Valhalla and Chikita Chihuahuas

My dreams for a farm were put on hold for many years, as my career and my son were my priorities.  I did keep up with showing dogs on and off over the years.  In the mid-80's pomeranians were my breed and I was fortunate to have some of the top bloodlines of the time.  Ch. Valhalla's Rock-n-Roll of Oakridge fondly know as Jake was to be my claim to fame.  Jake was the son of the famous Ch. Rock-n-Tradition of Oakridge x Ch. DeArta's Golden Gina, and his breeder the late Nina Epps was my mentor.  To look at Jake was to see the breed standard.  Jake lived to the grand old age of 16 years, and is still very much missed today.  Jake's legecy lives on today with the pomeranians of Pat and Fred Dieball, of Tisha Pomeranians and Lhasa Apsos.

Ch. Valhalla's Rock-n-Roll of Oakridge (Jake)

 In the early 90's while showing on the Tar Heel Circuit in North Carolina, I was introduced to my first long coat chihuahua Ch. Bayard's Wind Beneath My Wings.  Once I saw Windy, I knew I just had to have a chihuahua and  that they were the breed for me.  So I was hooked on chihuahuas, especially the long coats and still have them today.

Through out the years I continued showing both my pomeranians and chihuahuas with my niece, Jenna.  Jenna has been my constant companion from the time she was 4 years old and spent many years showing her pomeranian Raven's Renegade at Valhalla or Gator as he is known, in Junior Showmanship.  As dog and horse crazy as her aunt, she still is active in showing both the horses and dogs.

Jenna and Poppy (Valhalla Wild Angel)

My dreams for a farm finally came true in 1994 when I was able to purchase a 20 acre, turn of the century homestead.  I was in heaven, I had a barn, out-buildings and a pasture everything that I had ever wanted.  Valhalla Farm was a reality and finally I could have my horses and dogs, life was going my way!

If life has taught me but one lesson it would be that just when you think everything couldn't be better, it will change and usually does.  One night in March 2002 my life changed once again, I lost my soul-mate and partner, Barry, in a tragic automobile accident.  Devasted, I didn't know how I was going to go on.

But as it is often the case, in times of need you really find out just who you can count on.  With alot of support from my family, my good friends, a heck of a lot of dog shows and my critters I made it through my loss. 

Often times fate or karma will bring people together for a reason.  I met Evie in the late 90's when she and her husband Ed moved to Michigan from Montana, for Ed to have a liver transplant.  Of course, as fate would have it, I met Evie at a dog show and we quickly became friends.  However, in June 2003 Ed lost his fight and passed away from the complications associated with his transplant.  Now it was my turn to give and to return the support shown and given to me during my loss to Evie. 

Together over the years, Evie and I have shared our grief, joy and friendship with each other.  We have combined our families and critters into one big family!She is the sister I never had.  I often refer to us as the "widder hens", but if you ask Evie we are "widder chicks", I really hate to tell her, but I think my "chick" days have come and are long gone.  

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 My son, Greg

It is hard to believe that he is all grown up with a family of his own.  My how the time has flown by.  I am just so  lucky that I was "gifted" him by the heavens as my baby boy and I am so very, very proud to be his mother!

My Family

Rebecca, Greg and Melissa

***GR Innvoations LLC is a company which my son, Greg and my daughter-in-law Rebecca founded in 2007.  Greg has designed and produced several new products for the horse industry.  I have a link to their site on our "Services"  page.  ***Please remember that all proceeds from your purchases will go to a good cause, such as  putting my grandchildren through college, and maybe taking care of their grandma in her old age.***

 Allaysa and Gregory

 with Savanna and Bruno

 Allaysa, Rebecca

Greg, Gregory

Bruno and Savanna

Our newest additions

Elaina and Conner

Born 10/28/07

(Our Miracle Babies, were born approximately 10 weeks early)

Conner 3/17/08

 Elaina 3/20/08 

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 Nappy time for Connor and his Grammy!!!!!

Conner and Elaina

Member of the American Pomeranian Club, Chihuahua Club of America, Chihuahua Club of Michigan, American Haflinger Registry, and Great Lakes Haflinger Association   Past President of the Pomeranian Club of Michigan, Inc.

Current Vice President of the Great Lakes Toy Club and Treasurer of the Pomeranian Club of Michigan, Inc.