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April 2010

Dear Irish Terrier Friends,

Happy Easter Day. It’s sure to be raining but who cares. The days are longer and with the daffs and the blossom we really mustn’t complain.

Thank you so much for the messages about Isobel. I’m staying with ‘Nonny and co.’ in the New Forest at the moment and it has been so sad without her. The tears I’m afraid are not yet over but time is merciful.

Nonny loves Zu and Beegie and has recovered her noisy, larger-than-life enthusiasm for all events and happenings. They had some wonderful chases across the fields – put up a hare which zig zagged to safety with effortless ease (so annoying!). There are plenty of Roe Deer which graze like cattle, lift their heads slowly and seem to say ‘here come these hooligans again’ and mysteriously vanish behind the hedgerows like a disappearing act.

It was so good to see many friends at Crufts both old and new. We ran our usual neat and efficient ‘booth’ and had our usual selection of lovely dogs to chat up the crowds. I was so impressed with Susan Seabridge’s young dog. He won the reserve ticket on the Friday which had been a tedious day for everyone. They were not in the ring until late afternoon which meant hours of waiting about. He was back however on the Saturday mounting the charm offensive at Discover Dogs and amusing us all. Such a great effort!

We did however have one wayward boy who’d also spent Friday ‘on hold’ and refused point blank to be caged again for D.D. He barked so loudly and had to be walked up and down by his dad while his two ‘house sisters’ were holding the fort. I did laugh. He knew exactly what he was doing and was delighted with himself.

There was a huge amount of interest in the breed which we hope will ‘translate’ into puppies in due course.

Our real hero this year was Tollo who played the part of Tim the railway dog in the parade of what they now call ‘heritage breeds’ (a much better term than vulnerable breeds!). We had great fun with five little girls, Georgia, Imo, Tiggy, Mia and Maisie dressed in Victorian costume. Joy was Queen Victoria again and Hilary was the railwayman.

We choreographed a little scene for Victoria to appear followed by the children who curtseyed beautifully and then turned to welcome Tollo and Hilary. Tollo bowed with his head on the ground for the Queen and then sat down with his paw held up to receive his sovereign for the army widows and orphans.

When all the breeds paraded round we formed a tableau in the middle. The children crouched down in a line and Tollo leapt over them in turn. It was all very charming and so many people came round to D.D. afterwards to say they’d fallen in love with that wonderful Irish Terrier. Incidentally, I appeared as well (and I am laughing) dressed as a Victorian lady with a flowered hat from the children’s dance school. Several people said ‘I like your costume Lucy’ and I had to reply ‘except for the hat, this isn’t a costume, these are my clothes!’ Tollo is a lovely dog, very kind and clever and they have a new bitch puppy in the house much to Tollo’s delight. I have to say they do look lovely performing their tricks and agility. Their bodies are so perfectly balanced. Our Miss Bunch was a born athlete and would jump over park benches simply for the joy of it. Zu and Beegie were great leapers in their day but sadly at 13, although still very trim, their hind legs don’t provide the same lift off.

Poor Zu took a flying leap at a hay bale in the autumn only to land on her back with four feet in the air. She has what one could call ‘an exaggerated self esteem’ and tried to pretend it hadn’t happened. We all rushed to her rescue but she ignored us with much dignity.

Hazel, my little retired show dog, has had her first litter. Anne Bradley has dealt with the puppies and Hazel has been the most wonderful mother, bless her. She’s going back to her pet home with Vera next week. It is remarkable how easily they adjust to these changes. It’s not been a problem at all, although I do know that Vera can’t wait to get her home.

With many greetings and love to the dogs,

Lucy