Dec 1980:
Ten match convention in Tijuana, taken down coming back into San Diego. South county animal shelter confiscated 11 Pitbulls. Long story short, I was an active duty SEAL. I had a pipehitter friend of mine help me go into the SC animal shelter and I got Sorrells' Johnny Walker Red liberated. Gave him back to Bert. He was a 2x winner at this point. From that point on, Bert and I were fast friends. I soon left the SEAL'S and went back home to Fl.
Fast forward to 1988. Mad&Skip were steady doing what dogmen love to do. Breed, handle condition, and, prove the blood that we had. Bert at this time was feeling the heat from the west, and decided to move to Mad&Skips and join forces. Keep in mind Mad&Skip were feeding better than 70 bulldogs, all down from proven stock.
If you look at the Joe Testament dog, Bert actually gifted him to Mad and Skip and he is the father of Uncle Bud . Bert was a great breeder but yes like many others, he did claim some dogs that he shouldn't have. None the Less the man is a Legend . Joe Testiment was a Ch. Uncle Bud was a 1xw, his brother Crazy Horse was a 1xwinner, Johnny Walker Red, now a 4xw. (Got him from back from Bert some year or so after leaving SanDiego) did him 1 more time and now Gr Ch Johnny Walker Red, never got the credit.
Bert and Joanie moved into a yard full of proven dogs. We were no doubt in the fast lane BEFORE Bert ever showed up in Fl. The biggest mistake Mad&Skip made is we trusted Bert too much. I hold no animosity toward Bert, in fact I still talk too him reglarly. I have a high regard for Bert, no doubt a dogman that did his homework. Great respect for him. However, I guess the thing that bothers me the most is from everything behind Joe Testiment, Uncle Bud, Johnny Walker Red, Raisin, Franny, Tex, (Carvers Tex) Little Tex, Little Tee, Crazy Cameo, Crazy Blondie 2, Matty The Mouth, should be showing owned and bred by Mad&Skip. Bert was close to The Greenwoods, and when we had our parting, He changed our name on the peds, and put Sorrells on our dogs. Hey Mad&Skip were too busy doing what dogmen love too do.
You know what? As all things go I'm good with all of it. As I said before I still talk to Bert and call him a friend. He only did what Maurice taught him to do.
Yours in sport,
Mad