In the late ’90s my wife and I were walking our Golden Retrievers in the woods near Bristol, when around the corner came a young couple with a beautiful dog the likes of which we had never seen before.

We simply had to stop them and ask about this stunning dog. “Oh” the girl said “he’s an Irish Red and White Setter – very rare you know”. Neither of us had ever heard of the breed – Red Setters; yes – but Red and White? All very new to us, but I have to say from that moment on I fell in love with the breed, and vowed that one day I would have one as a friend.

Of course, a chance encounter like that couldn’t be allowed to change our focus, now could it? After all Sally was beginning to get a good reputation in the Golden Retriever world and her dogs were lovely. Could I ever gain permission to have an Irish Red and White Setter?

As with all things time moved on – I had a good friend in Chester, my Golden Retriever; we had a friendship which doesn’t come along too many times in one’s life and so I put the thoughts of this wonderful dog we saw in Bristol out of my mind – or so I thought!

In 2003 we had the chance to get out of the rat race and re-think our life style, so we sold up on the UK and bought a dreadfully rundown farm house with a fantastic stone barn in the middle of France. Sally concentrated on developing her dream of becoming a respected breeder of quality Golden Retrievers and I became a DIY bore!

In 2007 at the age of 14 1/2 years old Chester was lost to us. He was an outstanding dog, a true friend and I will always miss him greatly. But after almost 3 years without my own friend the time came to fulfil my dream and have a new friend – This time an Irish Red and White Setter.

So this is the story of my new friend who I will call TIERNEY; it’s a very old Irish name meaning ‘Lord’ or ‘Chief’. Here I hope to capture the journey as I look for him, then what life is like for the two of us living in France.

I hope you enjoy reading our story as it unfolds. For me, I have waited over 12 years to find my Tierney, so I will be taking every opportunity to enjoy our friendship as it develops and share our ups and downs along the way ……………………………………….