My children found a female Papillon puppy tangled in brambles not far from our home. I recognized the breed of the puppy from pictures and help from a former boss who showed Papillon's for a time, Mr. Flaherty. I began running ads in our local papers, radio and television in order to find the rightful owners. It took more than eight months for a lady in Iowa to phone me. She said she had been traveling in our area on her way home after purchasing a pair of Papillon puppies from a lady in New York. She told me that her sister had seen one of my ads in our local paper. I explained to her that after eight months, my children and I were very firmly attached to the Papillon puppy we named "Patches". We finally agreed that my family should keep Patches, although the AKC papers were withheld. Patches was with us only four brief years, however, she endeared herself to everyone with whom she came in contact. Since Patches slept on my children's beds and was a "real dog" in every sense of the way, we never thought to confine her to our yard. She went with my children everywhere. One day as she, my son and a neighbor boy were returning to our yard, Patches barked, alerting the two boys of danger. The boys jumped across a ditch to safety, just as a pickup truck came speeding down the road, striking Patches.

After eighteen months of writing letters to almost every Papillon breeder all over the world, and visiting every dog show I could find, I found my second Papillon, "Honey". I bought Hallau's Honey from Clarice and Jack Babbidge, JaClair Kennels, in Ontario, Canada. Honey was a very beautiful tricolor and we all loved her very much. I always wondered why my beloved Honey didn't carry the JaClair kennel name. Carol McLaughlin, Clarice and Jack's daughter, recently told me that "Hallau" was her grandmother's kennel name from England. Carol's younger sister, Jackie had named Honey. I'm very pleased and honored to have my Honey carry the "Hallau" kennel name and so began the Lac Chene kennel.

I maintain a very small kennel and show my dogs, usually locally. I have a very select number of Champions. I breed too, but not often and only when I need a new show dog or feel that I need to replace some of the older dogs. Most of my Papillons are very closely line/inbred to stay as close to the JaClair lines that I fell in love with so many years ago. Not many of my Papillons have gone very far from home as I like to keep a close eye on them. I always breed for good conformation, health, and temperament and will continue to pursue a breeding program that adheres very closely to the AKC standard.

I will always be very grateful to Clarice, Jack Babbidge and their family for giving me the opportunity to own the most beautiful, intelligent and a loyal member of the canine family. I must always be owned by at least one Papillon, but two are better. I would also like to thank all of the very kind, helpful breeders who have guided me along the way: Eva Phillips, Paul Weick, Mr. & Mrs. H. Bender, Mr. & Mrs. M. Manger, Eleanor MacDonald, Freddy Mayley and last, but not least, my longtime friend, Vivian Jones . I will always try to do justice to the breed that we all love so dearly, the very beautiful "Papillon".