I grew up in London without a dog of my own, although I spent plenty of time walking and training the neighbours dogs. At 13, I finally got my first dog and began dabbling in Obedience and Agility. Duchess was a very good girl but only on her own terms. Her mother was a Sheltie, but I’m fairly sure her father was a Beardie.

At Crufts in 1988, while supposedly watching the Westies, I walked past a Bearded Collie ring just as one of the dogs slipped its lead and proceeded to bark and create absolute chaos in the middle of judging. Everyone around the ring burst out laughing. That was the moment I decided these were my sort of dogs and my sort of people.

Since then, Beardies have been a huge part of my life. I have bred, shown, handled, and most importantly, been owned by Bearded Collies. In 2003, I moved from Thame, England to Australia in search of better weather and more affordable horses. I met and married my farmer and hay producer, and together with our daughter we now live on a farm near Strathalbyn, South Austalia. The Beardies came with me, and now their relatives happily turn their paws to showing, sheep work, cattle work, (playing) obedience, home agility, and generally being involved in everything.

In England, I was a member of the Bearded Collie Club and the Southern Counties Bearded Collie Club, including serving on committee for several years. When I arrived in South Australia there was no active breed club, so with a few like-minded friends we helped establish one. I have now been Secretary and Fun Day organiser for the past 10 years.

Professionally, I worked as a Registered Veterinary Nurse for over 30 years in both England and Australia, mainly in emergency and first-opinion practice. Over time my career has shifted in a different direction and I now run my own website design and VA business. My background has given me strong organisational skills, practical experience, and a lifelong involvement with animals and the people who love them.