28th May 2021

 
It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of Ch Classicus Cassander JW ShCM.  He was the Breed Record holder, always a wonderful ambassador for our breed.  I am most grateful that Jeannette Glaister has sent us the following: “I write this with a very heavy heart on the passing of our beautiful boy DELICIOUS DEXTER at the tender age of 11 years and 1 month. Our memories can't be taken away, we have so many.
Alan and I weren't looking for a puppy Dexter found us thanks to Zola Rawson. He came to us at 4 months of age and he was adored immediately. He fit in so well with our other 2 boys. We decided to show Dexter and he was awarded his first RCC at 13 months of age and his first CC at 16 months, the same day he achieved his Junior Warrant. He became a champion at 2 years 11 months. The journey continued, Dexter loved the show ring right up to his last ever show Crufts 2020, a month short of his 10th birthday. Dexter never ever let me down he was the perfect showman, he was awarded all his wins on his own merits and I treasure every single one of them. One of my biggest highlights was getting CC & BOB at LKA under Zola Rawson then going on to win the Hound Group under Frank Kane, Frank had already given Dexter his second CC. Dexter was overall  Top Hound in 2014 and I went to the Pawscars Awards with our very dear friend Caroline Pickering, we were so very proud of Dexter to have achieved this and in our eyes he was a true ambassador for the breed. Dexter continued his winning ways, I never went in the ring with him expecting to win but whatever the results we always took the best dog home with us. Dexter won BIS at NSC in 2014 under Helen Graham, BIS at Leeds in 2015 under Stuart Mallard and BIS at NSC in 2016 under Paul Shimmin. The same year at SKC Dexter won the CC & BOB under Michael Williams and went on to take group 2 under Albert Wight, the same day he became the new Breed Record Holder having won his 36th CC, not something I ever set out to do, Dexter and I were just having fun but Dexter just kept going. Dexter also qualified in 2016 for the Eukanuba Champion Stakes under Mike Gadsby, due to an injury I sustained sadly we couldn't attend the finals.  Dexter was BOB at Crufts three times and shortlisted twice in the Group, such a great experience. Dexter Otis and I went to Amsterdam in 2018, at the Benelux Show he won the double CAC, the following day he was FCI Euro Veteran Sighthound winner.
In 2019 at Southern Counties we realised Dexter was unwell, on our arrival home we took him straight to the vets and had bloods etc done, the results weren't good and Dexter was taken in for surgery, the results came back and we had another battle on our hands.
Dexter won his last CC & BOB at Midland Counties in 2019 under Espen Engh then went on to take the Hound Group under Albert Wight, a fantastic achievement at 9.5 years of age. Not only that but he won the Veteran Stakes that day too handled by Michelle Ullyatt. Dexter's winnings all went into his money box which is still sitting there. In Dexter's short life he won 49 CC, 40 BOB, 23 RCC, 3 BIS, 11 Group wins and numerous Group placings. 
In 2020 Alan and I went lure coursing, Dexter loved it, in the October the following  day Dexter suffered a stroke at home, he was rushed to the vets, we were told it could go 3 ways, he could make a full recovery, he could recover but left with a permanent tilt to the head or he wouldn't make it, we knew he would fight this and he did but then less than 2 weeks later we took him for an ultrasound as we had another concern with him, we were given the devastating news that our beautiful boy only had days to live, we were sent home with 20 steroids vet telling us it would be more than enough. The following week we did another ultrasound just to see if the diagnosis was correct, sadly it was and the prognosis remained the same, though we were then told we might get a few weeks. We knew Dexter was a fighter and we were going to fight this too, I did lots of research and we bought everything that was recommended, Dexter was on in excess of 25 medication tablets and supplements a day but he was happy and that was our priority. The Sunday before he died he had been up the fields with us for an hour happily doing his own thing. On the Monday he was quiet we just thought he was having an off day. I decided to stay up with him and sleep on the floor next to him. At 4.12 am on Tuesday 18th May our darling boy passed with me by his side. RIP DELICIOUS DEXTER you were loved by many. We fought for 6.5 months, you were truly amazing and SIMPLY THE BEST.
I would like to thank those who sent cards, flowers, gifts and plants in memory of our wonderful boy. He will be sorely missed by Alan myself Otis, Earl and his many admirers. Dexter will remain in our hearts forever.”
 
In these notes I have been fortunate to be able to post updates on the progress of Masha Shaverneva and Susan Rhodes’ Altai (Qazal Sarbaz Har Kala Rachi AW(B)).
Upon reading this, Christopher Lewis (Knightellington Salukis) has sent the tale of  Ana, one of their Salukis that was sent to Carole Tipler in New Zealand. Regarding this Carole has sent the following: “She was the first Saluki to be shown in championship agility, the first Saluki to be placed JP (no mean feat when competing against endless Border Collies) plus she won her agility classes on a couple of occasions.  She won Jumpers and was placed numerous times.  She was and is the only Saluki to ever be awarded an AD (Agility Dog) which requires the dogs to do a course with all the tasks, i.e. jumps, dog walk, see-saw etc. within a strict time frame and automatic disqualification if you get a fault.  She had to do three of those with clear rounds.   She was and is still the only Saluki to then go on and be awarded ADX which is Agility Dog Excellence this means she has to do even harder courses, in even better times and again, she has to do three.    For Jumpers, she had to do so many championship Jumpers courses fault free - I can't remember the number now but she was and still is the only Saluki who has achieved that.   Ana is NZ Ch Knightellington Ana Al Yaman AD JP owned by Carole Tipler born on the 29th March 2013.  
 
Looking back in one of the old Saluki magazines, edited by June Applebee, dated ‘The Saluki’ Vol 9 Christmas 1977 there was a referral of a display by Miss K M Trevethick which was in the Club show catalogue for the Club’s show of 1955.  This display was to be given by the Salukis, Mazuri Fahmi and Mazuri Tazi.   The article goes on to say “These hounds, owned and trained by Miss Trevethick are members of the Formakin Star Dog Team and are believed to be the only Salukis trained for this type of demonstration.  They have appeared in all parts of Britain and but for our quarantine regulations would have accepted invitations to perform on the Continent of Europe.  Fahmi (now 4 21/2 years old) in April 1953 won a high jumping competition which was televised; he jumped 9 ft 9 inches but later that year jumped 10 feet 3 inches in the Star Dog Tournament being beaten by a greyhound from the same kennel which jumped 10 feet 6 inches.
Tazi, just 2 years old has had no opportunity so far to take part in competitions but in a Display last April he jumped 10 ft 6 inches.  It is claimed that these two Saluki comprise the highest jumping brace of any breed in Britain. These dogs are well bred Salukis from a famous kennel (both having won prizes at shows).” The article goes on to say:” The object of this display is to show the grace and beauty of the breed in a variety of difficult movements and to demonstrate how the breed can be trained to be kept under control.  Both these hounds have coursed and killed hares but have been taught not to touch Rabbits or Poultry.
 
Helen Williams
Kasaque565@gmail.com
       
 
 
 
 
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