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March 2011

Dear Irish Terrier Friends,

It’s the time of year to feed the garden, especially the hungry roses, and mine have just received a dose of ‘fish blood and bone’ meal. It’s a new fad for me and Zu and Beegie spotted the new ‘scent’ at once. I dug the mix in well, but they’re still walking over the bed swinging their heads from side to side like metal detectors and making little rabbit scrapes with their paws. Something here smells delicious…but where?

It’s a joy to see my two ‘old ladies’ walking once more amongst the daffodils. I did wonder last spring whether they would make it through for another year. But here they are, freshly trimmed and looking remarkably elegant for their 14 / 98 years.

I suspect they’re more interested in finding picnic left-overs in the Park than chasing squirrels, but Zuli is still skittish and a shameless flirt whilst Beeg is wayward and oblivious to instruction of any kind. She still has bouts of undirected bolting and looks completely mystified when I catch her but the tail!

I think there should be a handbook on how to walk elderly dogs. ‘Patience’ is the key and the sure knowledge that every blade of grass is uniquely fascinating!

Thank goodness for Tessie who walks with us often and we have to raise our game a bit.

I’m taking Beeg to the vet tomorrow as she has been coughing. It sounds high up in her throat and seems worse when she settles down for the night. I fear it could be the ‘heart cough’ which can worry old dogs. She’s not at all distressed, but it does distress me. I’ll let you know how we get on.

Crufts was a four day marathon at Discover Dogs. We were so busy with a great deal of interest in the Breed.

Unfortunately we were in the Ring on Saturday afternoon which is probably the most crowded time of all.  I missed the judging, yet again, but the effort of moving from one hall to another required great determination and the force of a bulldozer to negotiate the crowds.

I was thrilled that a great favourite of mine, May Williamson’s ‘Lady’ won Best Bitch. She’s a charming, lovely dog and is in fact a ‘veteran’ at seven. She has a beautiful ‘action’ and is a complete ‘natural’ show girl!

I was speaking to Mary who handled her to her first puppy award and she said ‘even at 7 months she could have done it all on her own…she’s born to be a show girl.’

We managed our usual ‘trim ship’ at Discover Dogs and there was a great deal of interest in the Breed.

It works well to change over the dogs at lunch time and one session over the 4 days is probably enough.

The Tritton girls, who are veterans at the game, had to do two sessions this time and Amber who is the youngest seemed, understandably, a little weary at the end. It’s hard work keeping up the charm even when it does come naturally.

I did love Dexter who put in a great performance. He’s a beautiful two year old full of good humour and so friendly towards everyone, I suspect he enjoyed having his Dad to himself for once.

We had a lot of laughs and it is fun meeting up with the dogs. I adore Shannon who is another Veteran of Discover Dogs.

It’s a pleasure to meet old friends both human and doggie from other Breeds whom we’ve got to know over the years. We even helped out with the Kerry Blues who were a bit short of ‘people’ to man the stand.

Zu Beegie and I were in Stratford last weekend for the A.G.M. of the Irish Terrier Association. Zu and Beegie love the walk along the Avon and they know where the rabbits lurk and where to paddle their feet. We’ve had years of fun at Stratford which seemed to have more swans on the river and fewer daffodils this year. The new theatre looms large, but sadly I arrived too late for a tour of the building.

The A.G.M. meeting went well and one has to admire the dedication and generosity of ‘the officers’ who give so much time and effort to running the Association, maintaining the right controls within the Kennel Club and generally promoting the Breed. Do have a look at their website and consider becoming a member. There is an excellent ‘Year Book’ full of information and amusement and it is a wonderful ‘hobby’ to follow and support our lovely Breed. (There is also a link on www.weloveirishterriers.com)

There was a long discussion about the ‘cracked paws’ problem. I can never quite understand the fuss but, as a doctor’s widow, know only too well that medical research has its own momentum. A laboratory in France is searching for the recessive rogue gene all the breeders are urged to be vigilant. There is a lot of ‘angst’ and one can well understand the Kennel Clubs agenda after last years disastrous publicity over pedigree dogs breeding.

In the scheme of things and compared with the problems in other breeds it is not of major significance.

Our beloved Miss Mage (1960 – 1974) had slightly sore feet, but we treated them with iodine oil and she lived to be 14 and gave us all a huge amount of pleasure! She’s the only one I’ve ever seen.

The Breeders are the people to manage any problem. They always have, and think of the joy their dogs have given us!

My friend Harry the Hurricane is off with Pippa to Singapore. He has his passport and all is ready. I am bereft, but Pippa says ‘What is it about these dogs…? I am besotted with him.’ Good luck Pippa and Harry. Have fun and I shall miss you both.

With many greetings, do keep in touch and my love to the dogs,

Lucy

P.S. I took Beegie to the vet who has diagnosed ‘mild kennel cough.’ The symptoms she compared with ‘whooping cough’ in children. Beegie has no temperature and her appetite is unimpaired – she’s a natural glutton anyway! She made us laugh by walking up and down past the bags of dog food casting and expert eye. She remembered the new scales in the surgery and stepped up without any prompting!