A really
companionable and indispensable
dog is an "accident of
nature" - you cannot just
get one by breeding for it and
you cannot buy one with
money. They just
"happen along" and in
January 1986 I was lucky enough
to obtain Lex from Phyllis and
Ron Ogston of Ronphlora Kennels
in Dural, NSW.
Lex was more the old style of
Keeshond in appearance, dark in
coat but still with cream legs,
and light tail, and also with a
great natural gentleness and
intelligence. He was
wonderful with our other dogs,
cats and horses, he was in all
respects really one of those
"once in a lifetime"
dogs. He made the odd appearance
in the show ring and won a couple
of Best of Breed awards and some
challenge points. But the
showring was not his scene. His
main niche in life was as our
family companion and guard dog
and in this he was without
equal. He gave us 8 1/2
years of absolute love and
loyalty.
"Not
the least hard thing to
bear when they go from
us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away
with them so many years
of our own
lives. Yet,
if they find warmth
therein, who would grudge
them those years that
they have so
guarded? Nothing
else of us can they take
to lie upon with
outstretched paws and
chin pressed to the
ground: and what ever
they take: be sure they
have deserved "
(JOHN GALSWORTHY)
