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Photo courtesy of Debbie Cowdrey |
| Mary D. Foley was born July 30, 1936, and
brought up in Montreal, Canada, along with a border collie and canaries.
After the death of her parents, she finished high school and nursing school
at the Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. She worked as a "Public
Health" nurse for a few years prior to being given a direct commission
in the Army Nurse Corps. She served on active duty as a Community Health
Nurse taking care of the preventive medicine needs of soldiers and their
families, progressing later to administration, teaching and consulting.
She obtained her masters degree from the University of Colorado.
Mary was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations during her military career, and also published several professional articles. She served at various posts in the USA as well as an overseas tour in Italy. In 1982, at her retirement parade, Lt/Colonel Foley was presented with the Legion of Merit, the highest award that can be given in peacetime. "Sammy", her standard Poodle, accompanied her for the last 16 1/2 years of her career. He thrilled the Italian people by performing all of his obedience commands in Italian and was so beloved that friends lined up to take him home on "weekend pass"! She also bred and showed Persian Cats in the United States. After Sammy's death prior to her retirement, a couple of Cockapoo pups were born at the house next door. She tried to be steadfast in her determination to get another standard poodle but realized that the little Apricot female cockapoo had tied a string around her heart. Raising this pup, "Ginger", was a real watershed. It seemed like the pup absorbed everything through osmosis. She was perfect with little or no "training" She was housebroken, never chewed on anything inappropriate and had excellent manners. This made Mary wonder if these marvelous traits could be reproduced, by breeding down the generations and perpetuating cockapoos. Her first attempt was in late 1982. Mary settled in Santa Rosa, California and found a multigenerational breeder who was honest, open and supportive. From that start she began expanding her dog lines to become "All American Cockapoos" and to date has bred over 400 multigenerational Cockapoos, never breeding a related pair. She soon, with meticulous records and followup, learned that these fine dogs did indeed reproduce themselves and maintain the health and temperament that they are noted for. In the peak of her cockapoo breeding career Mary maintained a waiting list of 30-60 highly scrutinized clients who provided $100 non-refundable deposits to commit to a puppy not yet born or even bred. She began to encourage and mentor other breeders. The idea of a Cockapoo Club of America soon became her passion. She reduced her breeding business drastically to have time to concentrate on Club development. She still has her 9th generation, 10 year old teacup toy (4 1/2 lb) "Hercules" and breeds to her third generation, 5 year old toy size "Patches". Mary continues to educate and mentor Cockapoo breeders, advise current and prospective owners and further the cause of establishing the Cockapoo as the newest accepted breed in the dog community. Mary's other interests include reading (biographies, new age spiritual, and anything about dogs), power boating, fishing, dancing and travel in her 5th wheel RV. |