The First Time I Met A Curly - Stories - page 3
Mary Shull
The first curly that I saw was a photo along with an article in the March 1987 issue of Wildfowl magazine. That photo of a curly captivated me, and after reading a quote by Janean Marti in the article about the curly being an outstanding pheasant as well as waterfowl dog convinced me that this may be the next retriever we would own. We had 2 Labrador Retrievers and a Brittany Spaniel at the time, so I kept that copy of the magazine for future reference. It was almost 2 years later when I saw my first live curly, it was at a veterinary opthamalogist's office in Grand Rapids Michigan. A man walked in with a beautiful male curly, and I commented that this was the first curly-coated retriever I had seen in person. The man told me he had gotten the dog from a breeder in Wisconsin, and this curly was indeed a great hunting dog and companion. I went home and reread the article, then tracked Janean down by calling a Chicago AKC kennel club. I waited almost 2 years before I got the phone call from Janean that she had one black male pup available if I was still interested...that was spring of 1991. We made the 10 or so hour drive to the wilds of northern Wisconsin to pick up Tag, (his name was an acronym for Talented and Gifted). and thats when I met big Mike, Beeper, Lu, Merry, and Vanna, and a few other of the resident curlies. Beeper and Mike stuck close by, while the gals cooked up a frog hunting expedition instigated by Merry. I will never forget Mike; he was trying to nudge my hand out of my jacket pocket so I could pet him. Mary
The first curly that I saw was a photo along with an article in the March 1987 issue of Wildfowl magazine. That photo of a curly captivated me, and after reading a quote by Janean Marti in the article about the curly being an outstanding pheasant as well as waterfowl dog convinced me that this may be the next retriever we would own. We had 2 Labrador Retrievers and a Brittany Spaniel at the time, so I kept that copy of the magazine for future reference. It was almost 2 years later when I saw my first live curly, it was at a veterinary opthamalogist's office in Grand Rapids Michigan. A man walked in with a beautiful male curly, and I commented that this was the first curly-coated retriever I had seen in person. The man told me he had gotten the dog from a breeder in Wisconsin, and this curly was indeed a great hunting dog and companion. I went home and reread the article, then tracked Janean down by calling a Chicago AKC kennel club. I waited almost 2 years before I got the phone call from Janean that she had one black male pup available if I was still interested...that was spring of 1991. We made the 10 or so hour drive to the wilds of northern Wisconsin to pick up Tag, (his name was an acronym for Talented and Gifted). and thats when I met big Mike, Beeper, Lu, Merry, and Vanna, and a few other of the resident curlies. Beeper and Mike stuck close by, while the gals cooked up a frog hunting expedition instigated by Merry. I will never forget Mike; he was trying to nudge my hand out of my jacket pocket so I could pet him. Mary
Robert D. Smith [email protected]
Well this will be an odd one, as I met my first Curly after I bought him. Judy has a slightly different version as she visited some potential parents in Pennsylvania before she would approve the purchase.
I had read a few paragraphs on retriever breeds and decided that I would like a Chessie or a Curly (15 years ago). Well I liked the Chessie I found just fine, Curlies were not to be found, but the ex did not care for his attitude or omnipresent coat odor. After he left us, and I left the ex it was time to get another duck dog. Judy says Chessies are ugly, I can now just tolerate a fine performing Lab but could not imagine owning one, so it was onto the internet to find a Curly. I absolutely loved the photos on the club home page of those tall handsome brutes and their reputations as intelligent-independent hunting dogs really appealed to me. Several deposits later on proposed breedings and we were last in line on Kim Kiernan's ( litter back in 1997).
Well it was a zillion e-mails with Judy and Susan Chow and the night finally arrived, Susan had brought our pup Shika, back with her new boy, Shiloh. The first Curly I saw was Susan's older female but I quickly made my way to Shika, picked him up and gave him several kisses on the nose until he began to lick me incessantly. I still remember his little ribbon and how I really went out of my way to be affectionate and how quickly Shika returned the love. It was a matter of 2 seconds. I hardly put him down for the minutes we were there and never took my hand off him. I had Judy drive home and I kept him on my lap for the 35 minutes it took to get him home. No one had told me I could let him sleep on the bed with me so I slept on the floor with my fingers through the puppy gate, touching him so he would not cry......
Well this will be an odd one, as I met my first Curly after I bought him. Judy has a slightly different version as she visited some potential parents in Pennsylvania before she would approve the purchase.
I had read a few paragraphs on retriever breeds and decided that I would like a Chessie or a Curly (15 years ago). Well I liked the Chessie I found just fine, Curlies were not to be found, but the ex did not care for his attitude or omnipresent coat odor. After he left us, and I left the ex it was time to get another duck dog. Judy says Chessies are ugly, I can now just tolerate a fine performing Lab but could not imagine owning one, so it was onto the internet to find a Curly. I absolutely loved the photos on the club home page of those tall handsome brutes and their reputations as intelligent-independent hunting dogs really appealed to me. Several deposits later on proposed breedings and we were last in line on Kim Kiernan's ( litter back in 1997).
Well it was a zillion e-mails with Judy and Susan Chow and the night finally arrived, Susan had brought our pup Shika, back with her new boy, Shiloh. The first Curly I saw was Susan's older female but I quickly made my way to Shika, picked him up and gave him several kisses on the nose until he began to lick me incessantly. I still remember his little ribbon and how I really went out of my way to be affectionate and how quickly Shika returned the love. It was a matter of 2 seconds. I hardly put him down for the minutes we were there and never took my hand off him. I had Judy drive home and I kept him on my lap for the 35 minutes it took to get him home. No one had told me I could let him sleep on the bed with me so I slept on the floor with my fingers through the puppy gate, touching him so he would not cry......
Kari Swarztrauber [email protected]
My first Curly was when my husband said to me, "lets get a Curly-Coated Retriever" and we researched and drove down to see Diann Tongco's Thunder and Mara.
I remember not being too impressed with the looks. As a kid, I used to show German Shepherds with their sleek looks, suspended gait, sloping toplines and over-angulated rears. What I saw was nothing at all like that and I didn't like the curly coat look, but was so taken by the temperament and personality. (although I did notice that Thunder had a very nice, effortless gait) Mara of course was a retrieving fiend but what really sold me was when I watched Thunder. He came over to us and said;"hi"; Rolled on his back like a clown and then said, "ok, I am bored now" and proceeded to go chase and catch lizards on a back fence that was in the sun. He caught one or two I believe while we were there. I had never seen a dog do such a thing. I mean that was reserved for wild animals or cats, but dogs??
We got home and called Diann and said, give us one! And now we have his daughter and she is just the same. A dog with the ancient hunting instinct quite intact.
My first Curly was when my husband said to me, "lets get a Curly-Coated Retriever" and we researched and drove down to see Diann Tongco's Thunder and Mara.
I remember not being too impressed with the looks. As a kid, I used to show German Shepherds with their sleek looks, suspended gait, sloping toplines and over-angulated rears. What I saw was nothing at all like that and I didn't like the curly coat look, but was so taken by the temperament and personality. (although I did notice that Thunder had a very nice, effortless gait) Mara of course was a retrieving fiend but what really sold me was when I watched Thunder. He came over to us and said;"hi"; Rolled on his back like a clown and then said, "ok, I am bored now" and proceeded to go chase and catch lizards on a back fence that was in the sun. He caught one or two I believe while we were there. I had never seen a dog do such a thing. I mean that was reserved for wild animals or cats, but dogs??
We got home and called Diann and said, give us one! And now we have his daughter and she is just the same. A dog with the ancient hunting instinct quite intact.
Sue Tokolics [email protected]
Okay, Doris, you win - as if you didn't know the whole story as it was your fault and as Jenny mentioned - Ithaca's. It was back in 1985 - springtime I think. Mike and I belonged to a club called The Waterland Retriever Club and we were having a field day. When we got there, some lady was sitting on the hill with a bunch of funny looking puppies and a funny but beautiful liver bitch named Ithaca. Well, Mike went nuts - he fell in love with one of the liver pups - a little bitch. We spent the day with you and you had already promised that little liver bitch to someone in Florida - though I can't remember now who it was. Well, Mike was hooked at this point. So you gave us Dick and Claire Guerin's phone number in New Hampshire as we wanted a hunting dog - and in September "Whistler Bay Shaina" arrived at our doorstep. She was probably the ugliest Curly you've ever seen but I've never met one as smart or as loving. She became Mike's constant companion thru all his back and neck operations and he still misses her. Anyway - we proceeded to get another one, another one and another and so on and so forth. And we still have two "CH Blazeaway Eureka, WC" (Breeze) imported from Viki Knowles (9 years old) and CH Ptarmigan Jollybodies Crash, WC" (Herschel) from the halls of hell (11 yrs old). Course everyone knows Charlie's story - and that you gave him to me - yes, people - gave. And the rest is history.
Okay, Doris, you win - as if you didn't know the whole story as it was your fault and as Jenny mentioned - Ithaca's. It was back in 1985 - springtime I think. Mike and I belonged to a club called The Waterland Retriever Club and we were having a field day. When we got there, some lady was sitting on the hill with a bunch of funny looking puppies and a funny but beautiful liver bitch named Ithaca. Well, Mike went nuts - he fell in love with one of the liver pups - a little bitch. We spent the day with you and you had already promised that little liver bitch to someone in Florida - though I can't remember now who it was. Well, Mike was hooked at this point. So you gave us Dick and Claire Guerin's phone number in New Hampshire as we wanted a hunting dog - and in September "Whistler Bay Shaina" arrived at our doorstep. She was probably the ugliest Curly you've ever seen but I've never met one as smart or as loving. She became Mike's constant companion thru all his back and neck operations and he still misses her. Anyway - we proceeded to get another one, another one and another and so on and so forth. And we still have two "CH Blazeaway Eureka, WC" (Breeze) imported from Viki Knowles (9 years old) and CH Ptarmigan Jollybodies Crash, WC" (Herschel) from the halls of hell (11 yrs old). Course everyone knows Charlie's story - and that you gave him to me - yes, people - gave. And the rest is history.
Tracia Traill [email protected]
It was at the Royal Adelaide Show, back in 1992 - I think. Richard and I were at the Show and fast approaching the Dog Pavillion - my favorite section of the Show. Richard couldn't go into the Pavillion with me to see all the dogs because of his asthma and allergies to them. So I went in by myself. We didn't have a dog, but I *wanted* one so badly. However, Richard's allergies prevented us from having one.
As I was walking around looking at all the wonderful, four-legged, furry creatures, I noticed a dog with curls! Hmmm, never seeing one before I asked the man standing beside him what breed it was. A Curly Coated Retriever I was told. I asked him a little more about the dog. I was in love (with the dog). He mentioned the most beautiful words to me "a non-allergenic coat". I'm sure my heart skipped a beat. Perhaps Richard would not be allergic to this type of dog I quickly thought. Not being the shy type and wanting to seize the moment I asked this man if he could bring his two dogs to the front entrance to "meet" my husband. Thank goodness he obliged. Richard ran his arms along the black curly dog - no welts appeared - eyes were stinging a bit but no welts!! Huh! I was in with a chance of getting a dog! To cut a (very) long story short we hummed and ahhed for three more long years. I was at work one day and rang Richard and told him that I wanted and dog and I wanted one NOW! To my surprise, he told me to go ahead, so I rang the only registered breeder in South Australia (at the time), Helen. What a coincidence, SHE HAD PUPPIES that were ready to go to loving homes!! That's when Chester came to be ours. The rest is history.....
By the way, the dog and the man that we saw at the Royal Show three years earlier turned out to be Chester's dad, Mitch and his owner Lloyd.
To Helen Jones and Lloyd Mayer - a big, heartfelt THANK YOU for enabling Richard and myself to share our lives with our beautiful Curly Chesterboy.
FOOTNOTE TO ABOVE
By the way, the dog and the man that we saw at the Royal Show three years earlier turned out to be Chester's dad, Mitch and his owner Lloyd. To Helen Jones and Lloyd Mayer - a big, heartfelt THANK YOU for enabling Richard and myself to share our lives with our beautiful Curly Chesterboy. Tracia & Richard
It was at the Royal Adelaide Show, back in 1992 - I think. Richard and I were at the Show and fast approaching the Dog Pavillion - my favorite section of the Show. Richard couldn't go into the Pavillion with me to see all the dogs because of his asthma and allergies to them. So I went in by myself. We didn't have a dog, but I *wanted* one so badly. However, Richard's allergies prevented us from having one.
As I was walking around looking at all the wonderful, four-legged, furry creatures, I noticed a dog with curls! Hmmm, never seeing one before I asked the man standing beside him what breed it was. A Curly Coated Retriever I was told. I asked him a little more about the dog. I was in love (with the dog). He mentioned the most beautiful words to me "a non-allergenic coat". I'm sure my heart skipped a beat. Perhaps Richard would not be allergic to this type of dog I quickly thought. Not being the shy type and wanting to seize the moment I asked this man if he could bring his two dogs to the front entrance to "meet" my husband. Thank goodness he obliged. Richard ran his arms along the black curly dog - no welts appeared - eyes were stinging a bit but no welts!! Huh! I was in with a chance of getting a dog! To cut a (very) long story short we hummed and ahhed for three more long years. I was at work one day and rang Richard and told him that I wanted and dog and I wanted one NOW! To my surprise, he told me to go ahead, so I rang the only registered breeder in South Australia (at the time), Helen. What a coincidence, SHE HAD PUPPIES that were ready to go to loving homes!! That's when Chester came to be ours. The rest is history.....
By the way, the dog and the man that we saw at the Royal Show three years earlier turned out to be Chester's dad, Mitch and his owner Lloyd.
To Helen Jones and Lloyd Mayer - a big, heartfelt THANK YOU for enabling Richard and myself to share our lives with our beautiful Curly Chesterboy.
FOOTNOTE TO ABOVE
By the way, the dog and the man that we saw at the Royal Show three years earlier turned out to be Chester's dad, Mitch and his owner Lloyd. To Helen Jones and Lloyd Mayer - a big, heartfelt THANK YOU for enabling Richard and myself to share our lives with our beautiful Curly Chesterboy. Tracia & Richard
Karen Tria [email protected]
The first Curly I ever saw was in the Dog Fancy magazine about 6(?) years ago. It was owned by Stephanie's and absolutely gorgeous. I hung that picture in my office and admired it for years. It was the dog I would "someday" have. (I had cairn terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs then).
About 3-4 years ago, I began my search for a breeder and to meet a curly in person. Several pointed me to Mary Alice Hembree. But Mary Alice lived in my home town and I was after quality not convenience - afterall, how could anyone in my neck of the woods know anything about curlys!. So I never pursued it, and continued my search around the country.
I attended a judge's seminar on the CCR and finally got to meet 3 live beautiful curlies. They were all Mary Alice's and I was stunned that here they were, in my own backyard, so to speak, and I was searching the world.
Next, I had to convince my husband. So I dragged him to a dog show where I knew curlies would be showing. He very reluctantly went, but sat and watched. He spotted a dog under the tent, and excited exclaimed that that was the type of dog he wanted, and the h_ll with the curly. Luckily, what he spotted was a curly. So we both agreed that looks-wise, that was what we wanted.
The next months were spent talking and e-mailing people like Stephanie, janean, Cathy Lew, Ann Shinkle and a host of others. We had to make sure that we could also live with this dog and it would fit in with us. Everyone was extremely helpful and very open with all the positives and negatives.
The only thing left was to wait for a litter. Mary Alice supplied us with Toby, the most beautiful puppy ever, on Super Bowl Sunday in 1997. And today we also have Turu from John and Gill Wise.
They are still the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.
The first Curly I ever saw was in the Dog Fancy magazine about 6(?) years ago. It was owned by Stephanie's and absolutely gorgeous. I hung that picture in my office and admired it for years. It was the dog I would "someday" have. (I had cairn terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs then).
About 3-4 years ago, I began my search for a breeder and to meet a curly in person. Several pointed me to Mary Alice Hembree. But Mary Alice lived in my home town and I was after quality not convenience - afterall, how could anyone in my neck of the woods know anything about curlys!. So I never pursued it, and continued my search around the country.
I attended a judge's seminar on the CCR and finally got to meet 3 live beautiful curlies. They were all Mary Alice's and I was stunned that here they were, in my own backyard, so to speak, and I was searching the world.
Next, I had to convince my husband. So I dragged him to a dog show where I knew curlies would be showing. He very reluctantly went, but sat and watched. He spotted a dog under the tent, and excited exclaimed that that was the type of dog he wanted, and the h_ll with the curly. Luckily, what he spotted was a curly. So we both agreed that looks-wise, that was what we wanted.
The next months were spent talking and e-mailing people like Stephanie, janean, Cathy Lew, Ann Shinkle and a host of others. We had to make sure that we could also live with this dog and it would fit in with us. Everyone was extremely helpful and very open with all the positives and negatives.
The only thing left was to wait for a litter. Mary Alice supplied us with Toby, the most beautiful puppy ever, on Super Bowl Sunday in 1997. And today we also have Turu from John and Gill Wise.
They are still the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.
Mary Veitch [email protected]
I first met two black Curlies at a dog show in either ST. Louis, MO or Belleville, IL in 1977. I can't remember who they were or even much about them. Then a several years later, maybe 1984, I met Falko (Darelyn Reveller) when he was a youngster living Germany. A few more years later, in 1986 while up on the Tar Heel (Raleigh, NC) with Sandra Freeman, getting a good look at Hie On McLaig and Echoes of Freedom (I think, can you jog my memory Sandra).
I first met two black Curlies at a dog show in either ST. Louis, MO or Belleville, IL in 1977. I can't remember who they were or even much about them. Then a several years later, maybe 1984, I met Falko (Darelyn Reveller) when he was a youngster living Germany. A few more years later, in 1986 while up on the Tar Heel (Raleigh, NC) with Sandra Freeman, getting a good look at Hie On McLaig and Echoes of Freedom (I think, can you jog my memory Sandra).
Delene Vota [email protected]
Sometime around 1980, I was working in a pet store in Butte Montana with a dog groomer named Shiela Anderson. one day she brought in the most amazing dog(I think it was Raven) I have been in love ever since.
Sometime around 1980, I was working in a pet store in Butte Montana with a dog groomer named Shiela Anderson. one day she brought in the most amazing dog(I think it was Raven) I have been in love ever since.
Susan Wolf [email protected]
Written by Gaia (a Lab)
I was sitting on the couch with them when mom and dad saw their first Curly on T.V. watching the 1997 Westminister Dog Show, and I could tell they were hooked. But then the day came several months later that all three of us went to meet a Curly in the flesh. It was a day that changed my life, I can tell you that. I wrote about it 2 years ago, but for those who may have missed it, I'll tell the story again.
Gaia, a.k.a. The Divine Miss G. May 1997
. NOBODY thought to warn me who the two curlies at the AKC All-Breed Show in Monroe, MI would be. Not even the slightest hint to prepare me. I can't believe my mom and dad would set me up so deliberately. And I refuse to believe they didn't know.
So here I am on my way to the fairgrounds. Gaia the Gullible, directing traffic from the backseat, and trying to be cool about the whole thing. Figuring that out in the middle of the cornfields no self respecting Curly who represents the breeds standard, is gonna show its face. And picturing mom and dad looking at one another real disappointed like; then turning to me and saying the words I'm longing to hear. "Gaia, sweetie. Guess what? You're going to remain our only child " Then I would graciously lick their faces, letting them know through subtle cues, that the *angst* they had caused me is history, and that I Gaia, have completely forgiven them. Oh, the ecstasy of it all. I could hardly wait.
So we get to the show and there are zillions of cars and dogs of all persuasions and their humans. (Did you guys ever notice how we canines pick out humans who resemble us so closely?) So leading the way, and chatting here and there with a particularly attractive canine, I walk my folks to the show rings. Well it just so happens the labs were being shown before you curlies. So I take a front row seat and check out the scene. And boy was I in for a surprise. Those labs looked like sausage dogs, with short legs, and big heads. Every single one of them. And especially the winner. But they were sweet, and its not their fault anyhow. And I could tell, they didn't know what to make of me. Maybe they never saw a Canadian Field Lab till today.
Then mom points, and says to dad, "Ooooohhhhhh look." So, I also look. And there they were, the two curlies waiting to go into the ring. And that's when I saw my dream evaporate, and knew that nothing could ever dissuade my folks from getting Zeus. Let me tell you who those two curlies were.
First, Her Royal Curly Highness, Ch Ptarmigan Gale At Riverwatch a.k.a. Tempest. "Ooooooohhhhhh" mom says to dad. "She was BOB in Westminister this year, and I think for the last several years before that. Just LOOK at her." And I gotta give credit where credits due. Tempest is a looker, and she sure knows how to strut her stuff. So I check out the program and gasp as I read that she was bred by "She Who Refuses" "Mom" I say nervously, "Lower your voice. Their may be spies around us. Don't say anything nice." But mom is oblivious to my warning, and keeps on gushing off at the mouth. But then I draw her attention to Ch Acme Major League, a.k.a. T.Rex. He is a BIG guy. The type my mom is attracted to. So she starts ooohhing and aahhing about him. And I know without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what I say or do, Zeus is a reality here to stay. So after the judging, which Tempest wins, I decide its time for me to concede. I walk my folks over to Tempest and T.Rex and their humans. While the humans chat, we canines also get acquainted. I gotta admit that you curlies are good conversationalists. Those guys had me laughing in no time at all, and by the time we said our good-byes, I felt I had made two new friends. And, they weren't the least bit stuck up.
And now I Gaia, am going PUBLIC on the Curly-L with the following admission. It just might work out okay having a younger curly brother. As long as he remembers to treat me as *boss dog,* and gives me the full adulation I deserve. It could even be fun.
Well, I gotta go take my beauty nap now. It's been a very long day already. And my paws are getting callused from typing. Catch you guys later.
Written by Gaia (a Lab)
I was sitting on the couch with them when mom and dad saw their first Curly on T.V. watching the 1997 Westminister Dog Show, and I could tell they were hooked. But then the day came several months later that all three of us went to meet a Curly in the flesh. It was a day that changed my life, I can tell you that. I wrote about it 2 years ago, but for those who may have missed it, I'll tell the story again.
Gaia, a.k.a. The Divine Miss G. May 1997
. NOBODY thought to warn me who the two curlies at the AKC All-Breed Show in Monroe, MI would be. Not even the slightest hint to prepare me. I can't believe my mom and dad would set me up so deliberately. And I refuse to believe they didn't know.
So here I am on my way to the fairgrounds. Gaia the Gullible, directing traffic from the backseat, and trying to be cool about the whole thing. Figuring that out in the middle of the cornfields no self respecting Curly who represents the breeds standard, is gonna show its face. And picturing mom and dad looking at one another real disappointed like; then turning to me and saying the words I'm longing to hear. "Gaia, sweetie. Guess what? You're going to remain our only child " Then I would graciously lick their faces, letting them know through subtle cues, that the *angst* they had caused me is history, and that I Gaia, have completely forgiven them. Oh, the ecstasy of it all. I could hardly wait.
So we get to the show and there are zillions of cars and dogs of all persuasions and their humans. (Did you guys ever notice how we canines pick out humans who resemble us so closely?) So leading the way, and chatting here and there with a particularly attractive canine, I walk my folks to the show rings. Well it just so happens the labs were being shown before you curlies. So I take a front row seat and check out the scene. And boy was I in for a surprise. Those labs looked like sausage dogs, with short legs, and big heads. Every single one of them. And especially the winner. But they were sweet, and its not their fault anyhow. And I could tell, they didn't know what to make of me. Maybe they never saw a Canadian Field Lab till today.
Then mom points, and says to dad, "Ooooohhhhhh look." So, I also look. And there they were, the two curlies waiting to go into the ring. And that's when I saw my dream evaporate, and knew that nothing could ever dissuade my folks from getting Zeus. Let me tell you who those two curlies were.
First, Her Royal Curly Highness, Ch Ptarmigan Gale At Riverwatch a.k.a. Tempest. "Ooooooohhhhhh" mom says to dad. "She was BOB in Westminister this year, and I think for the last several years before that. Just LOOK at her." And I gotta give credit where credits due. Tempest is a looker, and she sure knows how to strut her stuff. So I check out the program and gasp as I read that she was bred by "She Who Refuses" "Mom" I say nervously, "Lower your voice. Their may be spies around us. Don't say anything nice." But mom is oblivious to my warning, and keeps on gushing off at the mouth. But then I draw her attention to Ch Acme Major League, a.k.a. T.Rex. He is a BIG guy. The type my mom is attracted to. So she starts ooohhing and aahhing about him. And I know without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what I say or do, Zeus is a reality here to stay. So after the judging, which Tempest wins, I decide its time for me to concede. I walk my folks over to Tempest and T.Rex and their humans. While the humans chat, we canines also get acquainted. I gotta admit that you curlies are good conversationalists. Those guys had me laughing in no time at all, and by the time we said our good-byes, I felt I had made two new friends. And, they weren't the least bit stuck up.
And now I Gaia, am going PUBLIC on the Curly-L with the following admission. It just might work out okay having a younger curly brother. As long as he remembers to treat me as *boss dog,* and gives me the full adulation I deserve. It could even be fun.
Well, I gotta go take my beauty nap now. It's been a very long day already. And my paws are getting callused from typing. Catch you guys later.
Virginia Wright [email protected] Doris knows my story - it's all her fault. We worked together and she had a clock that said "Winner's Bitch". I was one on the few people in the office that knew what it meant. So we started talking about dogs. I had seen pictures of curlies but never a live one until I saw hers.
We took an audit trip to Albuquerque and Never went along for the shows. I fell in love with the Naughty Never on that trip and life has never been the same. Never's daughter, Mickey, was the first curly to come live with me.
We took an audit trip to Albuquerque and Never went along for the shows. I fell in love with the Naughty Never on that trip and life has never been the same. Never's daughter, Mickey, was the first curly to come live with me.
Robin Waters
I met my first Curly while I was recovering from a Stroke at the CAH physical rehab unit. I was young, I should never have had a stroke. They called it a TIA, and said it was lucky I had it. Its a warning sign, and I can recover, change my whole life and be fine.
Lucky. I didn't fell lucky. I would not talk to anyone. I shut myself out from my family and friends. I thought my life was over. A nurse I had seen in another part of the hospital one day came to the day room with a funny looking dog. The dog looked like lab except her hair was curled. I wasn't interested in any tricks they had to make you participate in the therapy, so I sat in my chair and ignored the fiasco. Even when the dog came over and sniffed me, I didn't look. She shoved her big head under my left hand and I could not even feel it. I started to push her away and realized this was the first (person, animal, whatever) to come up to me and not feel sorry for my disability. She didn't know. I felt the hand I had reached to push her away grab hold of her fur.
Sally came every other week during the summer. The first time I felt any sensation in my left hand was when Sally licked it one day. After that I vowed that one day I would be able to throw a ball for my own dog again. Sally was the first curly I ever met. I am fully recovered from my mini stroke. When my springer spaniel Jessie (11 years old) passes, I want to get a Curly Coated retriever just like her. I have been in close contact with Sally and Cathy Lewandowski the RN who brings her to the Rehab unit. Since I have been out of the hospital I even went up to softmaple to see Sally. When I get a pup I want to teach her how to be a therapy dog.
I met my first Curly while I was recovering from a Stroke at the CAH physical rehab unit. I was young, I should never have had a stroke. They called it a TIA, and said it was lucky I had it. Its a warning sign, and I can recover, change my whole life and be fine.
Lucky. I didn't fell lucky. I would not talk to anyone. I shut myself out from my family and friends. I thought my life was over. A nurse I had seen in another part of the hospital one day came to the day room with a funny looking dog. The dog looked like lab except her hair was curled. I wasn't interested in any tricks they had to make you participate in the therapy, so I sat in my chair and ignored the fiasco. Even when the dog came over and sniffed me, I didn't look. She shoved her big head under my left hand and I could not even feel it. I started to push her away and realized this was the first (person, animal, whatever) to come up to me and not feel sorry for my disability. She didn't know. I felt the hand I had reached to push her away grab hold of her fur.
Sally came every other week during the summer. The first time I felt any sensation in my left hand was when Sally licked it one day. After that I vowed that one day I would be able to throw a ball for my own dog again. Sally was the first curly I ever met. I am fully recovered from my mini stroke. When my springer spaniel Jessie (11 years old) passes, I want to get a Curly Coated retriever just like her. I have been in close contact with Sally and Cathy Lewandowski the RN who brings her to the Rehab unit. Since I have been out of the hospital I even went up to softmaple to see Sally. When I get a pup I want to teach her how to be a therapy dog.
The first time I saw a curly was about 8 years ago. I used to take my chocolate Lab and tricolor collie to a dog party in a Philadelphia park called Carpenter Woods. One of the dogs there was a curly- don't know his(?) or his owner's name, but it was by far the cutest dog I'd ever seen-except my own, of course. I moved away, and never saw that dog again, and thought no more about it until, in early April 1999, my wonderful collie died suddenly with bloat. I wasn't ready for another dog right away, but my Lab was; she was so lonely as an only dog that she would cry when I came home from work each evening. I had to find her a new friend, fast. The second time I saw a curly was at a dog show in Gaithersburg, MD at the end of April 1999. It was Winnie Reed's Roc, a magnificent sight. The third time I saw a curly was about one minute later: his daughter, who I was there to meet and maybe buy. There was no maybe about it. She's now my evil baby, Ch. Addidas Tovah Othello, CGC, and my Lab's best friend.
Moira Hahn
Moira Hahn
Kathy Boyle
Brendan and I have had Irish Water Spaniels for a little over 20 years. We love them. They are beautiful and they are fun and they are (yes) goofy. Our current IWS boy is six years old. When we got him, after a long search for the unusual breed, we promised the breeder that we would show him in conformation, at least for a while.
This ended up with us meeting Mary and Gary Meek, which of course eventually led us to meeting Tempest and other members of the crew.
I loved those dogs from the minute I laid eyes on them-- little hearts came out of my head just like in the cartoons, but we had no room for another dog at the time, so I enjoyed Mary & Gary's curlies and made a mental wish for one of my own.
In September we lost our old dog and in November we began talking about getting a pal for us and for our IWS in the spring. Brendan suggested that we look at some breeds other than IWS. There was a dog show in early December in East Lansing and I checked info dog to make sure there would be curlies. Then I suggested we go look at them.
Brendan had also met Tempest, but this was his first chance to see a cluster of curlies and he was impressed, but not sure we shouldn't check out some other breeds and we had to leave before we could actually talk to Mary. . .
Then that evening he decided it would be a good idea to talk to Mary and find out how difficult it would be to get a nice curlie pup. Not difficult at all, it seemed because the curlie gods were smiling upon us. I found Mary at the show on Sunday and she had a nine week old boy who was ready for a new home-- ours. He's wonderful!
Brendan and I have had Irish Water Spaniels for a little over 20 years. We love them. They are beautiful and they are fun and they are (yes) goofy. Our current IWS boy is six years old. When we got him, after a long search for the unusual breed, we promised the breeder that we would show him in conformation, at least for a while.
This ended up with us meeting Mary and Gary Meek, which of course eventually led us to meeting Tempest and other members of the crew.
I loved those dogs from the minute I laid eyes on them-- little hearts came out of my head just like in the cartoons, but we had no room for another dog at the time, so I enjoyed Mary & Gary's curlies and made a mental wish for one of my own.
In September we lost our old dog and in November we began talking about getting a pal for us and for our IWS in the spring. Brendan suggested that we look at some breeds other than IWS. There was a dog show in early December in East Lansing and I checked info dog to make sure there would be curlies. Then I suggested we go look at them.
Brendan had also met Tempest, but this was his first chance to see a cluster of curlies and he was impressed, but not sure we shouldn't check out some other breeds and we had to leave before we could actually talk to Mary. . .
Then that evening he decided it would be a good idea to talk to Mary and find out how difficult it would be to get a nice curlie pup. Not difficult at all, it seemed because the curlie gods were smiling upon us. I found Mary at the show on Sunday and she had a nine week old boy who was ready for a new home-- ours. He's wonderful!
This is how I ended up loving curlys...I used to have goldens and decided I wanted to go into the show ring, and the obedience ring, but didn't want a dog everyone else had. I knew I only wanted a retriever, as I loved their personalities and wanted a dog where anyone could come into my house and not be worried about aggression or protection. I had a husband for that! A friend of mine who successfully shows breed labs mentioned to me about a dog called a curly coated retriever, with a great personality but kind of rare! It took me over a year to find one and fell in loveinstantly with their looks.
Thats how I bought my first curly way back named Kirby! As she grew, she was turning out to be the most beautiful curly I had ever seen, and I had very high hopes of fulfilling my dream of owning a real show Champion. She was only 8 months old, had both her majors, and was only a few points away from her Championship, when she collapsed in my back yard. It was the most devasting thing that could have happened to me. Not knowing about autopsys I just rushed her to my vet, but she was gone by the time we got there. After a nervous breakdown, my husband encouraged me to get another one and try again! Thats when I purchased my Derby. Ch. Addidas Blackberry Champagne, CD...this part still to this day makes me cry. When she finished her championship, I cried and cried because I felt in my heart it should have been my Kirby that was supposed to have done this, not this other dog! And it wasn't until years later that I realized, that this dog Derby, whom I loved dearly but withheld so much from because of the first one I couldn't get over...was the true Champion in her own right! She earned it, deserved it, and went on to give me my beloved Jade!...Derby then died at 8 of renal failure. Other than Jade, which strangely enough, I can't put into words and can hardly talk about the love, and attachment I have to her because it is so strong, I cry and get too emotional even thinking about it.... Derby was the one who brought out the first true feelings of love for a dog and the breed of curlycoated retrievers!
Sue Shaw
Thats how I bought my first curly way back named Kirby! As she grew, she was turning out to be the most beautiful curly I had ever seen, and I had very high hopes of fulfilling my dream of owning a real show Champion. She was only 8 months old, had both her majors, and was only a few points away from her Championship, when she collapsed in my back yard. It was the most devasting thing that could have happened to me. Not knowing about autopsys I just rushed her to my vet, but she was gone by the time we got there. After a nervous breakdown, my husband encouraged me to get another one and try again! Thats when I purchased my Derby. Ch. Addidas Blackberry Champagne, CD...this part still to this day makes me cry. When she finished her championship, I cried and cried because I felt in my heart it should have been my Kirby that was supposed to have done this, not this other dog! And it wasn't until years later that I realized, that this dog Derby, whom I loved dearly but withheld so much from because of the first one I couldn't get over...was the true Champion in her own right! She earned it, deserved it, and went on to give me my beloved Jade!...Derby then died at 8 of renal failure. Other than Jade, which strangely enough, I can't put into words and can hardly talk about the love, and attachment I have to her because it is so strong, I cry and get too emotional even thinking about it.... Derby was the one who brought out the first true feelings of love for a dog and the breed of curlycoated retrievers!
Sue Shaw
It was the late 70's or early 80's, I don't remember exactlywhen, at the Mitchell Park dog run in Palo Alto, CA. I had one of thetwo Labs we've had there for dog play. The curly was a black bitch and alittle smaller than my lab, which was a standard size lab (as both ofthem were). I had never seen one in the flesh before and her coatwas just amazing to touch. She was so pretty and graceful. In late 1998 it was clear our Lab was starting to fail. Ididn't really want another dog until he was gone and then some, but my husbandJohn gave me the AKC dog book for Christmas and the whole family sataround on Christmas morning, discussing dogs. I volunteered that I hadalways wanted either a Curly or an American Water Spaniel, especiallythe curly after meeting that pretty little girl in Mitchell Park almost 20years ago. Well, between Christmas and New Year's, that quiet time atwork, he surfed the web, researching curlies. He ran across the CCRCArescue site and Zelda appealed to him. He made the contact with curlyrescue and spoke to Sheila Anderson, with whom Zelda had beenre-united, and we passed scrutiny. Two weeks later, he and our daughter were ontheir way to Nevada to meet Sheila and Zelda at a truck stop. He hadnever seen a curly before but when he saw Zelda, it was love at first sightbetween the two of them. When they got home, I was impressed by thiselegant, gentle sweetheart. She's a real part of our family and we hopethe rest of her life with us is at least as long as the years we didn'thave her.
Martha Sbarbori
Martha Sbarbori
Well, my first reaction to Curlies was when my friend, Lea Ann, told me that her brother and sister-in-law got a Curly-Coated Retriever. My first reaction was "What is a Curly-Coated Retriever?" I was rather green in showing, only having worked with a pet quality Golden for training, and showing Pekingese at the time. But when I met Annie (Ch. Summerwind's One For the Money), I was rather intrigued with them. And when a litter of pups became available with another female, I co-owned one of the pups, but I was unable to keep the dog and let him go to a new home. But I was hooked! I once even handled Annie at a show because Lea Ann, who was supposed to handle her, was busy working with a Newfie in the ring. Annie went well for me, but she didn't win. I loved her, and she did like me a lot! When Lea Ann's Newf male died, she said that we had to find me a dog to show. My sister is allergic to dogs, our Golden was 9 years old, and I didn't think I'd have a chance to keep another dog, so I told her that there was a chance in hell that I'd be allowed to have another dog. Well, Chance was born Sept. 10, 1994 and Cindy, our Golden, died 3 days later. Chance came into my life just when I needed him. To this day, I thank 3 people for him, Doris Hodges for sending my big boy out to us, Lea Ann for paying for him, and God for sending me 2 people that I could trust and a dog I could love. And I thank God for every win or good showing that I have with Chance. Now I own 2 beautiful Curlies, Ch. LJ's Summerwind Our Chance, CGC, TDI and Ch. Boyerie's New Image of LJ, CGC, TDI (aka Shasta). All because of a beautiful Curly named Annie.
Jeanne, Chance CGC TDI, Shasta CGC TDI and the Peke cousins
Jeanne, Chance CGC TDI, Shasta CGC TDI and the Peke cousins
[email protected]
I always go to the dog show here in Louisville and check out the sporting dogs because I have 2 chessies. So, it was about 6 years ago early in the morning and I was watching the chessies and the curlies were near the ring. One of the people showing needed someone to hold one of her dogs and I was willing to do so. The next thing I know this big black curly dog was leaning on me the whole time. I immediately fell in love with the breed and have a wonderful black 4 1/2 year old who does lean on me all the time. He and my senior chessies get along just great. Hopefully I will be able to have another curly in my life.
I always go to the dog show here in Louisville and check out the sporting dogs because I have 2 chessies. So, it was about 6 years ago early in the morning and I was watching the chessies and the curlies were near the ring. One of the people showing needed someone to hold one of her dogs and I was willing to do so. The next thing I know this big black curly dog was leaning on me the whole time. I immediately fell in love with the breed and have a wonderful black 4 1/2 year old who does lean on me all the time. He and my senior chessies get along just great. Hopefully I will be able to have another curly in my life.
Gerry Young [email protected]
Rica’s Story Or How I Acquired a Curly
I have always been a Lab person, living with several part Labs and one purebred, Fancy. Fancy had very serious problems with allergies and skin infections (initially misdiagnosed by local vets, whose treatments undoubtedly contributed to the severity of the allergies; as well as heavy pesticide/herbicide spraying by my upwind neighbour). About three years before I acquired a curly, I was on vacation and stopped to visit Fancy’s breeder (about two hundred miles from me). I was telling her about the problems, (by the way Fancy’s hips were great, so that part of her breeding program worked). She did tell me that none of the bitch’s line had these problems that she knew of; the stud’s owner later said the same. As Fancy was very special dog, she was advised me that when replacement time came up that I might want to consider a different breed, color or sex, to avoid comparing them. Anyway she showed me three young Curlies in her kennel, that she had bred (mom was there too). They looked very strange to my uneducated eye as I had never seen or even heard of this breed, like 99.9% of Nova Scotians. Naturally I wasn’t very interested in them.
After Fancy developed thyroid cancer, etc, I realized how deaf she had become (post-confrontation with some nasty kids), and decided to get a second dog. I remembered the Curlies in Yarmouth, and found out as much as possible through the internet, before deciding to speak to is woman about the Curlies she was breeding. There was a dog show in Halifax Labour Day weekend so I went over there to put my name anticipating that it could easily take a year or more to get a pup, and by then Fancy would be gone. I was shocked when I spoke with the breeder as she was getting out of Curlies, she had been unable to sell all the pups from that initial litter (Nova Scotians have a history of not welcoming anything new, and that includes new-to-them breeds of dogs). Instead she asked if I would be interested in an adult female, free to a good home. I went home thought it over, and called her the next day and said yes.
Two weeks later I went and picked up Carho’s Don’t Fence Me In, (Rica), who was almost four. Poor dog she wasn’t sure she wanted to go with me. On the four hour drive back home, we did some bonding, (I didn’t think about it till later that it wasn’t the smartest thing I ever did getting and out of a pickup, with a strange dog lying on the seat, secured only by a seatbelt), however she remained sweet (scared to death). Upon arrival home I put her in the fenced backyard, while I fetched Fancy for introductions, a bad mistake. I wasn’t in the house for more than a minute, when I came out to see a black flash across the driveway heading south. I figured the blur was Rica and took off in pursuit. Fortunately when I called her, she paused and then came close enough to grab. Talk about being lucky. Anyway took her straight into the house, with Fancy wondering who this strange dog was. Fortunately Fancy was very kind, and quickly accepted her new friend. The only warn off came from Rica, who told Fancy, that because she didn’t want the food it still wasn’t up for grabs.
Fancy passed just over a year after Rica entered our home. Rica has greatly helped ease that void, and has become very adored. I have never seen a dog that is so overjoyed with life and is so enthusiastic. Sometimes she does things just to make me laugh (does somersaults occasionally); her people are not allowed to be depressed around her. She continues to make new friends everywhere she goes (provided people don’t make sudden moves, she is somewhat timid). They say Curlies are additive, and I believe it. I am now thinking about trying to acquire a second Curly when my finances permit (should be within two years). To me, while I like Labs, they are just another dog, Curlies are special. Like I said, Rica makes me laugh.
Rica’s Story Or How I Acquired a Curly
I have always been a Lab person, living with several part Labs and one purebred, Fancy. Fancy had very serious problems with allergies and skin infections (initially misdiagnosed by local vets, whose treatments undoubtedly contributed to the severity of the allergies; as well as heavy pesticide/herbicide spraying by my upwind neighbour). About three years before I acquired a curly, I was on vacation and stopped to visit Fancy’s breeder (about two hundred miles from me). I was telling her about the problems, (by the way Fancy’s hips were great, so that part of her breeding program worked). She did tell me that none of the bitch’s line had these problems that she knew of; the stud’s owner later said the same. As Fancy was very special dog, she was advised me that when replacement time came up that I might want to consider a different breed, color or sex, to avoid comparing them. Anyway she showed me three young Curlies in her kennel, that she had bred (mom was there too). They looked very strange to my uneducated eye as I had never seen or even heard of this breed, like 99.9% of Nova Scotians. Naturally I wasn’t very interested in them.
After Fancy developed thyroid cancer, etc, I realized how deaf she had become (post-confrontation with some nasty kids), and decided to get a second dog. I remembered the Curlies in Yarmouth, and found out as much as possible through the internet, before deciding to speak to is woman about the Curlies she was breeding. There was a dog show in Halifax Labour Day weekend so I went over there to put my name anticipating that it could easily take a year or more to get a pup, and by then Fancy would be gone. I was shocked when I spoke with the breeder as she was getting out of Curlies, she had been unable to sell all the pups from that initial litter (Nova Scotians have a history of not welcoming anything new, and that includes new-to-them breeds of dogs). Instead she asked if I would be interested in an adult female, free to a good home. I went home thought it over, and called her the next day and said yes.
Two weeks later I went and picked up Carho’s Don’t Fence Me In, (Rica), who was almost four. Poor dog she wasn’t sure she wanted to go with me. On the four hour drive back home, we did some bonding, (I didn’t think about it till later that it wasn’t the smartest thing I ever did getting and out of a pickup, with a strange dog lying on the seat, secured only by a seatbelt), however she remained sweet (scared to death). Upon arrival home I put her in the fenced backyard, while I fetched Fancy for introductions, a bad mistake. I wasn’t in the house for more than a minute, when I came out to see a black flash across the driveway heading south. I figured the blur was Rica and took off in pursuit. Fortunately when I called her, she paused and then came close enough to grab. Talk about being lucky. Anyway took her straight into the house, with Fancy wondering who this strange dog was. Fortunately Fancy was very kind, and quickly accepted her new friend. The only warn off came from Rica, who told Fancy, that because she didn’t want the food it still wasn’t up for grabs.
Fancy passed just over a year after Rica entered our home. Rica has greatly helped ease that void, and has become very adored. I have never seen a dog that is so overjoyed with life and is so enthusiastic. Sometimes she does things just to make me laugh (does somersaults occasionally); her people are not allowed to be depressed around her. She continues to make new friends everywhere she goes (provided people don’t make sudden moves, she is somewhat timid). They say Curlies are additive, and I believe it. I am now thinking about trying to acquire a second Curly when my finances permit (should be within two years). To me, while I like Labs, they are just another dog, Curlies are special. Like I said, Rica makes me laugh.
This is my story of why only a curly was the dog for my family.
I don't know if any of you have read the story of the dog Swansea Jack, he was a dog who was bred by a friend of my grandfather, in the books you read about him he is just classed as a retriever, he was an open coated curly, or as my grandfather called it a loose coated. He saved many lives on the Swansea docks in the 1930s a memorial stands on Swansea foreshore of this dog. People from Swansea also call themselves Swansea Jacks, and Swansea city football supporters call themselves the Jack army after this dog.
My grandfather also bred Curlies my dad tells me one in five dogs in Swansea was a Curly up until the early 1960s.
I was born in 1969 my mother sent my dad out to get a present for my brother and sister to lessen the blow of having a new baby entering the house. He returned home with a black Curly puppy.
As my dad tells it he went to a farm which bred Curlies, he was shown into a large barn there were 5 litters of Curly puppies there with their mothers, my dad told the breeder he just wanted a pup for the kids, but it had to be a dog and had to be black. The breeder picked up a pup and offered him to my dad, you can have this one for £4.75 he said as he has a few white hairs on his chest, my dad accepted him and the breeder gave my dad 25p back for good luck.
Home he came my mother wasn't very happy she now had a new baby plus a 7 week old pup to look after.
At 5 months old Jack as he was named was given to my dads friend to look after when we all had to move out of our house for major building work to be done only my dad stayed at home. Jack managed to escape and within 3 hours had managed to make his way home, after that he stayed in the house with my father. A tin or bag of dog food was never bought for Jack my dad was a fruit and vegetable wholesaler so Jack helped himself to what he wanted, there was a butcher around the corner who Jack would also visit on a daily basis he would often return home with a sheep's head or whatever the butcher had which was not suitable for human consumption, he also made trips to the baker next door to the butcher.
His favorite time was the weekend my dad bred shire horses and welsh cobs every weekend Jack was the first in the car to go and do what needed to be done with the horses, one day my father had caught 3 of the mares and foals to move them to another field, Jack put one of the halters in his mouth my dad thought right lets see if you can do it he did and from then Jack was used to help move the horses. My mum says she never needed a fire guard to keep me out of harms way when I was a baby and toddler as if the open fire was lit he would lay in front of it and not let us children near it. I was 5 when I started school Jack always accompanied my mum on taking and picking me up from school, by the time I was 7 the other mums would be taking their children to school, but I was lucky Jack would take me to school, mum would then send him back to pick me up after school had finished.
In the winter of 1976 we woke up one morning to heavy snow, my dad had put his mares and foals in a new set of fields he had just bought the problem was they were 18 miles away, he was panicked they were to far away for him to feed them in the awful weather he telephoned a few of his friends and they decided to get as far as thy could by car and have to walk the rest of the way to bring the mares closer to home so they could be fed and looked after on a daily basis. they set off Jack wanted to go my dad said no not today son that's what my dad called him SON. But there was no chance he was staying behind. They managed to get to the mares, everyone had 2 mares and foals each Jack whined for about the first mile and half my dad got worried so he stopped to see what the problem was. When stopped Jack picked up Bonnie's halter and off he went he led that mare all the way home in heavy snow, he was one fabulous dog who sadly died aged 13 years. When he died I think a part of us all died with him. It took my dad and mum another 4 years before they had another dog,but by now we could not find a curly anywhere, we did eventually he was from Gladys Phillips of the Gladrags line.
sorry it was a bit long
Melanie
I don't know if any of you have read the story of the dog Swansea Jack, he was a dog who was bred by a friend of my grandfather, in the books you read about him he is just classed as a retriever, he was an open coated curly, or as my grandfather called it a loose coated. He saved many lives on the Swansea docks in the 1930s a memorial stands on Swansea foreshore of this dog. People from Swansea also call themselves Swansea Jacks, and Swansea city football supporters call themselves the Jack army after this dog.
My grandfather also bred Curlies my dad tells me one in five dogs in Swansea was a Curly up until the early 1960s.
I was born in 1969 my mother sent my dad out to get a present for my brother and sister to lessen the blow of having a new baby entering the house. He returned home with a black Curly puppy.
As my dad tells it he went to a farm which bred Curlies, he was shown into a large barn there were 5 litters of Curly puppies there with their mothers, my dad told the breeder he just wanted a pup for the kids, but it had to be a dog and had to be black. The breeder picked up a pup and offered him to my dad, you can have this one for £4.75 he said as he has a few white hairs on his chest, my dad accepted him and the breeder gave my dad 25p back for good luck.
Home he came my mother wasn't very happy she now had a new baby plus a 7 week old pup to look after.
At 5 months old Jack as he was named was given to my dads friend to look after when we all had to move out of our house for major building work to be done only my dad stayed at home. Jack managed to escape and within 3 hours had managed to make his way home, after that he stayed in the house with my father. A tin or bag of dog food was never bought for Jack my dad was a fruit and vegetable wholesaler so Jack helped himself to what he wanted, there was a butcher around the corner who Jack would also visit on a daily basis he would often return home with a sheep's head or whatever the butcher had which was not suitable for human consumption, he also made trips to the baker next door to the butcher.
His favorite time was the weekend my dad bred shire horses and welsh cobs every weekend Jack was the first in the car to go and do what needed to be done with the horses, one day my father had caught 3 of the mares and foals to move them to another field, Jack put one of the halters in his mouth my dad thought right lets see if you can do it he did and from then Jack was used to help move the horses. My mum says she never needed a fire guard to keep me out of harms way when I was a baby and toddler as if the open fire was lit he would lay in front of it and not let us children near it. I was 5 when I started school Jack always accompanied my mum on taking and picking me up from school, by the time I was 7 the other mums would be taking their children to school, but I was lucky Jack would take me to school, mum would then send him back to pick me up after school had finished.
In the winter of 1976 we woke up one morning to heavy snow, my dad had put his mares and foals in a new set of fields he had just bought the problem was they were 18 miles away, he was panicked they were to far away for him to feed them in the awful weather he telephoned a few of his friends and they decided to get as far as thy could by car and have to walk the rest of the way to bring the mares closer to home so they could be fed and looked after on a daily basis. they set off Jack wanted to go my dad said no not today son that's what my dad called him SON. But there was no chance he was staying behind. They managed to get to the mares, everyone had 2 mares and foals each Jack whined for about the first mile and half my dad got worried so he stopped to see what the problem was. When stopped Jack picked up Bonnie's halter and off he went he led that mare all the way home in heavy snow, he was one fabulous dog who sadly died aged 13 years. When he died I think a part of us all died with him. It took my dad and mum another 4 years before they had another dog,but by now we could not find a curly anywhere, we did eventually he was from Gladys Phillips of the Gladrags line.
sorry it was a bit long
Melanie
It was 1991. I am a veterinarian in Birmingham AL. One of my clients, Paula Baker, bred and showed IG's but had recently acquired a 12week old Curly pup. Paula called and made an appointment for puppy vax on the pup. The day of the appointment I went out to the lobby and there sat a 12 week old liver bitch named Luverne. She was sitting in a chair like all the other humans and she had on a very stylish hat. It was obvious she was comfortable with it all. We worked on Luverne that day and I went home and told Connie how COOL this Curly was. Well, a few weeks later Paula called and told me that Verne was kind of "slipping through the cracks" in her kennel meaning she didn't have the time to spend with her cause of all her other dogs. She asked me if I would like to have her. I said "Letmethinkaboutit - YEAH!" Turns out she was a Jolly Bodies Crash daughter bred by Gina Columbo. So for the next 13yrs and 10mos Verne and I were an inseparable item. If ever a person could have a dog for a soul mate - we were. She was a person in a dog suit. As always the stories are endless. On Aug 9, 2005 she went to heaven and took my heart. I sure hope everybody is right about the Rainbow Bridge. If dogs aren't in heaven I don't want to go.
Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan