18th March 2022

 
 The UK Saluki & Friends have agreed to host this request for funds to be sent to Saluki breeders and owners in war torn Ukraine.  We are most grateful that the AKC, Irish Kennel Club and The Kennel Club are giving funds to the FCI for assisting the canine community. However, our plan is to give directly to the Ukrainian Saluki  people, now, so they can survive and help them, in the future to rebuild their lives.    All money collected will go directly to the people concerned. 

Jeannette Glaister is in charge of the PayPal account  aljegsaluki@gmail.com. We would very much appreciate any funds you can send for Salukis and their families in the Ukraine. (When you make a donation through Paypal please send as friends and family so there will be no added charges). Oxana Grigoenko will be communicating with the Saluki people in there.  We are all part of this unfolding tragedy so please give generously to fellow Saluki owners in a desperate situation.
For further information on where to made donations please ring Jeannette on 0797 1079642 or myself on the telephone number below.  
 
Friday was Cruft’s Day.  I managed to spot Hector Heathcote so I asked him how his partner Sue Finnett was.  Sue was supposed to have judged us at Manchester Championship Show earlier this year but had to withdraw at the last moment.   Hector said she was fine now but had to withdraw from the assignment because she had an appendix attack on the Friday before the show.  Sunday when she should have been judging she was having her appendix out.  Hopefully Sue will be judging us next year.  Third time lucky.
 
Northern Saluki Club Championship Show entries close on the 20th March at 12 noon, on Higham Press.  The show will be held on the 3rd April 2022.  Judging is Liz Stephen. The show will be held at its usual venue of Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Market Street Clay Cross, Nr Chesterfield S45 9LX.  There will be three additional Knightellington Memorial Stakes judged by Mrs. M A Defaye.
 
Crufts this year was somewhat different.  When we walked through the door into the NEC the first thing we saw was space.  More room between the isles of benching.  It created a less stressful atmosphere.  There were also less trade stands.  Some looked like they had been allocated but no one was manning the boat.  I am not sure if this was the plan or the result of a lower entry.  Usually, we have a large group of over-sea visitors.  This year there were not even a handful.  As far as the day went it was a lovely convivial get-together.  Natasha and Sandra Hamilton hosted a bring and share picnic lunch. Caroline Pickering made a beautiful cake with a Saluki on top commemorating the day for judge, Adele Walton Haddon. Caroline also presented the judge with are large greeting card with snap shots of her life in dogs.  Inside were messages from the Saluki community to commemorate the day.  Adele has posted “Words are inadequate to express my heartfelt thanks for the efforts you all went to in making yesterday so special.  My thanks to those who wrote such lovely messages in the card which moved me to tears.  Salukis are so lucky to be owned by such generous people.  Thank you all again, signed Adele.”
 
 
  A collection was taken up of money to go to Ukraine to help the Salukis and owners there.  Everyone seemed to appreciate getting together at Crufts after a very long absence.  
 
At 9 am Masha Shaverneva and Altai competed in the large dog Agility.  I understand he had a clear round, ending up at a strong 4th.  Altai ran in the afternoon again.  I asked Masha how he did.  She sent the following message “We didn't get placed in agility run because I made a small mistake and Altai went around the third jump. I could've put him back over it at a cost or 5 faults, but made a split-second decision to continue running, which eliminated us. Didn't want him to think he has done something wrong, so chose to let him run and enjoy it, rather than worry about mistakes.  He was such a good boy, I couldn't be happier as we got there, had a great time together, didn't embarrass the breed, had two lovely courses, loved the experience and got a rosette to cherish. 
Saluki people have been absolutely amazing in their support and good wishes, and we thank every single one that send messages before, in between and after our Crufts classes, and the star support team who came to the Main Arena.”
Congratulation to him and Masha.  
 
The feature of the day was the judging
There was an entry of 30 dogs and 36 bitches though there were some absentees. BCC, BOB went to Hilary Davies, Christine Harrison, Mary Sanders Parker’s Ch Classicus Alchemy For Charrioak JW with the RBCC to Ms C Knowles Micattura All I Breathe Of Mahziba.  DCC, for his first CC went to Mrs O Blecher’s Barleymoon Zaurak.  He was born 18th April 2016 and his breeder is Mrs CM Jowitt.  RDCC went to Ch Classicus Baroque At Ravensett.  Best Veteran was Mrs K H Williams Ch/Ber Ch Ulmarra Tropical Ice At Winton VW.  Unfortunately there were no puppies entered.  Well done all!!