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LATCHCROFT
ARIADNE AT ALCHERA "Lulu"
LULU - 23.04.1997 - 15.02.2007
There is an emptiness in the house where Lulu reigned as the
Matriach of the Alchera lines.
She lived a healthy and long life and almost made the magical
"10 years" but that wasn't to be and now I am left
with my memories of this beautiful old Lady who was so
poised, dignified, patient and had the most gorgeous
temperament.
I miss her terribly, her funny little woof that would hit the
highest of notes, her tap dancing when she was excited, her tail
that did circles in excitement, her gracefulness on the
move and just her whole presence.
By sheer chance she came into my life and changed absolutely
everything - she was the beginning, the mum, the grandmother and
the greatgrandmother - all the "family" respected
her position and she enjoyed her inspection of her
descendents.
Below is the history of our time together,
Lulu will never be
forgotten because she is in each and every new
generation.
I owe everything to this Lady and I will always be grateful to
her for the love, devotion and tolerance she gave to
me and for the Alchera lines that she created.
Rest in Peace my Loopy Lu, I love you xxxxxxx
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Oh where do I begin with this
lady.
Something's are meant to be, call it fate
or luck, a rare purchase of the local paper and there
was this advert for a blue Great Dane to be
re- homed.
A visit that evening, and it was love at first sight,
probably my first sighting of the blue variety - she
had been a "little" destructive and subject to the
"divorce" that is so common these days, but I made
a good impression and she was reluctantly coaxed into the
back of my convertible and brought back to her new home.
At this tender age of 11 months, I thought Lulu to be quite
small but I was lucky and managed to get more build on
her.
She was very elegant and my very first bitch Great
Dane, her destructiveness passed eventually but not until
she had eaten the arms of the leather sofa.
I was encouraged to go into the show ring, so attended ringcraft
classes and then entered our first show, Midland & West
of England GDC.
I was so busy chatting to the owner of Lulu's dad that I was
late entering our class - not too late though and we were
placed 1st in Novice Bitch, then in the
challenge, judge, Judith Middleton regarded Lulu to be the
very Best Blue Bitch in the show.
I have a fond memory
of a little lad, Thomas Barnett, congratulating me with a
handshake but I had to ask him "what do we do now"?
as we had never practised what to do if one should win.
Then we had to go into the Final Line Up, the judge was
Mrs Jean Taylor, I was petrified being in the ring with all
the other winners and whilst we didn't win any further, Jean
Taylor, by way of dismissing the others down to a final 7,
regarded Lulu to be the Best Blue Dog/Bitch in the whole
show.
"A Show Girl" was her critique, we
were bitten by the bug but were quickly warned not to let it
go to our heads - fortunately, I am not that sort but I was
very appreciative of Lulu's performance and wins and thank
both Judith and Jean for giving us such a fine start, also
Sue and Ian as without their encouragement we might never
have gone into the show ring.
Lulu has been shown since February 1999 and,
for a colour, has achieved a lot.
Three Best in
Breed at Open Shows. Seven times Best Blue Bitch at a
various Great Dane Club Shows - 3 at the Midland
& West of England Colour Format. She has won 1st
in Novice Bitch, Special Beginners, Graduate, Post
Graduate, Limit and Open. Many think that she was
worthy of more but I was more than happy for Judge,
Jack Taylor, to think her good enough to achieve her
Kennel Club Stud Book Number in Limit at the Midland &
West of England Championship Show 2001.
Lulu is now
getting on for 7 years of age and has only been shown once
this year, again at our favourite club show, The Colour
Format, where she won Special Open Blue Bitch and was
then awarded for the third time, beating her daughter
Sassie, Best Blue Bitch in Show - on that high
note, she is now in retirement but might attend the odd
Veteran Class.
Another coincidence, Lulu was born on my
Grandmother's birthday - I truly believe that she was meant
to be with me. I have met her Dane mum and her
breeders, who are very proud of her achievements and I
am very grateful to Elaine and Robbie producing such a
fine specimen and also Martin for allowing Lulu to come home
with me.
She introduced me to a new way of life -
the Show Ring - following a mating with Helmlake Blue Class
"Boss" she gave birth to 10 puppies and I
cannot begin to tell you just how wonderful it is to
see these little puppies, born so tiny, grow into the noble
giants that they are. Lulu's litter was a whole
new experience for me, great highs but some awful lows,
tears flowed when the puppies were taken by their new
owners but we all stay in touch and they are all very
happy and doing extremely well.
You will be able to
see pictures of Diesel, Oscar and Albert on my pet
page. I would not have gone into breeding without,
again, encouragement and a great deal of help from other
breeders and I could not leave this page without giving
them my most sincere thanks for all their assistance and
expertise - Thank you!
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