Marti Bradford
September 29, 1940 - November 24, 2005
Remembering
Marti
Marti Bradford
was born in Denton, Texas on September 29, 1940. Her mother died during the
childbirth. Marti's aunt and husband adopted and raised Marti in Texas. She
moved to California later in life, after a divorce. She resided in Texas for
the last 30 years.
Marti started breeding smooth fox terriers in California with co-breeder Dee
Berger. She became good friends with Pat and Hank Speight. When Pat died,
Marti started dating Hank and this is how she discovered whippets.
Back in Texas, Marti bred brussel griffons with Peggy Bush and Judy Moore. Marti owned at least one basenji, greyhound, pharaoh hound and whippet during her lifetime. Marti's greyhound, Beau, was in the top ten. She bred mostly greyhounds the last few years.
Marti's remaining two dogs are with Judy Price on her acreage and are very happy. Marti had one greyt and one whippet at the time of her death.
In November of 2004, Marti learned she had cancer. In January 2005, Marti moved in with Peggy Bush where she lived her last days. The reason Marti and Peggy always got along so well was because they were both extremely hard headed !
Marti was famous for her dog hutches. Many whippets and other breeds have enjoyed the comfort of a hutch over the years. Martigra Canine Accessories were sold exclusively at dog shows, nationals and by mail order. Before her death, Marti turned the business over to Susan Crutcher. Susan has the pattern for the wonderful hutches and hopes to continue the hutch legacy.
Peggy Bush and her sister, Carolyn are hosting a memorial PARTY in Marti's memory. Marti did not want a sad memorial. Everyone is invited to attend and stand up and tell funny tales about Marti in the way they want. If you would like to email a story to be posted on this site, please do so. Click here: Remembering Marti
Cake and drinks will be served at the memorial. The party will be at noon on December 11, 2005. It will be held in the recreation room at Friendly Village Mobile Home Park, 2201 Miller Road, Arlington, Texas. Peggy's contact number is 214-596-1804.
Marti was thankful for all the cards, flowers, phone calls and money sent to her over the last year.
"I
miss Marti like all get-out
but she is at peace finally
and
IN NO MORE PAIN".
Peggy
Bush
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave
safely in a well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally
worn out, shouting "holy shit...what a ride!".
Marti Memories
Justin
and Nicky Doucette would like everyone to know how much they still love and
enjoy the hutch Justin picked out in Dallas when he was 7 months old.
They were lucky enough to be the "poster" boys for several of Martigra
ads and they are grateful that Marti had that wonderful booth with such a
fine product.
Justin did a series of photos to show a few who complained several months
ago that he (and Nicky, too) can still manage to get inside the hutch even
though it has collapsed a little in its old age.
I was
hoping Marti was going to run a series of pictures for an ad - I suggested
Justin's 101 Class of how to enter the hutch. I had no idea at the time that
she was so ill. I found out later why she never did anything about those pictures.
I am attaching one of my favorites so you can see just how happy they are
in that hutch. Not a day goes by without one, the other or both getting in
the hutch even in the summer. What a difference the hutches have made in their
lives (and mine, too!). I wish I had at least one more of these hutches now.
I move it from room to room!!
Well, I've gone on long enough - just wanted to talk about her.
Nancy
Doucette and the boys
Ch. Bohem Just In Time CR
Ch. Whispa JP Bohem Tinsel SC OTR CR
Remembering Marti
I was lucky enough to have relocated to Texas in 1985 and because of that move I got to meet one of the neatest people ever.
I had had a whippet when I was a kid and always had a fondness for them. After meeting Marti, I found myself the proud owner of my second whippet, Martigra's Rob Noxious. Robbie came close to finishing his championship, retiring with 15 points and a major, but his greatest claim was siring the father of my first homebred champion. Robbie was with me for 15 years. Robbie's son, Royce is still with me at 15 1/2 years of age.
There wasn't a year that went by that I didn't call Marti at least once for her advice on a certain judge. She was always willing to lend a hand, give advice and share some crazy dog show story.
Marti also placed with me two show greyhounds, both which finished their championships in quick order. Our male finished his career in the top 15. Marti's concern was always the welfare of her dogs. First and foremost was that they always went to a good home. I could go on and on about Marti and all of the wonderful stories, but I am sure all who really knew her have the same kind of stories.
All I know is that I will miss those once a year calls and the excitement in her voice when she would hear how her great, great, great grandchildren were doing in the ring. Robbie, Trix, Beau and all of the others that have been waiting for Marti can now lay at her feet and comfort her once more.
Julie
Konwent
Elain-Ward Sighthounds
Remembering
Marti:
Marti was such a special person. I remember that I liked her the moment we
met. I'm sending along photos of our three whippets and what I feel is the
last hutch Marti made. I feel so privileged to have it.
I had asked Marti about doing one for us back in August of last year. She kept giving me times when it would be ready, but it just kept taking longer and longer. She was really feeling poorly and couldn't shake whatever she had. Finally the last week of October she contacted me at work and said she had finished our hutch and if I still wanted it, it was finally ready and she would deliver it. She apologized about taking so long and said she was not going to let me pay full price for it. I told her that no way was I not going to pay full price especially since she was delivering it to me. She then told me that obviously I didn't understand, she was the one who set the prices and if I wasn't willing to pay what she was asking, I must not want the hutch. I was just speechless!!!! I assured her that I did want the hutch and would pay whatever she wanted me to pay. She delivered it that Friday afternoon and told me she had finally made a doctor's appointment and would be going on Monday. The next thing I heard was her horrible news of having 6 months to live.
Another funny story that I will never forget is when
my husband and I ran into Marti at a cat show. My husband is not a cat person,
but agreed to go and find out what a cat show was all about. Well here is
Marti wearing a whippet or greyhound shirt walking up and down the aisles.
She was trying to find out if there was a market for her wares in the cat
show world. We went over and started talking - Mark was also wearing a whippet
shirt. He and Marti both agreed that cat people were just too weird!!! We
had the best time watching the people and making funny comments!!!
Marti was such a neat person. Mark and I sat with her the Sunday before she died, while Peggy attended her great niece's birthday party. At one point in the afternoon, I asked if she would like a drink of water. She said yes and after I helped her take a few sips, I started asking her if she was warm enough and started re-arranging her covers. She smiled so sweetly and said "Vicki, you don't have to worry over me." That was Marti - never complaining, never expecting anything, always pleasant.
Every morning I’m reminded of Marti. While Mark and Peggy were going through some things in Marti’s van, they came across a coffee cup that Peggy gave to us. It has a place of honor on our microwave. It has a cartoon whippet on it, wearing a trench coat with the caption “ Whip It Out”. Thanks to Marti, every day starts out with a smile for me.
Vicki
Carter and Mark Bober
Jazz, Mocha and Martini
Fort Worth, Texas
