Best in Specialty Show: IWAWC 2008

Photo by Rich Bergman

BISS CH Glenamadda Starkeeper Verity

Many, many thanks to Judge Eugene Blake for seeing Verity's true type, balance, temperament, and movement.

In photo, left to right: Irish Wolfhound Club of America president Dennis Gallant, presenting the IWCA Founders' Breeders Cup; Mr. Blake; Handler Bill Buell with Verity; IWCA vice president, Western Sighthound vice president, and IWAWC secretary Pat Cobb; IWAWC vice president Donna Drake.

Two more Best of Breed wins

Best of Breed went to CH Glenamadda Starkeeper Verity at Mt. Palomar Kennel Club's two dog shows in breezy San Diego County over the weekend. Thank you to hound judges Mr. George Boulton (whippet breeder) and Ms. Diane Malenfant (bassets and whippets) for seeing Verity's true breed type and movement.

IWAWC BEST IN SHOW 2008

The catalog for the 2008 Irish Wolfhound Association of the West Coast specialty show is now online, featuring

BISS CH Glenamadda Starkeeper Verity. 

Verity means Truth

Last weekend, we were thrilled that our girl, CH Glenamadda Starkeeper Verity, got her first group placement at the all-breed Conejo Kennel Club show! The catalog is here. Thank you to our breed judge, Mr. James E. Fredericksen, and to our group judge, Mr. George Heitzman.

If that weren't exciting enough, this weekend, our girl went to the Irish Wolfhound Association of the West Coast specialty in Lompoc and won ...

BEST of BREED!

BEST IN SHOW.

Total Entry: 127 Irish Wolfhounds,

96 conformation, including 23 specials.

We thank respected Hound Judge Eugene Blake for this spectacular win for our young champion.

He said he chose her based on breed type; balance; temperament; and movement.

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friends of Harry

Copyright 2008 Photo by Pat Murkland

Harry had some really great friends. He took special care of his little friends.

Here he is with one of his biggest little friends, Rocky.

Happy birthday, Harry

Harry would have been 7 years old today!

Here he is, 5 years ago, celebrating his second birthday.

Harry nearly didn't make it to his second birthday.

He was poisoned.

He was in the hospital for a week on IVs and then returned home to suffer more before his torsion of the spleen was diagnosed.

Then, after the surgery to save his life, he suffered severe pneumonia that initially went undiagnosed by the hospital that had done the emergency surgery. After we disagreed over the pneumonia treatment that works on wolfhounds, I pulled Harry from the hospital and my now-retired vet saved Harry's life. This photo was taken shortly afterward. (The ER hospital cut off Harry's beard for "convenience," which sparked my lifelong campaign to educate vets about unneeded grooming and shaving.) Later, we discovered that Harry suffered terrible kidney damage as well in the poisoning incident.

So, this second birthday was a cause for celebration. Every day after this was a gift. We were truly blessed to have Harry with us for five more years. This is one of my favorite photos of Harry because one can truly see his beautiful spirit shining and glowing in his eyes and smile.

(and yes, Blake was honored to wear Harry's second birthday hat for his own second birthday photo!)

Tribute to Harry (5): A Love Story

Harry meets Ginny, 2006. Copyright photo by Pat Murkland

She was a tiny redhead, just arrived off the plane from Canada.

He was the Big Guy ... The Extra Big Guy.

Some people might not put a tiny puppy in the same yard as an extra-large alpha male.

But this was Harry. As for the tiny redhead ...

It was love at first sight.

It was Magic.

She was smitten. From Day One she had a crush on Harry.

Since he was Harry Potter, registered with AKC as Wizard, this little redheaded Witch named herself: Ginny Weasley. That's the Truth. (Her registered name is Verity.)

Puppy Ginny on an outing with Harry. Copyright Pat Murkland.

As Ginny grew, Harry was nanny, confidante, friend. After every separation, she came running into the house to greet Harry. She always was thrilled to see him.

Young Ginny with beloved Harry. Copyright Pat Murkland.

They were wonderful companions and friends. They had great joy together. She always had someone to look up to, and he felt young again with his girl. They chased rabbits together or just hung out.

As Harry deteriorated, his love for Ginny stayed strong.

Here they are together for the last time:

Copyright Pat Murkland

Although he was having trouble breathing, he still was goofing around with his best friend, his love.

After he died, Ginny came into the house and ran from room to room, searching for Harry.

She has been lying down in his "spot." She has been mourning his loss.

Someday, they'll be together again.