I HAVE BEEN VERY fortunate in my life. When I was about 18 years
old, I owned a number of large breeds and did a fair bit of
A.K.C. and Rare Breed showing.
 I laid my
eyes on my first American Pit Bull Terrier when I was picking
up a Mastiff. The little dog was Shivar's Toddy, a son of Cotton's Bullet. I had to have one,
then two then I bought the entire yard. I ate drank and
slept dogs. The phone bill was ungodly. I spoke
with all the greats, Maurice Carver, Ralph Greenwood, Howard Heinzl, Andrew Giroux, Jack Boellard, Don Maloney and Irish
Jerry to name a few, and most of them really did their best to
help me.
Renee and Ralph
Greenwood helped me the most and tRalph and Ralph and
Renee Greenwood treated me as if I were their
daughter. They decided that it was time for the A.D.B.A. to sponsor dog shows.
The breed badly needed help. Since I had experience with conformation they
sanctioned me as one of the first A.D.B.A. judges. It was quite an honor.
I married Bert Sorrells in the 80's and took over the daily care and management of
the dogs. The 12 years I spent with that group of dogs, compounded with the years
with A.P.B.T's of other strains has taught me a lot. I am one of the few that really
knows how their dogs are bred. Life goes on and as I said, I am lucky. I met
my husband, Marcel Winchester, when I was judging a show in New Zealand. We have
started a new life together, with our son, Jon-Marcel.
The
dogs are ALL bred from those good dogs I had for 12 years.
They are Sorrells dogs, dogs that I know forwards and backwards.
I know the dog's brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and
uncles, fathers, mothers, grandparents, great grandparents and
so on.
I have scores of people to thank for my successes. Those that have stood with
me through thick and thin, thank you all. The A.D.B.A. has played a special part in
my life. Without the dogs and the
 Greenwoods,
my life may not have been so lucky
.
Here I am receiving the DOG MAN OF THE
YEAR award from Kate Greenwood, also pictured are Frank Rocca and Gary Hammond.
ADDENDUM 2006
In the year 2006 I
was lucky enough to receive the highest honor the American Dog
Breeders Assoc, and the fanciers can give. I was inducted
into the DOG MAN HALL OF FAME. All I can say is thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
2006 HALL OF FAME at the American Dog
Breeders Assoc. Convention.
Enjoying my success with those that made it possible, my husband
Marcel,
my son Jon-Marcel
and Kate Greenwood, president of the A.D.B.A.
October 2009
Not being one to "toot my own horn", I have left out many of my
accomplishments.
Recently, the American Dog Breeders Assoc. honored me in asking
me to be lead judge in their Invitational Show in Utah, the
first of it's kind. Having judged dogs and horse shows for
over 30 years I didn't think there was much new stuff for me.
I was wrong.
This was a wonderful exercise, and teaching new judges was more
interesting and fun than I could have imagined.
I became a CGC evaluator about a year ago by the AKC. This
allows me to help American Pit Bull Terrier rescues and local
all breed rescues. The American Dog Breeders has certified
me as a Safe Dog Program evaluator, something I am very excited
to do and plan to do soon. Being able to help people in
this breed and others has become a major focus in my life.
Our dogs have also done remarkable things. From getting a
CGC, to Ace weight pull titles to therapy dog titles, to
Conformation show titles, this breed and our dogs in particular
are becoming the dog of choice for trainers and families.
Our program helps to get these dogs in the hands of Law
Enforcement and Military people that could not otherwise afford
a well bred dog. We are proud of our commitment to the
breed and to the service people that protect us.
Having years of Humane work in my resume (I held the position of
foreman at the Manhattan A.S.P.C.A. shelter in N.Y.C., on the
board of directors for the Walton County Humane Society, and
currently doing what I can to help a local breed rescue, I
understand the need for education and for raising the standard
of care for our breed.
Marcel and I are also lucky enough to lead the youth of today in
Boy Scouting. I never thought I would be a Boy Scout, let
alone the Committee Chair of a Troop (Marcel is the Scoutmaster)
or a Black Belt. Funny how things go.
What happens now?
It only gets better from here!
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