Friday 8 January 2010
THERE was some sad news just before Christmas from Margaret Clifford who lost Bannside Touch of Blarney or ‘Patch’ as she was known. Bred by Margaret Rose, she was, of course, her foundation bitch and the matriarch of the Migley kennel and was 14 years old. She had a successful show career winning some eight RCCs and I am sure she will be very much missed by Margaret and John. I have said in these notes before that these losses never get any easier and are heart wrenching times which are part and parcel of owning dogs. Her genes will, of course, live on in the Migleys of today.
Something which I missed in the list of ‘who’s won what’ for 2009 was the Top Stud Dog which is run by DOG WORLD. It is in fact a very appropriate winner in Ch Watteau Bandmaster, in this the centenary year of the Watteau kennels. It is based on the CC winners for this year, the following having contributed to his win: Ch Corriecote Mastercard, plus bitch CC winners Tamedale Yasmin Sufredon Bandanna at Canterwey and Forgevale Fourstar.
I feel I must mention Ch Blackdale Carousel, the well known Wire bitch who is Top Dog for 2009. This is a most wonderful achievement for her owner/handler Andrew Goodsell and, of course, her breeder Harry O’ Donoghue from Ireland. She has won 33 CCs since her debut at Belfast in 2006 and, of course, has gone on to win terrier groups and BIS, gaining 140 points this last year. Congratulations from the Smooth fraternity!
By the time you read these notes the new year will be under way. All that remains for me to say is to wish everyone all the best for 2010 and see you at Manchester when the merry-go-round begins again.
JENNY THORNTON, 01782 522399, glendraterra@talktalk.net