Location: New Castle County, Delaware 

How the kennel name came about:
My first papillon, and the absolute love of my life is a big sable and white boy named Colby. I bought him as a pet. A portion of his registered name is "Lone Mirage" and his call name is "Colby". Since he got me into this nonsense of showdogs and an endless love for this breed, in honor I named the kennel "Miracol". Mira coming from MIRAge and Col coming from COLby. What better way to let Colby live on forever!

I grew up with animals all around me. I definitely was one of those kids that would bring home any and every living thing. I've owned cute furry animals such as cats, rabbits, hamsters and dogs in all shapes and sizes (Papillons, Dobermans, Pitbulls, Labs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Afghan Hounds). Also to grace our home as I was growing up were such creatures like hermit crabs, snakes, anoles and iguanas. If I had it my way, I would have opened up a wildlife refuge out of our garage.

I spent many years riding horses. I competed in dressage and hunter/jumpers competitions. Several of my horses were ex-race horses from the race track. Of course, horse shows are very expensive. Well, everything with horses is expensive! As I got older, I enjoyed watching the dog shows on TV. I'll never forget the year the papillon, Kirby, won Best In Show at Westminster. I was hooked. I had to have one of those little dogs!

Of course, it would be several years later before I welcomed Colby into my house and heart. I wanted him for so long. I remember buying him beds, blankets and toys... and he wasn't even born yet! This dog means the world to me. God help the people around me when it is his time to go. I joke (semi) about how I better die before he does!

Colby grew... and grew and grew! He's a whopping 11 pounds and 12 inches tall. While he was too tall to show (and I didn't care!), having that competitive streak in me with horse shows, I decided wanted to give this showing thing a try. That started my papillon obsession! Obsession for perfection! :)

My weekends are now spent bathing, grooming and primping for the dog shows. I enjoy nothing more than showing and finishing a dog that was born here.

Aside from dogs and dog shows, I enjoy playing piano, going to concerts, listening to all kinds of music, working on my websites, watching movies and bike riding with my Doberman, Vincenzo.

I'm a Veterinary Technician at Pike Creek Animal Hospital in Newark, Delaware. (All of our papillons have been here for years.) I also groom at the Doggie Playhouse in Newark, Delaware once a week.

CONTACT COLLEEN AND THE MIRACOL PAPILLONS AT: thepapillon@aol.com

Colleen is located in the New Castle County area of Delaware. Close to 95. Minutes from PA, MD, and NJ.

Colleen and Colby:

Colleen and Cherie:

Colleen and Falco, her first homebred champ: