The Hounds

Clay world began with water on all sides of his family, so naturally, he became a world-class solo sailor. His father Al was a U.S. Navy Admiral and his uncle Rodney Johnstone, founded J-Boats. Clay’s mom, Bobette, gently launched Clay at the age of 5 to sail by himself around Stonington. Thereafter, Clay and Rod raced together over the years leading up to Clay racing in the Mini Transat (a solo race that runs for 4,200 miles from France to Brazil). He placed 12th and was the first American to finish the race. Gleanna began training dogs to entertain the college students at Johnson State College in Johnson, VT where she lived when she was just 10 years old. In addition to being well known for founding Rhodes Collar Day and Boarding School for dogs, she is equally as well known as the “Trainer to the stars.” Her dogs have appeared in numerous movies and television shows over the last 30 years. Their love story began with a baby Golden Retriever named Hero. Clay named Hero after a famous sloop that Captain Nathaniel Palmer, of Stonington, CT discovered Antarctica in 1820. Gleanna trained Clay's puppy while he was sailing in regattas and delivering yachts over the course of Hero’s first year to year and a half. During Hero’s education Gleanna and Clay came to know each other through emails. Gleanna learned about weather and waves, Clay learned about Hero’s schooling and swimming progress and about his first movie role as the dog who stole TED in the movie TED. 12 years later Clay and Gleanna said their vows against the beautiful backdrop of Stonington Harbor accompanied by their beautiful, Hero. Sadly, the newlyweds lost Hero before the Hounds was complete. Their intimate reception of loving celebration was heartfelt by all who were consumed by the beauty and relaxation of the nature preserve in the backyard of The Hounds. Hero was there in spirit. His ever-present calming presence is the “calming, good-feeling energy” everyone mentions they feel at The Hounds.