Dave with Kensie and Luna with her handler
Sharon's Nigella
The last Crufts qualifying show of the year, the LKA, saw another celebration for Bonaforte. Making her debut in Puppy Bitch at 9 months was Bonaforte’s Kensies Kisses; handled by owner, Dave and cheered on ringside by co-owner, Boris, Kensie, she was awarded a 1st place in her group under judge, Mark Cocozza. Well done Kensie! With Sharon’s girl, Nigella taking 2nd in a strong PGB class, something tells us Crufts is going to be a big lively day out for all our owners and an excellent opportunity to catch up and have some fun. The Bonaforte Kennel now has 12 Irish Wolfhounds qualified for this epic show, which is being judged by breed specialist Pat Pask (Baronglen). Pat is also one of the Vice Presidents of the Irish Wolfhound Club and along with her husband, Peter Pask, they have both dedicate their lives to our breed.
We take breeding Wolfhounds very seriously here at Bonaforte, and our priority is to breed for health, fitness and temperament and so we are especially proud that one of our owners, Rachel and Rob’s Wolfhound, Jake (Heliodor’s Born To Run) successfully passed his assessment and he is now a registered Pets As Therapy dog. There comes a point in life where owning a dog is no longer an option, a very sad and difficult time for people who have lived with and loved dogs all their lives. The charity ‘Pets as Therapy’ provides canine visitors to give people the opportunity to interact and enjoy the company of a dog; it is scientifically proven that petting a dog has a positive effect on peoples’ moods and behaviour, so this charity provide a unique and very rewarding service. Rachel and Jake have already carried out their first few visits bringing a hefty dose of Wolfhound sized happiness to people who can’t get out and about. We are immensely proud of both Rachel, for giving her time, but also to Jake for being a wonderful ambassador for our breed.
PAT dog Jake
Finally, we would like to wish all our owners and all visitors to this site a very Merry Christmas and a very Healthy and Happy New Year.
“Residents of the Springfield Cottage Residential Care Home were overjoyed to meet PAT dog Jake, a gentle giant who brightened everyone’s day” (taken from the Pets As Therapy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/petsastherapy/?fref=ts)