Empire Samoyeds How it All Began

                                           How it all Began!

My love for Samoyeds began 15 years ago right before I acquired my beloved Leo S. Cooper. One
day I was looking at the AKC Book and trying to decide which breed would be right for us. My
husband had lost his fourteen year old Golden Retriever "Major" a few years before. He just could
not look at another one, I was looking for a dog that was full of beauty, intelligent, a great
companion, great with children, and loved to shall I be say more than a dog.

We were an active family at the time both children in elementary school and in my research I found
the Samoyed to be my choice breed. Husband said you will never find one, this was just before we
had the Internet. The next week there was an ad and in an ice storm we drove and picked out our
first Samoye d.

Leo had been more than a pet, sometimes I think he thought he was really people. Leo was
sensitive, intelligent and a devoted friend. He took more car rides, had more cookies, and ran more
hike trails than the average dog. This he will always be remembered by, amongst so many he
befriended during his time with us. We have many wonderful lessons and memories. We not only
taught him, he taught us what is means to be a Samoyed.

I had always wanted to get more involved with the breeding, handling and showing of this
fabulous smiley faced breed. However Leo was a pet quality Samoyed and well above the AKC
Standards. I never knew how to correctly get started, but I did know I had a deep passion and
understanding and talent in working with this wonderful determined breed, or any breed. Animals
and I just bond. It is an unconditional love, and each has their very own personalities which make
my life so adventurous.

Leo was acquired as a pet and at three years old he beat the odds of a cancerous growth that
never came back, had Hip Dysplasia, numerous relapses of Lymes Disease, then in his Senior
Years, Cruciate Repair and finally Cushing’s Disease. With all the above he never complained even
to his last days.

Almost one year before he went over to the rainbow bridge, I started looking for another Samoyed.
I loved the breed so much and Leo that I wanted another. I was concerned about how Leo would
react to a puppy as at this age his patience were at a minimum. He got along well and loved my
two other rescues Pugsy a Pug & Speedy a Greyhound/ Lab. But Leo was almost three when we
got Pugsy and six when we got Speedy. Now he was twelve and I knew in my heart his days were
coming. I began searching for breeders.

Summer of 2005, I assisted Carrie Palmer-Collier a Champion Samoyed Breeder, and it was the
most invigorating experience I have had. My first experience was of assisting in a very delicate
delivery of seven puppies. I had assisted in deliveries before of a few neighbor’s dogs and it was
nothing like this one.   It was after that delivery that I knew I can really do this. In fact I kept the
boy I saved, not caring if he was a show baby or a pet.

It was Karma and I took him home to meet the gang.    Leo, Pugsy, & Speedy were really happy to
meet “Dizzle” White Magic’s Livin on the Edge, CGC We went to a few shows and this novice
learned that handling takes a lot of education from handlers, breeders, and guts. I attended
handling classes. Most breeders are busy and it takes a special person to teach the novice that I
was. I then began mentoring under Ellen Lopiano of Valentino Samoyeds. I had begun my journey
in learning how to properly handle, train, groom and show.
(This is an ongoing lifelong lesson).

About six months later Pugsy went to live with my in-laws after my brother-in-law moved out. He
had always visited them and sometimes stayed the night. Speedy soon after moved in with my
mom & dad as he bonded with them while they lived here for a bit in between their move.

Then I saw a litter I was interested in by Judi & Blair Elford at Vanderbilt Samoyeds. Before long
came my first girl Vanderbilt’s Diamond Empire. "Diamond" fit right in and Leo adored her as well
as the others. She was only here three months before Leo took his journey. I swear she
remembers him.

Another six months later I was offered another girl by Donna Thorton-Clark of Silver C’s Samoyed's
and I co-own her with Ellen Lopiano & Donna Thorton-Clark Silver C’s Trillion Dollar "Baby". I was
getting hooked and getting so much assistance from Ellen, Judi & Donna. I have them all to thank
in giving me the courage to acquire Dizzle’s CGC, Points on Diamond and a Major on Baby including
Best in Match's & First in Sweeps at Specialty Shows.

I am still learning and enjoying every moment of it. It takes time, research, and patience, and most
importantly education. All my mentors have had a lifetime of breeding experience with the
Samoyed breed.   Most Samoyed breeders and handlers will always offer help, education and
opinions. To date I have been guided by all the best and enjoy each days journey of education,
confusion, and fun.

I have begun fulfilling my longtime vision. It is my goal to also have all my dogs and the eventually
retired champions used as therapy dogs. Again they are sensitive happy working dogs who can
cheer up anyone especially the elderly, sick and disabled.   To me it is not only about
conformation. More importantly it is also those fun working titles. I believe these show babies
should be active & happy pets while doing what they were originally bred to do.

Being a top breeder is more than a full time job which takes years of education and experience. For
me and my lifestyle being able to be a owner/ co-owner/ handler/ trainer on a smaller scale makes
me feel very complete. It is a lifetime commitment to bettering the breed.

One might ask how you can walk away from those puppies, after whelping well you don’t. You
watch them show, groom, and grow by keeping in touch with the wonderful families they are
selected to be with. This makes you always a part of their lives, it is a forever bond and a privilege
to be part of their living souls.