OUR HISTORY (click on underlines for photos or info; use BACK button on your browser to return from links) Though we always had a family dog as I was growing up in Syracuse, NY, I was first introduced to the real world of dogs by my Uncle Bob, in about 1968 or so, while I was staying with him in California. He handled Beagles for a large, successful and well-known kennel, Validay Beagles, of California and NY City (famous, as well, as being the home of Mr. Valentine Davies, who wrote the book "Miracle on 34th Street"). Uncle Bob took me to several breed and obedience club meetings, and then to some shows, where I got hooked into the competitive show world. This man was an invaluable teacher to me, not only with the dogs, but later, with our Arabian Show Horses. He was a true gentleman, a true dog fancier and horseman, always stressing their welfare above all, but teaching me so much about structure, carriage, temperament, and how to quickly recognize the quality in the animals. We had top-winning, quality Arabians, in Regional and National competition. I saw my first Sheltie at an Obedience class in California, where we had taken two of his Beagles. The Beagles, cute as they are, just WERE NOT destined to be great obedience dogs, as their stomachs were the prime motivation for anything; the word "obedient" not exactly included in their vocabulary. In the class was a Sheltie who hardly ever attended the training, but came out FIRST in the graduation, without a whole lot of practice. I thought it was smart AND beautiful, and I was in LOVE! I bought my first Sheltie in 1969, from Gail Wolfe, of Lobo Dell Shelties, in the Los Angeles (Valley) area of California. The kennel is no longer in existence, as Gail has gone on to become a world-reknowned artist. When I moved from LA to the SanDiego area, I met people thru that local Sheltie Club, who are still friends today, such as Sylvia Gillis Calderwood, Marcia Giamanco Bittner, the Haderlies, and many others. Then I got homesick for my family, our summer place in Canada, and the change of seasons....so, back to NY State I went, to the banks of the Seneca River, in Baldwinsville, a suburb of Syracuse, NY, where I worked as a Buyer for Carrier Corporation. I had picked the name "Dury Voe" for my kennel, as it is from a map of the Shetland Islands, meaning "by the river Dury." Somehow, we are always right on or near some type of body of water (could be because I'm a Pisces?). When I got back to NY, I contacted Jean Simmonds, Carmylie Shelties, looking for my next dogs. I found that I had hooked up with another person that has been invaluable to me as a mentor, and a friend. Jean and I have traveled lots of roads together, most of them fun, some of them sad. But, that's what friends are for. To this day, we sit together at the Nationals, learning, studying, eating ...... and laughing. In 1974, I started the Central NY Shetland Sheepdog Club, which is still in existence, tho I don't make the meetings anymore, since moving to Canada and Florida. We still have the house in Baldwinsville, which is where my Mom and brother live now, but since marrying my soulmate, in 1993, (we knew each other as kids; it only took me 25 years to realize he was "the one" - to this day, he blames it on my being "blonde.") Anyway, 2002 marked Dwight's 35th year in the marina business, at Charleston Lake, Ontario, Canada, my most favorite place in the whole world, besides Sedona, Arizona, where we honeymooned (several Judy Stories involved on THAT one!). During the summer, we live in a beautiful old cottage, one of the originals on the lake, now updated, of course. We spend the summers there, running the marina and managing several cottage rentals. It is only about an hour from Ottawa one way, another hour to Kingston, another way; about three hours from Montreal, and about four hours to Toronto. The climate there in the summer is wonderful, the average being about 75-80 degrees, usually not humid (and its WAAAY sunnier than Syracuse ever was!) It is truly a summer paradise on that beautiful freshwater lake. (see travel directions and photos on our marina website, below, and plan a visit!) A few years ago, we were invited to spend the winters with Jim and Sherry Lee (Sherry's mom has a family cottage now, on OUR Charleston Lake in Canada!), at their now former place, in St. Cloud, Florida. Fall 2002 brought us to a new place, in DeBary, just north of Orlando near Daytona, just for one season, but we are sold. Florida is the BEST place to spend the winters when you don't want to shovel snow anymore. Noplace ELSE is far enough south! So, we are *snowbirds*, in the true sense of the word. A beautiful lake in Canada in the summer, and nice, warm sunny Florida in the winter. I truly believe the weather affects your disposition, and sunny weather keeps me pumping out those Judy Stories! We recently bought a winter home on Dec. 1 '03, in Inverness, FL. Its on the Gulf Side, about 18 miles from what is known as Florida's Nature Coast and Crystal River. About 1 hr north of the Tampa airport, 45 min south of Ocala. We absolutely love the place, see this link for photos. (incidentally, you don't have to keep track of where we are, my EMAIL is always with me wherever we go, and is always the same address) I am lucky that Dwight helps me with the dogs; he is so supportive, and even built me a new kennel building/large fenced, covered yard, in Canada. He sometimes feeds, and scoops poop for me, even! He is the main leash-trainer, and bather - what a guy! He draws the line at anything pukey or bloody, but he goes with me to the Vet, to the shows, and has now decided that he UNDERSTANDS why they produced the movie, Best In Show. <gg> If you are ever in any of the areas we live, PLEASE give us a call, stop in for a visit, and relax. We'll take you for a pontoon boat cruise in the summer and will show you the alligators and manatees in the winter! And, we might even take you on the gambling cruise in the gulf of Mexico - only if Deb Ross promises to stay out of the MUDSLIDES! Coffee's always on! |
