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As a child brought up in the Northwest of
England, I can't remember the time when I didn't want to own animals,
but except for a brief period, we had never been allowed to keep
anything except budgerigars. I was always told, when you get your own
home you can have what animals you want.
Well, the time came to own our own home but then came the children, two
boys and a girl, we had several small pets, including rabbits, the
statutory gerbils, hamsters and fish, but it never seemed the right time
to own a dog or a cat, until, because of my husbands work, we moved to a
little village in Oxfordshire. We actually took a kitten with us and
another joined us soon after we had settled into our new home, we have
never been without several cats since.
Then came the RIGHT time to own a dog, it was 1982 and our first dog was
Paddy, a cross yellow Labrador, who lived until he was almost fifteen
and was a wonderful dog even though we made all our mistakes on him, as
you always do with your first dog.
In 1984 Lucy (Orla Charlotte) came to join us, she was the Golden
Retriever
I had always wanted and there began my love affair with this wonderful
breed.
In 1986 our first Italian Spinone Antonio joined the family, I had
success with him in the ring and very soon after his half sister joined
us, Rosanna, who achieved Reserve Best Bitch in breed, on our first
visit as exhibitors to Crufts, a memorable occasion as Antonio also
achieved two placings that same day.
We have continued to keep both breeds ever since.
We also have two Labrador Retriever Brood Bitches for The Guide Dog for
the
Blind Association. Ada a yellow Labrador is now retired from maternal
duties,
but Star a black Labrador is still producing litters for the GDBA.
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Ada |
Star |
In 1988 we moved to Gloucestershire to a modest small holding, something
we had always wanted, even though my husband and myself had both been
brought up as "townies". We love living in the "sticks" and it was
inevitable that we acquired other animals including orphan lambs, goats,
more cats, and countless chickens, not to mention the two budgies, and
our two cross terriers, Gnasher and Angus.
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Gnasher |
Angus |
All our dogs live indoors and our home has been described as not having
carpets but wall to wall Goldens. Our puppies are also reared in the
home as I feel it is very important for puppies to have that constant
interaction with people from the very start.
Golden Retrievers still remain my first love, and I am always available
to give advise and help where I can.
I also enjoy judging, Golden Retrievers, Italian Spinoni and Labrador
Retrievers.
Mary Potter is an
Independant Distributor of Forever Living Products |
