This year the Bracco celebrated its first appearance at Crufts and to mark this occasion my great friends from Finland made the 2500km drive to be part of breed history, not to win but to have a good time with true friends.
Arriving in the early hours of Thursday morning the next few days were to be filled with unstoppable laughter, great fun and much happiness.
After a good recharging of batteries Thursday began with a 2.5 hour walk across Merthyr Mawr, the largest sandune complex and down onto a golden beach that stretches for miles. Blessed with warm sunshine 7 Bracchi and their owners had a fabulous time. Lyyli, despite it being 5 years since her stay in Wales remembered well the rabbits and was away hunting in true Bracco style.
All this fresh air and exercise gave all an appetite and so off to "The Old House" one of the oldest pubs in Wales for some warming food and a glass of Ale! Then home for an evening of reminiscing in front of the fire watching videos of the dogs taken 6 years ago, old memories!
Friday was to be a day of shopping for souvenirs to take home followed by a trip to visit the local pub converted from an old Victorian railway station and then home to a lovely tea topped with Teijas infamous cheese sauce, yum yum.
Saturday was an early start for all but a good journey was had and we had a nicely uncluttered area of benching at the show.
Judging was not til 15.30 so we spent the day relaxing, meeting so many old friends and dogs and just enjoying the atmosphere.
Best of Breed was predicted but to great delight John and Hazel Abrahams Ardenstorm Luciano Bosis ShCM (Brac) took Reserve Best Dog, a fantastic achievement for one so young, this being topped by Gunstrux Rosa Caro at Ardenstorm also owned by Hazel and John and the mother of Brac taking Reserve Best Bitch. What a totally fantastic end to the day. Huge congratulations to John and Hazel, so well deserved. Also and most certainly not forgetting Oscar, Heinaaron Decapo Demusica owned by Peija Latvala from Finland taking a very respectable VHC in Post Graduate having had his second birthday on the day he left Finland.
The day was finished off with a party back at the hotel with 11 Bracchi and 11 people present. What a great time we had, a toast was made to Brac and Rosa and of course Lyyli for who non of the dogs would be here without her. We laughed and joked into the early hours of the morning, apologies to the other guests at the hotel!!!!!!.
I would just like to thank all my Best Best Friends, Teija, Peija, Mari, Tomppa, Petra, Mr Petra, Hazel, John, Brian and Andy for making this one of the most unforgettable weekends ever. I have never laughed so much and I cannot wait for the next trip to be planned.
Present at Crufts was
Heinaaron Tuo Tulipano (Lyyli)owned by Teija
DK Ch.Heinaaron Giorio Armani (Nobel)owned by Petra
Lyylies children
Heinaaron Gioia di Natale for Gunstrux (Miska) In partnership with Teija
Gunstrux Gabriella (Ellie) owned by me
Gunstrux Rosa Caro at Ardenstorm (Rosa) owned by John and Hazel
Gunstrux Veni Vidi Vici (Simo) owned by Mari, Tomppa and Teija
Gunstrux Francesco for Zakro (Chicho) owned by Barbra and Lorna
Lyyli's grandchildren
Gunstrux Lugana Brolettino (George) owned by Brian Wilson
Ardenstorm Luciano Bosis ShCm (Brac) son of Rosa, bred and owned by John and Hazel
Lyylis great grandson, Miskas son
Heinaaron Decapo Demusica (Oscar) owned by Peija
And along for the visit
Lyylis daughter Gunstrux Gazelle (Parsley) owned by me
Lyylis grandson and Parsley son Gunstrux Otello (Otto) owned by Brian.
This truly made Crufts 2009 a very special show and time for us all.
Find some pictures of the days before the show shared with my friends. Many more pictures from the weekend and show will appear later! Enjoy!
Click to enlarge
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