Beatrice W.

I've had dogs all my life. For the most part, they have been mixed breeds. I participated in 4-H obedience with my first dog, Maxie, and learned from her that dogs are very loving, forgiving, non judgmental and always willing to comfort me.

I currently have Bo, the most wonderful mixed breed anyone could ask for - he is my best buddy. Belle, a husky mix who is my challenge and Cloe who recently came to live with me and is trying to fit in. The reasons I choose mixed breed dogs is because they are generally healthy and the need to save unwanted pets from being destroyed.

Bo is a second term therapy dog and also Pets Mart's dog of the month in Santa Clarita. We have been competing in obedience for 4 years and Bo has completed his CD CDX in AMBOR and has also received many high trial scores in UKC. Belle is learning carting and Cloe will be working on becoming a therapy dog next spring.

My favorite dog related memory is when my husband was in Iceland for a year. Bo became my second hand man while my husband was away. On the other hand, Bo is also the star in one of my most embarrassing dog related memories when he - the same dog that would never even pee at a park - decided to pee in the obedience ring!

If I could attain only one dog related goal this year it would be to teach Bo to scent so that we could continue in obedience.

My advice for new dog owners would be to love them as much as possible and get some type of obedience training because a dog that minds is an asset to all.