First and foremost, my Cotons are my joy. I've had all of my girls since the age of 10 weeks—this has allowed me to develop a special bond with each of them. Acquiring each Coton as a puppy has also helped to sort out the "doggie dynamics" in the house. Since new puppies are not often territorial at first, this gives them a chance to acclimate and discover their place in the "pack." Of course, we have squabbles from time to time, but they are truly bonded to each other.

My boy, Cassidy, has been placed with local friends who fell in love with him while visiting. It was a difficult decision to let him go, but they provide him undivided attention; well, he does have to share a bit with his Rhodesian Ridgeback "sister," Lily. Having Cassidy live in another home also prevents any accidental breeding . . . as the girls need a rest between litters. We miss his constant joyful energy, but he does visit often!

In addition to my "live-in" Cotons, we have two small Yorkshire Terriers, Fievel and Greta. They are brother and sister—I do not breed Yorkies; it is more than enough to be an "expert" on one breed. The Yorkies patrol the border to protect us from those "dangerous" lizards! They also do a great job antagonizing the Cotons. It's all in good fun, and at the end of the day, all is forgiven as they cuddle together and clean each other's ears . . . yuck! (You can see Yorkie ears and feet in many of the pictures on my web site.)

Health is of utmost importance in my breeding program. All of my Cotons are tested for hereditary and common canine health issues to determine whether they will be considered for breeding.

In addition to health, conformation is critical. Cassidy has retired from the show ring after winning his championship and a Best In Show Reserve—a big "Thank you" to Luis and Carmen Ortiz for helping him to achieve that title!!  All of my girls are of the same champion quality. They all come from multi-champion parents, and prominent kennels all over the world. They are all proud examples of the breed standard. I have chosen however, at this point, not to put them in the ring. To me, it's very important to let my dogs be dogs. They may look delicate, but they are quite hardy and enjoy running in the wet grass, getting dirty, and rolling around with the puppies as they tug on each other's coats. Show coats don't hold up so well to mud and puppy teeth!

A word (or two) about temperament. Lap dogs are common, but the Coton de Tulear possesses a quality that is truly unique. When you pick them up, they tend to mold to your body in rag-doll fashion. I'm convinced they are the best cuddlers in the history of the world. They are friendly and outgoing, are very good with children, and with other pets. Following in the footsteps of many Cotons, some of my pups have gone on to be certified therapy dogs bringing patients and nursing home residents joy through their regular visits. They are such happy dogs, that their attitude is infectious. This is why they have earned the title of the "anti-stressor dog." But, just like kids, their personalities, even of puppies from the same litter can differ quite a bit!