News From 2011
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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
TRAINEE BUTE AND HANDLER CHRISTYNE JUDGE MAKE THE GRADE
At the January Landgale Training weekend, handler Christyne Judge and her trainee Bute passed the final assessment and were awarded the coveted green tag and placed on the Callout List. Bute, a lively (amlomst 3yr old) short haired collie is Christyne's second graded searchdog and will be working alongside their colleagues on the Coniston Team. Many congratulations!
KESWICK COLLECTION RAISES £1200
Despite the weather and the aftermath of Christmas and New Year, the annual Keswick collection was held outside Keswick Motor Company on Monday 2nd January 2012. We were really pleased to see so many friends who had made a special trip to say hi to their favourite searchdogs and we also made some new friends. Many thanks to everyone who donated, and the total amount raised was £1200. Thanks also to the staff of Keswick Motor Company for hosting us and a special mention to the team at George Fisher's who kept us topped up with coffee and tea!
DEATH OF RETIRED SEARCHDOG VINNY
It was with much sadness that handler Ian Higginbotham informed us that retured searchdog Vinny was peacefully put to sleep on Friday 30 December 2011.
Ian had made him a promise that he would not suffer; Ian kept that promise and it was a dignified ending.
He had been diagnosed with a degenerative spinal nerve disorder some time back, the early signs of which prompted Ian to retire him from the callout list before the winter of 2009/10. The work was becoming too strenuous for him and I had to push him too hard.
Ian has many happy memories of times spent together in the mountains and going camping was one of his greatest pleasures. His last Munro was Ben More on Mull in the autumn of 2009 and indeed that was the last of his big hill days.
In retirement he managed walks around the fells behind home and it was only at the end of this last summer that walks became shorter and less demanding.
Ian's trainee searchdog Keppi’s arrival was a joy to him and they became very close. Ian was sure that she helped to keep him going! Whenever Ian came back from a training weekend he would have to check out the van to see that Keppi was there before he was totally satisfied that things were back to normal.
Vinny came to Ian in the June of 2002 and they had nine fantastic years. Ian has lost a great friend and loyal companion and misses him dearly.
Photograph: Vinny – summer 2011
Copyright © Kaz Frith 2007 SARDA Lakes.
