Page 5 - Absolute Final 13 Spring 2025 Newsletter

It’s All About Me!!!

By Geraldine Clark

Following the very sad passing of our President, Mrs Beryl Henman, I have
been elected to follow in the esteemed footsteps of previous Presidents. I
hope I can live up to their names. So very sorry to have to also say goodbye
to David Matthews.
I will miss Beryl's infectious smile and David's encouragement. RIP both of
you.

I have lived with Keeshonds off and on since the 1960s and in 1979 I had
Vina come into my life as a bundle of fluffy joy. She was my escape from
'mummy duties' and we would go to training classes together once my children
were in bed. It was at one of these classes someone asked if I was going to
show her as she was a lovely girl. My response was a definite no, she was
my baby and I wasn't having someone judge her.

Long story short, I did start to show her at local venues where Open shows
were held most weekends. It was here where I met other Keeshond owners
who told me about the Club shows and how I should go. This began my road
to Championship shows and Crufts. Unfortunately, neither of my daughters
were interested in going to dog shows, this meant that I didn't go to very
many and consequently I don't think that I was taken very seriously. All of
my dogs have been my pets first and foremost and I believe that is the case
for most owners of so-called 'show dogs' today.
I never won anything of any significance but I enjoyed the company of most
of the people I came across and I loved this showing game as a hobby. If I
won I was elated, if I lost I hope I had the dignity to hold in my
disappointment, until I got home anyway.

Being involved in dog showing has led me to get involved in show management
and obedience. Obedience followed a litter of puppies I bred and the bitch I
decided to keep from that litter did not quite make the grade for showing but
was excellent at obedience in which we competed locally to quite a high
standard, although people used to watch us for the comedy value as well as
the skill. If she decided today wasn't the day she wanted to work she would
make the whole thing a joke. I was also working my Border Terrier at the

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