I've always been an animal person; ever since I can remember every stray dog and cat in the neighborhood would follow me home. I was never allowed a pet growing up, aside from the odd hamster but I always knew that pets would be a big part of my life when I got older. When I turned 17 I decided to get involved in rescue, I volunteered for Big Heart and Bully Buddies as well as other rescues doing homevisits, transports and taking foster dogs to training classes or the vet – anything I could do to help. In 2008 I started volunteering and fostering dogs for the BC Chihuahua Rescue, soon after I took over the management position of Foster Coordinator. In May 2010 I resigned from my position with the BC Chihuahua Rescue to go back to school but continued to do homevisits and transports for various rescues. About 6 months later I was back in it, fostering for Carrie and her rescue Carried Through Animal Rescue and Education. As we grew to know each other better I became more and more involved in the rescue and am now happy to share a lot of the rescue responsibilities with Carrie.My two dogs Cooper and Barney are my everything, they are both rescues.

Cooper:

This amazing little dog goes by many names to those that love and care for him --Coopy, Coop-a-loop, Pooper, Princess. Cooper is about 3 years old, I adopted him from the BC Chihuahua Rescue when he was 3 months old, he was my first foster failure. Cooper brings a joy into my life that could never be fulfilled by any other dog! He is one of the smartest dogs I know. Together we have done many obedience classes, rally obedience, agility, and recently we tried our hand at K9 Noseworks. Cooper has succeeded beyond my wildest imagination in all of them! He loves to learn and conquer and it makes me happy that it's something we can enjoy together.

 Barney:

My sweet little Chocolate Chihuahua, known to many as either Barnaby or Barney or Bean. Barney is 11 months old and a little spitfire! He is also a foster failure (gee, do I see a pattern?) he was rescued when I was looking for a Chihuahua to adopt to my uncle. I pulled his brother from a high kill shelter and the shelter begged me to take Barney as well – I can't imagine if I hadn't! Barney is a wonderful little dog, he lavishes those he loves with excited kisses, little squeaking noises and a little thing he likes to do where he rubs his neck all over your face like a cat! He is always wagging his tail and just the sight of his little chocolate face in the morning puts a smile on mine. I am looking forward to teaching him rally obedience and K9 Noseworks like his big brother and I hope that he will thoroughly enjoy them as well!