Yeah yeah yeah - what we did then and now wish we have not. I think the most important things though are what are still in my mind. And when I am gone would they really have been so important after all? And would it have mattered?
I had my OH build boards for each dog, had hundreds of rosettes/cards on the walls, (great dust collectors) when we moved I decided to get rid of them. Years later I got rid of all the trophy’s and my old pedigrees (which I now regret) I still occasionally go through my old pics, brings back lots of memories. Have to admit I do miss showing /competing.
I remember Tweed - I think Tweed and Pereg went to the Bridge within a short time of each other. SIGH I remember a lot of Dogsey and Breedia dogs who have gone to the Bridge, and I hope they have all met up and chat about us. I miss them all.
I do miss having a puppy around the place, (but not having to part with them, which is always such a wrench). The whole business of spotting a male you really like, digging out your records and comparing pedigrees, then finally making the decision, and holding your breath anticipating the outcome. Dog show people live their lives in the future, and former show folk live in the past!
I was never a dog show person though - my mentor was and she was a Crufts judge - I just enjoyed breeding what she and I thought were the best possible outcomes. The one regret I have was when I gave her what would possibly have been a perfect brood girl when I knew I would be leaving England. My mentor and I had been to a Northern Griffon club meeting and someone had the most wonderful but not yet used male. He did not want anything for trying to use him and my mentor really wanted to use him for my then maiden girl - but the time was not right for me or for my girl - and having signed my girl over to my mentor I asked her not to let me know of any future pups. It probably sounds bad but once I had let that part of my life behind I just wanted it as that. Behind a new life.
Such a small world. I had very close connections with the Northern Griffon world at that time. You would be surprised to hear how many of them have died over the past two or three years.
The Northern Griffon Club was set up by someone who wanted to set up a data bank [no computers then] because it was known that there were hidden clefts being born and being euthanised at birth, and the line came from a top winning sire. I still have nightmares of my mentor driving like a maniac to the last meeting. She was driving a green Volkswagen Polo and I was really terrified! I remember that but oh it was such a long time ago. We were not from the north, me being in Middlesex and she being in Hertfordshire, but that meeting was special and she said we had to go. I wonder, I wonder, what happened to the Griffon friends I had. Maybe it is better I do not know?
We had a long day on Saturday at Litchfield CS, a 577 class open show held at the Stafford Showground. Merry Moomoo won AV Hound Veteran, and the Hound Veteran Group under hound specialist judge Robert Greaves, and at 7.30pm (don't ask!), she went Best Veteran in Show under Lee Cox. We also came second to a Champion Gundog in a Stakes Class. I am rather ashamed of my final stack - we were both a bit tired by then. I don't believe I have the rights to share the photo - but I have been told that it will be in Our Dogs this week. (I look like a half wit, and I have M's head far too high). Pretty ribbons though ...
Well done both of you, I bet you are so proud x It is a great feeling winning through, but I found it such a long day waiting to the end and have to admit my dogs were fed up by then and didn’t always show their best and myself if it was wet and cold, the equestrian centers were the worst. But I still miss my showing days .
