Growing up in the Appalachian foothills of Virginia, I have always had an affinity for animals. As a child, I would read countless animal books, soaking up any information I could learn about dogs as well as other animals, domesticated and wild. To my mother's chagrine, I would bring live specimens of reptiles, rodents and amphibians home in my pockets in order to study and to better understand Virginia's wildlife.
As an attempt to positively channel this interest for animals, my parents allowed me to begin breeding New Zealand/Californian cross rabbits when I was 8 years old. From this hybrid foundation, I explored the power of genetics by creating two lines. One line produced rabbits that expressed New Zealand traits (solid coat patterns) while the second line expressed Californian traits (white coats with black tips). This early introduction to genetics as well as the responsibility breeding entails laid the foundation upon which Selah was later built.
Though domestic animals had a huge pull on my heart, I also pursed my passion for wildlife species by competing in 4-H's Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP). WHEP was developed to educate young people on wildlife identification, sustainable environmental practices as well as legal regulations pertaining to wildlife. WHEP also hosted a nationwide competition each year. In 2011, my team was fortunate to qualify and win the WHEP national held in Little Rock, Arkansas. Not only did this experience instill in me an appreciation for sustainable land management, but it taught me the importance of being knowleable in laws and regulations pertaining to animals.
My earliest exposure to purebred dogs was probably the DK Eyewitness Book: Dogs which I never tired of reading from cover to cover. However, the glamour of the National Dog Show that aired on TV for Thanksgiving really caught my attention and I knew I wanted to learn more about purebred dogs and the dog show world.
After a little research, I joined the Skyline Kennel Club as a junior. The club members gladly helped me discover which dog breed was right for me. At one of their handling classes, a club member brought one of her Italian Greyhounds for me to practice showing and that was history. I had never seen a more beautiful, graceful creature whose personality and athleticism so well complimented my own.
During the winter of 2007, I brought home my first Italian Greyhound (IG), Charlie, who still is my fast companion. Charlie was not thrilled about being a show dog but he taught me more about showing and caring for dogs than any book. Together, we competed in Breed and Junior Showmanship and even participated in Rally and Obedience. He was truly the best first show dog I could've had as he was very patient and willing to try new things no matter how crazy they appeared to be.
In 2009, my second IG, Shannon, came home and proved to be one of the best investments I have ever made. A huge personality in a small package, she was a phenomenal showdog but an even better mother. Shannon introduced a very different side of Italian Greyhounds and every moment with her is a joy. Since then, I've learned that Italian Greyhounds can't be put into any one box when it comes to temperment and personality. Each one is as individual and unique as humans which makes this breed all the more challenging as well as rewarding.
From her first litter in 2013, Shannon produced four puppies who will bear the Selah prefix in their registered names. These dogs were the foundation of my breeding program which I titled Selah because I believe it captures the responsible breeder's approach. Impossible to be directly translated from Hebrew, "Selah" infers pausing and reflecting upon what was seen. As a breeder, it is my responsibility to constantly reflect on what has been produced in order to breed even better dogs in the future. For this reason, I haven't bred the quantity of dogs that comparable breeders have, but I do stand by the quality of my dogs. With every litter, I see dogs that are a little bit better and a little closer to the image of the perfect dog in my mind's eye and I count them successes.
Between 2012-2018 I had to take a less competitive role with dog shows in order to complete college and graduate school so my younger sister campaigned Selah Italian Greyhounds in my stead. Even as I financed and supported from the sidelines, these years were fundamental in establishing Selah's presence in the AKC show circuit.
After graduating with my Masters from James Madison University, I began working as an ESOL teacher in Virginia. Now in my fifth year of teaching, I am pleased to have not only been able to expand my breeding program but also to have presented many beautiful, healthy and well-adjusted Italian Greyhounds to the dog fancy.
Over the years, my ambition remains unchanged: to make a meaningful contribution to the preservation and betterment of Italian Greyhounds. I intend to continue studying and loving this wonderful breed until my last breath.