| The TRAJAM kennel name was established in 1977 by Sylvia and Robert Cartwright. Tho at the time the name was not meant to identify our beagles...but our collies! My parents wanted something unique so they combined the first three letter of their children's names TRA = Tracy JAM = James. Our first collie, Millhaven Certain Style (pictured below at 5 months with Dad) was not a picture perfect representation of the standard. What she did do is introduce my parents to the world of show dogs and a line of collie that they would strive to produce. Style was from Lawrence Mills and Mary Merchant who would stay close to Mom in the years to come! The TRAJAM collies were the brainchild of my father, so with his untimely passing in 1979 the collies and Dad's vision for his own breeding program ground to a halt. While my mother did not give up, a trip to the Collie Club of America National Special;ty changed the direction of things to come. |
| Who We Are and How We Got Here |
| A trip to the National in 1982...a year dominated by blues! The breathtaking Ch Starr Blue Jeans was Best of Breed for the first time (she would take the honor again 2 years later) Best of Opposite to her...Ch Carnwath the Great Pretender, littermate to the BOB dog the year before! He was one of the first "Can't take your eyes off him" dogs that my mother had encountered. Mom approached his Breeder/Owner Sue Symington and an "ALfie" daughter, Carnwath Midnite Mattinee took up residence with the TRAJAM collies! "Mattie" will go down in my memory as one of my favourite collies. Jet black tri, an exquisite face, and personality plus! Mattie, tho never becoming a champion was successful in a pre-herding group time, survivng cuts and being noticed in a tough working group presented by then handler Richard Paquette! Mattie passed tragically sitting on 8 points. When a car accident claimed two of Mom's favourites, Ch Millhaven Clarion Call and TRAJAM Go For It, she decided her heart could no longer handle it and the TRAJAM breeding program died with them. Thru it all tho, Mom never lost her love for the collies and Style was a constant reminder. So, with Style aging and the clock ticking, Mom brought home a new baby. Future Champion Terracotta Lacy at TraJam...Bred twice to the outstaning Ch Alfenloch Masterpiece, Lacy contributed to our breeding program thru a lovely, dark mahogany bitch Champion TraJam the Enchantress (pictured below at 9 years)...all the collies since go back to Chant. For me...i always wanted a breed of my own....So, when William and Allison Alexander offered me "Monica" I jumped at the chance. My love for beagles was born! Monica was successful, taking breed over specials, placing in group , winning numerous puppy groups. She gave us just one litter that would be the start of our breeding program and open doors for us! "Moni" has left us now...but we will always be grateful to those who have taken us along for the ride! The TRAJAM kennel name has come along way since its beginning....while there will never be another TRAJAM collie, our beagles our now recognizable and the kennel name is now known around the world! Dad would love it! |
