had clipped with the big Sunbeam clippers – it was a piece of cake to do dogs, once I knew where the lines were. They each were very patient with me. Often, if I was able to go to shows close by, Paul would let me help do simple things at the shows to learn more. It was a fun way to meet people and learn to do things I had not a clue about. How did you pick your kennel name? My kennel name came from a book I was reading at the time by Belva Plain called “Random Winds.” I liked the name but took off the s. Who were/are your mentors? When I began in dogs with the Dobermans and continued in to the Poodles, it was Jane and Bob Forsyth. Annie Clark and Jordan Chamberlain were a huge influence in our lives with Poodles. Paul and Mary Edwards, with our first few Minis we showed, were wonderful in teaching us so much about the variety and the basics. I will always be very grateful for the patience, especially Mary, had for me at that time. I have been very lucky that as I progressed in this sport, I have had so many wonderful people help me learn to do the grooming and presentation and when we began to breed Minis. What, if any, other activities, such as agility, obedience, therapy, do you participate in with your Poodles? Many Poodles that we have bred or our dogs have sired have gone on and been successful in performance and companion events. My boys have sired several MACH’s over the years in a limited number of litters. When we joined our first all-breed club, both my mother, Suzanne, and I would take our Dobes and Poodles to the school programs that the club did teaching grammar school children about dog ownership. Many of our dogs also have been therapy dogs and visited many nursing Suzanne Newing and homes and hospitals Ch Random Wind Summer Nights with our all-breed club, too. My mother especially loved going into the hospitals since she was already very active in our local hospital as a volunteer. What advice would you give to people who want to show and/or owner-handle their own Poodles? What do you feel inspired you to keep going in the breed and dog shows? Find a mentor. A good mentor is invaluable. I tell people to join a Poodle club near them and if there is not one in a drivable distance join an all-breed club. You can learn so much about showing from anyone in the sport. Go attend dog shows, especially a Poodle specialty where there are other owner-handlers, professional handlers and breeders there. You can learn so much just watching. If you want to show your own Poodle, then find a handling class near you to learn. Handling classes are great for you to meet others plus be able to learn with no pressure the best way to present your dog. It’s great training for both of you. Often the breeder you purchase the Poodle from is a wonderful mentor to start. If they are close enough, they can be hands-on, if not they can suggest someone to you that might be closer to help. Listen to what they say to help you. They have already made the mistakes and had the successes. They are a great support system. You will find as you learn you can give back to the sport in time helping others just the way you have been helped. If you choose to not show your Poodle yourself and want to hire a professional handler, there are some great people out there. When my mother and I began, we had some of our earlier dogs shown by professional handlers. I was too busy teaching school, showing horses and judging horse shows at that time. For us, this worked out very well. Then after a few years, Janie told me that I should start doing it myself. Slowly I began showing them and began to finish them myself. I was very lucky. I had so much support from many talented dog show people that encouraged me and helped me with the Ch Random Wind Winter Weather grooming and showing. To me, getting the AKC Gold Bred-By Medallion is still a wonderful memory. I was also very lucky that there were some great dog schools for show handling near me with classes taught by AKC judges, handlers and breeders. It was the support I got from so many people that kept me in the sport. We all have our ups and downs, but you persevere. I guess it’s like Ch Random Wind Sunny Weather riding a horse when you fall off and you get right back on. As a trainer of mine used to say at those moments of eating dirt “It’s a long way from your heart – get back on.” In the horse world, I was raised that you never stop learning and there are always people that know more than you. Learning never stops. That’s the way I tried to approach showing and 57 January-March 2025 • POODLE VARIETY
Poodle Variety Magazine January-March 2025 January – March 2025: Page 57
