Soon Be April

Nearly April and things are starting to get more organised for the PRA FUNd Raising Weekend. The rosettes have arrived and they are very nice. You won’t be ashamed at all to put one on the wall.

National Terrier is the next show where a number of Glens can be seen together and this year there will be 28 at Stafford. Whilst some of us will be slumming  it in the dust of the New Bingley Hall Homer and his people will be in the best bib and tucker down at the Contest of Champions representing Glen of Imaal Terriers. One question? Does Homer get to wear a bow tie?

Wagg Foods to be the major sponsor…..

Wagg Foods, Thirsk, Yorkshire, a leading manufacturer of quality pet foods in the UK, has very kindly agreed to become a major sponsor of the Companion Show being held at the PRA FUNd Raising Weekend of July 12/13th. Many thanks to them for their genourosity and do have a look at their website!

Happy Easter

At least all the WEATHER over Easter was useful for the Glens. It was too awful to go anywhere so there was only dog walking. Hats, gloves, coats for us with the Glens just leaping around going out, out out!!! In case anybody ever wonders Glens do not need coats or waterproofs of any sort, they are very weather tolerant. All the snow flurries (the east of the country had a lot) meant that there weren’t many people out so the dogs actually got out more than usual. I s Spring ever going to come?

Looking Forward.

Spring has come in like a Lion, we are all hoping it goes out like a Lamb and perhaps a sign we might get a good summer particularly for a certain weekend in July!

Caravanners need to book ( those needing hook ups ) with the Poplars Farm as they have only limted site available. This is a small selective site 1/2 mile away from the FUNd weekend (on the same road ) so early bookings would be appreciated.01205 722692 ( Caravanning & Camping Club certified ).

Do not forget to let Jean know if you want to stay at the local motel so she can book you in at a special rate.  Offers of  new season Strawberry Jam already being talked about, seems cream teas now maybe on the menu.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

It doesn’t matter whether St Patrick’s Day was officially the 15th or the beginning of April due to the very early Easter this year mentally it will always be March 17th. So as the Glen of Imaal Terrier, by its very name says Irish, Happy St Patrick’s Day!

A whole week since Crufts!!!

How can it be a whole seven days since Crufts? The week has whizzed by, full time working is doing the head in, so hopefully by now all Glen of Imaal exhibitors are long home and recovered. It took the Finland crew an extra day, a night in Paris and then no planes leaving from Stockholm, and the Channel Islands was also a Tuesday slot. Nothing heard from Ireland so ferries and planes must have been good there. The Crufts critique is already available. Love or hate Zena Thorn-Andrews nobody can say she doesn’t deliver a prompt reason for her thought unlike last years judge who couldn’t be bothered to put pen to paper at all!

At Crufts some people came to say that they would definately be with us for the PRA Weekend and ask what they could do to help? Thanks, it was appreciated and you will be got back to.

Crufts-All Over Now!

Crufts came, Crufts went and it seemed to be quite a success….well at least from the bottom reaches of Hall 1. There actually were a few spectators at 8.30am when the judging began of Glen of Imaal Terriers and it was a sort of double, double, double in the ring. Homer was BOB again (double 1), it was a return again to Ireland for both tickets (double two) and the two reserves were both bred by the same person (double three).

It was Crufts so there was food and drink,(the next one will be National Terrier so don’t forget to pack some for then) and many comments were passed about the lines of chairs that changed occupants again and again. It was summed up best by three comments. One was from a Glen owner gently explaining why arch rivals in both the ring and opinion could sit easily and well together putting the world to rights”real Glen people are like their dogs; they enjoy a good argument but it is never, ever personal”. Comment two from somebody of a different breed who ended up stopping and eating rolls whilst just having a little glass of wine “this is wonderful, why don’t our breed do it?” and the third came from an overseas fancier “why doesn’t this happen at home?” Glen hospitality rules OK!!

Hopefully journeys home weren’t too bad and the renown Crufts throat won’t strike too hard. Hopefully the ferries for the Channel Islands and Ireland aren’t cancelled for too long, the snow isn’t too bad for the north of Scotland run, the long journey back to Finland passes quickly and Jody and PJ don’t get too wet as they start their round England and Ireland tour.

CRUFTS-It’s too late now!

No, the coat isn’t going to grow and that last minute muscle isn’t going to appear. Glen of Imaal Terriers are in the Crufts ring in less than 24 hours so it’s a case of WYSIWYG now. Hopefully the bags are packed/nearly packed/practically packed and as long as the dogs, passes, leads, headache pills and comfi shoes are in you should be able to borrow anything else. Spare knickers anybody? After judging it is intended to hold a short get together about the PRA FUNd Raising weekend in July; everybody is welcome.

Even though the attention will be down in Hall 1 the Discover Dogs booth will still be manned tomorrow. Go and say hello to whoever is up there so they don’t feel leftout.

Crufts….2 days until Terrier Day!

At Crufts everybody thinks their Group Day is the best but Terrier Day is THE one to visit. As well as all the fabulous dogs you will see animals that you may remember from being little. Aunt Maud always had a Sealyham or Grandad with his Manchester, breeds that you don’t see much anymore but there are still there. The long titled British and Irish Dog Breeds Preservation Trust (known to dog folk as the Vulnerable Breeds people) is there to make sure the breeds continue. Go and see their booth in Discover Dogs.

Get the map out. Reports are coming on of roadworks on the M42 and people were taking 90 minutes to do six miles. The BBC travel watch says they are on the M42 Southbound between junction 8 & 7A. Don’t use the M69 to get round them as that says roadworks as well.

Well, the American Glen of Imaal Terrier people are here and the Finns have started their journey. To the longer travelling UK people who set off tomorrow (North of Scotland and the Channel Isles) hope you have a safe journey.

CRUFTS…up and running.

Well, it’s day one and the only gossip from Crufts seems to be that betting has been suspended by a top bookmaker on who will take the eventual number one spot. A certain Group has been mentioned and a dog from that group has been tipped for weeks to take the number one spot so although two and two could make ten it seems the bookies have come very late to the news!

If any Glen of Imaal Terrier owner who doesn’t belong to either of the two breed clubs is attending over the next three days do make sure you pick up a “Headcount 2008” form. The Enthusiasts & Fanciers of Glens newsletter will be available down on the Glen of Imaal benches on Sunday so if you are a member do come and pick one up. Also anybody who hasn’t paid their subscriptions yet are more than welcome to cough up. Put them in a sealed  envelope please with your name and amount on the outside. As usual cakes, drink etc. will be available.