DOG DAYS: When we quizzed readers about the “local connection”
with Mary MacQueen of Salamanca, N.Y., and her dog, Robin, little
did we know we’d hear more about the canine connection than the
human one!
In case you don’t remember, Mary, a deputy in Cattaraugus
County, N.Y., and her dog were shown on TV as part of the American
Kennel Club dog show, having received a special Award for Canine
Excellence for police work.
Mary was born in Salamanca but her maiden name was Mongillo — so
she has plenty of cross-border relatives. Rocco Camas of Bradford
tells us Mary is his cousin and that her family had once owned a
jewelry store in Salamanca. Her dog breeding kennel is not far from
the Horseshoe restaurant, and Mary’s husband at one time had a
photography studio.
Another caller reported that Mary had been a paramedic at
Bradford hospital.
But now to the dogs: Jan Burkness, who lives in the old
Cornplanter restaurant not far from the Warren-McKean County line,
forwarded to us photographs of her 2-year-old dog “Chelsea” which
is one of Robin’s offspring.
That litter contained eight puppies and a “sister dog” to hers
is owned by Bruce and Phyllis Whitman of Emporium. Believe it or
not, some of the owners have family reunions for their dogs.
Jan, who modestly tells us her dog is “drop dead gorgeous,”
hopes to have her bred at least once perhaps to provide animals for
the “helping professions.” We have to agree with Jan’s assessment
of Chelsea’s beauty. She’s a stunner.
SPECIAL TRIP: Brandon Rethmel was one of 14 soldiers from Walter
Reed hospital who were invited on a deep sea fishing trip courtesy
of offshore captains and staff at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in
Islamorada, Fla., in January. It was a three-day trip to the
Florida Keys.
Era readers might remember Brandon’s story. He was injured last
June while serving in Afghanistan. He is an Olean, N.Y., native.
His wife, Sylvia, is the daughter of Eric Schellhammer and
granddaughter of Tom and Patricia Schellhammer of Bradford.
If you’re interested in seeing more on this story, pictures and
a trip summary appear on Outdoor Life’s website as part of a
feature on Wounded Warriors.
