News come through of a Group 3. Jeonty Highland Boy was Best of Breed Glen of Imaal Terrier and then took the award, fifteen in for the Terrier Group, at Terrier Club of Scotland. Nice one Findlay…and Patrick & Roberta of course!

It’s “frock time” again; the land legs will be back by the 12th so we’ll see each other then!

The month before Christmas is nearly upon us and not a real lot happens. So if you are in reach of London there is little excuse not to visit Discover Dogs! It is on the 14th and 15th November and, this year, under 12 year old can get in free. Get tickets and full information here

The Glen of Imaal Association Championship Show is to be held on December 5th at Shenstone Village Hall, Lichfield and has Jane Withers officiating. Schedules are out but the ongoing postal problems may mean some haven’t been received. Because of this and possible problems with getting entries back the closing date of November 5th is being extended. Secretary Anne Hardy can be contacted on anmeha@aol.com

We have all wondered why Pedigree Dogs Exposed took place with the seeming blessing and co-operation of the Kennel Club. Just maybe the answer was found in the weekend cupboard clear out.

Anybody remember “Passion for Pedigree?” It’s a television programme that has totally slipped from the memory. Back in the late 90s the BBC had an “educational and documentary” programme called Modern Times and under that banner Passion for Pedigree was commissioned. A tape of that programme was amongst all the others. Filming was allowed in Clarges Street itself and the camera was even present at a Committee meeting. Chairing was Miss Churchill and one of the committee members was a Mr R Irving. Miss Churchill was also responsible for “explaining” pedigree dogs and the job of the Kennel Club; it was glorious! At one point you can nearly hear the person she is speaking to attempt to ask a question. Miss Churchill pauses just a fraction and gives THAT look. Miss C isn’t interrupted again!

The entire programme shows pedigree dog people as gently eccentric and a bit odd but generally nice people. It even showed a Pekingese self-whelping a litter which wouldn’t have happened in last year’s BBC documentary on pedigree dogs! Ten years on from Passion for Pedigree did a certain committee member remember something we had all forgotten about and decide he would become Sybil?

A day of rain and vague knowledge of “in there somewhere” caused a cupboard to be turned out. Four days later it still isn’t sorted as it takes a while to go through hours and hours of tape. Yes, they are still in existence; not particularly good quality some times; downright poor quality other times but that history, the Glen of Imaal Terrier in the 1980s, has re-emerged.

It was known the early video cameras had been present but how much was left after 20 plus years? A working video player (with instructions on how to use it) was the first requirement plus a cartridge for slotting an old fashioned video tape into so the machine could play it. They were sorted and there it was; waists, one chin, hair and youth. Where we really ever that young? Bwyan, Biggles, Gor, Billy, Tom, Bigguns so many names from the past and seeing them again is very emotional. Counting 8,9,10, 11 dogs in a class. Oh boy, we were numerous back then. Some of the video camera tapes are still to be played because the correct equipment for viewing can’t be found as yet but somebody must have it somewhere. Can you help? It has been suggested that such an important visual history of Glens should be digitalised (if possible) and made available for general viewing. It probably could be done if it is wanted.

It isn’t just the UK on those tapes. Europe and America in the 90s also feature. One is labelled ARBA Cherry Blossom but that is one that needs equipment not found yet. If any foreign Glen Club would like them for their archives they can have them (if they can be sorted).

One tape that is playing remarkably well is of an event often forgotten; the Terriers of Ireland Seminar. This took place at Uttoxeter Racecourse and was a four breed specific seminar hosted by the relevant breed clubs. Ro Whinn-Sladden did a still remarkably clear talk (after all this time) and Liz Gay took the hands on assessments. Oh, memories. If anybody needs a Glen Association Breed Seminar could this one count? If you were there , of course.

Also found was the possible, even probable, reason why the Kennel Club co-operated with Pedigree Dogs Exposed!

Radio 5 Live, during the Richard Bacon show tonight, is intending to do a phone in about the RSPCA’s bolt gun killing of the German Shepherds a few weeks ago. The live debate will be between Jayne Shenstone of German Shepherd Rescue and Tim Wass of the RSPCA.

If you receive the East Midlands regional programmes Inside Out at 7.00pm may be of interest; they are covering unfair vet charges!

Glen of Imaal Terrier youngsters are certainly getting noticed at the moment. At the Östsvenska Terrier Club Show Irish Rover’s Sir Charlie
Chaplin was Best 4-6 month puppy in breed and then got the nod from judge Liselotte Johansson for Best 4-6 Month Puppy In Show! Congratulations indeed to Annica. Is this the first such win for a Glen in Sweden?

Irish Rover's Sir Charlie Chaplin

Tony & Jean Rogers would like to pass on their appreciation for all the emails, letters and personal condolences they received after the recent loss of Champion Jeonty Daisy Downut. They knew that Glen of Imaal Terrier people thought Daisy rather special but were overwhelmed by the response from everybody, judges and exhibitors alike, right across the dog game.

….and there are many, many places to buy the presents and some will possibly be bought from Lush, the cosmetics firm. Lush are quite political though and whilst we all have differing views it might help to know just exactly what your hard earned money could be supporting

Back in January 2009 Andy Henschel asked people to think about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; a disease that affected his family. Across in Florida his family were raising money for the condition and asked that maybe Glen of Imaal Terrier people could consider….. Another Glen admirer also has a family member with a condition most of us will never have heard of, Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN) a very rare congenital condition with no current known cause and limited treatment options.

The Henschels have their magnificent pledge to raise one million dollars for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis-and are well on the way to doing so-but in the UK we don’t ask for quite as many noughts. A few hundred pounds is the pledge made for CMN and that isn’t really a lot of money so can anybody help out with “just a couple of quid”. If you pay tax you can always gift aid it and so (without even realising it) increase your donation. Your donation is being earned; just have a look how!