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Myra Thomas-Rhodes's Blog (121)

AUST.CH. BURBERRY BUMBLEBEE NRD

I just wanted to pay tribute to our wonderful Labrador, Bumble, who is such a good ambassador for the breed and a most treasured member of our family. Bumble is now 14 years old, but in very good form, and still ruling our household… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on May 11, 2009 at 12:48am — 8 Comments

Wendy Hanby's Irish Setter Artwork

A few years ago I was privileged to be given a painting, a gift from my good friend, Gunilla Ek in Sweden. This painting was done for me by Wendy Hanby, a very talented artist and owner of some beautiful Setters, of the Chantstor prefix,situated on the edge of Dartmoor. I also have Irish Setter bronze models that Wendy has done herself, and I well remember the enjoyment of my…

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Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on April 13, 2009 at 11:19pm — 9 Comments

Puppies Australia Annual with feature article on our "Burberry Labradors" titled, "Picnic For Water Babies."

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on April 12, 2009 at 2:21am — 2 Comments

NANNY FOR A MOMENT

Amhurst Reminder of You, in her role as nanny,when Mum has taken a five minute break. Young Asqaya has not had babies yet, but, as with all of our Irish, she just loves to jump in the box and look after the youngsters. What a wonderful breed we all… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on April 9, 2009 at 10:35am — 15 Comments

The Two Swedes Are SOOOOO Excited About Easter!!!

Lupin, Nome, and, in the background, Remmy, are soooo excited about Easter, they can hardly contain themselves!!! It is clear to see that Lupin has settled beautifully, and snuggled up to Nome, Aust Ch Copper's Prins Trollmane, it already seems as though she has been with us… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on April 9, 2009 at 10:11am — 10 Comments

Farewell to Rachel Page Elliott

Rachel Page Elliott, writer, researcher and world authority on dogs, has passed away in America at 96.

Having long crusaded in educating owners to the importance of recognising rights and wrongs in gait, Rachel had published, in 1973, "Dogsteps," which she also illustated along with Eva Andrade. This superb book on canine anatomy and movement was acknowledged a year later by the Dog Writers Association of America, as the Best Dog Book of the Year, and yet another year later, Rachel was… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on March 23, 2009 at 11:53pm — 8 Comments

The Swedish Fledgelings Did Not Make It!

Lupin is very healthy, happy and bouncy, but sadly, and with heavy heart, I bring you the news that she prematurely lost her eight puppies, the first one, just 30 hours before being released from quarantine. One baby survived for 24 hours, with small feeds every one and a half hours around the clock, and we cared for him at home in a portable humidicrib with oxygen.Sadly, his lungs would not have been… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on March 21, 2009 at 12:55am — 31 Comments

Amhurst welcomes Copper's That's It That's Me (Imp Sweden)

After many, many months of trials and tribulations, Lupin has at last arrived in to Western Australia. Arriving safely after a long journey, Lupin had to be sealed in to her crate and signed off in Sweden, before being taken over the… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on February 11, 2009 at 7:07am — 23 Comments

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

The baby is arriving shortly into Western Australia's quarantine station, only she is all grown up now. Keep watching this space, and all will be revealed!!

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on February 1, 2009 at 6:33am — 27 Comments

Amhurst and The Premier of Western Australia

Australia overall is ruled by the Prime Minister, and each state is ruled by the Premier. In Western Australia's case, the Hon. Colin Barnett is our leader, and with his wife Lyn and son Sam, has bought two Labrador puppies from us, bred under our Burberry Labrador prefix. They have patiently waited about nine months for us to be able to assist them with the baby girls, both from different litters, and… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on January 30, 2009 at 10:44pm — 9 Comments

How Many Irish Can Fit Under A Bonnet?

Recently Nome had to wear the elizabethan collar. Fun and games as he barged through the house with it on, and once the others realised it was nothing to be terrorised by - only Nome in a bonnet, then life settled back down. Eating treats with it on, became a "free for all" if Nome dropped any pieces.

Amazing how many can clamber underneath in such…

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on January 14, 2009 at 12:06am — 9 Comments

Aust. Ch.Amhurst Sandpiper

Born in 1976, Piper was a daughter of Suntop Summerthrush (Imp.UK). Bred from a blue sire and an orange dam, she was a beautiful tri colour. Most of the English Setters bred at Amhurst have been blue and tri colour beltons. When her puppies were newly born, Piper was happy to… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on January 1, 2009 at 2:28am — 7 Comments

Remembering 10 Years Ago

Ten years ago yesterday, we lost our beautiful, Ferdi, from lymphocarcoma. Ferdi was not even four years old. A beautiful blue belton, Ferdi, Amhurst Midnight Sun, was the most wonderful of English Setters, and had a super, loving personality.

We have frozen semen from him, so one day maybe we will have some offspring.

These photographs were taken just before Ferdi… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on December 31, 2008 at 10:49pm — 4 Comments

Remembering 37 Years Ago

My very first Irish Setter, Tara, was born in December, 1971. Tara was my shadow and seemed to know what I was about to do, even before I had thought about it! We were inseparable, and I loved her to bits.

Winning well in the show ring, she also excelled at Obedience, though not the "food refusal !"

Her second… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on December 31, 2008 at 12:36am — 8 Comments

Fun and Frolic at Amhurst

With Sincerest Thanks to Ursula Wilby for sketching so superbly, and capturing the essence of my Irish Setters, along with "Pickles," the cat.
Great fun and frolic in the Amhurst household, where there is never a dull moment. All the dogs get on wonderfully, and they are a joy to own and love.

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on November 24, 2008 at 8:47pm — 24 Comments

Hot Air Ballooning Over The Valley of The Kings

One of my trips to the UK, in 2006 was to go to Crufts and to visit the Irish Setter Championship Show.

There was a week spare in between the two shows, so I was lucky enough to take the opportunity go to Egypt,… Continue

Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on November 24, 2008 at 7:00am — 12 Comments

Exciting news from New Zealand - the Land of the Long White Cloud.

New Zealand Champion Amhurst Borrowed Heaven, owned by Matt and Joanne Day, pictured after winning Reserve Best Exhibit in Gundogs and Best Junior, at just seventeen months of age.

Congratulations Jo on super presentation and handling.…

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Added by Myra Thomas-Rhodes on May 17, 2008 at 10:56pm — 5 Comments

Australian Champion Jarradon Gamekeeper

</ In 1981, under renowned breed specialist, Mrs Kitty Edmondson (U.K.), Game won Best Exhibit in Show at the Irish Setter Club of Victoria Championship Show, with a record entry of 240 , a number never surpassed to this day in Australia.They were the days when there were 20 or more to a class.Game was

also a multi Best Exhibit in Group winner ,as well as Best in Show All Breeds.

Some of the notable judges to have awarded this dog CC's, were…