About Riomesa...
Justice & I - Purina Champions campaign 2001
Professionally, I am a QA/R&D Manager with a major food company, holding my B.Sc (Agr) from the University of Guelph. Personally, I live with the most amazing man, who somehow understands why I do 'the dog thing'. I thank him for that & love him with all my heart.
I obtained my first purebred dog, a Belgian Sheepdog, in 1989. Unfortunately, he had to be euthanized due to an aggression problem. Then, "Rio" came into my life in 1992. Instantly, I knew the Australian Shepherd was the right breed for me.
I was attracted to the Australian Shepherd by it's versatility and intelligence. Aussies excel in many venues including obedience, flyball, agility, tracking and therapy work.
In 1993 I purchased a cute little red tri male with the most beautiful green eyes - I named him "Mesa". He was the most lovable, intelligent dog I have ever known. He picked up obedience and tracking with little effort and I was looking forward to doing so much with him. But, at 9 months of age, he started to seizure. After visiting the University of Guelph and receiving the diagnosis of 'idiopathic epilepsy' (epilepsy of unknown origin), we came home and decided to treat the seizures with medication. But, by October, I realized that all the medication in the world wasn't lessening the episodes - in fact they were coming more often and were more serious. So, I made the decision to let Mesa go. To keep his memory alive, I decided to name my 'kennel' after the two Aussies that had made the biggest impact on my life - Rio and Mesa, thus....RIOMESA Australian Shepherds was born.
Rio and Mesa, summer 1993
I began my search for my show Aussie and obtained "Justice" from Kelly Comrie (Regalwin Aussies) in 1996 and "Gracie" June of 1997 when she was a year old. "Fiesta" is the result of my first breeding (co-bred with Regalwin) in 1998. "Thorn" is a result of my second breeding, again co-bred with my good friend Kelly Comrie. "Ponder" is from my first 'solo' breeding - which was two years in the planning. "Shine", Thorn's sister is co-owned with Nadine Andrews. "Mason" is the result of Gracie's second breeding and is turning out to be a stunning young dog.
My goal is to breed for versatility, which I believe is the result of a sound mind combined with a sound body (structure). Much thought and planning goes into every breeding here at Riomesa, as my dogs are part of my family first and foremost.
I am an Obedience Instructor, Trial Secretary and Club President for Oshawa Dog Obedience Association Inc.. as well as President of the Australian Shepherd Club of Ontario.