MaryEllen Fletcher, chair of the Swampscott Select Board, is not only a public servant but also a dog breeder and owner of Michael Moran’s Natural Pet Food, a business founded by her great-grandfather.
Fletcher’s family has a long history of breeding dogs. Her grandfather bred Irish Terriers, and one of her aunts bred Great Danes. However, Fletcher always had her sights set on a different breed.
“I always wanted a Lab, but we always got shelter dogs, which is great…but I always wanted a Black Labrador Retriever,” she said. “My first year not living in a dorm, which was my second year in school, I took my book money and bought my first Labrador Retriever.”
Although Fletcher didn’t breed her first dog due to time and financial constraints, she gradually got into the hobby.
“I eventually purchased male Black Labs, and I showed them a bit, and then I used them for breeding,” she said. “I kept some of my females for breeding, too, and that’s where I am today.”
After a break from breeding to focus on single parenting, Fletcher returned to the hobby through a connection with Susan Patterson of Fenwick Labradors.
“Susan is an amazing breeder, one of the top breeders in the United States. The opportunity to work with Susan and learn more with her was great for me,” Fletcher said.
Now a hobby breeder, Fletcher produces one or two litters a year, with her Labrador puppies going to families across the North Shore.
“If you’re around Swampscott, Marblehead, Lynn, and Saugus, sometimes you see little Chocolate Labs…a lot of them come from my breeding,” she said.
Fletcher, who has a special fondness for Chocolate Labs, admitted they have become her favorite color.
“Until I met Susan, I wouldn’t even have thought of having a chocolate in my house, but she had just had a litter of chocolates, so she convinced me to take one,” she said. “He’s so funny…I have quite a few chocolates now.”
She also noted that she has observed differences in personalities among the coat colors.
“I find Chocolate Labs funnier. They have more personality…but that’s just me,” she said.
For Fletcher, dogs bring out the best in people.
“Dogs are amazing, and they make a big difference. It’s kind of like they’re the great equalizer,” she said.
