NFC FC Diana Floss of Windmillwood MH
1997 – 2008
Anyone who saw Millie run in cocker field trials during the years 2000 through 2005 will never forget her. Always at the top of her game, she became a Field Champion in her first year of competition here in the United States and she placed in three National Cocker Championships before winning the national competition in 2005 at the age of eight. Her win at the 2005 National thrilled the crowd.
Millie arrived on our shores as a young trained bitch. She had been bred by Mr. D. S. Morris and purchased from Alan Gwynne of Wales — a man responsible for many of our imports during this period — by her co-owners, Harold Bixby and Martha Calabrese. Paul McGagh of Glencoe Kennels was contacted about preparing Millie for field trials. Initially he was reluctant to take on the assignment as, despite being from England and having earlier imported cockers from the United Kingdom, he preferred at this point in his career to breed and train his own cockers. He did, however, agree totrain Millie and found her to be a first class prospect. Over time both Paul McGagh and“Bix” handled Millie in field trials and together they developed quite a field trial record with this bitch. Millie won the High Point Dog Award in 2000 and 2001.
As noted, Millie placed in three National Cocker Championships before winning the competition in 2005. She earned second place in 2000, third place in 2003 and second place in 2004.
As reported by Paul McGagh, Millie had many qualities that made her a standout in field trials. She was a dog that could be run without a whistle. She had a great knack for taking in the right amount of ground relative to the conditions. She simply did not break.
She had a large chest that may have contributed to her incredible stamina and she never needed any scent to keep her motivated. She was a consistent performer with an eagerness to please her handler. People simply loved watching her run in trials. Herfine performances gave credibility to the entire breed.
As a dam, Millie produced three field champions. One of these field champions, FC Lady Willowby of Windwhistle, won the High Point Amateur Dog Award in 2007. In addition, a grandson, FC Windwhistle Padraig, placed third at the National Cocker Championship in 2005, the same year Millie was the winner.
Bix always lovingly referred to Millie as “My Millie.” His Millie was not only a wonderful dog but the catalyst that created a great friendship between Paul McGagh, Harold Bixbyand Martha and Tom Calabrese.