Page 83 - K9News_Issue12_July2020

& Bruce

Meet
Meet Jasmyne

This is Jasmyne, she’s 13 and has always loved dogs. Being Alan Walker’s second oldest
grandchild, she has spent most of her holiday times at dog shows and really enjoys them. In fact
she was the youngest child at Crufts in 2007, visiting at less than a week old. Yep, she’s been
weaned on dog shows - big ones!
Like her grandad, she has an enthusiasm for photography and can be found following him with
her own camera, taking great pictures. She has been to ring craft, with Alan and Kath, and
practices with their Schnauzers Feebie and Piri. She’s also a great little cook, something that
comes in handy for those show stop overs.

Jasmyne loves all dogs, so the shows give her a chance to see a large range of breeds. We
asked what her favourite breed was, ‘There are so many at the shows that I can’t choose, but I’d
love a show dog one day and will be learning to handle, so will try with as many as I can!’.

Bruce was rehomed from the RSPCA in October 2017. His mum was one of 82 Chihuahuas (yep
- 82!), who were rescued from a house in Birmingham and later featured on Channel 5’s Dog
rescuers and a BBC article.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-44601059
As one of a litter of four, he was born at the RSPCA, where it became apparent that they weren’t
full Chihuahuas. He was chosen by Jasmyne’s older sister, but she then found her school and
college studies, combined with raising a dog, too demanding, so Jasmyne took Bruce on.

She knows that she won’t be able to show him, so is looking into the other Kennel Club activities,
that he could compete in. ‘Bruce is very fast and active, so maybe Agility,’, she said when we
asked her.

From the offset Bruce was very nervous around other dogs and strangers, so he attends group
walks to desensitise him. He coped very well with these. He certainly let’s the whole park know
he’s arrived, but after 5 minutes of barking he settles and is even able to come off of the lead for
short periods. However, he still reacts to other dogs from outside the group, but happily plays with
the dogs that he’s walking with.

Then the world went into lockdown and Bruce began to regress,
as the group walks were cancelled. He started to become
more vocal, set off by every noise, both inside and outside
of the house. Bruce was becoming a nervous wreck
again, so Jas has started taking him to formal training,
with an aim to earn the Good Citizen Award.

Bruce has always absolutely adored Jasmyne, he
follows her everywhere. If anyone is going to build up
Bruce’s confidence, it’s his best bud Jas!

Over the coming months we will be following their
Jasmyne & Bruce
progress, as well as Jasmyne’s quest to become a
junior handler, and giving you regular updates. If you
see Jas at a show, then make sure you say ‘Hi!’.

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020