Biography for Christie, now carrying on the Windward PWDs traditions!
After growing up in a multi-dog and -breed household, I always knew that dogs were in my family’s future. Brian and I married in 2004 and brought home our first dog in 2008. Sam, a Golden Retriever from a rescue group, was the perfect dog as he was very therapeutic for our son, Andrew. After moving to the Akron, Ohio, area from Chicago in 2010, we decided the family needed to expand again. Rumor came to live with us in 2013 and she quickly declared our daughter, Emma, as her best friend. When Emma decided she wanted to try dog showing, Rumor was the obvious choice and those two bonded even more. Rumor has slept on Emma’s bed almost every night since she has been with us. In the spring of 2014, we were blessed with a bouncing four-legged curly boy named Mickey, who is Rumor’s son from her second litter. Mickey brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm into the house. Unfortunately, Mickey had to be unexpectedly neutered, which was a disappointment as I had been hoping to get back into the AKC conformation ring. Fortunately the UKC offers altered conformation competition, and we had much success in that venue together. (Mickey was later placed with a family where he enjoyed all of their attention.) I was previously the Committee Chair for the Juniors Committee in our national breed club, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. I also previously served on the board of a local all-breed club and the trophy chair for their all-breed conformation show. When I am not busy with the dogs, our family is heavily involved in scouting. My husband and I both serve as Assistant Scoutmasters. In 2016, I graduated from the University of Akron with my Bachelor of Science - Nursing degree and am an educator with a local hospice. In my rare moments of free time outside of the family and dogs, I enjoy watching hockey, reading, and cooking. |
A note from Robin, founder of Windward PWDs...
I enjoyed my many years of activity with PWDs and have many fond memories. I know the foundation that Windward began with... sound temperaments and healthy dogs... will carry on with the Kello family.
Emma started showing at UKC shows when she was only 8 years old and made her AKC debut on her 9th birthday in 2014. Since that time, Emma has moved through the classes of junior showmanship, won majors on several different dogs, and earned multiple group placements. Emma has been one of the Top Ten Open Juniors in UKC and in the Top Ten PWD-Junior teams in AKC with limited showing for several years. Emma has also been fortunate to handle several other breeds in the show ring, which only enhances her handling skills. Besides dog showing, Emma is a honor roll student that is active in scouting (currently working toward her Eagle Scout with Scouts BSA Troop 7001), loves to sing, and always has a book in her hand. She has been a staff member for a scouting leadership camp since 2022.
In high school, Emma was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society for her work in Animal Science. Her goal is to continue her love of all animals and go into Veterinary Medicine. The future is bright! |
