In The Begining

Our Beginning
InTibetan Terriers

It was Christmas time, and the eighties were coming to an end when Sheba my much loved German Shepherd made her final journey. Sadly it was to Rainbow Bridge. She was seventeen years old, and a beautiful majestic creature, who loved life, the world, and everyone in it. She was my pal, my confidant, my baby sitter, and always my guardian. For twenty-five years I had shared my life with German Shepherds, and loved every one of them, but I was getting too old for demanding walks, and big heavy lumps sitting on my lap. I waited for the heartache to heal a little before I could open my arms to another canine companion.

Some months later I was introduced to a Tibetan Terrier. That TT puppy has a lot to answer for. It came about when I bumped into a very distressed lady. Her four-month-old puppy had gone missing, and I promised I would keep an eye out for him. On the way home from my mum, I spied a lovely black hairy bundle bounding after several children. When I stopped the car and questioned them he hopped in beside me, and sitting there like Lord Muck, I drove him back to his owner. At the back of my mind there had always been the picture of a small extremely hairy mutt, and now I had found out what he was called. Of course I had to have one, and so my search for a Tibetan Terrier began. It seemed the right time. One of my sons was in hospital and needed cheering up, as did I.

Jessie (WINDFALL MELINA) duly arrived at number eleven, and promptly took over our hearts, our home, and the car. The nearest thing to a cat you will ever come across, she could jump onto the grooming table, or even a six foot high wall from a standing position, leaping with total abandon and unerring accuracy, landing on all four feet. I tried to show Jessie when she came of age, and although I persevered for quite a while she would never behave. Her shenanigans belonged in the circus, so I threw the towel in. I decided there and then not to spoil the next arrival. Difficult however, as Sally (BALLADINE RITCHIES GIRL) was such a cutie. She showed beautifully, so well behaved I was delighted. Then disaster, she lost a front tooth while haring around with her pal Jessie.

Next to knock on the door was Eddie (ALILAH VENDREDI CHAKRA AT SIDDHARTHA). He was a sweetheart, bullied by all the girls. He loved to cuddle and nibble your neck. Our basket case could always be found curled up in a basket of any description, washing baskets, shopping baskets, toy baskets and even the egg basket. He is now looking after a lovely little girl with autism. She went straight to his heart at their first meeting. The bond between them would warm the coldest heart. In the beginning I went only to the occasional show. It was somewhere to bring the boys and keep them out of mischief, but Molly (IR. CH. BEDIVERE URAH MOLL AT SIDDHARTHA) changed all that. She is the lady of the house. Although top dog, she rules with a gentle nudge at the right time, and the right place. Molly gained her Crown at Munster Canine 2000, and wears it regally.

Maggie (SIDDHARTHA BOOTES) my first home bred girl, was only shown a few times, as she prefers to loll at home and tell me all the happenings of the day on my return (and boy can she talk!). She is my clown. Zac (ALILAH ZACSIDDHARTHA) another loveable rogue only stayed with me for a short time. While visiting friends in England he decided he liked the country life. He settled in so well, he is there still. Then came Viddy (ROENEEKA VIDELLE AT ALILAH). Before she decided life was better as a couch potato she presented me with two beautiful daughters Jill and Leah (IR.CH. SIDDHARTHA JENIALILAH and SIDDHARTHA JUSTALILAH). On the 27th December 2006 Jill became an Irish Champion, our second champion this year. I was thrilled to bring 2006 to a close with Jill earning her crown before the new green star system comes into play, and with several points to spare. Her sister Leah prefers to stay home and nurse the next generation of Siddhartha Tibetan Terriers.

Zoe (SIDDHARTHA FEMME FATALE) on her first outing, won the Puppy Stakes at Bull Breeds All Breed Championship Show in October 2000, but because of an accident she was not shown again. She is a sweetheart and is happy to stay at home with her mum. Zoe's son Max (IR. CH. SIDDHARTHA MAX A MILLION), is now resting on his laurels, having been made up so soon he now has the chance to really get to know his dad, as they romp and play together. Though she is also a Green Star and Best of Breed Winner, Zoe's daughter Tara (SIDDHARTHA NEON LADY) has made it quite clear she would rather stay home too, so I guess it's the easy life on the sofa for her. Gus joined us at Siddhartha in mid 2005. Gus hails from Finland and we are delighted to have him here in Dublin. In less than a year Gus earned the titles INT. IR. FIN. EST. SWE. & DK. CH. FALAMANDUS ISSU DE LION FOR SIDDHARTHA CELTIC WINNER '06. He was the first Tibetan Terrier in Ireland to claim the title CELTIC WINNER, and he did so on 17th March '06, only waiting on one point for his championship title he was awarded six at the Combined Show on 15th April '06, thus earning him his Irish Crown. One month later, at his first show while holidaying with his breeder Tanja Hakamo in Finland, Gus gained his Finnish Title. Two weeks later he added Estonian Champion, making it four titles in just nine weeks. He quickly added the Swedish and Danish Titles, and so amassed SIX TITLES while he was just two years old, and eleven C.A.C.I.B.s within eight months. He earned his twelfth C.A.C.I.B. and his International Title, when for the second year in a row he won GSD and BOB at the I.K.C. International Show (Ireland's Crufts)Thank you Tanja for making it all possible. He is now handing the gauntlet to his son Jake (SIDDHARTHA VALDEMAR), who just happens to be the naughtiest puppy in creation; a bundle of love, fun and energy, and he certainly keeps me on my toes. Jake brought 2006 to a close winning his third green star another major, and going Best of Breed at the same show where Jill gained her title, and his younger brother Boo (SIDDHARTHA X FACTOR) took the Reserve Green Star for his owner Georgina Corneille. May Janssens of TALK OF THE TOWN Tibetan Terriers was kind enough to let us import from Holland IMAGINE TALK OF THE TOWN WITH SIDDHARTHA. Maggie (2) finally arrived in Dublin on 13th November 2006 and promises to be lots of fun. Thank you May for letting us have this beautiful girl. Maggie one and Maggie two certainly cause a lot of confusion and mayhem, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, please God we will have lots of fun and enjoyable outings to the shows. You see I enjoy showing very much. Showing to me means pleasant trips, with good company (four leggers and two leggers), meeting new people and dogs, interesting conversations, lots of laughter, nice picnics, the occasional tipple, and when you bring home the rosette it is the icing on the cake, though thankfully not the be all and end all. I don't have that "win at all cost" attitude, which I think is sad, and can spoil a good day out. I just enjoy my hairy mutts, and I like other people to enjoy them too. Four of my puppies emigrated to different parts of America. The first one Murphy (US. CH. SIDDHARTHA IRISH ROVER) became a champion in jig time, and I am very proud of him. Though I will only send my best abroad, three are happy as much loved family pets, and I know they will always return that love a thousand fold.

Judging is also very pleasurable and I was delighted when I passed The Tibetan Terrier Association (U.K.) higher level judging exam on the 19.10.2002. It is always a privilege to be allowed to assess other people's dogs. I am qualified under Irish Kennel Club rules to judge the Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Dalmatian, Chow Chow, Akita Inu, Schnauzer Miniature and Schnauzer Standard, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Papillon, and Pugs at Championship level, and have extensive experience of judging other breeds and Groups at Limit and Open Show Level. It has also been my pleasure to judge the Tibetan Terrier and other Utility breeds at Open Show Level in the U.K., including the Tibetan Terrier Association's Open Show in August '06.

Indeed the days just aren't long enough to fit everything in. Although I have always led a very full life with my family, my many friends and colleagues, and particularly through my voluntary work with handicapped children and their parents, and indeed I still do, I really became complete when I opened the door to my mischief makers and constant companions, the Royal Holy Terrors. So thank you Dad for sharing your love of animals, and thank your Tibet and Dr. Greig for your wonderful gift "The Tibetan Terrier".