: About Me

Well, where do I begin?
Strange really, I could write all day about my dogs, pet Pukeko ( large New Zealand native bird) and other animals but I struggle to string a sentence together about myself.

I guess I'll just start with the obvious, I love animals.
I have bred, shown and enjoyed Labrador Retrievers for 25 years and currently have four of them, the oldest of whom is 14 years old.

My beloved builder husband Steve and I reside on a lifestyle block in the picturesque country area of Hiwinui, which is located in the Manawatu province of the central North Island of New Zealand.

Along with our Labradors we have three cats, two cows, a rooster, a family of magpies, numerous ducks and last but by no means least, a much loved Pukeko named Kiku.

The youngest in a large Catholic family of nine children, including six brothers, I was an eclectic mix of tom boy and girlie girl.I was equally happy amusing myself with some wood off cuts, hammer and nails, as I was playing with Barbie dolls.

A hairdresser by trade I have also worked in retail, sales, service and the hospitality industry.My most satisfying job was working for myself, operating my former boarding kennels and cattery.

Anyway, I could dribble on about my childhood and formative years but that would be a novel in itself. Consequently I'll speed ahead to the here and now.I have two wonderful sons Thomas and Joseph married to two lovely daughter-in-laws and a beautiful daughter Angela, all in their late twenties/early thirties. My children have now provided me with two gorgeous grandsons Quintin and Sebastian with third grandchild due in a few weeks. I am exceptionally proud of all three .In fact, sometimes I find it difficult to believe they have all turned out so well! 

My interests in life are simple. I love to write when my mind indulges me and enjoy reading .I've had a few dog related articles published in newspapers and magazines. I have won two national essay competitions ( mind you, I was only 12 years old at the time;).

Ah well, I guess that's a enough of me to be going on with.So much for my struggling to string a sentence together!

My passion is ...

Animals

I know too much about ...

very little

My parents always told me ...

Keep looking up, there's nothing on the ground.

My childhood ambition ...

to become a vet

My favorite memory ...

lazy Christmas summer holidays as a child at our beach house

Why I write ...

to learn about myself and release emotion

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

TV Guide, nature, birds

My first job ...

Shop assistant

My best moment ...

Winning Best In Show with one of my Labradors

My inspiration ...

my family

Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: My dog

3 of 65

All my dogs are special but on reflection it is my old girl who has made them so. A mother, grandmother and great grandmother Rumour is the grand old lady, the tough old bird, the matriarch. Most importantly she has been a constant fixture in my life for close to 18 years. From the day she was whelped, a cool spring morning back in 1990, Rumour has been steadfast and constant, through the ups and downs of my life. Rumour is a Yellow Labrador and an excellent example of her breed, if I do say so myself. She has out lived her breeds projected life span of 14 years, defying the vet's prognosi...

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