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 Darby |
In
1973, after finishing my Master’s Degree in Elementary education, I was working as a
veterinary technician in an office in Amherst, Massachusetts. As
illogical as that may seem, it was, perhaps, kismet. A new client
walked in with his dog, who had cut herself badly on barbed wire.
It was the first Gordon Setter I had ever seen. My fate was sealed
and I was hooked. I fell instantly in love and began the search
for a puppy. None were found, but I did locate an 11-month-old
bitch who was in need of a new home. “Darby” was registered “Thistlewood
Halcyon Darby.” She was a wonderful dog, and I began obedience
classes with an all-breed dog club. In the armory that housed the
obedience classes, someone was also teaching breed handling. Having
never been to a dog show, I was curious. I had a purebred dog.
She had “papers.” I joined the class and met my first “Gordon person,” Jean
de Streel of Cloudpath Gordons. That was, of course, the first
of scores of Gordon family members that have come in to my life. |
I
competed for a while in conformation with Darby, but she failed
to accumulate more than
a single point. She did, however, obtain a CD. I began searching,
again, for a Gordon that more closely matched the standard. Eventually,
I was able to bring my first real showdog home: Loch Adair Caper
of Halcyon, who did become a bench champion and also a
Companion Dog. |
 Ch Loch Adair Caper of Halcyon CD |
 Ch Loch Adair Firefly WD |
Through
mentoring by Carol Chevalier of Loch Adair and Candice Bell,
of Braxfield, as well as countless others, I became reasonably
knowledgeable in the breed. “Caper” was followed by my foundation
bitch, Ch. Loch Adair Firefly, WD. “Shayna” was truly
an all-around Gordon, placing in many field trials and finishing
her bench championship. |
In
addition, she produced many sound and beautiful Gordons. It was
through one of Shayna’s
litters that I met my husband. He had lost his first Gordon and
was referred to me by Anne Boyd, then in Virginia, for a puppy.
Steve took home a dog and also became interested in competing
with “Duncan.” The
dog became Ch. Halcyon Dreadnought, JH (right), and I became
Mrs. Steven Bedford. Yes, I got the dog back! |
 Ch Halcyon Dreadnought JH |
 FC Halcyon Nothing Ventured |
My
interest in field trials (this was way before Hunting Tests!)
was sparked by Shayna, and I competed successfully in trials
and shows simultaneously, defying the naysayers who were convinced
a show dog couldn’t run and a field dog must be ugly. We have
produced countless bench champions, a field champion, and three
dual champions. Since the development of the Hunting Test program,
many more Gordons are learning that finding birds is what they
are meant to do. |
I maintain an interest
in both those areas, but family obligations, including a job teaching,
a husband and two children, have limited the time in field trials
that I once had. I am, however, firmly committed to the idea of
the Gordon who looks and acts like a Gordon; fitting the standard,
and hunting hard. Our dogs live in the house and must be able to
be part of a family. We test all our breeding stock for health
problems, and maintain that information in an open registry. I am a member of the Gordon Setter Club of America, and served for a while as a member of the Board of Directors. I developed and was the first editor of the GSCA Pictorial. I am currently a Board Member of the TarTan Gordon Setter Club, a licensed club of Gordon fanciers in New England. |
 Nat and pup |
 Steve and Ante |
My husband Steve, an
architectural historian, and I live in rural northwestern Connecticut,
and have a daughter who starts college in the fall, and a son who
will be a sixth grader in September 2005. Our extended Gordon family
stretches from one coast to the other, and beyond. The presence
of Gordons in our lives has enriched it, as we hope it has yours.
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