My Story

My Story

I have always had dogs at home - my earliest memory was our 2 labradors, Blackie & Goldie (strangely enough!) We lived out in Africa at the time, and I was only a baby. Mum says I spent hours with them chasing them around the garden with the hose!

We moved back to Scotland when I was 4, but we spent a couple of years without dogs owning to the fact that we lived with my grandparents while my dad was still abroad.

Our next dog was Jason (a cross Doberman/whippet). He was such a gentle boy, he only cost us Ł10. But he kept getting out of the garden and ending up at the local dog pound on several occasions so cost us much more to get him home! Think he thought his name was"bloody 20 pounds"!!

Our next dog was Sparky - my dog in a million and the one I grew up with. Sparky came to live with us at the age of 8 weeks , a black lab and such a happy dog. He was so set in his ways and would sit and wait for 4pm at the window, so that he could see me coming up the street from school. He was a lively boy, always willing to please and he would carry his dish through when he wanted a drink! We lost Sparky in 1995 just after I got married to Chris he was 12 and died of a tumour in his gullet, he wagged his tail to the last.

It was Val Smith - Javal (Chris' mum) who introduced me to the world of dog showing! I went along one weekend just for a look and I was hooked. Val gave me my very own cocker "Callum" a red boy, but unfortunately he died at a very young age with heart problems.

Next was Harriet whom I was in partnership with Val - I showed her at Crufts and was so chuffed, although we got nothing! I felt like I had won!! Harriet had a litter of ten puppies, and of course I just had to have one!

Some of you may remember Simon "Javal Midnight Cowboy". He is 12 and is just living life to the full with my parents. Simon and I had good fun in the ring though, and he taught me lots of things, and I met all my friends through showing him. He was consistently placed at shows, but his biggest win was Paisley when he won Best of Breed and Best Gundog back in 1997.

In 1996 along came Harvey "Javal Urban Spaceman JW" my Italian Spinone - Harvey & I are still showing and he had an excellent show career. He was the first Spinone in Scotland to obtain his Junior Warrant and the first Brown & White in the UK. See more about him on his page.

In 1997, Oliver "Rancecraig Pick Pocket" came into our life and we have not looked back! He is just such a character, and we love him dearly. He too has had a successful time in the ring and I was very proud to take him to Crufts. We were also delighted to gain his stud book number at the Cocker Club of Scotland Championship Show in April 2002.

We have recently added Charlie to our "family". See more about this little bundle of joy on his page!

We love our dogs, and who knows when the next one will come into our home. They have given me so much love and I met so many nice people from all over the world!

Hope you enjoy our site.