Hello. My name is Harriet Vincent. Many years ago I was the little girl who reportedly said "puppy" before "Mommy," read every Albert Peyson Terhune book, watched Lassie Come Home more times than anyone could count, and waited 364 days in feverish expectation until the annual International Kennel Club dog show in Chicago.

I am  a member of the American Whippet Club, the International Kennel Club of Chicago, and a past member of the Seattle Kennel Club. While a member of SKC, I served as Chief Ring Steward and served on the Public Education committee. I served as trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation for nine years and was Canine Vice President during my years of service on the board. I have been a member of the Sacramento SPCA and the Kitsap Humane Society of Silverdale, WA. and served as Chairman of their Fundraising Committee for 5 years.

My husband and I were involved with breeding and showing Great Danes and Basset Hounds for several years before acquiring our first Whippet in 1970. It was then that I was introduced to Lou and Seme Auslander who generously allowed me to acquire a lovely young bitch, a sister to their famous CH. Alpine Ski Bum, who became our CH. Alpine Safflower and captured our hearts. In addition, the Auslanders became mentors and life-long friends.

That was the beginning of an enduring and rewarding love affair with this beautiful and remarkable breed and a turning point in our lives. In 1995 we were fortunate to purchase a promising puppy from Jeanne Thomas Williams of Watch Me Whippets. Her name was Watch Me Ruby Red Slippers and, handled exclusively by Michael Stone, she became America's Number One Whippet All Systems in 1996 and Number 8 Hound, Number One Whippet All Breed 1997 and Number 8 Hound, with 50 Hound Group Wins and 11 Breed and Specialty Best in Shows.

One of Ruby's daughters, bred and co-owned by us and Jeanne Williams, started her career by winning Best Puppy in Show at the 1999 AWC National Specialty and she became the Number One Whippet in America, won Best of Breed at the 2002 AWC National Specialty and was Best of Breed and Group 2 at the 2002 National Invitational. She was an extraordinary show dog with her 16BIS, 87 Group 1st, #1 Hound Bitch 2002 and Top Twenty standings.

In addition, Ruby produced three other champions from the successful breeding to CH. O'Runs Gustav Nordic Wind: CH. Cottonwood's Remembrance, CH. Cottonwood's Rendezvous Toasty, and CH. Cottonwood Red Rover.

I have been extremely privileged to have owned and been loved by such marvelous dogs. My husband Ed has been a constant source of support and encouragement as well as a fellow participant in all of my dog activities.  To breed as infrequently as we have bred at Cottonwood and to have accomplished so much is truly a wonderful gift.  We hope to continue to breed and enjoy our Whippets on a limited basis and to maintain contact with all of our extended Whippet family for many years to come.