I sent our first family photo Christmas card in 1959, a picture of Anna and the 2 family dogs. We sent photo cards each year after that (still do). In 2008 the Fiftieth photo card was a reprise of the 1959 photo and current photos of Anna and her four siblings with their dogs and me with my dog. There were 3 German Shepherds, 2 Black Labradors, 3 Mixed Breeds, a Golden Retriever, a Miniature Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Eleven beautiful dogs in all!

This has reminded me that over the years, dogs have been continually important in our family lives. One of the Labradors was a wedding present in 1957 and the King Charles Spaniel is mine today. Needless to say, it seems only natural that when Anna and I started a business venture it would be dog related and “Barkbed Covers” was born.