[Debr]

I'm Debbie, 33 yr old stay at home mommy to 2 human sons, 5 canine kids ,2 feline kids and a fiance I usually refer to as hubby. I make beaded jewelry as a hobby. I like to make beaded items that turn out to be a picture usually flowers and animal amulet bags. These sometimes take a week or more to make so it helps keep me busy when I have to much time on my hands. My new project is working on a beaded collar for Dixie. I am not sure if I should bead her name into it or make it with swarvski crystals so I have about 6 different collars started and all waiting to be finished.

When I did work, I had a residential & commercial cleaning service which turned me into a workaholic.Prior to that I was an administrator for an ACLF aka adult living facility for the mentally ill. I was diagnosed with cancer at 18 yrs old, 4 surgeries and a radiation therapy later I went into remission until 5 years ago. My doctor reccomended that I not work anymore so my system can help fight the cancer. I then began a dog lovers club that focused upon training shelter dogs in hopes they would help place the dogs into homes and once in those homes they would be more likely to remain there. We also helped folks who adopted through a shelter The club was open to people who had dogs from places other then shelters who had problem dogs. The ultimate goal was to prevent the dogs from hitting the shelter or adopted ones from returning there. We also had a breeder referral service since so many out there are just not doing the right thing.Before my cancer diagnosis at 18 my goal was to work with animals. Something along the lines of veterinarian, wild life rehabilitator with some behavioral in there. Since I was a toddler I have had a love for all animals and always told my parents I wanted to be a vet. Fate played its role and I never made it, but I do feel I did find my calling with working with pets who need help. About 6 years ago my fiance bought me a male german shepherd , I reminisced about a shep I had as a youngster and he tried to bring back those happy times I guess. This shep was a genetic time bomb and he is the reason I started the club. His last 4 months with me were spent doing research, visiting clubs, breeders, trainers and making calls across the country. It was an eye opening experience, until that time I guess one can say I was naive. I was not aware the moms personality contributed 80pct to your pup, I was not aware there were mills and 98pct of pet shops got dogs from there, I was not aware breeders just bred any papered dog to make money regardless of health/temperament, I was not aware that from the second a pup is conceived there are things that need to be done to ensure he be mentally & physically healthy so he make a good companion. I always assumed people who dealt with pets loved them as much as those of us buying them.The heartbreak I suffered with this male pup has led me on a journey which I am still traveling on. Where it ends I do not know, I do know if I have helped or can help 1 pet, 1 shelter dog, 1 person learn to help their pet then I have done something.