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Born 23.10.1999 in Ballyboughal, Ireland - died
June 26th 2006
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When Iduna died, we absolutely needed a new Wolfie to help us
getting over the loss. But there were no puppies in sight at Kennel Green
Ireland. They said, why not ask the Kellys (Nutstown) in Ireland. Not far
fetched, as Iduna’s Grandmother had been Lon Dubh of Nutstown. Also we already knew John and Kathleen for
about 20 years and trusted them for a good puppy. The call was successful, they
had at that moment 2 litters, 6 and 8 weeks old. Most were already spoken for,
but I would have free choice, they said.
So I flew to Dublin the same weekend, I was so glad to get away
from home, where everything reminded me of Iduna. They met me at the Airport and
gave me a big huggy welcome. Those 6 weeks old pups were so sweet and really
balm for my soul. After
watching them for a while I knew which one I would take, but kept it to myself.
I wanted John's opinion first. |
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The little grey girl I chose from the
start and she also chose me, she followed me around and gnawed at my trousers,
when all the other puppies stayed
together inside.
The big pup beside her in the top picture
is her brother Lonn, who lives with friends near us
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Marshgrove
King of Nutstown
Daddy
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Anne
of Nutstown
Mummy
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Ch.Blossom
of Nutstown
Grandma
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Fingal
of Nutstown
Grandpa
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Capitan
of Shantamon (10J)
Greatgrandpa
in Wintercoat
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The Kelly’s knew Iduna and that I had been rather spoiled by her
qualities, so I asked John which little bitch he would choose for himself, as he
certainly has much more experience than me. Among those 10 litter mates he chose
2 females, my heart sang, because the grey one was one of them. He said he could
tell for sure which one at about 10 weeks. But I knew it already. After 3 days
of Irish hospitality I flew home again, a bit comforted, knowing that soon a
little wolfhound girl would be with us within 6 weeks.
Friends of us who had lost their Irish Wolfhound 3 months earlier
saw the photos I brought back and couldn’t resist. So we went back to Ireland 5
weeks later to bring back Lonn and Liath Cailín, they flew together in one
Variokennel. Both were in playful mood on arrival. But they had then to separate
and each went to his new hom |
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11 Weeks, running away from us, as she
had seen her sisters and
brothers go
for the 2 previous days, she knew exactly
what it meant.
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Finally Home
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Liath Cailín (Gaelic for Grey Girl) was a turbulent child, she was
delighted with each and all she saw. Each morning she saw her brother and their
games were wild and rough. Of course at the beginning we stopped them after
about 10 minutes, but increased the time of play and the walking distance slowly
over the next weeks. They developed brilliantly, very sure on their feet and
very coordinated movement. Of course we made sure that their food was not to
high on proteins (25% at most). Therefore they did not “shoot” up, but grew more
slowly but steadily in a most solid way.
After about 10 days Liath was clean through the day, after 2 weeks
she was completely housebroken. We had no big losses with her, a wooden handle
of a dog’s comb, a pen, a leg of a chair and uncountable socks (worn or washed),
which she chewed with verve (and even ate, as I saw with horror, when I checked
her poop for worms). During that time my husband and I had not one pair of socks
without a hole. Also toilet paper or tissues were a
passion.
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The
First Year
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4 1/2 M
4 1/2 M 6 M
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7M 10 M
12 M |
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Liath Cailín
+ Friends
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Liath Cailín, as every Lady, had a circle of friends
and „amours“.
One was Duke, an Irish Wolfhound, almost always
accompanied by Valentino,
Jack Russel Terrier, whom she also
loves. Another special friend was Saransk, called Sarak, the
Barsoi, with whom she loved to race over the
fields.From time to time she got a visit from Cousin Maxl,
Fionn Cunaardri of
Nutstown,who unfortunately lives a bit far
away
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Liath +
Duke
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Duke was a very
special friend, a few months younger as Liath, so they could grow up together
and had the same taste of plays.
Unfortunately Duke
has gone the way to the Rainbowbridge in summer 2004, far to early and we miss
him.
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Kisses from Valentino, who in turn is
kissed by Cindy
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Cindy
In July 2003, my mother died,
in consequence her little Yorkie girl, Cindy, then 14 yrs old, came to live with
us. My Mum used to come every Tuesday afternoon for coffee, of course Cindy came
with her since she was 8 weeks old. Iduna was mothering her and Cindy was
allowed everything, even to sleep on Iduna. When Liath Cailín came to us, we had
to watch them carefully at the beginning, as an IW puppy is not always the ideal
playmate for a very small Yorkie. But amazingly Liath was very careful from the
beginning and Cindy put all the love she had for Iduna to that new Wolfhound
girl.
As long as Cindy came on a
visit she was allowed everything as with Iduna, but when my Mother was
hospitalized and Cindy came to live with us, it was another matter. Rules were
set, Liath was clearly taking it badly to be no longer only child in the family.
Cindy was not allowed anymore to go to near Liath, when she was lying somewhere
and above all the little one was not allowed on Liath's mattresses. Liath
clearly made the rules and amazingly took the role of the Alpha bitch, Cindy
also amazingly accepted it and still tried to give her love to Liath. Now after
more than a year, Liath mellowed down a bit, but her mattress in front of the
fireplace is still taboo for Cindy, at least as long as Liath is on
it.
On the other hand Liath
accepted very quickly that the tiny feeding bowls are none of her business and
forbidden to her. The good side effect is also, that Liath Cailín, who was a
finicky eater before, is now emptying her bowl with great appetite. So much for
competition
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This is Cindy, 15
yrs old and still going strong, she easily walks 1-2 hrs with us.
As she hates
being kempt, we keep her hair short, which gives a bit of a puppy
impression
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With Liath Cailín,
4 months old and 2yrs
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NEXT
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