I first fell in love with Standards as a teenager when I met John and Christine Kellow's beautiful white girl, "Lou Lou" (Ch Marechal Simply Stunning). Many a spare lesson was spent during my final year at high school at the Kellow's grooming parlour, just to spend time with Lou Lou. She was larger than life and the instigator of my dream to own one of these fabulous fun-loving dogs, a breed that complimented my Irish Water Spaniel so well.

Soon I was to meet Iain Hinde (Disque Poodles - Victoria) and his two stunning boys, "Jack" (Ch Marsden Jack Sprat) and "Tom" (Grand Ch Marsden Thpipers Son). The more I got to know the two boys, the more certain I was that I wanted a Standard Poodle.

An order was placed with Iain for a show puppy. Not long after Iain made me an offer to lease an older girl on which I could "practice". It would give me the opportunity to practice my trimming and looking after an adult in full coat. So it was that "Porsche" Ch Dhulangi Itsa Fine Line" came into my life, fulfilling my dreams beyond expectations.

I would like to thank those people who helped me in my early days with the Poodles. Thanks to Cathy Camac and Lyn Edmonds in particular for the advice and help with trimming.