The Connemara Story:
By Sheila
I could write a book on how we came to be involved with the Connemara line of Jack Russell Terriers over a decade ago and all that has taken place along the way. However, in the interest of time and cutting to the chase; We met a very special Irishman who after some time, became a trusted friend and eventually our mentor. We vowed to continue this line, keeping with the tradition his family and others before them set forth.
We are a four generation, Law Enforcement / Military family. Prior to sharing our home with terriers, I was a Police Officer and in a K-9 Unit. During my career, I trained and worked two Belgian Malinois in tracking, narcotics detection and patrol work. Hand reared within our family from the tender age of 8 weeks - Our last working dog; "Justice", passed in my arms at the age of 10 years, July '06.
Our children grew up with, loved and yes sometimes only tolerated our hot, always on the ready, prey driven working dogs. When our youngest son was small, he asked for a little dog to call his own... This is how our love affair with the Jack Russell began. At first, my husband, Darrell wasn't impressed - as he had always preferred "big dogs - real dogs". ...But it wouldn’t be long before his heart too would be stolen by these wonderful little creatures. Darrell would later prove to be the silent force behind our success of Connemara and what we stand for today. Always there to lend a hand, offer encouragement and remind me that compromise was not an option: We would do this right - or not at all.
TRAGEDY STRIKES
Darrell began his public service career as a US Marine. He later became a Police Officer and then an International Peace Keeper in Kosovo. His last mission would be to serve as an International Police Officer - part of a State Department mission, in war torn Iraq.
With one phone call, life as our family knew it would forever be changed; September 17th, 2006, I received a distraught call from our eldest son serving in the US Air Force. He had received information that his father had just been hit by sniper fire in Tikrit, Iraq. I insisted the information was incorrect as I had just spoken to Darrell hours earlier.
Moments later, I looked out our front window to see two Maine State Troopers slowly making their way up our drive. My fear of Darrell being in Iraq was now a reality - We would never see his smile again. We laid him to rest on my birthday with full Police & Military honors.
CHANGES
On the same date as Darrell's funeral, sadly, I would meet with and spend time with "The Irishman" for the last time. I remember during this time so many Connemara families reaching out and showing their support. Who knew that acquaintances I had made placing puppies in homes, would later come to be thought of as dear friends who helped me though that first year? Soon, Stephanie, our only daughter moved back home from Japan after also serving in the US Air Force and she began to help me with our terriers. Her homecoming was joyous and she quickly assumed a spot alongside me raising the puppies. She would spend the next five years working with me and putting up with my demands for perfection while learning the Connemara way.
CONNEMARA IS STILL SMALL, EXCLUSIVE AND FAMILY RUN
In September of 2011, Stephanie was handed the reigns and I will spend more time enjoying my two little granddaughters. With that said; We together will continue steady and true to the preservation of a line we were taught to watch over, embrace and love. I will be forever grateful to others before me as these little creatures have given us so much more than we could ever give back.
We remain selective about who we place our puppies with... Special families looking for a special little terrier who will give unconditional love. We are still very sincere about what type of puppies we are raising and committed to working with you to help select your next four-legged family member... This much hasn’t changed. Stephanie is now raising our Jack Russell pups, running Connemara and committed to continuing the Connemara way. Stephanie and I now have different responsibilities and raise our own litters. In other words; If there are two (2) litters around the same time, we will each raise one. This allows for the puppies to be held and socialized properly and families will know their pup received individual attention.
Sheila is the keeper of all historical records/files, is in charge of all DNA (health) testing, runs our website, assists with puppy placement and is available for all health, diet and training related questions or concerns... And yes, still raises a few litters. She can be reached at; (207) 221-0267