Page 91 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

A Tribute to Norman Davis

Boston in Lincolnshire. I was a frequent visitor there
staying over for long weekends. Once I stayed for
over a week and only went back to Belfast, as I got a
phone call because I was only meant to be away for
3 days and I had been away for 10 days.
I was in my element, training the dogs, exercising
the dogs, feeding the dogs and helping breed the
bulldogs.
Norman would go over his dogs whilst telling me
what was right and what was wrong with them and he
said that no dog is perfect but always judge the dog
on its virtues and not on its faults. However, if its fault
is so bad then you cannot put it up. I was in Bulldog
Paradise learning as much as I could.
During my time as Show Manager, the Junior shows
began to blossom. I eventually became the President
and the Junior became a Premier Club being awarded
CC status every year. I retired as President when I
went to live in Spain 10 years ago, but I am proud
now to be the Patron of the Junior following the death
We leave the ground and go into the pub to celebrate
of Cynthia Jay, who I loved dearly.
and let the crowds die down. We catch 2 taxis back
Both Norman and myself had a great interest in many
to my social club where we spend the rest of the night
other breeds mainly Mastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs and celebrating. The next day neither of us remember
Bull Terriers. We both also loved our Football with going home. Norman said he’d never drunk so much
Norman being an Arsenal fan and me a Chelsea
as that at football and never will again.
fan. January the 26th 1997 Chelsea v Liverpool FA
All my mates used to come to my parties at Wey farm
Cup 4th round. I managed to get 5 tickets for the
during the Windsor Dog Show Weekend to celebrate
match and asked Norman if he wanted to come. All
my Chelsea mates had tickets, so off we went Me my birthday and Norman would always have a laugh
(Chelsea), Norman (Arsenal), Dave Price (West with them and reminisce about that wonderful day. At
my 50th birthday party, Norman gave me a beautiful
Ham), Glen Wobble Treacy (Millwall) and Julian the
painting of a Bulldog head study called Beauty by Amy
Scouser(Liverpool). You have probably noticed no
Scott and it is one of my most treasured possessions.
Spurs fans as I only like 2 of them - Peter Purvis
and Stuart Hunter, who is Norman’s son in law and I served my apprenticeship as a stone mason and
who punches well above his weight with the beautiful later on carved a stunning head study of a Bulldog for
Donna, Norman and Pat’s daughter. Norman in appreciation for what he had done for me.
Norman stayed over the night before the game. We Norman was a Master Tradesman and I was a
left at 8 in the morning and by 8.30 we were in the grateful apprentice who wanted to learn as much as
pub drinking. Norman could not believe that the pub possible. He once said to my mates that ‘Glynn is like
was packed that early (some had been in there all a son to me’.
night) and this was before all day drinking became Well Norman, you were a Father figure to me and you
legal. After a few beers we went into the ground with tried to teach me all that you knew. Your Legacy lives
Julian sat between us and we suggested he kept on with Pat and with Kevin and the Mystyle kennel.
quiet. Chelsea go 2-0 down, that’s why we drink a lot I have donated a trophy to The Junior Bulldog Club
I said to Norman. Half time a quick beer each, Julian in memory of Norman for Best in Show and it will be
smiling, Norman saying it does not look good. Within
called the Norman Ocobo Davis Memorial Trophy.
4 mins Chelsea scored I’m going mad, Normans
I will have a few drinks to celebrate your wonderful
smiling saying well done, 60 mins gone Chelsea
life Norman, the way you would have wanted me
score all my mates are giving Julian the verbals,
Norman said you will win this. Then Chelsea got a to.
3rd Norman was on his feet going mad with all of God Bless you Norman - I will miss you.
us except Julian. Chelsea then score again it’s now
4-2 to Chelsea, Norman is cuddling everyone around
him, shouting his head off cheering Chelsea as is
everyone around us, except poor old Julian.

K9 NEWS DIGITAL - 91