Hi, I'm Christine. I'm a bit of an artist and really love Chows! Let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I grew up in Southern Ontario, lived in Marietta, Georgia (loved it-had a great life that I loved) and for a really short while at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta (didn't love it.) I love to travel, have been through a few Caribbean Islands, and have been through Central Europe - even had a little beginner's luck in the casinos of Monte Carlo.
At the prestigious 'Crufts' in Birmingham, England in 1999 I saw my Rylee's litter brother Ch. Mi-Pao's J.Walker place first in his class - very exciting! Thanks to the Chows, I've also travelled from one coast to the other for Chow Chow Club, Inc. Specialties in the USA.
MY DAY JOB
By profession, I'm work in the insurance industry. I also model for Shok Models & Talent in Toronto and have appeared in two episodes of a Canadian TV show filmed in Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario. I also perform musically by singing and playing guitar.
CHOW RELATED
I have owned four beautiful chows, NESTA, RYLEE& RULA and my precious little
rescue girl Trinity (Trina). My baby boy Rylee passed away July 2003 after suffering from Cushings Disease. Be sure and visit my Chows page. Nesta passed away the day before his 11th birthday in 2006 amd Rula is my little cream girl who left me October 17, 2007. While I held her in my arms and told her how beautiful she was and how I loved her more than I could express, our fabulous vet - Dr. Gough (Park Road Vet Clinic) helped me let my girl cross over... she bloated. I was devastated and wasn't sure I could ever have another Chow... I miss her with every single passing day...she was with me during these past years ... don't get me wrong because i LOVED my boys and rescue girl too... they are always with me in spirit and I can't imagine how my life had been without them but for some reason, my precious and elegant lady Rula took a piece of my heart with her when she died.
Mi-Pao's Caramella Cream (CARA) has arrived into my life - whelped October 27 she came to live with me just before NewYear's 2009. I love this little show girl and hope we have a long and happy life together. She's cute, smart and fills a very significant void I've had in my life since Rula...
I am a member of several Chow Chow/Canine Clubs worldwide and was Secretary for the Maple Leaf Chow Chow Club for almost 6 years. I was Trophy Chair for 2 years and Show Chaired 2 years including 1998 when the MLCCC did their 25th Anniversary Specialty with people from all over the world in attendance.
I've served on Chow Life's Education Committee when there was one and find that magazine one of the most beautiful collector's items I have ever seen. Kim Bowden does a great job with it - write her to inquire ... chowlife@charter.net
From time to time I contribute as a writer to the Dogs in Canada "Breedlines" column and was honoured to be Editor/Publisher of the MLCCC Newsletter, the Encounter and the Chow Chow Fancier's of Canada newsletter for a time.
THE ART
My art has made its way to Finland, Britain, the United States and of course to shows here in Canada and I've been offered exposure at Crufts for my craft.
I would like to give a little credit to the people who have encouraged me with my visual art... Firstly, to Carin Prelesnik (my dear Swedish Fung Sister) who told me to sign up for watercolour classes (which I never did but I *did* pick up a paint brush), and to Suzanne Staines, Kathleen Zins and to you Carrie - for allowing me to share in the first online art auction to raise money for rescue Chows.
I also would like to thank my beautiful mother, Jean for always being there for me and for telling me that i could do anything I wanted to - if I just put my mind to it. She gave me the love a child needs to grow and taught me how to love. How rich is that? And to Richelle, the closest I ever got to having my very own daughter to love always and forever....
And to you Vanessa Nicolau - you have to be one of the most courageous and fascinating people I've ever met...I will love you til the day I die...and to my mentors Minnie & Paul Odenkirchen I express my gratitude and adoration for teaching me what I know and have come to love with a passion - the dogs.
I hope you enjoy my web site, my art, and my puppy dogs, and if you're inclined please sign my guestbook...
Chow for now...Christine & Cara
I can no longer remain as I was...you have led me to the sunny side, where growth is a matter of course... (Anna-Natalia Malachowskaja, Russian feminist)
