Abbey Lane is located in Fallbrook, California in the middle of 8 acres of avocados, lemons, cherimoya, and macadamia nut trees. The Mediterranean climate creates an ideal environment to raise and train Cocker Spaniels.

Abbey Lane began when I found my foundation bitch, Artemisia Cleopatra in 1986. At the time I was living in Los Angeles and finally had a house with a yard. I had wanted a Cocker Spaniel since 1954, but my parents said no dogs. Then I was in college, working, and not living where I could have a dog. Finally the time was right and I found “Cleo.” I really knew very little. I was very lucky to get such a pretty red and white that turned out to have good hips and eyes. I never showed her, but trained her to advanced obedience and had fun with her at matches. Her first breeding produced my first champion, Ch. Cleopatra’s Black Magic, “Bandit.” He did not carry the Abbey Lane name as I had yet to realize this was going to be more than a one-time experience! By the time of her second and final breeding, I had the Abbey Lane name in place and two more champion Cleo kids.

Like so many people, I was bitten by the show bug and have been at it ever since. I am not able to have many litters as I work full time in the field of leadership development. I travel around the world and meet incredible people. But my heart is with the dogs back home and I plan many years in advance to get the right pairing and the time committed before I consider a breeding.

I handle my own dogs in agility. For the show ring, once they are beyond puppyhood, I have had the privilege of working with some of the top Cocker handlers – Tracy Lynn Carroll worked with me since the beginning. Jeff Wright campaigned my Pedigree Winner, and Stephanie McAlister has been a dear friend, mentor, co-breeder, and talented handler also from the beginning. You will see many of the dogs on this site carry her kennel name of “Quasar.”

There are many other people who have given me support over the years. Words of wisdom and support offered at just the right moments, in person or over the phone. I thank them all and hope they know how special they are to me.