Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
P36990 |
Description |
Mr. and Mrs. James Roberts well-known couple mark their 50th anniversary. Their anniversary was marked Friday, November 9th, 1979, with a gathering at the Bavarian Restaurant for relatives and close friends. Moreover, how many of us have a dog for a pet and from that beginning develop one of the best known kennels in North America for the three breeds of dogs handled? This is the interesting story of well-known Mr. and Mrs. James Roberts of Abbotsford. "When we bought our first English Cocker it was supposed to be just for a family," recalled Mrs. Roberts. "But then a friend said it was such a beautiful dog that we should show it and that was the beginning…I certainly didn’t know anything about the breeding or showing of dogs, but both Jim and I love animals. This was in 1940. In 1945 we won our first prize and we were hooked." In the years since then, the Robert’s kennels in Abbotsford have become known throughout the world and one of their English Cockers in the 1950’s was "Best Dog in the Show" 12 times and "Best Sporting Dog" 38 times, a record that had yet to be equaled. Besides the Cockers, the Robert’s were equally successful in the raising and showing of Lhasa Apsos and Miniature Poodles, and their involvement had taken them to many parts of the world for the showing of their dogs. As a result of their tremendous success, they received hundreds and hundreds of trophies and ribbon, which were proudly displayed in cabinets in their home at 2548 Woodridge Crescent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robert spent their early life in the valley. They were married in Bellingham on November 8, 1929 and settled in Abbotsford in the early 1930’s, Mr. Roberts opening a meat market here in 1934, which he operated for 23 years. A former school teacher, Mrs. Roberts taught for many years in valley school and during World War II she assisted also in the meats shop, when help was scarce. Mr. Roberts sold his meat business in 1957 to devote his full time with Mrs. Roberts to the operation of their kennels. Their former home on Railway Street, where they resided for 42 years, was one of the first homes in the area. It was bought by the Municipality of Abbotsford for future development. Image not published. |
Date |
11/14/1979 |
Object Name |
Negative |
Collection |
ASM/Abbotsford News Collection |
Source |
Abbotsford News |
People |
Robert, James Robert, Mrs. James |