The start of Wrightway Wigglebutts is much more sentimental than the public realizes. It was built through heartfelt childhood dreams and a passionate story.

My passion started as a young child, being drawn to dogs. I remember watching Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations and watching dog shows on Saturday mornings all the time. There was always a strong pull for the shepherds, specifically the Australian Shepherd. As a young girl being raised on a small hobby farm, the Australian Shepherd was the perfect fit, the key was convincing my parents. I eventually started looking at every SouthBend Tribune and would look for Aussie pups. One day for some reason an ad stood out. I then called number for the ad because I just had to know if a pup was left. No answer, so I left a message. Granted I was a young 12 year old at the time, I didn’t leave much info and I never mentioned calling to my parents. The breeder ended up calling back later, my parents answered with a puzzled look knowing nothing of the sorts and then they looked at me…. A couple weeks later I got an early Christmas present, we took a drive and picked up my new pup! Allie was a black tri Standard Australian Shepherd and was a large gal standing at roughly 22 inches and 80lbs (Although she was a bit tubby as my father loved to share his potato chips!) She was a loyal, smart as a whip partner that I will forever be grateful for. She was the beginning of a long and everlasting love for the Aussie. Thank you Allie for the years we spent together and for creating my love and joy for Australian Shepherds.

After receiving Allie we decided it time we to add another pup to our family. With having such a large Australian Shepherd we decided we wanted something smaller and decided upon the Miniature Australian Shepherd. There is a very heartfelt story behind her. With choosing Laiken we knew what we wanted. Laiken fit the bill, a smart and ever so sassy, fiery redhead.

To begin the story you would have to know some personal attributes to my family’s life. At 12 years old my father was diagnosed with renal failure. His kidneys were failing and needed a transplant, until then he was on dialysis. A couple years down the road, my dad received the call of a lifetime, he had a kidney that matched! Come to find out, his kidney came from a young girl who was in a tragic accident. Her parents chose to let their beautiful daughter go and save other lives by donating her organs. This girl was named Laiken, her favorite color was red, and her mother called her Laikey-Bug. In remembrance and honor of Laiken we chose specifically a red tri female and her registered name is Laiken LadyBug. When having her first litter we called the family and offered a pup from Laiken. This was to give them the opportunity to own a part of “Laiken” once again as well as for them to know how grateful we were for the family to make such a heart-wrenching decision. Laiken has become so much more than a pet, and more than any other can imagine due to the sentimental value attached to her. She is the official start in our breeding program and our number one girl. We have since retained back several daughters to maintain her bloodlines and extend the legacy of Laiken as she is now retired. To date we have a kept back a grandson and a great-granddaughter to further on her lines.