Australian Champion Wongan Tartan Maid

"Nita"

THROUGH THE EYES OF A DAUGHTER

I can still remember the first few weeks my Mummy and Daddy took me to my new home, away from my brothers and sisters. Initially, I was so sad away from my loved ones. And in my very first week my big sister, Tara, took me to her class for "Show and Tell", and I was exhibited and prodded like a toy! How could she! Of course, I wasn't to know this was to be my destiny, and now can only look back with a smile to this humble beginning of my prestigious career. One in which I helped produce 20 champions.

Alas, I am old now. Nearly 16! And as I long to once again hear my Mummy and Daddy calling "Nita, Nita" with such love, I let my mind wander over my joyful life. After all, when you are no longer able to hear, what is there for me to do all day, except dream ...

My Mummy and Daddy started taking me to a few shows initially, but once they realised the joy in exhibiting and promoting such a wonderful breed, such as myself, they soon started taking me to more shows. Oh what fun I had! Not only did I love the judges, but they loved me! It didn't take long, and I soon gained my Australian Title, much to Mummy and Daddy's delight.

It wasn't long before my darling companion Sunny (Ch. Clanach Touch O' Th' Sun) came to live with us. What a delight to the family he was! Mummy and Daddy certainly picked an appropriate name for him. He was so full of sunshine and joy - and he made sure everyone knew it too! Then came Chloe (Clanach To Th' Manor Born ‘IID'). Such a gorgeous little girl. I know that my fellow friends and I are not perfect, but I'm telling you, she was. Not only did she wish to always please Mummy and Daddy, but also Sunny and I! It was a sad day when little Chloe closed her eyes for the last time, in 1988, and went to what my Mummy calls "Rainbow Bridge". Dear Chloe left behind five children (Ch. Tarnell Lady O' Th' Manor; Ch. Tarnell Lord O' Th' Rings; Ch. Tarnell Obsidian; Ch. Tarnell Koh-I-Nor; Ch. Tarnell Sardonyx), who all attained their Titles. These lovely kiddies were sired by my Sunny.

One of Chloe's daughters, Astra (Ch. Tarnell Lady O' Th' Manor), remained with Mummy and Daddy, and she became my lifelong friend. So boisterous and full of energy, she made me feel young again! She too had children (Ch. Tarnell Unchained Melody; Ch. Tarnell Whiter Shade Pale; Ch. Tarnell Blaze O Glory; Ch. Tarnell Age O Reason), fathered by Ch. Wongan Avant Apache, a lovely young boy, who had a "stand up and look at me" attitude! These children are behind a lot of winning stock around Australia.

Meanwhile, I am proud to say Sunny and my daughter, Kelly (Ch. Tarnell Ben Attow), won bitch challenge at the Sydney Royal. But of course, I am not surprised by this. And many of Kelly's offspring are best in show winners.

It was in 1987 that Mummy and Daddy met Donald (Ch. Zanova Chardonnay), and to us girls he was the best thing on four legs!! What male magnitude! Obviously, Mummy and Daddy thought so too, and he soon joined our big happy family. And later on down the track, while I was content to snooze on the bed, Donald was still prancing around the ring, at nine years of age taking out his last Best in Show! Just goes to show you the stamina of the man!

Donald had a short love affair with Thalia (Sealevana Tquila Sunrise), one of Chloe's granddaughters, and as a result Murphy (Ch. Tarnell Midnight Special) came into our lives. He was an affectionate little fellow, and was named Murphy because he was born on a bag of potatoes! He was the father of four champions! And downline are many Best in Group, Best in Show and Royal Challenge winners.

As my human sisters, Tara and Narelle, grew up and left home, Mummy and Daddy grew more attached to us and to the need of always improving my breed. I know we are a source of joy and companionship to them, as they are to us. Although admittedly, at that stage, Sunny and I had become what you humans call "couch potatoes"!

Murphy and Astra's daughter Bessie (Ch. Tarnell Classique) soon had children of their own. From this wonderful affair came Storm (Ch. Tarnell Storm On Th Loose) who was a multi Best in Show winner, and who went on to sire Beethoven (Ch. Tarnell Falcon in Flyt) and Bundy (Ch. Tarnell Dark N Stormy); Bundy being my Mummy and Daddy's pride and joy. He is currently the top winning Springer in South Australia (1997). I certainly shared in their excitement when Bundy took out the prestigious Show Dog of the Year in the Green Triangle Award. Particularly as Mummy and Daddy have won this award four years out of the last five with Murphy, Storm, Beethoven and, of course, Bundy.

Going on through the years, Donald was introduced to Tiffany (Ch. Tamsarden Bell Harze), who produced Gypsy (Ch. Tarnell Rainbow Gypsy). What a gorgeous little bitch! I know she's exceeded Mummy and Daddy's expectations, and is loved by everyone - family, friends and judges alike. Of course, it was no surprise to me she was a Multi Best in Group and Best in Show winner at 12½ months of age, at all breed championship shows. Tiffany's other children (fathered by Ch. and NZ Ch. Tanalith Mr Matt [imp. NZ]) were also champions (Ch. Tarnell Lethal Weapon; Ch. Tarnell Goin Yankee; Ch. Tarnell Yankee Scandal), with one Best In Show and two Runner Up Best In Show winners.

In 1997 Gypsy fell in love with Jamie (Braecrest Diamond Knight), who incidentally is related to Donald. She had four delightful little ones, one of which Mummy and Daddy kept, a bitch called Velvet (Tarnell Like Velvet).

In 1996 Mummy and Daddy purchased Rhiana (Tanalith Dare To BDifrent), a cocky, mischievous little bitch, who always does her best to annoy me when I'm sleeping! And would you believe it, her and Donald hit it off, and Rhiana had four children (Tarnell Think Twice; Tarnell Thats For Sure; Tarnell Wine N Roses; Tarnell English Rose) at the same time Gypsy did! I thought to myself at the time Mummy and Daddy wouldn't be able to resist having one of her children - and I was right! Morgan (Tarnell Thats For Sure), a mischievous little dog like his mummy, joined our family.

You know, I am truly amazed that a humble, small town girl like me was the first furry friend Mummy and Daddy had; who started such a chain of magnificent champions. At least ten of these children (that I know of) are Best and Runner Up Best in Show winners! Sometimes I think I could just burst with pride!

Over the years, I have laughed and cried with Mummy and Daddy at the events that have happened in our lives - my wonderful friends who come and go, some to new mummy and daddies, some to Rainbow Bridge.

But none stick in my mind as that of my wonderful companion Sunny. Sunny, who was the start of all Mummy and Daddy's dreams, and who taught me the love and friendship of my fellow friends.

It was a bright morning, in 1996, that dear Sunny was beckoned to the gates of Rainbow Bridge. I can see him now, running, ears flapping, tongue lolling, doing all the puppy things he longed to do, as is Chloe, and I look at Mummy and Daddy with a tear in my eye.

For I know soon I must join my dear Sunny. But then I smile as I think of the wonderful legacies and memories I will leave behind, for my beloved Mummy and Daddy.

And I just wish I could speak to them and tell them of the wisdom of Voltaire: "Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time". For, I believe, Mummy and Daddy have certainly attained near perfection.

© 1998 Tara West

Note: After Tara wrote this story, our precious Nita joined Sunny, Chloe and many others at Rainbow Bridge. She was very very special to us, and is always remembered in our hearts.

You can view more detail about our Nita here.

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