Newsletter 2001 - Dogs
Probably the major thing this year to impact our canine lives was the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Fortunately, the disease did not get into Hampshire, but there were cases within 30 miles in Wiltshire. In order to restrict the spread of disease, the New Forest (and virtually everywhere else to walk dogs) was closed.
Copper & Delenn playing with sticks
Fortunately, the beaches were initially open to us. They gave the dogs somewhere to run free, but really weren't that interesting to Welsh Springers. The beaches closed to dogs (as they do every year) at Easter. From there on, the only place that we could walk the dogs was a half hour drive away. For the first couple of months, dogs had to be on the lead, then restrictions were eased and they could be off the lead, but were not allowed off the tracks. This meant that we called them on a regular basis, but they quickly learnt to stay in the restricted area. The New Forest was finally reopened at the end of July. We had endured six months of restriction. I had felt like a caged animal. It is almost impossible to describe the freedom that I felt on our first walk back in the Forest. It was like walking on air.
Let's hope that the politicians and scientists get together and manage to find better ways of dealing with the whole situation in the future. I know that our experience of Foot and Mouth was trivial in comparison to the farmers and local businesses, but it does illustrate the degree to which this horrible disease effects the whole community.
Rhian (Weslave Wild Tansy) is now 13½ years old and still going strong. The only thing that really belies her age is the wonderful colour her coat has been since she was about seven years old. Someone one described it as looking as if she has had a bag of flour thrown over her. She still has a great time running around in the Forest.
Miar (Kazval Bon Voyage via Barhi) is the "mother" of the family. She is the one who makes sure that everyone's ears and eyes are clean. Miar keeps a constant vigil for anyone who might be approaching the house. Miar's greatest pleasure is to spend time racing around the New Forest exploring scents and following where they might lead her. Fortunately, she also has a strong sense of our location and always makes sure that she returns to us on a regular basis.
Delenn (Barhi Withycombe Shade) has continued with her Heelwork to Music. She made her competition debut in September. Whilst she was not placed, she did not disgrace herself. However, on a couple of occasions during the routine, she did feel the need to explore part of the ring was far more interesting than I was.
Copper (Barhi Kings Copse) is a part of our extended family. He lives with the Barretts, but I take him for days out to dog shows. He has been very lightly shown this year, but has still managed to qualify for Crufts 2002 and has had 2 Best of Breeds at Open shows.