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| About Us by Catherine Larkin |
| What seems like a lifetime ago now I owned a Hungarian Vizsla "Holly". Together we learnt all about the dog show world, warts & all. I can't say that Holly was a world beater but I really loved her none the less and was so very proud the day that Holly obtained her Australian Champion title. The show bug had bitten well and truly. One day at one of our local Championship shows I met a really fun loving bloke by the name of Paul Timms. Paul had the most beautiful outgoing, full of life Irish Setter that I had ever seen. I was drawn to her like a magnet. The name of this dog was "Cher" and after chatting to Paul about her I decided to put my name down for a future pup. I knew I was in for a wait as all of Cher's first litter had already been sold & they hadn't even been born yet!!! |
| The Scottish side of our story begins when my sister Sharon Larkin also got bitten by the dog show bug. Sharon and her Golden Retriever (of Scottish origion) started accompanying Lucy and I to the shows. Sharon's current Golden is now only needing 6 points for his Australian Champion title - a day that will be very well celebrated. The competition is very strong in Golden Retrievers & Sharon has done us proud with Blake having done very well with him. STOP PRESS !! Blake received his last points in November 2003 & is now an Australian Champion - Congratulations Sharon & Blake. Sharon and I had talked about getting a terrier between us. Why a terrier?? We often sit at the dog shows with a very good friend Heather McGregor (Waterford Knls) who owns Kerry Blue terriers. We had tossed around our thoughts on a few breeds but no real decision had ever been made. We did know that whatever breed it was it had to be able to mix it with the "big" dogs (ie Irish & Goldens). |
| This discussion once again came up at a show when Heather & Sharon were again talking about what the different breeds had to offer. Heather had noticed that a very well respected Cairn terrier breeder was at this show and she suggested that Sharon have a "chat" with Nita Carter about this breed. At this stage I wandered off for a toilet break and look around. Upon returning I find that not only had Sharon finished her "chat" with Nita but that a pup was now on order. OK I thought, after having a look at Nita's dogs, a Cairn it is !!! So our Scottish "theme" grew with another breed of Scottish origions. How we can ever thank Heather enough for introducing us to two of the loveliest people in Nita and Bob Carter is beyond us. They have been simply wonderful and offer so much support and years of breed wisdom. Never is there a problem in ringing them up for advice as they are always willing to help. So it was that Duncan joined our show team. Duncan lives with Sharon and he is very well named - he is a real little DUNCAN who I call the "Duncanator". |
| My love affair with the Irish Setter has become even more exciting in recent times with my first litter now being born. Lucy's puppies are only a few months old but I am certain that with the sound and brilliant bloodlines that I have our future is looking bright. I thank Paul Timms for his determination that the tragedy that struck with my Vizsla's would not dampen my enthusiasm for the fabulous world of dogs. The pleasure that they all give just by their companionship and love alone is ultimate. The memories we have are irreplaceable. Enjoy your visit with us and if you have any questions please email me. |
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| Cher had two weeks prior to this tragedy given birth to her second litter. But I rang Paul and in an hysterical state told him that I never wanted to see another dog as long as I lived. He had just lost a pup himself & said he totally understood. What I didn't realise was that he understood me more than I thought. Paul organised for another friend to come and literally drag me into their car for "just a drive". I hadn't left the house for over a week. We drove for several hours to a small country football oval much to my wonder. Weird place for a picnic..... I thought. Then I saw Paul and yes he had the ten 3 week old baby Irish Setter puppies in his car. Yep, I started crying all over again but it worked because the thought of those babies got under my skin and when they were 9 weeks old a friend, my sister Sharon & I went to visit Paul to pick which pup I wanted. After a lovely hour of agonising over which of the two girl pups was to come home with me I finally made the choice. Her registered name was Brodruggan Cherished as Paul thought I would like that. We all bundled into the car & headed for Ballarat to take Sharon home. On the way my precious baby was named "Lucy". After Ballarat we had another 3 hour drive home to Portland where the rest of my family were eagerly awaiting us. During this trip Lucy & I became aquainted and a very special bond was formed.. |
| Years passed and my Vizsla & I had a great time travelling around the various shows. I decided that Holly would be a great mum so I planned a litter for her. She gave birth to seven wonderful pups of which I kept a boy and life was fantastic. In the meantime the Irish Cher had been mated & I had to make a decision soon as to whether or not I wanted a pup. My Vizsla baby "Banjo" was wonderful and already turning heads in the ring. But tragedy struck when both mother and son were killed in a freak accident. Needless to say I cried my eyes out for days... weeks. |
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