Brennie's Story

I met my first Norwich when I was about 18 years old, while sitting in the grandstand at the World Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky. I was with my grandmother whose major passion in life was the breeding and showing of American Saddlebreds, Standardbreds and Hackney Ponies. On that steamy hot day with the odors of a summer fair hanging in the air, I had the memorable experience of meeting my first Norwich. A charming young puppy sat in the lap of the girl seated next to me and from that moment on, the competition in the ring below no longer held my attention. I was totally captivated by the look, the charm, and each and every description I was given of the breed and swore to myself that one day I would have to experience a Norwich in my own life. Little did I know that it would take me so long to come around, nearly 38 years later!

In between that first meeting and the present I raised two wonderful sons, exhibited quarter horses in western pleasure and trail classes, saddlebreds and hackney ponies in carriage classes, and spent 11 years breeding and showing a rare French breed of cat, called Chartreux. It’s no doubt that animals have always been an integral part of my life!

My husband Larry and I now live in Sonoma on 8 wonderful acres in the hills above the Sonoma Plaza. We have been married for just over 30 years and in that time have shared our home with a variety of purebred dogs. A Wire Hair Fox Terrier, several Labradors, two West Highlands, and two Dobermans to name a few. We finished both Westies to their championship titles under the guidance of Bill McFadden and Mark George back in the mid to late 80’s. When we lost our last Westie, I explained to her Washington state breeder, that we were thinking of making a change and expressed an interest in finding a Norwich. Jean McAndrews (our Westie Breeder) put us in touch with her friend, Castle-Bar’s Barbara Pierce, and the story of our involvement with Norwich began to unfold.

Soon after, we received our first boy Castle-Bar Harley of Stonehaven RAE, OA, OAJ (DOB 3/02). When it was time to add a second Norwich, we again contacted Barbara and soon after Castle-Bar Daphne of Stonehaven RAE, AX, AXJ (DOB 9/04) became a part of our lives. She was as beautiful as Harley was handsome and when she was fully mature, I started both dogs in agility training. Never have I (or the dogs) ever enjoyed a sport more and in keeping with our love of competition and play, we were soon to earn advanced titles. Both dogs flew through the courses in clean, record times. However, in a training session before an upcoming show, a bad front cross (for those of you that aren’t into agility it’s sort of a pirouette to make a direction change) left me with a severed ACL and MCL and a sprained ankle on the opposite leg. Unless I had surgery to mend the damage, and wanted to spend a year in PT, my days of agility appeared over.  As it was never an option to just sit on the couch with my Norwich, we went on to learn AKC Rally and in short order earned Rally Advanced Excellent titles on both dogs. I adore the intelligence and trainability of this breed and I think quite honestly surprised a lot of people who were not familiar with Norwich at the depth of their keen interest, ability, spirit, and persistence. Mine would do ANYTHING for me if there were a reward being offered!

I am not quite certain how or when the discussions began about adding a third Norwich to our family, but having been there now, I can say with some certainty that three is no more of a commitment than two. At this point, I think they seem to start training themselves by imitating their elders. In September of 2010, we drove to Washington to pick up our new boy, Castle-Bar Niles of Stonehaven who by the time you read this bio, you may have already met at a show. We are having fun learning the ropes to showing in conformation and by the looks of it so far, are in for yet another fun experience. We have already met many wonderful and helpful exhibitors who are assisting us to try to learn ring protocol; undoubtedly one of the most confusing parts is knowing when to enter and exit the ring J

My husband and I together own a local real estate company named Frank Howard Allen Realtors (primarily Marin and Sonoma) but thankfully, the running of this 100 year old company falls on Larry’s shoulders. In my spare time, I am a professional artist working in pastel and oil mediums, (www.brenniebrackett.com if you want to peek at my work).  The dogs are my constant companions from their early morning pleas to be let out of their crates to their reluctance at bedtime to end yet another day. They are responsible for 90% of our smiles, the energy to get going every morning, keep us fit with nice long hikes and generally turn each and every day into one worth living. They know how to enjoy life and I expect will continue to show us the way for many years to come.