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Two Siamese kittens, Cassie and Cleo, from Jenny Parsley's 'Whipplewind' cattery came to live with me in 1980. I fell in love with their 'dog-like' temperaments and the Labradors loved them as if they were 'one of them'. From Cleo and two other 'Whipplewind' and 'Heijac' girls, I enjoyed working towards championship status with Oriental Cinnamons and Fawns and training the cats for filmwork. My 'Heijac' Havana, Rupert, worked with fashion models and filmstars on a number of occasions - he honestly thought he was a dog! He remained entire until his premature death aged six years and never 'misbehaved' in the house, even though he sired a number of Oriental kittens. Sadly a chance meeting with FIP brought the cat breeding to an abrupt end in the late '90s. I also enjoyed a number of years involved with Irish Water Spaniels in the mid-90s and bred two generations from my foundation 'Zanfi' bitch, Ruby. A lovely breed, with Irish sense of humour, but the coat-work proved to be a problem, especially as all the dogs 'picked up' during the shooting season. So, showing the IWSs was limited to times when the dogs managed to hold their leg hair! A similar situation can be said for the lovely 'Leconfield' Sealyham Terriers that I co-owned with friend Bill Bryder. I certainly enjoyed showing the Sealies - full of terrier spirit and a confidence that needs to be seen to be believed - but the grooming regime was a serious challenge. I mastered the techniques eventually (with a great deal of help from David Winsley (Davmar), but always failed to keep the little white minxes from rolling in the early morning dew on the day of a show - they inevitably arrived on the benches covered in green grass stains and curls and waves where they weren't supposed to be! Nonetheless it is a time I recall with affection. My foundation Border Terrier bitch joined me from Kevin Holmes 'Brindleoak' terriers in 1996 and for a number of years, the gundogs shared the show outings with a number of delightful Borders. From 'Spring' and her daughters, I bred a number of lovely dogs and enjoyed some show successes - B. Spring Fortune, B. Spring Thyme, B. Solitude, B. Springbok (imported by Asa Sandberg in Sweden and sire of a number of champions), B. Hi Spirits, B. Hi Performance at Nookshot. A breed that will always hold a very soft spot for me! In 2002 Dora the Pug joined the team and was campaigned by breeder Sarah Stamper to her title and then went on to win 10 CCs. Ch Jansara Dansarella for Bedeslea is a third generation champion from this kennel and grand-daughter of the BIS winning Ch Jansara Daniella. Thank you to the breeders above for passing on lovely dogs and cats to me and to owners who campaigned and gave them wonderful homes. A special mention to Karin Nijland in Holland and to Judi Stiles. |
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