Page 8 - Autumn 2024 Newsletter Online_Neat

“She met John at a Young in the car to keep them entertained
Conservatives dance and they one country music and one Abba,
married in 1960 when Pam was 20 which would be played over and over
years old. John was a newly qualified again.”
Veterinary Surgeon. It’s hard for
younger generations to understand The dogs….
just what an achievement it was for Pam and John had previously owned
a working-class boy to achieve that boxers but when she decided to look
qualification. I can imagine that Pam for another breed her careful research
understood the drive and hard work led her to the Keeshond.
that took and greatly admired it.
Pam’s breeding line started with the
“Pam and John moved to a rural purchase of Rhinevale Roitelet in
location in Hampshire for John’s first September 1973. She reflected that
job in a veterinary practice. Pam’s she loved the Ven dogs of Mrs Collins
family thought that a city girl would but there were no puppies available.
never survive out of town but Pam She found her foundation bitch from
threw herself into married life with
Mrs Emerson’s Rhinevale kennel,
her usual drive and determination. born in September 1973 and a
Later they moved to Horsham in West daughter of the famous Ch Ledwell
Sussex where John joined Farthings Dutchman. In Pam’s words she was
veterinary practice where he in time ‘a good sound bitch but with not a lot
became a partner and leader of a very of glamour. She won her way into
successful business and service to the the stud book but nothing desperately
community.” It was here that they spectacular’.
adopted Gavin and Miriam and
started family life. Roitelet was
mated to
“Pam and John’s marriage was a Ch Surprise of
true partnership, she supported Ven, giving Pam
John in his work as a her first home
veterinarian, and he supported bred Keeshond
her in her career in dog showing litter. The two
and breeding. And family life made a good line
with Gavin and Miriam was also breeding match
very much all in it together. and she had her
Miriam remembers that family Ven input as she
holidays were structured around loved Surprise’s
shows around the country. They puppies. She kept
would hitch the caravan to the G Wolverine and
car and tour the country, fitting did some nice
in holiday time between the dog
winning, gaining
shows on the route.
her crown in 1978. A repeat mating
produced the beautiful G Verbena and
Miriam also remembers fondly the
times when John was unavailable and G Vervet.
she was promoted to first assistant. Pam bred several litters doing well
Pam and Miriam would drive around
with various bitches and some dogs.
the country with only two cassettes
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