SHOW NEWS

Set off from Larnaca for flight to Athens with Ajet and then on to Heraklion, arriving Heraklion around 2230 hrs. Collected car and then drove to the Galini Hotel which was a small modern hotel in Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. Owner George was the proud owner of four Great Danes and he asked if I would kindly give a hand with the handling the following day.

Sunday we got up, set off on our journey to the International Conference Centre in Hersonisos and the show started around 0930hrs.

The four Danes owned by George were the only Danes entered that day and they were really proud to take home a lovely display of trophies and rosettes. Unfortunately the Group was pretty strong, so the Danes lost out, however our friends Stella and Pheytos from www.mooncry-akitas.com won the day taking an impressive Best in Show, also our dear friends Riitta and Antti with their Greyhound took 3rd place in show.

From the show we travelled to Channia which for both Craig and I was the first visit. We actually followed a Finnish couple, Riitta and Antti who happened to be staying over there after showing their Greyhound, they had also done the journey a couple of times already so knew the way. It was a good job we decided to do that as the hotel we were staying in was 2 hours drive from the dog show, by which time it was getting dark and we were all tired.

Arrival at the hotel was most inviting. A nice relaxing 5star residence with the most beautiful swimming pool you have ever seen, infinity and elevated which gave this strange feeling of being on board an ocean liner setting off on her maiden voyage. A quick change and down to dinner, then collapsed in bed giving a perfect end to a perfect day.

The next day we had arranged to view a few property options, as Channia and Crete in general are on the brink of a property revolution. Such a beautiful place, very under developed and reminiscent of my expectations of Cyprus many years back, before becoming populated as it is today. We saw some lovely new projects that were in themselves appealing and left the day undecided on a sea front property with a spectacular roof terrace with panoramic views all around the island. Following a couple more visits over the next couple of days, we actually made an offer and as I write, we are still awaiting the offer to be accepted or declined, something that only fate can be the concluding factor.

Walking around Channia as we did revealed more of the beauty we never imagined would be on offer, added to the fact that we met up with the lovely couple from Finland who had taken third best in show, with their Greyhound we called Princess as she was so regal. We had a great meal and a lovely chat, getting to know each other as though we had been friends for life and promised to meet again quite soon, not realising that for the next three days we would bump in to them in every Piazza, restaurant or shop we entered which turned out to be quite amusing. We have since returning exchanged e-mails and I am sure we will see then again very soon, especially as our paths had crossed in many ways before. The rest of our time was spent doing the things we all do on holiday which is, shopping for clothes you don’t really need, eating more food than is possible in 24 hours and tanning yourself relentlessly by the pool, like your life depended on subjecting yourself to third degree burns. But then a holiday would not be a holiday without those added qualities now would it?

Our return from Crete left us feeling refreshed, relaxed and aware that this is what we should be doing more of. Dogs are such fun, they give back far more than you can give them, but the down side is, they are a full time commitment and those thinking of buying a dog should never take on the responsibility lightly. So when we do get a break, we really enjoy it for what it is, we maximise on all there is to do and we then wonder when the next one will be, but that’s our commitment to the dogs we have chosen to spend our lives with, no more or no less than a parent would do when raising a family.

Home and back to our dogs which had been well looked after by our 2 very trusted housekeepers, Grace and Tony, who we are eternally grateful to for assisting us to not only enjoy a life with dogs, but to combine it with a little normality at the same time. They had done a marvellous job, even managing to put a little bit of weight on Star who at most favours a New York Super Model, skinny and waiflike. Grace has introduced a very simple add in of pasta to his meals which she has now increased to four times per day, smaller amounts but more often. He really is looking great and setting himself up for the Dane looks he has been blessed with and is now growing in to. A little cash bonus and a few extra days off were very much appreciated by both Grace & Tony and it gave them a rest before Craig & I went to Athens the flowing weekend.

View more of our photos from the Crete Show.

The planning starts in earnest, the Christening invitation having been received for quite a few weeks in advance. Both Craig and I have been asked to take on the responsibility of Godparents to the very cute and very charming Tamsin Hill, daughter to some very dear friends who we first were introduced to by their parents, know mutually in the business we previously ran back in the UK.

Being invited to become Godparents was indeed a great honour, especially in light of the fact that the couple, Johnny and Annabelle, have such a long list of the most diverse of characters that would have equally matched in terms of eligibility for the role. So accept we did and without further ado began to plan our trip. One of the first and major considerations we had to address was that of the care and wellbeing of our lovely family of Great Danes. Now all happily paired and in their respective runs, the care and maintenance was not such a big issue. What was a problem was making sure they still had the company and the companionship they have been used to. We managed our trip so that I went out a few days before Craig. That gave me sufficient time to catch up on the day to day things, the things that seem to take up all of your time. Also my father had been taken in to hospital and there were a few issues we needed to attend to on his behalf. Craig arrived on the Saturday prior to the Christening, just in time for the lovely meal which had be laid on, a sort of, getting to know the other Godparents and the remaining family. It was a lovely evening, no expense being spared and a real tribute to the hard work and effort that both Johnny and Annabelle put in to things.

Sunday saw a change in the weather, the sun shining for all to enjoy and the Christening going off without any troubles what so ever. Tamsin was an angel, keeping her smile throughout the service and a dry pair of christening knickers; it was safe to say “Tamsin Elizabeth Hill” was officially named, with all Godparents committing to their responsibilities and a nice finish to a lovely service.

A sumptuous party followed at the home of the family and then Craig & I departed to visit Dad in the hospital. We have a long way to go with dad and it’s an age thing and a pride thing rather than a life threatening medical thing, so patience is a virtue, as they say. We never like to see people suffer in any way, especially that of our parents and we always promise them we will look after them if things go wrong. Sometimes it’s difficult when hospitals are involved, but at least we try to do our best, we keep our fingers on the pulse and we never lose sight of the promise we made to them.

After a week back in the UK, we returned, exhausted, slightly confused at what we had left behind and frustrated that we could not sty longer to get through the politics surrounding the N.H.S. Our Danes were there to greet us, always a welcoming sign, they looked healthy, happy, full of the joys of spring and ready for hugs and cuddles and a bit of play time. Our live in housekeepers, Grace & Tony, God bless them, refused to take additional help and between them managed to do a great job looking after our little babies and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. They love them like they were their own, they know what we like and what we don’t like for our Danes and they make sure that their welfare is first and foremost in the days activities. So, that was the first break we have managed to take whilst in ownership of our Danes. All went well, there were no problems and we returned to a happy and healthy bunch.