Knowing a bit about someone makes for a better connection, on a soul level, personally and professionally, so here goes my part…now, I look forward to hearing about you!
I grew up in Mississippi, moved to Dallas after graduating from college, was there for almost 15 years. Living in Dallas I worked in the fashion industry, and then fell in love with the world of dogs! My first purebred dog was a rescue Chinese Shar-Pei, which led to my involvement with French Bulldogs. I fell head over heels in love with Frenchies! I was an Area Manager for Petsmart and then a manager for Petco, where I was able to wallow in my love for animals. Then I was offered a job as a graphic designer apprentive for a French Bulldog magazine, and then moved to Minnesota…and met my husband,Steve, a week after I got here. Talk about things happening for a
reason!
For almost 20 years I bred and showed French Bulldogs under the Jackpot! French Bulldogs
Kennel name and had many Top Ranked, Top Winning dogs, but have since retired
from breeding them.
Wiley books contacted me in 1999 to write a book on French Bulldogs and I was honored to do so. It is still in print and a very good seller in that category. I also self published a book on Frenchies and founded another French Bulldog magazine.I have been interviewed for several of the top dog magazines including Dog Fancy, French Bulldog, Dogs in Review and more. Articles I have written have appeared in a wide variety of magazines and I had several nominations from DWAA (Dog Writer's Association of America).
But for all of these accolades I am most proud of the health standards I bred for and the many honors my dogs received for HEALTH clearances. CH. Jackpot! Money Money Money, CGC, ROM was awarded the first Registry of Merit title to ANY French Bulldog in the USA for passing a myriad of health exams and a Canine Good Certificate title. He is also the sire iof the very first OFA (Orthapedic Foundation of America) Excellent Hip evaluated French Bulldog.
We still adore the breed and have seven of
our older gremlins still with us. I was honored to have judges the
French Bulldog Club of America Sweepstakes in 2008. Oh yes, Francesca and Sharkey (Martha Stewart's French Bulldogs) were both bred, born and raised here at Jackpot!.
But it was due to the ongoing health issues of my beloved Newfoundland, Deuce, that I began my interest in a more holistic way of life for my dogs. He has had a myriad of health issues and I just KNEW there had to be a better way to take care of him. He is a gentle and dear soul and I have loved having him in my life. He adores his Reiki treatments, his Quantum Biofeedback sessions and a variety of other treatments he gets.
I started The Blissful Dog line of holistic dog items a few years ago and have been thrilled with the joy these items have broight people. In addition to a line of vibrational essences, we also have a line of Nose Butters...yes, nose butters, to soften the noses of flat faced dogs that can often become crusty and "yukky" due to dry air and food buildup and other factors.
Our mascot is CH. Meneer Jackpot Du Petit Fripon, a fearless French Bulldog who just happens to be paralyzed in his rear end. But no feeling sorry for him is allowed...he runs with the big dogs...make that ROLLS with the big dogs!
We also own Dancing Bear Resort
in far northwest Minnesota and raise alpacas
.
Yes, it gets science fiction cold here in the winter, but I love it.
Hmm, I just compressed 52 years of living into a short paragraph!
I was blessed to study with Denise Linn
,
world renowned author, speaker and teacher. Her Soul Coaching and Past
Life Coaching certification program was so valuable to me on so many,
many levels. I have a deep interest in all things spiritual and have studied with many wonderful teachers.
With Sparkles, Light and Love! Kathy
Kathy Dannel Vitcak, CSC, CPLC
My Metaphysical Training…So Far
Completed Ronelle Coburn’s Hand Analysis Intensive Training Program
Certified Soul Coach and Certified Past Life Coach with Denise Linn
Two Year Core Shamanism Apprenticeship with Jeanne Troge
Three Year Celtic Shamanism program with Jeanne Troge
Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki MasterFaery Doctoring Program with Tom Cowan
Apprenticed with Isha Lerner for the Tarot and Flower Essence
Graduate of Sonia Choquette’s Six Sensory Practioner’s Program
Graduate of Kathryn Harwig’s Intuitive Mastery program
Continuing astrological studies with several teachers
Conducted Tarot readings at numerous expos
Tarot reading instructor at Brigid’s House Healing Center
Hand Analysis instructor at Brigid’s House Healing Center
Conducted Hand Analysis consultations at various area expos
I truly feel that we are blessed to have wonderful animals in our lives. We are their guardians and it is our delightful purpose to take care of them.
Our dogs give us unconditional love...it is the very least we can do to keep them as healthy as we can!
As a one-time breeder of French Bulldogs, a somewhat "hot-house-orchid" of a breed, I know better than most how hard it is to raise happy, healthy dogs EVEN when you are doing everything to have them be so.
I have dedicated many years to making sure my dogs, the dogs that came from here, and my friends and acquaintances dogs receive the best of care that is holistic and makes sense! There is a wonderful happy medium to caring for our dogs without becoming a Munchaussen by proxy dog mom or dad! Trust me, I have known many of them and it is NOT pretty.