Steve goes on safari.. Report of my trip to Kenya on 29/06/08. Steve Foran Mirrwood GSD.
I was asked if I could judge in Kenya for the East African GSD League in April 08. Fantastic I thought, maybe a chance to extend it at our own expense and take a holiday. Well that’s what I said to Lesley, what I didn't know was that the show was due on 29 June 08 and Lesley would have to stay here to look after our pups. Anyhow I agreed and looked forward to something new. I had never been to Africa before so this would be a chance to sample something different.
The weeks passed with many emails between me and the club and I eventually boarded my KLM flight to Amsterdam early in the morning changing there for Nairobi. Basically it is a fairly long trip flying more or less straight down the world. We landed and I ended up in amongst a load of American bible bashers, probably coming to save the world. Why is it that American people expect that the world must do things their way? The reason for my asking was that not one of these people had a bloody visa so the little man at immigration was having a lovely old time checking, stamping cards and collecting the fifty dollar entry bribe. Whereas little old me had followed the rules and obtained my visa about 3 weeks BEFORE I went from the Kenyan embassy. So I was basically waiting due to these idiots lack of rule following. Anyhow I got through and arrived at the baggage hall. Wow I have never seen so much unattended luggage all strewn all over the place. Anyhow my bag arrived and I then stepped into arrivals peering at all the waiting faces I somehow found Anna and Louvie and we were off.
We quickly made friends and Anna set off along in her estate car waiving away the attempted road block put in place by the police looking to try to extort a “ tax “ from visitors and locals alike. Nairobi is huge and not very well lit. I could see hundreds of people just kind of walking along, dodging the decidedly dodgy mini bus taxis as we headed for my base for the week with Frances.
Frances is of Scottish descent but was born and raised in Kenya. Daddy was something in the Foreign Office I think. She is one great lady and I really enjoyed my chats with her and my stay at her house. Her house is set in about 10 acres, she has horses and cows, plus dogs, peacocks and a troop of marauding monkeys which drive the dogs wild. Frances used to breed racehorses and she bred a superstar in the 80,s who won virtually everything at the time including their Gold Cup. I soon learned that life is dominated by the next meal. We had no sooner arrived when supper was served. Pumpkin soup, Thai chicken curry, apple crumble and coffee. Relaxing later after Anna and Louvie had left Frances told me of things there and wanted to know about me and my family. It was now about 10.30 pm and the journey was taking its toll so I excused myself to have a quick bath and go to bed. At this point Frances told me that if I was awakened in the night by an intruder, I should push the panic button??!!! Talk about don’t have nightmares!
The next day Anna took me to the baby elephant orphanage which was fantastic, although I don’t think I will trouble David Attenborough with my filming skills. Fortunately a visiting BA staff member showed me how to focus Liam’s camcorder and I got some great footage. We then had lunch before going to the showground to have a look at the ring and setting. I should add that the pineapple juice I had with lunch was very refreshing. That evening Frances had a dinner party which was very good. Jo-ash the new cook was doing a great job. I must say it takes some getting used to having your recently discarded clothes taken and washed and pressed every time.
I awoke strangely early to the sound of some distant drums, as I tried to focus I then realised that those were not drums but my bowels playing Saint Vitas dance as well as the birdie song and the oki ko ki at the same time. I made it to the loo, (just) and that set the pattern of my morning. I sat down for breakfast and decided I was not brave enough to attempt anything more than some dry toast. I could not believe it I am ALWAYS careful, and yet here I was about to judge and wondering how far the nearest loo would be to the ring or do I risk a major diplomatic incident and say that I have the black death and to leave me alone. The journey to the show ground was about 5 miles, 5 miles of major potholes, lumps, bumps and ruts. Oh bliss, how I held onto to the contents of my evening meal and breakfast is beyond me but I did. I sat down thinking how the hell I was going to cope, as I was offered bacon butties and coffee on my arrival at the ring. Oh my god! I found the loo and realised that I now had very severe tummy ache AND a very sore bottom. I could not have passed a cup of water, yet my body was defying all natural laws of gravity and I was now convinced that I had a new rare form of Lassa fever or maybe yellow swamp fever. Thinking how I could judge through the open window crack from the safety of the loo was uppermost in my mind at this point. Bravely, well I thought I was, I ventured from the relative safety of the toilet to inform Anna that I was not at my best and could she help? Luckily one of the exhibitors was either a chemist, a doctor or a drug dealer. Basically I didn’t care which but I was offered and I took the tablets I was offered. After about 2 hours I had managed to judge half of the males and I felt remarkably much better. The report on the dogs is at the end of the story.
That evening I got back to Frances and lied that I had already eaten, as shepherds pie was awaiting me you see. By the morning I felt much better and remarked casually about my little mount Vesuvius that had erupted from me the previous day. The blame was lain firmly at the door of the pineapple juice. See I told Lesley that beer was good for you, after I was informed that you are better with beer here in Kenya. We went back to the showground were we were surveying some of the adults. I was stoic in my action and thankfully no body had noticed how near to deaths door I had been the day before.
My day finished with the shepherds pie from the previous evening and very nice it was as well. Tuesday arrived with me taking the 15 seat plane to the Masai Mara for 24 hours on safari. Magnificent it was as well. I stayed at the Little Governors Camp which entails the 50 minute flight to the Mara, landing on the grass strip, a 3 km jeep ride to the River Mara crossing by boat and entry into the camp which is 17 tents around a large waterhole/swamp. This camp is not fenced so when you move around the site you must always be with an armed guard due to wild things like hippos and buffalo strolling around at will. We went out at 3.30pm and I got some great footage of leopard, lions, hyena, hippos, crocs etc fantastic. Evening meal then escorted back to my tent which is all plumbed in and top quality. As I climbed into bed I nearly died as my feet felt the touch of something warm and vaguely rubbery. I shot out of bed to the other side of my tent armed with a trusty mosquito spray and my trainer. On closer investigation it proved to be a hot water bottle. I fell asleep to the amazing sound of Africa outside at a guess crickets, toads and frogs. We arose at 6am for safari more footage of leopard, elephants, ostrich etc. Then it was time to get on board the little plane back to Nairobi.
On the Thursday I had a little time to go and see some warthogs that had invaded one of Frances friends’ garden, these pigs are half tame and they are fed all sorts. In the afternoon we had a 2 hour training session which I enjoyed but when I was doing my bit and running with this particular female, I could not believe how breathless I was. It’s the altitude; no wonder the Kenyans are good middle distance runners. That evening we went to a really nice Italian restaurant. Here I had a chance to talk with Heather Rawson-Mackenzie’s sister along with some of the lads and of course my host Anna. Sadly that was my lot as I had to be at the airport at 6am in the morning. We flew up Africa over the Nile then we flew over the massive desert just east of the Sahara. Straight up over the Med, a little bit of Sicily and then Sardinia and Corsica were clear on my left. Over the Alps and Lake Geneva before descent into the massive Schipol airport in Amsterdam. The problem being my 45 minute change over from gate 2 million and seven at Terminal Z to gate 2 at Terminal D. I made it but my bag didn’t. I was stood at the carousel along with one Asian guy and some Chinese travellers, who basically were trying to put the contents of 3 houses onto 1 little luggage trolley. I asked the Asian guy if he had been on the same flights as me from Kenya, he had, so we decided to report the missing baggage and get home. One thing that amazes me though who exactly owns the last four or five bags on the belt AFTER everyone has gone? My bag arrived safely home the next day.
All in all it was an amazing trip and I really enjoyed meeting the people like Anna, Linda, Louvie, Frances and everyone else. Something I will always treasure.
I have two stories to tell briefly. The first involves a grisly murder out in the country side. A lady was killed and it was many miles from the road. After 2 days the local tribesmen were called in with their tracker dogs. I am told that these dogs are tremendous and are a legend. Anyhow the dogs arrived at the house a full 2 days after the fact. Many doubted that anything could be done when you consider how particular the track layers are here in the UK when doing trials. Anyhow the two dogs a mother and son picked up something and they followed the scent all the way back to the road along the track from the farm. At the road they scoured up and down but nothing. So a truck was called and the dogs were let off the truck at every possible stopping point. After hours of this eventually the mum picked up something and they set off over stone, grass and even a few water courses. They arrived at a homestead where a brother of one of the staff was found and it was he that had committed the crime.
The second story involves two separate erstwhile UK based breeders who have previously sold dogs to Kenya. Both introduced themselves as honest upright people when they should have been wearing a three cornered hat and a mask. It seems that various things were promised from various breeding, when the dogs arrived different breeding and switched animals seems to have been the order of the day. The people in Kenya had paid a fair amount and should have been treated fairly; however they were basically ripped off and left with a nasty taste. One of these two characters was confronted at Crufts at some point and the answer was you win some you lose some. Not the first time I have had this name and this pattern of events involving members of the commonwealth. The other person is no longer in the breed. On the other hand trusty types like Uday Jani, Joe Summerhill, Eddie and Joyce, Nikki Farley, Davy and Joan Hall have all exported dogs to Kenya and helped to establish a really good breeding programme which is reflected in the quality of the animals in Kenya. These are to be congratulated. Well done and thank you for a great time.
Steve Foran Mirrwood GSD
0161 483 9388
stephenforan@thinkpositive.co.uk
The show results with critiques
East Africa GSD League Champ Show 29/6/08. Judge – Steve Foran Mirrwood GSD (UK )
I would like to thank the club for inviting me to Kenya. A tremendous experience I must say. Thank you to Anna, Frances, Linda, Gottfried and Luvai for looking after me so well and making my trip so enjoyable. I arrived on the day that Lynn Dance died and I know how much that affected everyone. Keep up the good work as you have some very good dogs, a great set up and tremendous drive amongst the handlers and show goers.
Minor Puppy Dog Nil ent
Puppy Dog 4 ent
1) Skaga Jupiter ( Paolo v Emkendorfer Park x Beila of Kahuru ) 8 month black and pale gold pup. He is tall of good general appearance. Good head and expression. Good tight feet and good bone strength. The upper arm is of good length and lay. He has a nice topline flowing from neck, wither, back and croup. Good hindquarters. Good underline. He was shown in good condition. When he gaits he tends to fall a little on the forehand. Graded Very Promising.
2) Kilele Get Cruising ( Rafeye Xello x Kilele Biggi ) 10 months old black and pale gold pup.. He has a good head and expression with a nice dark eye. The upper arm is long but could be better angled. Normal wither, firm back flowing into a somewhat short croup. Very good hindquarters. He is a little close behind and has a slight kink in the tail. Very Promising.
3) Skag Igor ( Pinot v Riedschlurgi x Skaga Esther ) 8 months black and gold male of medium size and strength. The head could be a little stronger. He has a good coat. Good feet and bone, well angled upper arm. He has a good overline, good hindquarters and a good underline. He is firm throughout. He has good rear drive but needs better forereach. Very Promising.
4)
Junior Dog 8 ent 2 abs.
1) Skaga Piko (Paolo v Emkendorfer Park x Pepsi v Spechterberg ) 14 month medium size dog of medium strength. Good head and expression. Dark eye. The upper arm could be better angled. He has a good wither, clean top line and a nice long croup. Very good hind quarters. He shows excellent gait when asked to move a little faster. Graded Very Good.
2) Kilele Drago ( Rafeye Erasmus x Sudchesire Amber ) 17 months Top size male. Black and bright gold in colour. He has a an excellent head and expression. Good feet, good bone, the upper arm could be better angled. He has a good wither, clean overline and a long croup. A good underline and good hindquarters. He tends to raise his tail a lot. Very Good.
3) Beems Mwewe ( Phoenix Quando x Beems Feline)13 months of age. He has a very good head and expression. Good tight feet and good bone. He is a little close in elbows. He has a long well laid upper arm. Good wither and overline, but he has a short croup. Good hindquarters. His movement is ok. Very Good.
Novice Dog 7 ent 1abs
1) Clay of Kahuru ( Merlin v Osterbergerland x Konni v Phonix-See) !8 months male. Very striking male of great presence. He is of correct medium size but with good strength. Black and tan in colour with an excellent coat. Very good head and expression. He has excellent tight feet, good bone strength, very good upper arm, with a lovely overline. Very good croup and good hindquarters. He covers the ground well and is of true shepherd type. On the debit side he needs to firm a little in the hocks. Graded Very Good and Res CC.
2) Monalisa Erich ( Ch Godalis Bandit x Fabien v Cohinor). 3 years of age. Upper medium size and strength. Good head and expression. The eye needs to be a little darker. Normal feet, good upper arm angle and length. Good wither slight nick behind the wither is evident. The croup is a little short. He has good hindquarters. Very Good.
3) Mechal Mercury ( Ch Kilele Amir x Monalisa Dael) 2 years 6 months. A dog of medium size and strength. Good head and expression. He needs to carry more coat. The upper arm is adequate. Normal wither and overline. Good croup and hindquarters. He also has a tidy underline. Graded Very Good.
Limit Dog 8 ent 2 abs.
1) Teejay v Mattenburcherland ( Ex v Arline x Xandra v Rheinblick) 2 years 4 month of age. Black and Tan dog of excellent medium size and strength. Good head and expression although the eye could be a little darker in colour. The feet are a little long. The bone shape is good and matches the dog. Good overline but the croup is a bit steep. Good hindquarters. Firm back. Good movement. Graded Very Good.
2) Cuba of Nasrudin at Bendel ( Yaso v Sendling x Pasash of Nasrudin) 23 months of age. Black and Gold dog who is top size and of medium strength. Good feet and bone well angled upper arm. Clean over line but he has a short croup. Good hindquarters. Good underline. He tends to stand with his front feet east/west. Very Good.
3) Matador Macho ( Ch Kilele Amir x Monalisa Dael) Medium size and strength. Black and gold male. Good head and expression. Good feet and bone. Good wither, overline, croup and good hindquarters. When compared to 2 he does not show the same drive.
Open Dog 6 ent
1) Godalis Atlas ( Vando v Moorbeck x Gerie aus Wattenscheid). 7 years of age and fully mature. Black and gold. He is upper medium size and of good strength. Good head and expression. He could use a darker mask.Good feet and bone strength. The wither flows into a nice easy top line and onto a good long croup. Very good hindquarters and a good underline. He has very good proportions. When he walks and moves to a faster pace he belies his years and shows a great outline and was a worthy winner of the Dog CC. Excellent.
2) Kilele Axel (Godalis Atlas x Ch Rafeye Yana) 4 years of age. Black and gold male of upper medium size and strength. A good head but like his father he needs more mask. He has good bone. A long upper arm. He has a good wither, clean outline and a long croup. He has good hindquarters. Typey to his father. Excellent.
3) Taji v Ferrenbach of Bendel ( Xavier v d Kahler Heide x Wenke v Ferrenbach) 4 years of age. Black and gold male. Upper medium size. Good strength and good proportions. Good head, but the underjaw could be stronger. He has good bone, long upper arm with a normal wither. His overline is generally good but the croup is short and the tailset untidy. He tends to raise his tail on the move. Excellent.
Veteran Dog 2 ent
1) Godalis Atlas. Report for winner of open dog.
2) Godalis Argus ( Vando v Moorbeck x Gerie aus Wattensheid) Litter brother of the Open and Veteran dog winner.Black and Gold, upper medium size with good strength. Very good head and expression. The eye is little light in colour. Good feet and bone. Good front, normal wither, good clean overline and a very good croup. Not as sprightly as his brother. He needs more drive and better forereach. He has a slight nick behind the withers and is a few pounds over weight. Excellent.
Minor Puppy Bitch. 3 ent
1) Skaga Karma ( Ch Kilele Arno x Chiesa of Kahuru ) 4 month old. A little adult. Black and gold. Nice feminine head and expression. One ear has not yet firmed up. Very good bone and noteworthy proportions. Good condition. Good overline and good croup. Very Promising.
2) Schlossblick Betty (Ch Kilele Arno x Tess v Strothetal) 5 months sable. Good size, good head and expression. Good feet and bone. Good upper arm, wither and overline. Nice long limbs. Very Promising.
3) Schlossblick Beauty ( Litter sister of 2). Sable who needs more coat. Very good pigment. The bone is a little fine, short upper arm and a little straight in front. Good wither, overline and croup. Totally unruly and needs time to mature. Very Promising.
Puppy Bitch 5 ent.
1) Kilele Gerie ( Rafeye Xello x Kilele Biggi) 11 months old female of lovely size and strength. Good pigment. Good forehand, wither and overline flowing into a very good croup. Good hindquarters. Nice female Very Promising.
2) Skaga Jade ( Paolo v Emkendorfer Park x Beila of Kahuru).11 months of age. Medium size ans medium strength. Good head and expression. Good feet and bone. Good upper arm, good wither and nice over line. Good croup and hindquarters. Loose in elbows. Very Promising.
3) Beems Ziko ( Phoenix Quando x Beems Sendy) A feminine graceful female. She is tall but of medium strength. Good head. Black and pale gold. The upper arm could be better laid. She is a shade stretched. She has good lines and a shortish but well laid croup. She shows nice rhythmic gait. Very Promising
Junior Bitch 7 ent 2 abs.
1) Nany Z Udoli Ediny ya Qna ( Piko Bret-Bett x Ingrid Z etc ) 14 month All black female of excellent size and strength. Very good proportions. Very good head with a nice dark eye. Good expression. Very good feet and bone strength. A well laid upper arm, good wither and top line leading into a good croup of good length. Very good hindquarters and a very harmonious mover. Very good.
2) Kilele Fiona ( Baluto of Kahuru x Ch Rafeye Yana).15 months of age. Feminine head and expression. Upper medium size and strength. Good feet and bone. Long upper arm, normal wither, good top line leading into a nice long croup. Good rear quarters. Very Good.
3) Kilele Fantasia ( Litter sister of 2). A tall black and gold female very much like her sister, good head and expression with a nice dark eye. She needs more chest development. Everything virtually the same except the croup is not as long as 2. Very Good.
Novice Bitch 11 ent 6abs.
1) Clara of Kahuru ( Merlin v Osterbergerland x Konni v Phonix See) 18 months. A very nice female a litter brother of the Res CC winner. Very much like her brother. Medium size and strength. Black and tan. Very good head and expression. The eye colour should be darker. Very good bone strength. Very good upper arm, good wither, good croup and strong hindquarters. A nice female and worthy Res Cc winner. Very Good
2) Monalisa Germaine ( Ch Kilele Arno x Monalisa Dina) 2 years of age, medium size and strength. Black and gold female. Good head and expression. The upper arm is rather straight. Normal wither, good overline and a good croup. Nice hindquarters. Very Good.
3) Skaga Bobo ( Godalis Atilla x Konighaus Aphrodite) 3 years of age top size female. Good head and expression. Good general proportions. The upper arm could be longer and better laid. The overall topline is pleasing and she has very good hindquarters. Very Good
Limit Bitch 8 ent 2 abs
1) Bebe Pearly ( Ch Godalis Bandit x Bendel Sana) 3 years correct size female of medium size and strength. Very good, nice feminine head and expression, very good proportions and very balanced. All my notes say very good, very good, very good. A very good female who excels in most areas and rated Excellent.
2) Zenja v Mattenbergerland ( Ex v Arline x Puck v Haus Hagendoorn) Litter sister of the bitch who was 5th in Novice. 20 months black and gold female of medium size and strength. Very good head and expression. Good feet and bone. The upper arm could be ideally longer. Normal wither, good overline leading into a nice long well laid croup. Good hindquarters. Fluent mover. Graded Very Good due to age.
3) Schantel v Osterbergerland of Kahuru ( Pakros D,Ulmental x Holly v Osterbergerland). 2 years of age, upper medium size and matching strength. Black and pale gold female in the Osterbergerland female mould.. Very good head and expression. Good bone and feet, good upper arm length and lay. Normal wither, good overline although the croup tends to fall away. Good hindquarters but loose in the left hock and a little restricted in the forereach. Excellent.
Open Bitch 4 ent
1) Kilele Biggi ( Rafeye Erasmus x Ch Rafeye Yana)2 years 6 months female of very harmonious appearance. Black and deep gold female very typical of a top quality shepherd female. Upper medium size and matching strength. Very good head and expression. Good tight feet, nice bone, good upper arm length and lay. Very pleasing pigment. Nice wither and overline, very good croup length and lay. Good hindquarters. She walks well, she covers the ground well at the faster pace. She is well trained and very well presented. A pleasing female graded excellent and Bitch CC.
2) Konighaus Gloria ( Godalis Brando x Godalis Anka) 3 years of age female. Medium size and strength and good general proportions. Good head and expression. Good bone and feet. The upper arm could be longer. Normal wither, clean overline leading into a well laid croup. Good hindquarters. Excellent.
3) Ch Godalis Dion ( Valiserins Beau Geste x Ch Segastar Monsoon). 5 years upper medium size black and gold female. Good head but the eye could be darker. Good feet and bone but would prefer a better laid upper arm, good well defined wither leading into a shortish croup. Good hindquarters. A little disinterested and not really very dynamic movement. However I see that she belongs to Lynne Dance and maybe this caused the problems on the day. Excellent.
Veteran Female 2 ent
1) Ch Godalis Bonnie ( Rikkor v Bad Boll x Grit v Haus Zieglmayer) At 7 years and 6 months of age a beautiful female. Top size black and rich gold in colour. Good head and expression. Dark eye. Feminine. Very good condition. Good feet and bone. Very pleasing upper arm, good wither slight behind the wither. The croup is a little steep and she could use more turn of stifle. Good movement and nothing too much or too little with this female. Excellent
2) Ch Valiserins Bali KCD Ex Kud Ex. ( Nanno v Aduct x Quicksi x Sheraton). 8 years of age and I believe kennel mate of the winner. Black and gold upper medium size female in lovely condition. Good general proportions. Very good upper arm. Good withers and overline leading into a good croup. Good hindquarters. Excellent.
Best Puppy Skaga Jupiter
Best Junior Nany Z Udoli Ediny
Dog CC Godalis Atlas
Res CC Clay of Kahuru
Bitch CC Kilele Biggi
Res Cc Clara of Kahuru
Best of Breed Kilele Biggi