Page 90 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

A Tribute to Norman Davis

Norman, Guru, master, teacher and friend to many, - • Hosted talks on the breed around the world.
they too will suffer the loss in their own way. We take
If you took part in the journey of Norman’s life, no
comfort in knowing we are part of the Ocobo/Mystyle
matter what part of the journey you shared, you have
Davis family. All Ocobo/Mystyle bulldog owners,
been blessed, knowing an inspirational, uplifting,
carry a piece of Norman’s history with them.
caring gentleman has left your life richer with
It’s not about the years you have known a person it’s knowledge & memories to cherish.
about the friendship and memories each individual
hold. What is guaranteed - if you became Norman’s Norman Eric Davis Ocobo. – 29th May 1937 – 14th
friend, with a mutual respect, you had a two-way April 2020 – A Legend.
loyal friendship for life. Norman and I enjoyed the words of JohnA Passaro,
Norman Davis Ocobo – His legacy lives on, in the foot “Life is like a train ride”
print he leaves in The Bulldog fraternity. His name When we met it was an ongoing saga sharing updates
will be remembered and spoken over generations for of the latest on our individual train journeys.
many years to come. Look it up. It’s something everyone will relate to.
Just a few to note. It’s what Norman believed was truth.
I close with a quote from Normans book
• 6 Qualifiers for Bulldog of the Year
“My life has been a full one. I’ve done more in my
• 6 dogs qualified in one year for Bulldog of
life than most others”
the Year
Rest in eternal peace, God Bless you Norman,
• Winner of over 360 CCs in the UK
thank you from everyone for the memories.
• Twice World Show Judge
• The only Bulldog Breed Specialist to be
honoured with an invitation to judge the
World Dog show on two occasions.

An everlasting Apprenticeship

By Glynn Payne (Fearnought)

This is a brief story of my special relationship with Norman Davis ‘The Master’.

I first met Norman at the Bulldog of the Year in the When I got my first bitch in 1987 it was from Norman
late 1970’s and briefly spoke to him about Bulldogs and Pat (and I swear that Pat has not changed to
and what to look for when buying a puppy. In 1982, I this day). Pat and myself also have a special bond
purchased my first Bulldog and I went to the London outside Bulldogs as we both collect Blue and White
Bulldog Society Open show held at St Marys church China.
in Kennington, London. Later on after getting 2nd Norman was the front man of the Ocobo kennels
in my class, Norman said to me ‘come outside as but Pat was the one at home whelping the bitches
I need to have a word with you’. He told me that I and rearing the puppies and I loved listening to Pat
should have won my class but that I needed to show telling me what to do when I had puppies. The Ocobo
the dog correctly. He then got a dustbin, picked my Kennel was Norman and Pat Davis and will always
dog up and stood it on the dustbin. He said first get be Norman and Pat Davis.
the dog to stand still and don’t worry about the leg
Norman had asked me if I would like to join the
positions. He then stacked him up on the floor and
Committee of the Junior Bulldog Club and the
explained about using a mirror to check the correct
meetings were at the Madison Exchange in
leg placements. He then said ‘I am going over to the
Hornchurch, Essex. I agreed immediately as anything
pub later on so come with me for a drink’. The pub
to broaden my knowledge of Bulldogs and under
was the Old Red Lion and Norman introduced me to
Norman’s watchful eye I became Show Manager.
Pat Dellar. I kept my mouth shut, my ears open and I
Work took me to live in Belfast, Northern Ireland but
listened to them talking about Bulldogs and taking in
I never missed a committee meeting and I would fly
everything they said. Both of these 2 Legends were
over to spend a couple of days in England then fly
to become my mentors and lifetime friends and it was
back. This went on for nearly 4 years, during this time
the start of a very special relationship with Norman.
Norman came off the committee and went to live near
90 - K9 NEWS DIGITAL