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Paralegal, Leigh Carter, 44, National Expert on Belgian Tervuren Breed of Shepherds

By ParalegalGateway.com

The dogs that won Leigh Carter's heart were a striking blend of substance and style.

Always an animal lover, Ms. Carter had taken in stray cats, fostered cocker spaniels, even shouted for her father to hit the brakes whenever a squirrel dashed in front of their car.

magnificent breed of shepherds known for their herding and tracking skills.

"I think those practicalities appealed to her with these dogs," said her father, Dr. Ken Carter of Oak Ridge, Tenn. "They were more than just a pretty face."

Ms. Carter became a nationally recognized expert on the dogs.

She helped organize Tervuren clubs and amassed a roomful of ribbons from competitions.

Her parents knew she was devoted to the breed but were stunned when she called in 2005 and urged them to turn on the TV.

"Sure enough, there was Leigh," her father said. They watched as Ms. Carter and her Belgian Tervuren, Tag, picked up a national best of breed award.

Barbara Leigh Carter, 44, of Marietta died of cancer Sunday at Tranquility Hospice. The body was cremated. The memorial service is 11 a.m. today at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East.

Ms. Carter grew up in Oak Ridge and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Georgia in 1986.

She spent 20 years as a litigation paralegal at the law firm of Powell Goldstein, where she helped staff attorneys prepare for trials.

"I have to tell you, she did a great job, and she was very committed to her work," said attorney Bard Brockman of Atlanta. "But her life's mission was not her work. Her life's mission was being a complete person, and that included her dedication to her animals and to the dog show circuit.

"She just kind of caught the fever, and it really became a fantastic outlet for her," Mr. Brockman said. "But it never detracted from her work on the job."

When she traveled to shows, Ms. Carter loved dashing around with the dogs as they herded sheep and practiced their obedience training.

Her network of friends stretched across the country, and many of them depended on her insights when they thought of buying or breeding a dog.

"I could just go on forever about all the things she's done," said her friend Susan Harris of Atlanta. "Leigh never rested. She was always trying to improve the flow of information and find new outlets for the breed."

Ms. Carter's favorite escape was television's "Animal Planet." In her hospital room, the cable channel wasn't available, so her family taped episodes and brought them to her bedside.

As her health declined, Ms. Carter agonized over where her pets should go.

Her friend Susan Garrett of Marietta, who will take two cats and two of her dogs, said: "We wanted to make sure we did this for her. And her dogs are beautifully trained. They won't be a problem."

Ms. Carter decided to give her champion, Tag, to her nephew Sam, a fellow animal enthusiast whose previous pets were lizards and fish.

When he first learned Tag was coming to live with him, the 6-year-old said, "Well, only until Aunt Leigh gets better."

And when he finally grasped that Tag would be staying, he said, "Wow, my first mammal."

Survivors other than her father include her mother, Barbara Carter of Oak Ridge; her sister, Jody Carter Jones of Savannah; her brother, Daniel Kennon Carter of Knoxville; and her grandmother, Ruth Wier Kotowski of Athens. (Source)

Full post as published by ParalegalGateway Blawg on January 27, 2008 (boomark / email).