There are three components that make up Keepsakes Chihuahuas:
The dogs.
The people who are owned by these dogs.
The friends and colleagues of the people owned by these dogs.

That is us.
Primarily, it is all about the dogs. We only have Chihuahuas and from our perspective, it is all we found we have ever needed. Our Chihuahuas seem to encompass all other breeds of dogs. Fessor is a minurature Great Dane, while Dolly is a German Sheppard and Caz is your basic American Eskimo. Just when we think that another breed would be interesting, our Chihuahuas rise to the occasion and morph into whatever we need (or don't) at the time. I won't "go on" here about the dogs. They have taken over the rest of the website so we shall talk about the people:

The People Owned by These Dogs.
I am Carole Paulson, the "behind the scenes" person who does the research, procurement, data analysis, historical archiving, grooming, partial training and marketing of our dogdom. I am also the veterinarian, nurse, dietitian, referee, coach, cell block warden, nanny and everything else that falls under that title (yes, including poop patrol which I thought went without saying.). I come from a background of show people, my mother —  first making a name in boxers then Airedales and finally cocker spaniels— and dragging my dad along.
I have been raised handling big dogs since I was 10 or 11 years old and bought my own very first show dog when I was 18. It was a Doberman. Soon one became two, two became four, and in my 20's things shifted to Pugs and Borzois. Phyllis Brettel, Warren and Joyce Hudson and Myra Morrison were among some of the finest United States mentors I ever hope to encounter. Not only did they teach me invaluable information about the breeds I was working at the time, but they showed me first hand what kinds of compromises I would need to make in my life and home to live with multiple dogs. Wow!
Those of you that know, know- those of you that don't, I'd like to give you a tour of my madness anytime!
After my time in the U.S., I took up residence in England and learned from some great show breeders there. It was in England that my son fell in love with Chihuahuas and upon our return home,  with much resistance on my part, we got our first little "ankle biter."
I did not intend to get back into showing/ producing show dogs after my return to the states, but I went to a show to see a friends pug, and there, benched next to the squat-faced pugs, sat these fascinating creatures with billowing hair, so small that they could fit into the crook of your arm. I was hooked. It became 4 years of research before attempting to procure even one of these mythical creatures but (as all things fated) it had to happen.
Until four years ago, I had made Seattle my life-long home. I have relocated to a Chihuahua friendly town in Oregon and am trying to entice more friends to join us here.

Denise Buntjer, my business partner, lifelong friend and "Handler Extraordinaire",  is the one that breaks all the rules. She gives the bad treats, lets everyone on the couch with bites of ice cream, lets 14 Chihuahuas have free run of the house when "Mom's not home," accepts tongue kisses inside the mouth, covers them up with little blankets while tucking them in with their favorite chew toys, and "loves them more than you" according to her. She — although new to the ring — appears to be a "Chihuahua whisperer" and can get the dogs to do things that I could never get them to do.
Perhaps they remember long evenings spent on the couch with an unlimited supply of contraband Cheetos- I don't know — but they all follow her wherever she goes and I play second fiddle unless one is sick, in labor or in trouble, then I'm "mommy". As an adult, Denise has only owned Chihuahuas. She has grown up in Salem, Oregon and swears by its friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Denise also is on poop patrol and you can find her, extended-handle scooper in hand, in the back 40 most afternoons.

Emme is the future of Keepsakes Chihuahuas. If it's about dogs, she wants to do it, learn it, and experience it. She is my 9-year-old daughter and a regular pistol! She reminds me of Marie Stenburg's daughter (but without the reserve, grace or dog skill) However, give her a few years. She will make her mark I'm sure. Em will take every opportunity to let you know how it is and why it is with the dogs and if she doesn't know, well heck! She'll just make it up as she goes along!  If you have the privilege to meet and speak with Em, I suggest you do. It is an encounter to be remembered. PS- great kennel help for 3 bucks a week!

Elliott is my 15-year-old son and a brainiac. He will be the future for the research and program-development software to track quantifiable information as related to certain lines of Chihuahuas. Already he and I have had conversations about creating a medical database to try and track statistics for birth defects- what kinds, how often, what propensity in certain lines etc. Computers and video games are his things but he has a huge heart for any of the "special needs dogs". Eddie, his brown spotted on white Chihuahua is deaf. Elliott can get the dog to follow him anywhere through a series of hand signals. He also loves the tiny ones that need extra care and weird ones. His place within Keepsakes is perhaps more important than anyone else’s as he seems to impart understanding for those that "don't fit in". I would have liked him to get in the ring more as he is a very good looking boy (when you can see him through his hair!) and could be an asset as a male handler- but alas, that is not where his heart is.

Our Friends and Colleagues!
You know who you are and the list is added to daily. Whether it is one of you old-time breeders who has given us something special like Marge Naillon who bestowed a little sable devil pup on us (now know as CH Keepsakes Mikey Likes It) or Melissa Vannoy who met me half way across the world to give me the puppy I thought I wanted, only to have me trade it back to her for his brother two weeks later! Or whether it's the Brendas, Danas, Darcys, Garys, Janets, Kens, Kristis, Lindas, Maries, Sharons,Todds, Tonis and all of you who have helped straighten an armband, groom a dog, pass advice or let me bother you relentlessly (thanks Kristi) for information, history, hope, advice or encouragement- You are also part of our dream- maybe the largest part. We couldn't do it without your support when we do well, and your smiles and friendly laughter when we mess up; most of all, your honesty. The value in Keepsakes is the amount of friendships we have made along the way. Keepsakes was not a randomly chosen name- it needed to stand for something with longevity and value- you are all a part of that.

Finally, to Pam Hayes and her husband, Tom, the initial fire that is now Keepsakes owes you more than you will ever know. On days when it was all too much, you made it just enough to handle. Your tireless devotion, your willingness to help find information, bring people and "share the wealth" of friendships and knowledge enhanced life at Keepsakes. Regardless of how our paths have differed as plans unfolded, you were part of the beginning.
Now we are in the middle. The middle is a hard part and many a well-intentioned show person/ breeder has lost themselves here. Throughout the last year I think I have learned why, and so, to my reluctant mentor(s) who would be horrified to be named by name, I cannot explain in words how much your support and, yes, FRIENDSHIP, has meant. Just to have ringing laughter on the other end of the phone when I have done something incredibly stupid, or a kind word when I am being hard on myself or others- it has been the difference between success and failure. You inspire in me "the will to achieve". Well, that is the human element behind Keepsakes- I know I should have put in all of the blah, blah, blah about "producing the finest quality... show standard... and on and on. However, you already know that. I wanted to give you a glimpse into WHO we are.

Thanks for taking time to get to know us.

Carole Paulson and all.
Keepsakes Chihuahuas
A legacy of legends.