The early hours of this morning brought the arrival of the latest member of the Owen clan. Baby Keira Louise was brought into the world by her very clever Mummy Leanne (After a lot of very hard work.) and Daddy Keith, at 1.49am. Weighing a bonny 8lbs 3oz. Both mum and baby are doing fine. Pictured: A very proud Grandad, sharing a first cuddle with little Keira Louise. CONGRATULATIONS FROM GRANDAD AND NAIN OWEN....

After two days of frazzled nerves and hair pulling (mine not the dogs...!). Our two Afghans were finally ready for Crufts. We arrived  at the NEC in Birmingham, at the crack of dawn with greatful thanks to my long suffering chauffer husband Taff, safely and in plenty of time to settle the dogs down before the Show began. And what a spectacle with over 22,000 dogs ready to battle it out for the ultimate trophy, (155 of which were Afghan Hounds)  and over 400 stalls to 'seriously bankrupt you...!' A doggie lovers heaven! We had three Hakmet bred dogs entered this year, Kabul, Ashraf and Litter Sister Lydia, (Co-owned and loved by Mrs Claire Kirk and Mr John Mort). When the Yearling dogs were finally called into the ring, my heart was going like a steam train, I had to calm myself down or I would be transmitting my nerves to the other end of the lead. So as we stepped out onto the green carpet and  a few deep breaths later, I got a handle on the shakes and am very proud to say that Kabul, bless his little cotton socks, showed very well and gained a third place and giving us our fisrt card in the biggest and best dog show in the world. I felt as though I had won the lottery. It was a moment I doubt I will forget in a hurry. Pictured Above Left: Kabul On The Move. Right: Judge: Mrs D Waterman, Writting Critique. Alas, I am afraid to say that Ashraf could not repeat his brother's success, he failed to make the final cut in Under Graduate Dog but we both enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. It was good experience for us both. Lydia, the boys little sister gained a V.H.C in Graduate Bitch, under judge: Mrs P. A Latimer. Well done to the Hakmet clan.

Excitement is building as I get the dogs ready for Crufts 2007. As Kabul and Ashraf head off for the National Exhibition Centre with us tomorrow at some un-godly hour. Amenti and Ayesha will be barking their heads off in Kennels and having a great time with all the other dogs deposited there while their owners join the annual pilgrimage to Birmingham. I shall be up to my eyes in shampoo and conditioner very shortly as I prepare Kabul for the big day. I bathed Ashraf yesterday and he looks georgeous, even if I do say so myself. Of course I could be just a tad biased....! But here is below and right, Me with Ash showing off his specially made collar for Crufts.

We all just need to keep our fingers crossed now....

 Pinnawela Elephant

Orphanage

One of the first things we did in Sri Lanka was to visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in Kegalla and I am really glad we opted for this trip. It was well worth the long drive from Negombo, where we were staying. They have 76 elephants, adults and quite a few babies. The elephants are allowed to roam more or less freely over a large acreage of land. You can walk in amongst them and even pet them for a small fee...! The Mahoots are on hand, should the elephants decide to charge. However, I didn't have much confidence that their sharp pointy  sticks would be of much protection if they really took a dislike to something.     If you make the visit yourself, I strongly advise you keep your wits about you and wear sensible foot wear as the ground is covered with bits to trip on. More information can be found on the following link.       Elephants at Pinnawela elephant orphanage                                                                                                                                                           

On our return home, we were delighted to find out that Chester Zoo has donated a large sum of money to help firstly the people of Sri Lanka and the Elephants in the Orphanage, following the dreadful Tsunami. Find out more by clicking the link.       Chester Zoo

  This was the First Sunset of The New Year.

  A Lovely Welcome To 2007 

This was the last sunset of 2006 and what a beauty.

     WELCOME TO

 MIRIHI

The most beautiful   Island on this planet......!  

When we win Euro Millions....

IT'S OURS.....!

I wonder how many people have said that? We were lucky enough to make a return visit to Mirihi after our first trip to the Maldives last year. However this time we did it properly and stayed over Christmas and New Year. On arrival you just kick off your shoes and   relaaxx...........! You don't need to put them on again until the day you leave, (which I guarantee will be difficult, it's like leaving much loved  and dear old friend....). Everyone goes around barefoot and it's 'Ohhhh so good'.

My Eagle Experience was another birthday gift from my husband Taff. I was a little dubious about it a first, as I am not to keen on birds up close. There was another couple sharing the experience with me and we were all taken care of by Falconer Andy ......... He was really good at putting us at out ease with the birds especially the bigs ones like the sea eagle etc. The day was really enjoyable and was over far too quickly.

Keeper For The Day At  

  Chester Zoo 2006

Chris, With 'Rafters' The zoo's latest Baby Giraffe......!

I count myself privileged to have been able to do this,   as Taff very kindly bought me a Keeper For The Day Package for Christmas 2006. It was a wonderful day, very hard work but a real hands on high for me. Part of my duties, (as well as collecting Wolf pooh...! YUK!), included bottle feeding Rafters, the baby giraffe. For such an enormous animal, he was incredibly gentle. His breath was a  whisper against my ear  when he bent down to check me out. I was a bit wary when I first went in with him, as he was  big even for a baby! So I stuck rigidly to everything his real keepers told me to do and more importantly 'what not to do'. I need not have worried though, as I live to tell the tale. When I   was actually bottle feeding him, he nearly took me off  my feet  he was sucking the bottle so vigorously.  It  was an absolutely foul day weather wise, very heavy rain all day. However, I am pleased to say it could not and did not dampen my spirits one little bit...!