Ch. Arderne Too Die For (Sultan)

Baby in Show - The Sydney Kennel Club Inc 2003

I am a lover of all creatures - they bring such joy, happiness and loyalty into those fortunate enough to be their carers.

Lady and I relaxing at Balmoral

As a youngster of a few years I can remember accompanying my mother every weekend to the dogs shows.

I enjoyed looking at all the different breeds of canines, along with the strange characters, noise and bustle of the agricultural shows. We used to queue in line to be vetted in those days.

I helped show the various breeds of dogs my mother had and participated in the Child handlers competitions with my Shetland sheepdog “Kylie” whom I also took to obedience. I was a very successful competitor in both worlds with this wonderful little girl.

I then progressed to the Keeshond, and I was given “Kendrie Kiss Me Kate” one of the best Keeshond bitches in her day, being an extremely glamorous and beautiful dog to show, but my heart had been set on a Pomeranian and I continually begged my mother for one.

My first Pomeranian baby was a boy, which I called “Dusty”, unfortunately when we purchased him he was contagious with distemper and many of my mothers dogs in the kennel died. Although Dusty pulled through, he had lost all sense of balance and had to be put down. This was devastating to me and I still don't think I ever got over it, shutting myself away for days crying over the precious little bundle I had for such a short time.

That Christmas I was given my own horse “Sari” at the age of 10 (I had ridden by Aunty's horses since 4 years of age) and I departed from the dog show world but not my love of the Pomeranian.

My first horse, Sari

From the age of 18, I always had a Pomeranian, but these were not shown.

Sam as a baby

I later went on to breed a littler of Old English Sheep dogs which produced a lovely boy being a “Best In Show Winner”. Another breed I loved and owned is the Rottweiler I purchased a boy as a guard dog “Rocky” who grew up with my pet Pomeranian “Lady”.

Rocky & Lady at a B-B-Q

They were devoted to each other and people used to be amazed at the image of “one the biggest dogs” walking beside “one of the smallest breeds” enjoying their daily stroll. They especially loved the swimming pool, Rocky throwing his frisbee in and jumping after it swimming to the other end to get out, whilst Lady floated on her lilow taking in the sunshine and occasionally bumping against the side to say hello to her comrade.

After my marriage breakup I returned to my first love, horses. My every weekend spent with the enchanting creatures until I had an accident in 1996 whilst training for the Police 3 day eventing competition where I came off my thorough bred and broke my back. The ordeal left me with chronic pain.

Karyns "Black Pharoh"

- leased out now and still winning in the ring today

I was unable to sit, stand or lay down for very long, and depression followed. My mother decided to give me a dog to try to get me out of this state of mind (as I had none at that time).

Sahara and Karyn

I had given her my Toy Poodle“ Sahara”a few years earlier when I moved into a unit and could not keep her) and I asked mum, this time to give me a show Pomeranian instead of a pet, which had been the case previously.

“NZ & Aust Ch. Arderne Shahni” as she is known today, was the little girl she gave me and my return to the show ring was inevitable.

I reside in Chatswood in a garden unit with my limited number of dogs. They take a holiday every so often to my mother's country retreat in Harden Murrumburrah when they are out of coat or expecting babies. I am currently house hunting and very excited about being able to build my own kennels and take some of the dogs and work off my mother and her partner.

My backyard in Gordon