Where my story began...

I was born in Weston-super-Mare in the summer of 1959,

registered as June Cheryl,

although throughout my life I have always been known simply as Cherry.

Animals have quite simply always been part of my life.

My love for the magnificent German Shepherd Dog goes right back to my childhood and to one very special person — my grandfather, Tom Robert Beavis.

My grandfather was a wonderful inspiration to me. He had been breeding, exhibiting and obedience training German Shepherds

since the 1940s under his affix:

MEADOWLEA

German Shepherds were simply part of our family.

I honestly cannot remember growing up without a Shepherd

somewhere beside me. Those early years created a love and respect for the breed

that has stayed with me throughout my entire life.

And, apparently, there was another four-legged member of the

family during those very early years — a golden Cocker Spaniel.

I was only a young child at the time and my own memories of

the dog are rather distant, but I love knowing that a Cocker was

there in the background of my childhood too.

Perhaps, without ever realising it, the Cocker Spaniel had already found

a little place in my story all those years ago.

But the German Shepherd wasn't the only breed that would leave its mark on me...

Then Came the Toy Poodle...

My sister Toni successfully bred and exhibited Toy Poodles

during the 1960s under her affix:

LUVIAN

Of all those memories, one beautiful little girl has always remained particularly vivid in my mind — a black Toy Poodle, Champion Tea Cosy of Petitbrun,

whom Toni made up to Champion.

Perhaps that little black Poodle planted a seed all those years ago, because

here I am today, more than half a century later, with Toy Poodles

of my own.

There is something about the breed that I adore — their elegance

and beauty

combined with tremendous intelligence, affection and personality.

They may be small in stature, but there is certainly nothing small about their character.

Then Came My Love for Cockers...

My own love affair with the Cocker Spaniel came much later in life.

I first became involved with Cockers over 35 years ago, and

although life took me in other directions for a while, somehow the breed found its

way back to me.

In recent years I have returned to breeding and exhibiting these beautiful little dogs, and now, rather wonderfully, I have also

begun judging them.

There is something very special about a Cocker — their merry nature, beautiful

expression and wonderful character. They may be very different from my beloved German Shepherds, but they have certainly found an equally special place in my heart.

Sometimes life has the most wonderful way of bringing you full circle.

Today, when I look at my German Shepherds, Toy Poodles and my Cocker Spaniels and think back to that golden Cocker who was

apparently part of my earliest childhood I see far more than simply dogs.

I see pieces of my childhood, my family and the people who first taught me

to love and appreciate these wonderful animals.

My grandfather gave me the German Shepherd and Meadowlea.

My sister gave me the Toy Poodle and memories of Luvian.

Together, they helped give me a love of dogs that has lasted a lifetime.

From Meadowlea and Luvian all those years ago to Chezza’s today, the names may

have changed and the generations have moved on, but that love has never left me.

What an incredible legacy my grandfather and my sister left

me — and how very proud I am to carry a little part of them both