kinsella

I met my first Irish Wolfhound in 1983. He caught my eye with his size and stole my heart with his soul. The gentleness of this giant breed has to be seen to be understood. They know they are giants in a world of smaller, busier dogs. They can move through a room without moving the air. They look into your eyes and see the real you. They forgive the world for seeing them as freaks when they know they are dog size and everything else is - well, SMALL. They have the most whimsical sense of humour. It took 12 years until I had the time and money to have my very own. I can live with one but need two. One on his own is out of place in this lilliput world but two stand together delighting in each other's company. While I breathe, I will have an Irish Wolfhound. They make me want to be a better person.

I've just packed the car ready for tomorrow. It's drizzling and cold and I've worked out that it's a 3 hour 47 minute drive to Junee from home. OH (with his fluffy socks on in front of the fire with a book) is curious why I would leap out of bed in the dark, muscle a reluctant IW into the vehicle to go to a show. He has severe reservations about my idea of fun. Isn't it funny just how shortsighted some people are?

You're the only bad dog owner here. No, seriously, you are. The worst thing I ever did was brush our terrier AFTER I'd brushed the wolfhounds. You get into a bit of a rhythm with big dogs and really put your back into the job. I brushed the poor little bugger right off the verandah with just one brush stroke. OH just reminded me I also locked him in the spare room by mistake and took an hour and a half to find him. You are so not alone.

Another shot of my killer hound. Big girl's blouse is what he is.

Yahoo! So I get to meet the wonderboy, Howard! Humphrey is precious at present. Thinks he might be limping after falling in a hole he dug in the backyard. Told him to toughen up - it's a show and he's going. And he will have fun if it kills us. I've attached a snap labelled Esme - Humpty acts like a real mother hen with Oliver.

Who else is going to be there Friday? And have your numbers turned up yet?

Firstly, I agree with Ellie, whatever she is breedwise, she's just beautiful. Sizewise she's probably some variation of lurcher. This would explain the sighthound temperament and those perfect eyes. I've added a snap of an adult IW. Chelsea is a bit dainty to be one. BTW, it's a 5' fence he's leaning on. edited cos I can spell for sh*t - see what I mean?

Like many questions here on DOL, there are too many variables to give a totally accurate response. I have very little first hand experience with GSD but 16 years exp with large and small dogs. The one really accurate answer is it will depend on individual dogs and how they are handled. All the IW I have had have been very true to type but their behaviour has varied greatly. My 2 Aussie Terriers are chalk and cheese - our first one a bitter & twisted wee beastie with an immense chip on his shoulder and our current one is a little ray of sunshine. Both, however, have adored the wolfhounds. I don't have a true pecking order as such in this house - there's my husband & I and then the dogs. I will not allow a small dog to annoy a hound nor allow a hound to rough-house a terrier. They all play a lot but always supervised so no-one gets hurt. I truly believe the main problem with dogs today is that they are humanised a little too much. They are not hairy people, they are dogs and too treat them any other way is not showing them any respect. Off my soap box.

I cannot get my head around the enormity of this whole thing. There are no words that convey the feeling of uselessness.

Yes, morons. It was hot, we were tired and the dogs were just wanting to go home. That day is burned into memory and I have resisted any urge to do stuff like that again. Although, Tiggy did a fashion shoot at Camden. 9 hours for 2 photos. I guess I'm just a slow learner.

Itchy trigger finger, sent it twice.

Was that the day at Fagan park in Arcadia ? OMG.....the only bits that they showed on the tv programme, after seven hours of filming on a warm day, were the bits you would NOT use to promote your breed ! things like encouraging people to have the dogs up on their shoulders ect. "make them DO something" !! can't you just let them go (public park with tame waterfowl and parents with toddlers romping ) I replied with, oh yeah, I can let this fella go if you want to see some duck carnage !!!! Xolo....there's a reason the name has become a noun.....he's a BURKE !! fifi Yeah, Feef, that was the day. The filming with those appalling dancing sprogs, Fiona F espousing you had to feed an IW Pro Plan or something almost as good, and the dipshit with the jumping hound. What a waste of a day. They ended up recycling footage from years earlier where Christopher South was about 5 years old. (He's in his mid 20's now) Bloody wanker.

But is it PINK hair?

My favourite Burkes Backwhatever moment was when they were filming Irish Wolfhounds and we were asked if we could make them "frolic". Once we stopped choking and replied in the negative, we were then asked if we could make them play "chasings" These people really knew their dog breeds Just quietly, not many people want to be chased by an IW

IW - BIS Go Tara & Dudley

Any news on General Specials? I wish I was there today.

Thanks heaps, BBJ.

Any hound results from today?

To me, giving a well-loved pet it's wings is the last true kindness we can show them. That we love them enough to let them go.

Humphrey's litter was planned for two years. When his dad died, it became even more important to me. First photo is Humphrey at one week old and the second two are at eight weeks.

That Irish Wolfhounds are larcenous dogs. The only safe place for things is on top of the fridge. Oh, and the average male can hide half a kilo of bacon in their mouth with no bits sticking out and no telltale bulge.

website for lovely artwork ofhounds http://www.nobledogs.com/

I think the one result that has been seriously overlooked is my Humphrey, despite overwhelming competition, got BOB IW. It just goes to prove that people lose sight of the Big Picture. Yes, I know Alyosha, that RUBIG is probably nice to win but I got out of the ring without falling over with dog that had legs pointing to every direction on the compass. Seriously some beautiful hounds there yesterday and some well deserved wins. Good company, nice weather - who could ask for more?

There is nothing so frustrating as an adolescent dog acting their age. Or funny, for that matter. I'm sure they do it to remind us that they are dogs with a mind of their own and not robots that respond to our every wish. It is a phase that comes on the heels of the sweet puppy syndrome and doesn't always look good in comparison. I find it an absolute hoot having a dog that becomes obstinate when, until now, has been totally compliant. I try to not give it too much importance, this too will pass.

You couldn't have cubic ziconia put on the staples and still show? A little bit of bling goes a long way. Still looking forward to this weekend. I can't catch Humpty to do his nails, he's rolled in fox markings and is on his second bath and still reeks. I love my life....