A Good Judge...
Nancy & I have known Marti for more than 20 years. We competed in the whippet & greyhound ring, agreed & disagreed on Greyhound Club matters and I always thought she was a person with a lot of depth and with a lot to contribute. We were always quietly friends.
Marti continued to be reserved but friendly with us when we started judging her beloved breeds. We often say, as judges, that you find out who's really your friend & who is just currying favor after you don't do for them in the ring. Since Marti showed to me and (like everyone) she did not win all the time, it came to pass that one day in Glen Rose I did not award her anything special. Marti sought me out at a show a few weeks later and gave me one of the great compliments of my judging career. She said: "You know I showed you a bunch of dogs in Glen Rose & you didn't do anything for any of them". With trepidation I said: "OK, that means I liked something else better." Marti answered: "I know. I showed you dogs that aren't what you like. I knew that when I entered them but hoped I could talk you into pointing at them. You didn't. You pointed at what you like. That's what a judge does if they are honest to themselves. That makes them more than a good judge."
There it was. In her own quiet way Marti had seen right through me to my insides. She had put my character on trial and I was lucky to pass. I never said this to Marti but only someone who was true to themselves would care about that in others or even see it. Marti and I became good friends after that conversation. Her strength came through as she bravely fought an unforgiving disease. I miss her.
--Eric Liebes
Remembering Marti:
Will be a simple task, because to me, she hasn't left. Not a day goes by that
I do not fail to savor a quiet reflection of Marti and what she might think
or say. Such moments usually come when I am contemplating the merits of a gangly
youngster out in one of our paddocks. I can almost hear her, "Yes, he's
loose there in front, but give him time, he'll come around . . . or yes, she's
small, but Sugar, she's got it where it counts." Marti's intuition on such
matters was rarely amiss.
Of simple, down-home upbringing myself, Marti's unwavering honesty and refusal
to comprise her personal integrity were a refreshing change from what I had
come to expect of many in the dog show fancy. We saw eye to eye on many issues,
but could disagree without being disagreeable on others. Marti never sugar -coated
a thing. I liked that. A person always knew where they stood with her, and she
darn sure wasn't shy about calling you out on the carpet, if the occasion called
for it.
She bred some wonderful greyhound dogs, One was the highly campaigned and promoted
Ch Gerico's Chasing The Wind. Pity that so many of that dog's
advertisements failed to credit Marti as a co-breeder. Another white dog of
note was Ch Martigra's Cupid's Beau, a dog that Marti allowed
me a co-ownership in and in return, I gave her a co-ownership in a rather understated,
plain little brindle dog that she saw as a youngster and was instantly enamored
by what she alone foresaw. You know, she was the only person that recognized
early on something special about the dog known as Barcelona.
It was a source of great satisfaction to Marti when Barc did indeed fulfill
her prophecy and become not only a multiple BIS/SBIS winner, but the #1 greyhound
dog two years running. I will never forget Marti's unfailing belief in that
little dog--or in me.
Upon learning of Marti's affliction with terminal cancer, my husband Colin and
I made a point of attending the 2005 Southern Specialty. We knew it would be
the last time either of us would ever get to see her alive. How wonderful that
the Fates allowed Marti's breeding a resounding success that day--each dog shown
by it's person, swept well- nigh all the major awards, SBIS, WB,BOW, RWB, BISweeps
and Brood Bitch!! Seeing her bask in the glory of that specialty triumph, not
yielding to a frail body ravaged by the cancerous demon within her--I know now,
there is for sure, a God. For He allowed Marti, that one final victory in the
arena that she so reverently adored. That is the memory of Marti I will hold
dearest for the remainder of my days.
I know not the Author to credit the following, but I think these words are appropriate.
WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO
Cancer is so limited . . .
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot conquer the Spirit.
Good-bye Marti, I was privileged to know you and call you my Friend.
Kim Fritzler
Colin Fritzler
WINDROCK
Photo is of BIS/SBIS Ch Greystone's Barcelona,
co-owned by Marti Bradford.
There will be a future Windrock litter with the Martigra theme.
My promise to Marti.
*
First Greyhound
My mother got my first Greyhound for me through Marti, Can. Ch. Brasspurs Brandywine O'Martigra, shortly after my father had passed away from a long battle of cancer. I loved that dog. She helped me through my grieving process and got me back into showing dogs after a six year absence. And now I have two more boys. Unfortunately, we had to have Brandi put down in August. I never had the opportunity to meet Marti, but I will be forever grateful to her for getting me started in Greyhounds.
I remember taking a break and
coming home to put the dogs out before
heading back to my father -in - laws ( who was losing his battle with lung cancer)
and reading of her passing.
My husband's father lost his battle that evening as well.
I imagine I will think of her every Thanksgiving.
Shelley Olson
The first time I met Marti was in
1998 at the Southern specialty. I had an 8 month old red brindle puppy with
legs that went everywhere. (Hmmm... come to think of it, his legs still go everywhere
at 8 years, but for vastly different reasons.) Marti could see that I was very
new to the dog show world and took me under her wing. She gave me "handling"
lessons, telling me when to move up toward the judge and when it was my turn.
I loved her for it. Two years after that, she was standing alongside me and
that same red brindle 'puppy' dog, holding a coursing trophy in a driving Ft.
Worth rain storm for a win photo. She was very proud of my dog.
Years later, I found myself at a dog show hundreds of miles from home without
any money for gas to get home. It wasn't planned that way as there was plenty
of money in the bank, but the ATM card wouldn't work. Lucky for me, Marti was
at the same show selling her wares. She could see that I was troubled and eventually
got to the reason. She could be a very stubborn interrogator. She asked how
much I needed and gave me the money on my word to repay her. She also told me
in her own way that sometimes life throws you a curve ball. That was Marti.
She was always there for her friends. I was blessed to know her and I was blessed
with her friendship.
God speed Marti... May you always find the wind at your back, and your sails
full. May you always have fair winds and following seas.
Elaine Summerhill
DM Greyhounds
A Toast to Marti
....
Boy this is so hard ... I've started
this over and again, typed through tears and so they flow again.
I was in IL recently but prior to leaving I called and checked in with Peggy
quite often (sorry for being a pest Peg, just wanted you and Marti to know I
was here and saying prayers). I asked Peg to keep my cell number and to call
me. I returned her call and we cried together for our loss, for the pain we
felt but glad too at the same time for Marti, to be released from the pain she
had felt for so long. Thanksgiving morning brought deep sadness for us, yet
what better day for someone to join those who've gone before?
As the day progressed and Lydia's
litter joined us I realized that the powers that be keep the balance ... sadness
and joy trying to keep things equal. As Linda had posted before we lost one
of the puppies. I called Peggy after we got home from the ER vet as I'd promised
to let her hear the baby puppy squeaks, in hopes of bringing a smile to her
face at the new lives gifted to us. I told her of the one little girl and told
her that I truly felt God knew Marti needed a puppy to care for and while it
was very painful for us it was reassuring to know Marti would be there to greet
her and keep her safe.
Peggy, I know the strain, pain and stress you've had over the past year plus,
the tests and trials, the tribulations but yet the fact that you and Marti both
had one another when you needed each other. You did so much for one another
because of the bond of friendship and deep respect for each other. The loving
and respectful care you gave
to her in her time of need no one will ever understand unless they walk that
mile (and it's a long, hard, constant uphill mile), the emotional drain, physical
work ... you were Marti's angel and now, dear lady, she is yours. I know she's
watching over you and while we all miss her so very very much, she's not really
gone, she's in everything we see, touch and feel. She's always in our hearts.
Since I can't be at the event please raise a glass for me and give her a toast
A Toast To
Marti
"A golden heart and soul,
A blessing to have known."
Keeping you in my thoughts for inner strength.
--
Respectfully,
Mary Magee
I don't remember exactly when my husband Ted and I first met Marti at a show. I was looking for a brindle greyhound girl and she helped me find Brasspur Call Me Scarlet HM. Marti acquired Scarlet's brindle sister and her dam. She bred Mckenzie and had a nice litter. Marti told me about Jester, sent a picture and that was it. We now have Scarlet's half brother, a male version of Scarlet. He finished his championship quickly.
When we built our new house, I ordered dog pads from Marti. I told her the colors of walls, etc. and she found material that was perfect!!!! I then ordered 5 more.!!!!!
We were very blessed to have known Marti.
Rest in peace, Marti
Mary Jane and Ted Peterson
I never met Marti, person to person, but I did enjoy a telephone relationship. After Peggy's house fire, Marti stepped in to coordinate Whippet Rescue. She stepped right up to the plate making sure the rescues were taken care of and placed. She was a big part of keeping rescue together during the transistion to WRAP.
Marti was a kick
in the pants to talk with. She had a great sense of humor and at the same time,
was a level thinker. Her approach to life was fair and square. I will miss our
conversations and our laughs.
Lori Rose
Free Range Whippets
WRAP Volunteer
Portland, Oregon
****************
I'd just like
to ad a little memory of dear Marti Bradford that makes me giggle every time
I think of it.
Marti was always a regular vendor at our Whippet Specialties and everyone always
looked forward to seeing the new items that she had "whipped" up for
us that year.
I went looking for Marti's set-up in Chicago at the National Specialty to buy
a few more of her great hound collars (martingale type). As I walked in the
room where they had her set up as a vendor, Marti came up and hugged me and
gave me a " big smile" !!!! I must have had a quizzical look on my
face as I stared at her! Marti told me that she had taken her new teeth out
last night to give them a "soaking" and "darned " if her
whippet didn't get hold of them and chewed them all up!!!!!!! She just laugh
and laughed her head off! She proceeded to sell her great items for the rest
of the week without her teeth, laughing and cursing that darned whippet!!!
I have been fortunate to have some of Marti's bloodlines behind my whippets
for many, many years , and now I am the proud owner of my first "show bred"
greyhound from Hillary Knoeppel, Quicksilver Toulousse-Lautrec, who is a "Beau"
grandson. We'll sure miss you Marti !!! You and Peggy made a great team at the
Specialties!
Peppi Anne Greco
Ladyhawk Whippets
Melrose, Florida
**************************************************
Devotion
I can think of no other word to describe Marti Bradford other than "Devotion."
The dictionary defines "devotion" as ".Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle." When Marti gave her devotion it was total. Complete. All encompassing and administered with gentle but firm tenderness.
And probably her greatest "Devotion" was to her best friend Peggy Bush. God help the person that dared to misspeak of Peggy in any way, shape or form in front of Marti. A pissed off pit bull bitch on speed and steroids, with a bad case of PMS that just quit a three pack a day habit, would have dealt you a kinder cut than what you'd get from Marti. Through thick and thin, good and bad, close or estranged, the devotion was always there, and I always counted on it.
I regret I didn't call more often, but when I did, I could count on her own special brand of "witticism" that she reserved for me to always be there. I'll miss our banter and arguing with her.
And it's because of understanding Marti's own personal brand of "devotion" and that I am the exact same way about my best friend Melissa, gave me the courage to stop teetering on that line of compassion and tough love, and tell Melissa to ".just come home." last year. And she did. And I'll never regret it for a moment.
Devotion gives us purpose. It gives us life. And makes us complete.
Always remember - Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.
Love ya Marti ..Sue
July 8, 2005
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