I'm Inka Kemppainen, a 22-year-old student from Joensuu/Kajaani. I've lived my whole life in Kajaani, but in the autumn of 2005, I moved to Joensuu to start my university studies. I study Finnish, literature and pedagogics in the University of Joensuu. 
 

When I was a child, I decided that I wanted to become a vet (and now I will be a teacher of Finnish and literature). At my home, we had four budgerigars. I went to horse riding and took my neighbours' dogs for walks. In addition, I danced actively. My summer holidays I spent at farm and dog camps and, on a daily basis, asked my parents for a dog. My mother had three Cocker Spaniels in her youth and my father a Karelian Bear Dog, as he lived in the country. So, when I was ten, my family decided to take a dog. My first dog, a Golden Retriever "Vinski" Boogies Wishful Willy, was born on Christmas Day 1995 and that was the beginning for my dog show hobby. In 2000,  I found out about junior handling through my good friend Heini Wiik, and Vinski and me got into that. In 2002, my junior handler career ended happily: I got qualified to the Finnish Championship final in the Winner 2002 show, and the same day, got Finnish Championship 3 ranking in the Finnish Junior Handler Championship final with a sympathetic English Setter Kahenkoon Koh-I-Noor "Kossu". In junior competitions I competed most actively with Golden Retrievers, English and Gordon Setters, Tibetan Spaniels and Bichon Havaneses. After competing in junior competitions, I have been as a judge in several junior handler competitions in match shows, in the Golden Retrievers' special dog show in Haukipudas in 2004, in the International Dog Show in Kajaani in 2006 and in the show for all breeds in Joensuu in 2007. 

In the beginning of 2004, the freckle-faces came into my life. I met Sari Kauppinen, kennel Rocbee, who introduced me to the world of Welsh Springer Spaniels. Sari has been my mentor in this and she has familiarized me and got me to love the breed during the many summer weeks and winter weekends I have spent in Vaala. During these years, I have also presented many dogs breeded by Sari in the show ring, of which the most important Kimi, that is, Rocbee Gentleman Kim ( the 6^th  Show Welsh 2006 in Finland). In addition to the Welsh, I actively present English Springer Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. 
 

I have also taken part in organizational activities. I was in the committee of the youth division of Kainuu's kennel district from 2000 to 2005, of which the last year as a convener. I also founded the group The Young Dog Devotees of Kainuun Seurakoira- ja Terrierikerho with Titta Rusanen in 2004. Kainuu's kennel district awarded me with the Diploma of Action for my active work for the young dog devotees in 2004. Since I moved to Joensuu, I have been in the youth division of North Karelia's kennel district in 2005-2006, and in the show division of Pohjois-Karjalan Seurakoirat since 2006, also as a show trainer. Unfortunately, because of my studies, I've had to think about how I spend my time, so I will continue with the organizational activities after I have graduated. I have taken the Finnish Kennel Club's ring secretary course and I am a member of The Springer Spaniel Club of Finland. 
 

At the moment, Vinski is enjoying his retirement days at my parents'. The Welsh Springer Spaniels Aarre Rocbee Quaint Treasure and Oiva� Rocbee Armani are delighting my life in Joensuu. You can find more about my dogs under the link 'my dogs'. 
 

Thank you all my friends, thank you Sari.