The Labrador involvement began in 1981 when my summer job was kennel girl at Wimberway Perm. Reg'd Labradors. I had always wanted to be involved with dogs and I also think my grade 7 teacher Mrs. Milne had a hand in this too. You see, she had two Samoyeds she showed and brought them to school once a year along with the books, ribbons and crates. I enjoyed the versatility of the Labradors I met at Sandy's and acquired my first one in 1984. Since then, I have had many Labradors come, go and stay in my life and have experienced just about every up and down there is in purebred dogs. My kennel name was registered in 1983 and the name was chosen as a result of seeing the popular Gilbert and Sullivan musical 'The Pirates of Penzance'. It is a very tongue in cheek production and the cast were having a ball playing their parts. I decided that those 'Pirates' had a lot in common with the Labradors I had met so the dye was cast as they say.

I grew up in the west end of Toronto but as soon as high school was over, I high tailed out to the country. This is where I am most comfortable and I have been here ever since! I have a terrific group of friends, some are from childhood, some from school and a bunch of super people I have met while 'in dogs'. Some of their web pages are on my list of links page.

My current country home is located just between Keswick and Sutton in Ontario. For the last twenty years I have been Kennel Manager for Coquetel Kennels, owned by John and Julia Munro. The main focus of Coquetel are the Standard Poodles and 2005 celebrates their 40th year in the breed. This is a full time, live in position for me that has me wearing a 'jill of all trades' cap most days. My Labs and I have a great lifestyle here and I absolutely love my job. The household is busy with all that goes on here and outside our gated yard but what makes our unique situation work is that we all share the same love for the dogs and country life. We are within walking distance of Lake Simcoe and surrounded by well kept and run dairy farms.

There is life beyond the dogs: contrary to popular canine oriented beliefs! I believe in a balance life so my private time has very little to do with canine pursuits. I am glad I live as close to Toronto as I do. An hours drive puts me back into a cosmopolitan hub with just about anything and everything available to ones self. It is this place that pulses passionately 24 hours a day and offers many adventures. At the other end of the spectrum, heading north, we hit one of the most beautiful places on this planet, in my opinion anyway. Here I can find solace in the seemingly simplicity of natures beauty, the great Canadian outdoors in Cottage Country. Sitting on a dock at the waters edge with a good book, a cold beer and a Labrador at your feet, well, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean certainly has provided myself and peers lots of opportuntity to have some good natured jabs and laughs.

Hope you enjoyed your the virtual visit and as Captain Jack Sparrow said, "Now...bring me that horizon." CHEERS!