Candidate for Southeast Director

In 1972 I bought my first GSP.  Several years later I was looking in a Sports Illustrated magazine and saw a photo of Ch Gretchehof Columbia River (Traveler) winning BIS at Westminster. He looked remarkably similar to my bitch.  As it turned out he was my bitch’s grandsire, who after studying her pedigree was three quarter Gretchenhof. When it was time to breed her, I sent her to Dave and Jan Hill’s DC Erick vom Enzstrand after seeing his pointing photo in the German Shorthaired Pointer News. From that breeding, came my foundation bitch Ch. Laden Field’s Jaeger CD. The first time I ever took a point at a show with me on the end of the lead, I was able to get a Group 1 with Jaeger. Call it beginners luck, because it was all Jaeger and not my handling skills. At that time I was living in Washington State, working at Washington State University and was a member of the Palouse Hills Dog Fanciers, during which time I held the positions of Show Chairman and President. I was honored to be made an Honorary Life Time Member when I moved away in 1989. The Palouse region is where the dogs and I spent months each year hunting and watching how masterful Jaeger became on pheasants.  I remember one day when she decided to cast wide circling over the plowed field to the end of the draw, pinning the pheasants down before they would flush. This image still gives me goose bumps. Through Jaeger’s offspring I was fortunate enough to have won many GSPCA Breeder Awards over the years including Dual Producing, Show, Obedience , and Hunting Dam of the Year. Many of these were won by Bekka who was the dam of Dual Ch. AFC Trekker v Grunbaum, VCD3 UDX, TDX, MH, AXJ, MX, CGC, HOF and Int.CH/ Dual Ch. Kurzhaar’s Ruger v Haven, SH.  Bekka’s breeding to Hustler now has produced 14 Dual Ch descendants and contributed greatly to breeding programs all over the world.

What is really important are the people you meet along the way and the friendships that last, which keep things in perspective and keeps the fun in the sport. Most of my closest friends are from being involved in GSP’s. My last litter produced 2 GCH’s, 4 Am, 2 Can, and 1 Aus CH, a Back to Back Group 1 winner, numerous Group Placements, a Top Twenty Five, BISS  and 2 JH titles.  Two are invitees to the AKC/ Eukanuba Championships  this year and they still very young dogs. One is GCH Laden Field’s Mighty Wind Kaposia JH (Cinder)who is co-owned with Betty Sandberg  of Kaposia Kennel fame. Betty and Don were AKC judges and also Life Time Honorary Member of the GSPCA.  My early breeding had a lot of Kaposia influence, so it’s great to have Betty’s kennel name on Cinder and to stay in touch with her and keep her posted on Cinder. Now all Betty needs is a laptop and e-mail.

I’ve been working at the National Institute on Drug Abuse for the last 17 years doing research on methamphetamine, carrying out experiments and doing data analysis. I also participate on the Animal Care and Use Committee that oversees all research that use animal species.

Lately, any spare time I have I’m usually going to some practice with Ian and Sarah my 10 year old twins.