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As you can read on Kenzo's page Penny and Eric drove to Berlin on the 3rd Feb and came back on the 4th with their new Azawakh pup Agg Agaimas Fehed.
They came here on the 5th and he got to know the borzoi and everything went fantastically. Fehed was quiet towards the zois but most certinly not fraid of them. They gently sniffed him and let him round around freely.
I must admit he is a lovely and calm little pup and not the over active pup that Esed was, and being very honest, still is
The next time he comes I promise I will take some photos of him with the zois
Here he is the little Fehed playing with the grand old man Zino
Here he is the little Fehed playing with the grand old man Zino
Checkhov has made a new friend at the school where he has been going to do his School beast work. This little girl is only 2.5 years old and is not at all worried about going to stand next to and to stroke Checkhov, who loves everyminute of it
Checkhov did 3 sessions as a School beast last week and on the last day the pedagogish instructor Eva had her 4 month old Swiss White Herder pup Quintus with her.  Checkhov set him a fantastic example of how he should behave during the lessons 
Monday 16th Jan 2012
Checkhov was presented with a K9 harnass with the logo from the organaisation in recognition for the volunteer work we do at schools to teach children how to act around dogs.
You can see more photos of Checkhov in schools a bit further back here in news
Here is Checkhov wearing the harness wiith the logo and accompanied by Gijsbert the pedagogue, whom we regularly work with
Here is Checkhov wearing the harness wiith the logo and accompanied by Gijsbert the pedagogue, whom we regularly work with
Today, 18th July, we celebrated Checkhovs 3rd birthday
I made him a doggy birthday cake to celebrate.
This birthday cake was made of dry dog food and minced chicken with a yoghurt topping
He scoffed the lot and licked his lips afterwards so I presume he enjoyed it
Enjoying his "birthday cake"
Enjoying his "birthday cake"
Yesterday morning, 29th April, I flew up to Stockholm, Sweden to pick up the latest member of our family Everhill's Higgins Evgen and flew straight back with him yesterday afternoon.
He has withstood the journey very well and has been accepted into the pack by the boys here.
When Higgins came to Belgium he weighed only 7.4kg and was only 43cm to the shoulder, normally a borzoi of 11 weeks should weigh approximately 10.5kg and be about 50cm tall. More of this story is to follow after the legal proceedings have taken place in Sweden
Checkhov checking Higgins out
Checkhov checking Higgins out
Last year the City of Antwerp's alderman for animal welfare asked for volunteers who would be prepared to go once or twice a month to schools or to old peoples homes with their dogs to teach children how to act around dogs and to let the old people pet a dog and this has proved to be a very successful therapy.
I chose to allow Checkhov to be tested to go to schools as he is a bit too big to go and sit on someones lap.
Because Antwerp is a multi-cultural city there are many Muslims living here and they tend to be adverse to dogs and are often frightened of them. Their behaviour at that moment can lead to some dogs misreading their signs with all negative consequences as a result.
I go with Checkhov and a teacher a couple of times a month into different schools to teach the children what they should and should not do when they see a dog.
Checkhov is very well behaved and enjoys the attention.
The teacher telling the children what they should and should not do
The teacher telling the children what they should and should not do
To celebrate my birthday I treated myself to a exclusively made silver bracelet.
The person how made it for me is a very good silversmith based in Holland. You can find his website in my links... Dutch Dogs
Today, 16th January 2011, I went with Kouros for the day to Ostend so that he could have a walk on the beach and paddle in the sea.
We had a lovely time and shared a plate of crab and shrimps on our way back to the station
But the day was tinged with sadness as sadly Kouros is ill and the prognosis is not good.
What ever the future will bring this is one day I will never forget
Today, 17th November, I learnt that Kouros' mum, Ysba du Pré du Château, had died at the end of June during a heat wave, she was 11.5 years old.
Sadly, Ysba was not one of her breeders favourites and the fact that her passing away is not even mentioned on her website is proof of this. This makes me very sad.
I, however will miss her because whenever I went to the Du Pré kennels I always went to say hallo to her.
Sleep well there over the Rainbow Bridge dear Ysba
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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
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All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
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Here are mum Ysba and Kouros' sister Cvezda
On Sunday 26th Spetember, Checkhov & I travelled by train to Graty for the Annual Belgian Borzoi Club Special.
The weather was lousy but the sphere inside the hall was (apart from a couple of spoil sports) very nice & friendly, which most definately compensated for the weather.
I find that the show was a big success, the cold buffet was gorgeous and everything very well orgainised.
I most definately hope to see Mrs Worthy again and will not hesitate to enter Checkhov into a show where she is judging.
We actually had more entries than the show in Maastricht (NL) and there was even entrants from Sweden.
It was a lovely day and we arrived home at 20.30 Sunday evening, tired out but very happy
Complete results with photos to be found here:
Photo with thanks to Ms. V. Jans
Today we went to the Brabo Club Happening and BBQ.
Checkhov attained 1 Excellent, BOB and finally BIG 3
As you can imagine I am over the moon with this result.
It was a lovely day out, the weather stayed fine and dry, if a bit chilly and the BBQ was excellent.
I hope to do it again next year
His diploma and trophies for today's achievements
On Saturday 21st August we went to the show in Mechelen, this is one of the nicest and friendliest shows in Belgium. It is also the only one that still presents cups to all participants which attain an Excellent.
Checkhovs results can be seen under Show Results 2010.
My daughter Penny's Azawakh attained 1 Excellent, Best Junior and BOB under judge Mr. J-J Dupas
He subsequently went in to the Main ring and although Mrs L. De Ridder (B) didn't give him a 2nd glance whilst judging the Juniors, he attained 6th Best of Group under Mr Ivanov Alexander (Rus).
On Sunday 22nd August, I went back to Mechelen but this time to officiate as ring personnel. My friend Mirka Rueda Rodiguez's young Pyrenen Mountain Dog bitch Dogmania's Jasmin (aka Tulip) got her 1st CAC-CACIB under judge J-J Dupas. I was really happy for both Mirka andTulip
I work in the Rubens House here in Antwerp, so I am lucky enough to see fantastic works of art on a daily basis.
Recently the museum acquired a magnificent if gory painting by the famous animal artist Frans Snyders
(
Antwerp
,
1579
–
1657
)
This painting shows a dog defending his prey from another dog, as a dog owner I see this tableau re-enacted regularly here in my home, but of course with a chewy stick or bone as prey and most certainly not a bull's head 
Frans Sneyders (1579 - 1657)
It is so hot these days here in Antwerp, we are experiencing temperatures of up to 34°C, unbelieveable so the boys now go out very early (5-6 am) and very late (10-11pm) for their walks and get a very short sanitary walk at somewhere between 4 & 5 pm. The rest of the time they're lying around trying to keep cool. I for one will be much happier when the temperatures drop by 10°C.
Interesting scents at the dog park at 5.30 am.
Kouros and Delia the Maine Coon
As if it isn't warm enough
Today I received Checkhovs Top Hound 2009 diploma during the AGM of the Belgian Borzoi Club.
Once again I must say I was very proud to receive this accolade for him after what happened last year.
I received confirmation today that Checkhov has been placed 3rd in the Belgian Borzoi Club Tophound ranking for 2009.
When we consider that he hadn't even seen a show ring until last August never mind participating in a show, I think that this is a fantastic result.
I am very proud of my gorgeous boy and hope that he can book the same success or better this year.
Tophound 2009
Mâles – Reuen - Males
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Noms – Namen- Name
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Nbrs expos-Aantal exp. Nr. Expos
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Place - Plaats
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Points - Punten
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MCh. Ischyma Harosjenkie
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9
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1
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172
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Cazan Wolfskaïa
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9
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2
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73
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Captain Cook z Visnoveho Kvetu
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5
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3
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55
|
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Feyo des Perles Tsariennes
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2
|
4
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42
|
|
Fadeï du Pré du Chateau
|
2
|
5
|
25
|
|
Gjulien des Steppes Glacées
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2
|
6
|
24
|
|
Lesnitschewo aus dem Zarenreich
|
3
|
7
|
22
|
|
Ch. Urkoff des Crocs de la Molière
|
2
|
8
|
18
|
|
Guiryel du Pré du Château
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1
|
9
|
13
|
|
Doper-Kopp Maistro
|
1
|
10
|
11
|
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Urkofsky Houral
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1
|
10
|
11
|
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Urkofsky Harpat
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1
|
11
|
10
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Femelles-Teven - Bitches
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Noms – Namen- Name
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Nbrs expos-Aantal exp. Nr. Expos
|
Place - Plaats
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Points - Punten
|
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Cymabresjeva Katyuska
|
4
|
1
|
123
|
|
Lynx Endless Love
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7
|
2
|
120
|
|
Fjetra du Pré du Château
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5
|
3
|
80
|
|
Faïna des Perles Tsariennes
|
2
|
4
|
31
|
|
Rasswet's Carmina
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3
|
5
|
26
|
|
Alyuschka du Pré du Chateau
|
1
|
6
|
12
|
|
Russian Pearl Sokolov
|
1
|
6
|
12
|
|
Harushenka du Pré du Château
|
1
|
8
|
11
|
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Pavlovna du Pré du Chateau
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1
|
8
|
11
|
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Urkofsky Hariana
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1
|
8
|
11
|
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Isola Bianca Stepowy Goniec
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1
|
11
|
10
|
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Barychnia des Crocs de la Molière
|
1
|
12
|
10
|
|
Valeska des Crocs de la Molière
|
1
|
13
|
7
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Today we learnt of the death of Checkhov"s grandmother
Pallida Aglaja alias Gaya. Gaya had reached the grand old age of 11. But no matter how old ones beloved pet gets its death is always too soon. I know that her owner, Mrs Marie Vorackova will miss her enormously.
Sleep softly and run freely Gaya
Pallida Aglaja
1.10.1998 - 7.04.2010
In the early hours of Sunday morning, son Sven woke me to report that Kenzo had swellings on both his cheeks and little lumps all over his body.
I realized that this was an allergic reation to something and dabbed the lumps with very strong black tea and rubbed a very fine film of Anti-Histamine cream into his fur as a First Aid method.
This helped slightly but at 9am we took him to the vets where he received a Anti-Histamine injection. By 3 in the afternoon the rash was finally gone.
The only thing I can think of that he came in contact with was some Tulip petals that fell on to the floor when I was clearing away a vase of drooping flowers.
Luckily it was no more serious than a rash, but I will take much better care in the future when throwing flowers away
After a couple of months of not being able to go to the dog park very often (ill-health and lousy treacherous weather  ) we went there 3 times last week  . Finally the big puddles were no longer frozen so the boys could run at top speed and I didn't have to worry about them slipping and badly hurting themselves . Last Tuesday, the weather was gorgeous, sun was shining and the thermometer was climbing in the right direction so I took all 3 of them for a good run, sadly I didn't have my camera with me. Kenzo kept an eye on Checkhov and made sure that Checkhov came when called, he might be smaller than the borzois but he most certainly rules the roost here.  Then on Saturday, I took Kouros out for a walk on our own, and as Checkhov will be going out with me tomorrow for the show training... He really enjoyed himself and played with a couple of galgos and a labbie Yesterday daughter Penny came round for an hour or so and we decided to take them for a run again, but we didn't stay too long because there was quite a few people there with dogs on leads and I am always afraid that these dogs might try to attack my 2 boys when they go over to say hello.  I don't understand why people go to the dog park and then keep their dogs on the lead... On Saturday the owner of the galgos and the Labbie took some photos I am putting most of them in my album "At the Dog Park" but here is a sample. Thanks to Ms. Gwen for the photos
Checkhov and Delia were fascinatedly looking though the window this morning and I went to look to see what was so interesting and this is what we saw.
There is a nature reserve not too far from here and what with the recent snow and ice and now the torrential storms I should imagine that they are looking for food further afield.
What are these 2 looking at?
They stood and watched the ducks for at least 10 minutes
It is now exactly 1 year ago that I lay in the ICU in the clinic in Brussels with a brain hemorrage.
A lot has changed for me during this past year and it has also been a year were I have had to learn to live with my restrictions. It is also a year were I have learnt to see life from another perspective.
I have also sadly, had to let my 2 galgo girls stay by the people who kindly took them in last year, when I became ill, as I realise that with my health restrictions I can no longer cope with 4 big dogs. I know that over here in Belgium there are some people that are against the choice I made to keep my 2 borzoi boys and let my 2 galgos go, but I had to make a decision, not an easy one may I add and I decided that this was the right one for me and for my dogs.
After my 2nd op earlier this month I feel much better and I am optimistic for the future.
I will be entering Checkhov into a few shows over here and hope that he will continue to book the successes he made last year and even better them. Last year 5 months after I left hospital he was shown for the first time, we did 6 shows in 4 months and he received 4 Excellents, 1RCAC - RCACIB, 2 Very Goods and was accorded Best Male Youth Head at the Belgian Borzoi Club match. When we received the Reserve in Leuven tears welled up in my eyes, I was so proud, I could hardly believe it when I thought back to what had happened to me 10 months earlier and that I had come out of hospital 7 months earlier walking with the aid of a walking frame.
Next month I will really celebrate my birthday, last year I was still on the very critical list and it was touch and go if I would survive, let alone put my thoughts to paper.
As I get physically stronger I hope to be able to participate in more fun events this year with my zois and see old friends and aquaintences again.
Winter has arrived in Antwerp, after a few days of freezing cold weather, it has, this morning started to snow.
Sadly I didn't have the time to go with the Boyz to the dog park so I fastened their leads to a lamp post here on the street and took a couple of photos. I hope that the snow will remain with us for a couple of days so that we can go to the park and they can play and roll in the white stuff
Today, Kouros is celebrating his 6th birthday.
Happy Birthday Kouros and may we spend many more happy years together.
I would also like to send all his brothers and sisters our best regards
Last weekend I had made plans with a couple from Boom to go to the dog park with my 2 boys and their 3 gorgeous barzoi bitches. Even though it rained all the time we were there the dogs thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
You can see photos of them all in the section dog park. The majority of the photo taken are thanks to Mr & Mrs W. Janssens
Checkhov and Esed were bored stiff with the hanging around and waiting on Saturday and decided that they would entertain themselves and any onlookers.
Little Esed did really well considering that this was his very first show.
He was placed as 2nd Best Baby under judge Mr H. Zuber (Switzerland)
Checkhov got 1VG under Mr Christian Stefanescu after being judged at a record speed.
This morning we made a very early start and got the train to Leuven at 7.55 am. My friends Mirka and her husband Jezus and their beautiful Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Tulip, picked us up on our arrival in Leuven 1 hour later. We then drove to the show together in the Brabant hall in Heverlee.
After a very successful and enjoyable day for all of us we returned back to Antwerp
and were finally back home at 8pm
Daughter Penny and her partner Eric drove to Berlin this weekend to pick up their Azawakh puppy Agg Amaias Esed from his breeder Mrs Christiane Thier-Rostaing.
He is a little beauty. Here are a couple of photos of him at his departure in Germany and after his arrival in Belgium
Ready for the long journey back to Belgium
My daughter Penny flew to Berlin yesterday to choose her Azawakh puppy from Mrs
Christiane Thier-Rostaing's Agg Amaias Azawakh Kennel
She has made her choice and I will be able to publish it this evening with the latest photos of her little darling. In 4 weeks time Penny and her partner Eric will be driving over to Berlin to pick the little "E" up and bring him back home, where he will be, as far as we know the only Azawakh in Antwerp and the surrounding districts.
The new comer is one of these cuddly and cute pups
My daughter Penny has waited for two years for a puppy from
Christiane Thier-Rostang's very successful kennel Aggamaias Azawakhs.
Her patience has been rewarded with the news that yesterday Int Ch. Tigidit Essamet gave birth to 5 dogs and 4 bitches.
The proud father is Int. Ch. Tombouktous Qutaybah.
We hope to be able to welcome little "E" in Antwerpen at the end of September
Should you wish to contact Mrs Thier- Rostang please follow this link
http://www.aggamaias-azawakh.de/
Tigidit Essamet with her E-litter
On 18th July the 7 pups (4dogs and 3 bitches) of the C litter from Kennel z Visnoveho Kvetu are celebrating their 1st birthday
We wish all Checkhovs brothers and sisters a very happy birthday
Here is his birthday card from his breeder Mrs Vorackova
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