have such a friend by her side.

More dogs and histories are on Barb's website: Beeken