Imagine waking up every morning surrounded by twenty poodles, the sound of grooming dryers, and the constant excitement of preparing for another dog show.

For Leah Fein, this wasn’t an unusual occasion. It was childhood.

Her mother, Carol Makin, was a professional dog handler and American Kennel Club judge. Their home was filled with champion show poodles, each requiring patience, attention, careful grooming, and dedicated training.

By age seven, Leah was traveling across the country in a van equipped for professional dog shows. While other children spent their weekends pursuing ordinary activities, she was learning how to groom coats, understand pedigrees, and confidently enter the show ring.

But ribbons weren’t the greatest reward.

The experience taught her discipline, responsibility, observation, and the importance of treating animals with genuine respect. Every competition involved preparation, and every poodle brought its own personality and challenges.

In For the Love of Poodles, Leah takes readers behind the polished appearance of competitive dog showing to reveal the work and affection that made it possible.

Her memories celebrate an extraordinary upbringing and the lasting influence of her mother’s dedication.

For Leah, the show ring was never just a place to compete. It was where some of life’s most meaningful lessons began.