Sheba & Bracken

I was talking to a chap some several years ago about dogs in general. He had a couple of lurchers, Deerhound types as I recall, and one thing I took with me from our conversation is his saying that once you have had a lurcher you will never be without one. He was that committed to the type.

Chris with Sheba & Bracken as pups

Four years ago, as has been documented in the history section of our story, we became the proud owners of Sheba and Bracken. They were number one and eleven respectively in the litter. Sheba was always a beauty as would befit the first born. Bracken, though, was less appealing I would suppose, being slightly hunched of back and generally lacking the fine lines of a dog of her breeding. She in fact had been returned to the breeder by her first owner as being not quite what was wanted. Their loss was our gain. You've heard the song of the ugly duckling and the swan; well for birds read dogs! Bracken developed over her first year into the most beautiful broken coated brindle beauty with a coat as soft as silk and a beautiful feathered tail.

Sheba

Now, let's talk about temperament. Sheba was never a problem, enjoying the attentions of those wishing to stroke her as a film star would enjoy fan adulation. She loved it. As Pam would walk them round the village, children waiting for school buses and village folk going about their business would become Sheba's public. Bracken, though, was, in her early times, a little more reserved, missing nothing with her lovely saucer eyes but not giving herself any where near to the same extent as her sister would. Over time, however, Bracken relaxed and nowadays often offers her head for people's attentions as we would offer our hand in greeting.

Bracken

Now a few words on lurcher shows. One of the early shows our girls attended saw Bracken taking her turn in front of the judge, and oh dear - of all the dogs that an unfortunate incident could happen to, it had to happen to Bracken. For some reason the judge, when applying his hands to the dog, hurt her in some way. This incident was never forgotten. Bracken's opportunities to show herself ended after that event. Try as we may thereafter, she was not having any judge, no matter how gentle, attempt to examine her beautiful lines. Sheba, well! took the show ring in her stride, of course, and has had many successes.

Sheba's rosettes which she has won over a couple of years

I just want to mention the dreaded injuries. As you might have gathered, if either dog was to get it's unfair share of injuries it would be Bracken. From cut pads and webs to eye injuries, Bracken gets them all. Sheba, on the other hand, misses all the bits of glass and rusty metal that Bracken attracts as would a magnet. Bracken is always at the vets; Sheba, that's right, hardly ever - until recently that is. Three months ago Sheba sustained a broken toe whilst running which is proving difficult to heal. She has already broken down once and, if it does not heal after the next two months, it looks as if she will have to lose the toe. So now when we go on the beach Bracken gets the free running and Sheba stays on the lead - and doesn't Bracken know it! For the duration of the walk, Bracken is top dog and Sheba is there to be bombed. They say that every dog has its day: these occasions are Bracken's days!

Pam with Sheba at a show