About Us

My time working as the behavior coordinator at an open-intake shelter had a profound impact on me. Our shelter had an average intake of 50 pets a day. Over the years, I worked with thousands of dogs with many facing heartbreaking behavioral or medical challenges. I saw dogs surrendered due to bite incidents, aggression toward other dogs and people, overwhelming fear and anxiety, or devastating health conditions. It became clear how much of this failure could be traced back to poor genetics, lack of early socialization, and irresponsible breeding. That experience is what inspired me to become a breeder. I wanted to be a part of the solution. My goal has always been to produce behaviorally and physically healthy dogs who who enrich a family’s life instead of turning it upside down. 

That dream led me to Windsprites. They are charming, sweet, silly, and unassuming, with an ideal temperament and size for a variety of homes. In 2023, I brought home my first Windsprite, Eevee, and she became everything I had hoped for.  She is gentle, unassuming, intuitive, fits so naturally into our busy family life. She loves being apart of all our adventures- from gardening in the backyard to hiking our local trails, she's up for anything with her family. She has had a deep connection with my children as well. Even from puppyhood, she had a natural inclination to to seek out and comfort my young son and helped him to regulate emotionally. I knew then I wanted to help more families experience that same kind of connection. 

Of course, no dog is perfect, and no breeder can promise a challenge-free life. But I believe in being transparent and intentional. I make every breeding decision carefully guided by science, current research, and my deep understanding of animal behavior. My goal is to raise sound, stable, joyful companions: dogs who are fun and easy to train, who can hike or snuggle, and who thrive across a range of environments and lifestyles.

My kennel name, The Shire, is a reflection of this philosophy. It’s the nickname for our family's home, and a nod to my lifelong love for The Lord of the Rings. Just like Tolkien’s Shire, our setting is quiet and peaceful, built on the simple, enduring joys of everyday life. That’s the life I hope each of my puppy families gets to experience with their Windsprite: peaceful walks in nature, silly moments of play, deep companionship, and the kind of stillness that fills your heart. 

Welcome to The Shire.