My love for poodles started when I was a child living in Anchorage, Alaska. I found my first poodle on the side of the road in 1968. She was a miniature poodle and, of course, I named her Evette (I think most poodle owners have had an Evette at least once). I joined the local 4-H program and showed my miniature poodle at the Alaska State Fair. It wasn’t long before local poodle breeders noticed me and I ended up with a properly registered poodle. Soon I was breeding miniature poodles with Ray and Joanne Ellis. I showed my miniatures in both junior handling and all breed shows in the AKC. I was really lucky when I first started out in poodles. I was able to work with nice dogs in a community filled with helpful mentors. My sponsor, Joanne Ellis started out by importing miniature poodles with Bud Dicky, her experience helped me to develop an eye for great dogs of all breeds. I’ve also been fortunate to be mentored by some of the true greats in our poodle breed; Tim Brazier, L’Dyne Brennan of Brighton Poodles, and Wendell Sammet of Ale Kai Poodles just to name a few. My favorite win was in February of 2014 when my poodle, GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, won Reserve Best in Show at Westminster. I was so fortunate to share the experience with owners Toni and Martin Sosnoff, my co-breeder L’Dyne Brennan, and of course, the incomparable handler and my great friend, Tim Brazier along with another dear friend and world renowned groomer, Penny Dugan. GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore also won Best in Show at the Poodle Club of America National Specialty show under the expert handling of Tim Brazier. And, just recently, I was overjoyed to have the honor of another Best in Show at the Poodle Club of America National Specialty with a nephew of Ally’s; GCHB Lakeridge Simply Irresistible. Renton, Washington has been my home now for more than 40 years. It is here in Washington that I have been able to create a kennel of standard poodles with titles and accomplishments all over the world. I am proud of how Lakeridge Standard Poodles has grown and positively influenced the poodle breed over the years. I am an AKC Breeder of Merit and have bred many dozens of AKC Champions, as well as international champions. I am also an AKC all breed judge. When I am not showing my own poodles, or mentoring other poodle owner-handlers in our sport, I can be found in a ring at an AKC dog show, sharing my knowledge through my judging.