Carol McMahon:
CLASS OF 1971
Rochester Adams High SchoolClass of 1971
Rochester, MI
Carol's Story
Carol is from Rochester, Michigan. Her schools include Rochester Adams High School. She later attended American School of Dog Grooming. Married Gary McMahon in 1973, has 2 sons. Widowed in 2005.
Hi class of 1971,
Hope everyone is doing well. Since I graduated, That fall, I got a job working for a veternarians, then lost my mother, was engaged summer of 1972, then I married Gary McMahon in1973, from class 1970, RHS, which was really our school, before being split up. Then I graduated from dog grooming school, worked for Avon Animal Clinic and Troy Veterinary Hospital. I became pregnant in 1975, in the meantime, Gary was laid off from National Twist Drill, then I quit working at vet., so, either one us was working. Gary on unemployment and no health ins. YIKES! Gary did find a job at Jack In The Box restaurant in Royal Oak, yes, they still exisited back then. He was an assisant manager night shift Yeah! not. Anyways, my first son was born March 20, 1976, Terrance, ( he lives in Texas now ) in the meantime, Gary, was hired into General Motors,thank God. Then I had another son, May 31, 1979, Brian ( he lives in Rochester, but I hardly ever see him ). I became a stay At home Mom, Gary working full time and going to Oakland University, to earn his Bachaelor degree in General Studies, included marketing. It took him 10 years to finish, but he did it finally. Still living in Rochester, we decided to move to the country, when boys graduated from RHS. We move to Dryden,Mi. in 2000, in fall of 2004, Gary was diagnoised with lung cancer, I lost him Dec.16, 2005. God Bless him. He was my best friend and love of my life. My youngest son, Gary's sister & I were with Gary when he passed, we had hospice at home. My oldest son a Marine, was in Irague when his father passed away. Poor guy, of course, he had to go back for 5 more mos., after a 2 week leave. So, I sold my house, took 3 1/2 yrs., but I did it .I moved to Shelby Twp.in 2010, off 24 mi. Nice older neighborhood, with my 3 dogs,2 newborn pups & 2 cats. The same day I moved, my yellow Labrado...Expand for more
r, had a litter of 7 pups. I was at the vet. all night, because had complications. A C-Section and lost 5 pups. I made it through another crisis, but with help from very dear friends. It's been 7yrs. since Gary passed,but it still feels like yesterday. I haven't dated, just too busy. I groom dogs from home occasionally. Also, take care of other peoples dogs when they are out of town. Been doing both for 25 yrs., being able to stay home with my children when growing up. Taking care of a house & yard by yourself is time consuming.
I kept a pup from litter & sold littermate. A year later, put to sleep my old blk. Lab. Lilly, who was a breeding female for " Paws with A Cause ", she had 5 litters, 38 pups. Most of them became service dogs for the disabled. I raised 3 service dogs for " Paws With a Cause ". Lilly, was one of them. I'ved raised 11 litters of pups, since 1987, 6 of my own & 5 for "Paws". Also, have shown my dogs in obedience and conformation ( breed ring ), trained them for agility, herding, tracking, flyball, field work for hunting, 3 titles on 3 Labs.,( Working Certicate). My 3 generations of Labs. had their Companion Dog titles in obedience, in U.S. & Canada, that's 6 titles. By that time, I had it with obedience. All of my dogs have earned their Therapy Dog Certicates, 5 Labs. & 2 German Shepherds. My 6 yr.old Lab. is a UKC. champion, Therapy Dog, & has Working Certicate for field work. My 8yr old GSD ( career change dog from The Leader Dogs for the Blind ) is a Therapy Dog, the 2 yr. old Lab. is getting ready for testing. I'm taking care of a Pug while the owners are living in Shainghai, China for 2yrs. I've had him almost 3 mos. I also, have started a business on the internet selling dog products, how could you guess! Does it sound like I've been busy? Of, course, I'm consistently, painting something in or outside my house, to make it my home. Well, I hope I caught everyone up on my life, since I was'nt at the last reunion. I just was'nt ready to talk to everyone about Gary.
Your classmate,
Carol Swearingen ( McMahon )
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