Tue 20 Jan 2009

My First Art Exhibition - The Arts House Gallery, Old Parliament House (15 - 18 Jan 2009)

This is a brand new year, and it has started off well. I can't believe it but I held my first Art Exhibition with a few other artists - a Japanese, a French, two Koreans, a Filipino, and a few Singaporeans - in a very beautiful venue: The Arts House Gallery.

I enjoyed it very much. The arts circle is a very polite and pleasant community; and about 350 people attended the Opening Night on Thu 15 Jan 2009. Thanks to everyone - friends, colleagues, neighbours, relatives, and family - who came to lend me your support. Yes, I am going to continue painting! And thanks to Seok Yam for taking the nice photos that you see here. Enjoy the "Courage" Collection!

(I am off to Auckland, NZ for a vacation over the Lunar New Year ... )

"Courage : to berry the past" (Dec 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 30" X 30", arnold tan)	"Courage : to ketchup with time" (Dec 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 36" X 26", arnold tan)
"Courage : to water new seeds" (Nov 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 26" X 30", arnold tan)	"Courage : to pepper life again" (July 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 22" X 22", arnold tan)
"Courage : to burn with desire" (Nov 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 36" X 20", arnold tan)	"Happiness is Painting."
"Happiness is being able to Create."	"I do like this Strawberry, I must admit."
"And people I really enjoy being with ... great friends, family and relatives."
(All photos courtesy of Chew Seok Yam)

Sun 19 Oct 2008

My New Paintings (June - Oct 2008 Works)

I've been busy painting. And bravely moving on to larger canvasses now. Different styles and different subjects.

Firstly, an intepretation of a humble Capsicum and the courage to present it boldly, as if finding an old familiar voice again. "Courage, Again (2008)" is a favourite with my family and close friends.

The exquisite Toy Poodle - one of my favourite breeds - perfectly constructed, intelligent, with that unique hard coat texture which to the eye, appears deceptively soft. Appropriately entitled, "Life Imitating Art (2008)".

"Keep Walking (2008)" is self-talk. You see the light at the end of the path? I do. The forest has to end somewhere in life.

Painting the pair of Wooden Ducks in a wooden box was interesting because I enjoyed studying the light and shadow. "Don't Duck in the Box (2008)" is a painting of a promising future. It shows them coming out of the darkness into the light, their faces brighter and happier.

"Plump-Kins (2008)" is my first gift to someone since I started painting in January this year. I took a very long time to paint it. (In fact, I still want to do more work on it, before sending it to the framer.) After all, it is a gift for my wonderful sister, Kathleen and her family: Thim her sweet-natured husband, and their two brilliant and very well-brought up sons, Bryan, 20 and Brandon, 18. This painting was done for their dining room. They have a great sense of humour, and are, hmmm .... shall I say a bit on the heavy side, so I know they'll like the title I've given to this painting!

Enjoy my new works!

"Courage : to pepper life again" (July 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 22" X 22", arnold tan)

"Life Imitating Art" (June 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 22" X 22", arnold tan) Acknowledgment: painting based on a photo of Toy Poodle, American, International, JKC Champion Smash Win A Victory "Vikki"

"Keep Walking" (August 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 30" X 24", arnold tan)

"Don't Duck in the Box" (August 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 24" X 24", arnold tan)

"Plump-Kins" (Sep/Oct 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 24" X 24", arnold tan)

Tue 14 Oct 2008

Introducing my new baby Lutino Cockatiel - "Blusher"

Having bred quite a lot of Budgerigars as a teenager, and having seen my late brother Michael with his beautiful African Grey Parrots, Amazons and Macaws, I knew I'd want to own a small parrot some day.

And after a fairly long search for a good home breeder in Singapore, I finally collected my baby Cockatiel from her breeder, Selena, when the bird was 8 weeks old in September 2008. I named her "Blusher" for an obvious reason. She is a Lutino (yellow), can't talk yet but loves looking at herself in the mirror. Thanks Ryan for introducing Selena to me.

I suspect Blusher's first words will be "Good girl, Martina!" and "Good boy, Cosmo!" because that's what she hears all the time. She has brought me a lot of happiness; like all parrots, she's funny! I love animals!!!

"Blusher"- 12 weeks old. (Photo taken on 11 Oct 2008)	"Blusher" with her millet spray on the ficus tree in my garden.

Sat 4 Oct 2008

Cosmo is 10 Years Old Today!!!

This is one of those days I've been looking forward to for some years now: Cosmo's 10th Birthday! He is a very human-like dog. On the day he arrived as a 13-month old youngster from Sydney in November 1999, I told myself there's a person living in this dog: he has the most expressive eyes, knows exactly what I'm thinking, never does a single thing wrong, and "communicates" with me all the time.

I spent tonight with him in my bedroom (and trying to get Martina to wait for the Birthday Boy to start eating first, before she does!), went really close to his face and ears to thank him for his friendship. I thought it was strange that I had used the word "friendship" but that was the very word that spontaneously came to my mind. After all, he has been a true friend - a very, very loyal one.

Cosmo was always meant to be my dog; I have never doubted this. The connection we have is unreal. I kissed him on his face many times tonight. I carried him in my arms and rocked him like a baby, but not for very long because he's really quite heavy and I have a bad back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY HANDSOME AND GOOD SON! All my Love and Hugs, Daddy.

Cosmo and Martina waiting for the birthday dinner to start.	Their favourite food.
Cosmo's the Birthday Boy, so he gets to start first. For a 10 year old, he still looks really beautiful!!!	My two children. They make me feel so proud of them.
Always the well-mannered gentleman.	10 Candles. Happy Birthday, Son!!!
"Yes, I know my face is going all white. We like to age gracefully in this home."	That very handsome chiselled head. He is SO handsome.
"Thank you Auntie Seok Yam for my new collar. After I saw what Martina got from you last month for her Birthday, I was hoping you would send one to me too. THANK YOU! (Bark)"	After the party: the look of contentment while I do the dishes. The best children anyone could ever ask for. They bring me so much happiness and stability in my life.

Mon 15 Sep 2008

Martina Turns 11 Years Old Today...

My child. She is 11 years old today. In human years, she is approximately 77 years old now.

Her face is white, but her hearing is still good. Her eyesight, I've observed, is starting to fail. I know she loves to go for walks, so being her special day today, I took her and Cosmo out. We walked up the street here, turned into the next road and came home. Not far at all, of course. The idea being just to make her happy on her Birthday.

Martina's legs are wobbly now, but she wagged her tail when she saw the leash in my hand. During the short walk, she ambled along slowly but ever so elegantly.

We came home and I got her little yearly party ready. Just she, Cosmo and me in my bedroom. Auntie Seok Yam bought for her a new hound collar from the US recently. "Thank you Auntie Seok", Martina says. I give Cosmo and Martina a kiss on their forehead tonight, and I carry Martina in my arms for a while, like a baby. I just want her to know I love her so much. You know something? I know she knows that, from the way she licked my nose tonight. That is all we both needed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY CHILD! All my love, Daddy.

My child on my bed tonight.	No surprises - it's exactly what she likes: mince beef, frozen mutton, raw chicken wings, begging strips and a butter cake.
Helping herself.		So obedient, as always.
Cosmo and Martina. She's chewing on a piece of mutton cube. "Delicious!"		She loves to eat her birthday cake.
My two kids - the best children in the world! (all photos taken on Mon 15 Sep 2008)		After the party - with her new collar! (We look forward to her 12th Birthday next year...)

Mon 19 May 2008

Something different on my canvass this time. A blue and white china bowl and an off-white pashmina on an old table. This is a quiet and contemplative painting, and I discovered, during the process of creating it (which happened from April until mid-May) that I actually do enjoy capturing exacting details like those found on the bowl.

I am calling this painting: "One Chinese Immigrant" because we can, metaphorically speaking, fill an empty Chinese bowl with all types of food; it doesn't always have to be rice, does it? And interestingly, it's only when a bowl is empty, that we see our "inner reflections".

"One Chinese Immigrant" (May 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 20" X 16", arnold tan)

Sat 3 May 2008

Vogue is now a GRAND CHAMPION!!!

Vogue and I had a nice weekend at the Championship Shows last Sunday. One judge was Mr Jack Ireland (Canada) and the other was Mr Ekarat Sangkunakup (Thailand). For both shows, Vogue won both Bitch Challenge Certificates, both Best of Breed, both Best in Hound Group!!! She went on to win Best in Show 2nd Runner-up under Mr Ekarat.

With that, Vogue is now a Singapore Grand Champion! And will officially be known as:

Multi Best in Show, AKU Asian Champion, Aust Champion, & Spore Grand Champion
Taejaan Strike A Pose (Imp Aust)

Louise Chng wins 1st for Junior Handling Competition!

Congratulations to Louise for winning 1st in the Junior Handling Competition at this show under Mr Ekarat! Winner of the Junior Handler of the Year 2007 title, she piloted Vogue to perfection this time and as usual, had that lovely smile on her face. Always a joy to watch you in the ring, whether it's with a spritely Jack Russel Terrier, a happy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or an elegant Whippet. Keep it up, young lady! I am so proud of you!!!

Tue 1 April 2008

March 2008 was spent thinking about various important people in my life ... my best friends who have all emigrated to either San Francisco or Melbourne. Hence, the painting: "Where Are My Best Friends?". I love this painting because it was tedious to do - the details reminded me of how my best friends and I know each other so well, right down to the minute details of our geographically-separated yet mentally-connected lives.

The single stalk of red rose is for my late Mother because I still think of her a few times each day. I named it: "For Mommy" because it says what is in my heart. The comforting thing is that I know she knew we all loved her very much when she was with us.

"Alone" and "Calla My Life Again" are pieces which have personal significance only to me.

Sorry, my doggy friends, I have no news about dogshows as the hobby is really taking a backseat in my life now.

"Where Are My Best Friends?" (March 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 18" X 14", arnold tan)
"For Mommy" (March 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 18" X 10", arnold tan)	"Calla My Life Again" (March 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 18" X 10", arnold tan)
"Alone" (March 2008) (Oil on Canvass, 18" X 14", arnold tan)
"A New Beginning" (2008) Life is too short not to do the things you've always dreamed about .... (arnold tan, 2008)
Scroll down to see other works done in January - February 2008

Tue 12 February 2008

My New Life 2008 Onwards - Oil Painting

Today is a special day because I've decided to share with you what I've been doing since 2008 started. It will allow you a glimpse of what I've been doing in my life ... quiet weekends alone in my room painting. I can't quite describe to you what I feel except that painting gives me a sense of peace, of being able to capture the beauty I see before my eyes. And perhaps, most of all, of a romance that all the painters in centuries past must have felt.

I have always loved dogs and painting - since I was a kid - but along the way, it was obvious showing dogs became my only focus (besides school, and then work, of course) for 30 years from 1977 - 2007.

Now that "The Great Martina" who, by the way, will be 11 years old, has won everything and more that I've always dreamed about, I have decided to take up oil painting seriously. The difference is, there is no "Best in Show" in my world of painting. I just try to make my painting, a "Better in Show" than the last one I did. Not for a judge, but for myself and my loved ones.

I want to thank Seok Yam for re-kindling the latent interest I've always had in painting; and accomplished artist, Mr Sam Teo, for mentoring and encouraging me to paint; and above all, for helping me to discover the JOY of a gift that could only have come from one person - GOD.

Enjoy what I'm calling.... "the artnold tan gallery".

"A Healthy Past-Time" (2008) (Oil on canvass. 10" X 8" each, arnold tan)
"Thirsting to Paint" (2008) (Oil on Canvass, 12" X 16", arnold tan)
"Concentrated Juice " (2008) (Oil on Canvass, 10" X 8", arnold tan)
"Quite A-Peeling" (2008) (Oil on Canvass, 10" X 8", arnold tan)
"Pair O'Pears" (2008) (Oil on Canvass, 10" X 8", arnold tan)
"Still Gr-appleing " (2008) (Oil on Canvass, 10" X 8", arnold tan)
"A New Beginning" (2008) Life is too short not to do the things you've always dreamed about .... (arnold tan, 2008)

Sat 17 November 2007

Jonny wins Reserve Best in Group!!!

Taejaan Walk The Line (Jonny) who is owned by my friend Seok Yam won Best of Breed under Mr Maurice Le Cussan and then Reserve Best in Group!! It will be a memorable day for Jonny and his owner who loves him to bits (OK, this doesn't quite describe it actually. She brings a hot flask to contain Jonny's chicken so he doesn't go hungry. Now you get the idea.)

Jonny (Taejaan Walk The Line) Right after winning Dog Challenge, Best of Breed & Reserve Best in Hound Group Judge: Mr Maurice Le Cussan (Australia)	Jonny - showing the correct balance, lovely flowing lines, and what a whippet should be: a moderate breed. One's eye is not attracted to any specific part of a whippet but to the entire whole. And, if only you could see him move! Photos: by Chew Seok Yam

It was his debut show and winning the Dog Challenge Certificate in a highly competitive class under a Judge who is renowned for his extensive knowledge on "Correct Conformation Influencing Movement" was nice! (By the way, I had already booked a seat at Mr Le Cussan's post-show lecture, which I had heard so much about from overseas doggy friends, weeks ahead of this show, and suffice to say this man knows does KNOW a lot about what a good dog should be and is a fount of knowledge.) Well done Jonny!! The best is yet to be!!!

Lulu wins Reserve Challenge Cerificate!

Mal Ch Highmarcs Giselle (Lulu) who is co-owned with Richard Wee won Reserve Challenge Certificate under Mr Maurice Le Cussan. Thanks to Lee Kok Hoong who came with Gopi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to handle her so superbly.

Star wins Best Singapore Whelped Whippet & Best Singapore Whelped in Hound Group!

Scizzorhands Darth Vader (Star) who is co-owned with Mrs Irene Ong won Best Singapore Whelped & Best Singapore Whelped in Hound Group under Mr Maurice Le Cussan. This was his first show out and it was fun to show a puppy that I bred 5 years ago.

Vogue has Babies

Vogue is now the proud mother of 4 beautiful puppies - 2 girls and 2 boys. Their sire, owned by Roneil Soh, is a Best in Show Champion by Canadian Champion Ludah Louis Armstrong (Imp Canada) and out of American Champion Countrywinds Wendy Darling (Imp USA). This ties in very well with Vogue's pedigree as her sire is American & Australian Champion Countrywinds Whozever, who is the litter brother of American Champion Countrywinds Wendy Darling!

Vogue's 4 Beautiful Puppies (12 days old) - now you know why we're happy.
Baby Girl (pretending to be a show dog ..haha!)	Baby Boy (Sleeping ....Zzzzzzzzz)

The 4 healthy puppies arrived on 16 Oct 2007. With their great-grand sire being the all-time, big-winning American Champion Sportingfields Jazz Fest, a whippet I have always admired, I am dedicating this litter to him (he is now 14 years old, I believe) with these names for the 4 puppies:

Highmarcs Jazz Another Fest
Highmarcs Jazz An Oktober Fest
Highmarcs Jazz A Jewel Fest
Highmarcs Jazz A Dance Fest

Tue 18 September 2007

Lots to update as I've not done anything on this website for more than half a year. Enjoy the news we have for you since Feb 2007.

Special Gift of an Oil Painting of Martina & Cosmo

The stunningly beautiful oil painting you see of Martina & Cosmo on my Home Page and here was done specially by my friend, Miss Chew Seok Yam. When I saw the completed painting, it brought tears to my eyes. (and this was in a public place called a dog show on 26 Aug 2007!) A fellow whippet exhibitor who saw the masterpiece in her hands expressed an interest to purchase it immediately.

"Children" Oil on Canvass, 20" X 23" by Chew Seok Yam, 2007 "I must say I really enjoyed painting Cosmo. He really has such an interesting face! It's just so full of character - he looks anxious and inquisitive at the same time. Madam Beauty Queen of course looks regal and demure! " Chew Seok Yam, 20 Aug 2007

You see, back in 2001, a year after the photo on which this painting is based was taken, I took the photo with me to Thailand in search of an artist who could capture the 'soul and spirit' of my two kids. I knew some day these two children of mine will no longer be here with me, and I wanted a beautiful painting of them to remember them by. To immortalise them, so to speak. Seok Yam, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for the many nights you spent painting it, and for your quest for perfection to paint till you had captured the 'soul and spirit' of my two wonderful children. Naturally, some people at the dog show asked me where Seok Yam's Gallery is located. I loved the look on their faces when I told them she's not an artist by profession and that she's actually a lawyer. Some people are born intelligent and talented; not many though. THANKS A MILLION, SEOK YAM!!!

My Martina is 10 Years Old Today!!! (Sat 15 Sep 2007)

Martina celebrated her 10th Birthday today. Born exactly a decade ago on 15 Sep 1997, Martina is now enjoying her golden years, and well, really doing nothing much except just sleeping a lot, which is what she deserves. I thought I should also let you know she's quietly happy that her 2 beautiful daughters, Lulu and Precious, are doing her proud in show rings overseas!

In other words, Martina is not just that record-breaking, big-winning dog, she's shown us she's also a producer. Happy 10th Birthday, my Special Girl!!! Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life ... Read below for the exciting news of what Lulu and Precious have been up to.

Martina - 10 years old today!!! You have to agree she looks very good for her age. I think it's because she's well fed and cared for, and knows she's very loved and treasured. (photos taken 15 Sep 07)

Martina helping herself to her Birthday Cake. And sharing her Birthday meal with her best friend, Cosmo.
10 Candles.	Best friends forever.	Cosmo. He will be 9 years old on 4 Oct 2007. Handsome boy!

Martina's 2 Beautiful Daughters are now Champions in Malaysia and the Philippines!!!

I am proud to announce that we have HighMarcs Champions in Malaysia and the Philippines now.

Malaysian Champion HighMarcs Giselle ("Lulu")	Philippines Champion HighMarcs Coppelia ("Precious")

Malaysian Champion HighMarcs Giselle ("Lulu")

I'd like to thank my handler extraordinaire friend Lee Kok Hoong for caring, loving and campaigning Miss Lulu to her Malaysian title. I sent Lulu to Lee in Malaysia for a year in March 2007 as that was what I thought would be a reasonable time for her to become a Champion in a country where there are some top quality whippets from around the world.

Little did I expect that she would do that not in one year, but in only one weekend (!!!) with 4 Championship Shows in June 2007. Her wins are particularly exciting for me as her breeder because her Challenge Certificates were awarded by a very international group of Judges:

- Mr Aramis Joey Lim, AUSTRALIA (3rd MKA International Dog Show 2007, 16 June 20007) CC
- Mrs Olivia Aquilar de Arozamena, MEXICO (4th MKA International Dog Show 2007, 17 June 2007) CC
- Mr Cristian Petre Stavarache, ROMANIA (249th MKA All Breeds Championship Show, 17 June 2007) CC
- Mr Chan Weng Woh, MALAYSIA (248th MKA All Breeds Championship Show, 16 June 2007) RCC

I am proud to present Malaysian Champion HighMarcs Giselle (Lulu) who will soon be out of her 1-month quarantine in Singapore and back into the loving home and arms of my friend Richard Wee, who sleeps with her and (are you ready??) hand-feeds her! Thank you Lee for your expert conditioning and handling; and thank you Richard for spoiling her rotten.

Philippines Champion HighMarcs Coppelia ("Precious")

At the time that I sent Lulu to Malaysia, I also put Precious on a plane to the Philippines and into the capable hands of my friend Raul Gonzalez. By July 2007, Precious became a Philippines Champion which was wonderful news to receive as there are many quality whippets from S Africa, Europe, Australia, and Singapore in the Philippines. I look forward to welcoming Precious home to Singapore in 2008/09 with her pick-of-litter puppy sired by the lovely, very young but very promising Australian-bred Whippet dog I put up for Winners Dog when I judged there in Manila last year.

Vogue is now an Asian Champion!!!

Vogue has met the criteria of 3 Group Wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd at three Asian Kennel Union Championship Shows under 3 different AKU Judges. In fact, she did it in pure style because hers were all Group Wins 1st!

13th AKU Ch Show Mr Toyohiko Watanabe (Japan) - 12 Feb 2006 - BEST IN HOUND GROUP
14th AKU Ch Show under Mr Thana Achariyawan (Thailand) – 26 Aug 2007 - BEST IN HOUND GROUP
15th AKU Ch Show under Mr Izumi Awashima (Japan) – 26 Aug 2007 - BEST IN HOUND GROUP

Vogue is now officially known as:

Multi Best In Show & Multi Reserve Best In Show
Aust Champion, S’pore Champion & Asian Champion Taejaan Strike A Pose


Vogue - Best in Show

On Sun 26 Aug 2007, she won back-to-back Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group under 14th AKU Ch Show under Mr Thana Achariyawan (Thailand) & 15th AKU Ch Show under Mr Izumi Awashima (Japan)!!! And has just a little bit more to go before she adds Grand Champion to her title.

Sat 17 February 2007

WHAT A GOOD START TO 2007 - VOGUE WINS BEST IN SHOW!!!

Wed 20 December 2006

MARTINA'S DAUGHTERS - PRESENTING "LULU" & "PRECIOUS"

Martina has two beautiful daughters, HIGHMARCS GISELLE (Lulu) and HIGHMARCS COPPELIA (Precious), who have been staying home to grow up while we continue to campaign "Vogue" who is #1 Whippet & #1 Hound of the Year 2006, and #2 Dog of the Year (All Breeds) 2006.

Lulu & Precious excite us not only with their similarity to their famous mother, but their super sound and very low-reaching open side-gait. We couldn't have been more pleased with this litter which took a long time to plan. By the way, Miss Lulu is 19" tall and Precious is 20". Click here to see more photos of Lulu and Precious.

Daughter - Miss Lulu (HighMarcs Giselle at 18 months)	Daughter - Precious (HighMarcs Coppelia at 18 months)
Their Famous Mother - "Miss Universe" Martina (8 years old - permanently retired from shows in Dec 2005)

Saturday 2 December 2006

"VOGUE" WINS ANOTHER RESERVE BEST IN SHOW!!! AND IS #2 DOG OF THE YEAR 2006 ALL BREEDS, #1 HOUND OF THE YEAR 2006, AND #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR 2006!!

On 22 Oct 2006, Vogue (BIS/RBIS Aust & Spore Ch Taejaan Strike A Pose) won RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under international judge, Mrs Judy Horton (Aust) at the SKC Championship Dog Show.

Sunday 16 July 2006

"VOGUE" WINS RESERVE BEST IN SHOW!!! CURRENTLY #2 DOG OF THE YEAR 2006 ALL BREEDS, #1 HOUND AND #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR 2006!!

On 2 July 2006, Vogue (BIS Aust Ch Taejaan Strike A Pose) won RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under Mrs Mavis Cochrane (Aust) at the SKC Championship Dog Show. Vogue won back-to-back Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group for both shows under Mrs Mavis Cochrane (Aust) and Ms Chie Ejima (Japan)!! Vogue is now officially Aust & Spore Ch Taejaan Strike A Pose.

Judge "A" License for Whippet & "B" License for Hound Group and Other Breeds...

I've received news from the Singapore Kennel Club that I've been awarded an A License for the Whippet Breed; and B License for the Hound Group plus the following breeds: Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Italian Greyhound and Shetland Sheepdog. I'm looking forward to this next phase of my life ...... judging.

Sunday 12 February 2006

"VOGUE" WINS BACK-TO-BACK RESERVE BEST IN SHOW AT HER SECOND & THIRD SHOWS ON THE SAME DAY IN SINGAPORE!!!

Today Vogue (BIS Aust Ch Taejaan Strike A Pose) won RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under Mr Michael Quinney (UK) at the SKC 149th Championship Dog Show and RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under Mr Toyohiko Watanabe (Japan) at the Asian Kennel Union Championship Dog Show. Photos to come soon.

We can't believe what a great start she's had since her debut last month. She's gone to 3 shows and won 1 Best in Show and 2 Reserve Best in Shows!

This now puts Vogue in the lead for #1 Dog of the Year 2006, #1 Hound of the Year 2006, and #1 Whippet of the Year 2006!!!

Sunday 15 January 2006

OUR NEW IMPORT "VOGUE" WINS BEST IN SHOW AT HER FIRST SHOW!!! WHAT A GREAT START TO HER SHOW CAREER FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS!!!

What a way to introduce herself to the show scene here ... Vogue (Aust Ch Taejaan Strike A Pose) won ALL BREEDS BEST IN SHOW at her first show in Singapore under Hound Judge, Mr Stanley Shen; and later in the day under General Specials Judge, Mr Nicon Chin. Thanks to handler extraordinaire, Mr Edwin Hu who showed her to perfection today!!

Thanks Molly, Leigh and Barbara McVilly for sending Vogue to us!!! We are so lucky!!!

Our home-bred Martina Baby - Highmarcs Coppelia "Precious" - won Best Puppy Bitch and then on to Best Puppy in Breed under Mr Stanley Shen too. Precious was handled by her co-owner Ms Euphemia Lee who is becoming a competent handler. Well done Euphemia!!!

Vogue - beautiful head, dark eyes, crisp ears, strong underjaw and a lovely long neck.	Vogue in Australia - with her talented co-owner, Ms Leigh McVilly.
Vogue handled so beautifully by Mr Edwin Hu.	Vogue winning Best In Show with Hound Judge Mr Stanley Shen (left) and General Specials Judge Mr Nicon Chin (second from left)
Martina, Cosmo & Vogue (who is a lovely size) - cosying up to each other at home. I feel so happy looking at our 3 beautiful whippets everyday. They are a joy to live with.

Saturday 31 December 2005

LAST DAY OF YEAR 2005: MARTINA OFFICIALLY RETIRES AT THE TOP!!! AND HAS NEVER BEEN BEATEN AS SINGAPORE'S #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR & #1 HOUND OF THE YEAR FOR 6 YEARS, CONSECUTIVELY!!!

November 1997 Martina - 8 weeks old "What a famous dog she was to grow up to be."	November 2005 Martina - 8 years old "13 Best in Show. 5 Reserve Best in Show."

Today is the last day of 2005. And we've been waiting for this day to come to officially announce the retirement of the top dog in Singapore - AUST CH & SPORE GRAND CH TAEJAAN MS MARTINI "Martina" - from the show ring.

Martina has NEVER BEEN BEATEN by any whippet (including imports from S Africa, Canada, USA, UK, Aust, Malaysia, and locally-bred ones) in Singapore for the titles of Singapore's #1 Whippet and #1 Hound of the Year for the PAST 6 YEARS, CONSECUTIVELY!!!

And everyone will remember her as she was at the last show of her illustrious show career spanning 8 memorable years - winning All Breeds Best in Show under international judge and whippet specialist, Dr Peter Tallentire (Australia).

RETIRING, AS THEY SAY, IN GRAND STYLE.

She will now spend the last years of her beautiful life as a much-loved pet with us.

"Martina, our sweet girl, thank you for everything you've done for us. Thank you."

IT'S OFFICIAL - OUR OUR HOME-BRED WHIPPET IS "SINGAPORE WHELPED HOUND OF THE YEAR 2005"!!!

We are pleased that we don't just win with our imported dogs, but with our very own home-bred baby too!!! Monza is "Singapore Whelped Hound of the Year 2005". Owned by Mariko and Dean Owen, the stunning Monza has won on a tie point score with another locally-bred whippet. Great job, Mariko & Dean!!

Not bad at all for us - an "occasional" breeder - as we've had only one (yes, just quality Monza in the ring in the past year) going against quite a few others in this class. Mariko, please give Monza a big hug from us!! Click here: "Puppies Page" to see more.

Thursday 1 December 2005

Martina's 13th Best in Show & 8th Birthday Photos are here!

	BEST IN SHOW Judge: Dr Peter Tallentire (Australia) Sunday 6 Nov 2005 This is Martina's 13th Best in Show award. She is 8 years 2 months old in this photo. An absolutely memorable win! And what a way to end the Year 2005!!
	BEST IN HOUND GROUP Martina Moments before going into the ring for Best in Show judging. RESERVE BEST IN HOUND GROUP Ms Carole Poh's beautiful Saluki Spore Ch Mauresque Autumn Star Yes, this is the same talented Carole who taught me how to build this website. Thanks again Carole!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my Best in Show goes to the Whippet!!" Dr Peter Tallentire, Judge.	"Please take her around the ring for her victory lap of honour, and for all to see." The Best in Show ribbon in my hand and Martina who seems to know she is the best, showing that extended front reach which sets her apart from the rest.

As you can see, she's a show dog only on show day.
We do have other meaningful days outside the show ring too ...

15 Sep 2005 Martina's 8th Birthday Party "Happy Birthday Special Girl!"	"Nobody told me I had to blow out the candles before eating."	"Cosmo doesn't seem to know that too! No wonder we're married to each other."

Tuesday 29 November 2005

Passed Exams for 2 More Breeds!!!

We received another piece of good news from The Singapore Kennel Club today!

The results for the SKC Judges Theory Exams which I had sat for last week are out and I passed both papers - Italian Greyhound and Shetland Sheepdog. I have now passed either the theory and/or practical exams for the following breeds from 4 Groups. This is a summary of the new phase of my hobby as an aspiring Judge:

Toy Group
Italian Greyhound

Pastoral Group
Shetland Sheepdog

Utility Group
Miniature Schnauzer
Shih Tzu

Hound Group
Whippet

Foundation Exams
Anatomy of the Canine
Glossary Of Terms

Tuesday 22 November 2005

It's Official - Martina is Singapore's Reserve Dog of the Year 2005 (All Breeds)!! Hound of the Year 2005 and Whippet of the Year 2005!!

Yes, Martina is not only Singapore's #1 Whippet of the Year 2005 & #1 Hound of the Year 2005, she's also Singapore's Reserve Dog of the Year 2005 at 160 points, just 15 points behind the glorious Pekingese at 175 points.

What a celebration this is as Martina has been in the ring for the past 6 years in this country and holds the titles of:

Singapore's #1 Dog of the Year (All Breeds) - 3 times in 2000, 2002, and 2003

Singapore's #2 Dog of the Year (All Breeds) - 2 times in 2001 and 2005

Singapore's #3 Dog of the Year (All Breeds) - 1 time in 2004

So you see, Martina was either #1, #2 or #3 Top Dog (All Breeds) from 2000 until 2005.

Also, she has never been defeated for the titles of #1 Whippet & #1 Hound for the past 6 years - a really big feat considering the fact that Whippets are very high on quality and numbers in the ring here!! And she even ended the Year 2005 with a Best in Show!! It can't get any better than this.

Let's put it this way, we never dreamed we would ever own a dog that could do all this. And there is nothing else we need to do to prove to anyone any more. You know who the best whippet is in Singapore. In fact, you know who the best dog is in Singapore.

After all, with 13 Best in Shows and 5 Reserve Best in Shows, she has broken all records to be "The Biggest Winning Dog in the History of the Singapore Kennel Club since 1971". Thank you our sweet and precious girl, Martina.

Tuesday 8 November 2005

MARTINA WINS ANOTHER BEST IN SHOW!! (EVEN AT 8 YEARS OF AGE!!)

What a great outing we had on Sunday 6 November 2005 - Martina won BEST IN SHOW at the 147th SKC Championship Dog Show under Dr Peter Tallentire of Australia. As usual, whippets were numerically very strong so it was a nice win, especially since Martina was not just the oldest exhibit in the breed but possibly at the ENTIRE dog show!!

Martina has now amassed an incredible 13 Best in Show and 5 Reserve Best in Show.

With this being the last show for 2005, Martina is officially once again Singapore's #1 Whippet of the Year and #1 Hound of the Year!!! For the 6th year consecutively - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005!!

Thank you Martina for showing your heart out for me during General Specials. It is a moment I will never, ever forget. It was simply magical - because you showed like you did at your first show with me, way back in January 2000.

Wednesday 10 August 2005

WONDERFUL NEWS! MARTINA EASILY WINS BOTH BITCH CC, BEST OF BREED AND RESERVE BEST IN GROUP.

Martina won Bitch CC, Best of Breed and Reserve Best in Hound Group to the deserving and beautiful LH Dachshund who goes on to take BEST IN SHOW under Mr John Stanton of New Zealand on 31 July 2005! Martina also won Bitch CC, Reserve Best of Breed and Reserve Best in Hound Group under Mr Tan Oo Hock of Malaysia!

Of course we are elated that she walks into the ring and beats all the others to win Bitch Challenge, Best of Breed and Reserve Best in Group!

Charlie wins Reserve CC under both Mr Stanton and Mr Tan.

Whippet Practical Exams - Awarded "B" License to Judge Whippets

We are so pleased to report I sat for and passed the Whippet Breed Theory Exams in November 2004, judged a class of 16 exhibits in April 2005, delivered the Whippet breed Lecture in June 2005, and sat for my Whippet breed Practical Exams on 1 August 2005 under Chief Examiner Mr John Stanton (NZ), and Examiners Mr Robert Ness (NZ/Spore) and Mr Thomas Lim (Spore).

I received news today that I've passed this Practical Exam and have been awarded "B" Judging License for the Whippet Breed. I am proud to be the only Whippet Exhibitor/Breeder in Singapore who is aspiring to be a Judge and on my way to the next progressive phase of being one for Whippets/Hounds.

Monday 6 June 2005

Photos from the 10 April 2005 Back-to-Back Shows updated here:

Reserve Best in Show Best of Breed & Best in Hound Group Judge: Mrs Brenda Banbury, UK (Crufts 2006 Best in Show Judge)	Best Open in Show Best of Breed & Best in Hound Group Judge: Mrs Christine Rafton (Australia)

With these 2 shows, Martina is now far ahead in points for #1 Whippet of the Year 2005 and #1 Hound of the Year 2005 (for the 6th consecutive year - unbeaten). In fact, she is now #2 Dog of the Year 2005!

Stock-Take of Recent Wins

Taking a stock-take of our recent wins, both Charlie and Martina were clearly the two favourite whippets for the 11 past consecutive shows, no matter where the judges came from.

9 BEST OF BREED & 9 BEST IN GROUP and 4 Reserve BEST OF BREED OUT OF 11 SHOWS!!!

Apr 2005 - Charlie Dog CC and Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mrs Brenda Banbury (UK) - double win!!
Nov 2004 - Charlie Dog CC and Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mr Keith Simmons (New Zealand) - double win!!
Sep 2004 - Charlie Dog CC and Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mrs Sandra Mashford (Australia) - double win!!
Mar 2004 - Charlie Dog CC and Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mrs Connie Redhead (Australia) - double win!!

Apr 2005 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Ms Christine Rafton (Australia)
Jan 2005 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mr Philip John (India)
Jan 2005 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mr K Kashiwagi (Japan)
Sep 2004 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mr Robert Velhurst (Canada)
Jul 2004 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Ms Beth Warman (New Zealand)
Mar 2004 - Martina Bitch CC & BEST OF BREED under Mrs Marit Sunde (Norway)

Martina now has a total of 12 Best in Show and 5 Reserve Best in Show awards!!!

Sunday 10 April 2005

Two Wonderful Big Wins Today - Reserve Best in Show and Best Open in Show at 2 Championship Dog Shows under Crufts 2006 Best in Show Judge & Australian Judge, respectively.

Above: Whippets getting ready to enter the ring for the Open Bitch Class, which Martina (in front) later won!	Above: Martina from the Open Bitch Class winning the Bitch Challenge against the Singapore Whelped, Yearling and Puppy Bitch Class Winners!
	Left: Best of Breed judging. Ms Christine Rafton (Aust) awards Best of Breed to Martina, just as Mrs Brenda Banbury (UK) Crufts 2006 Best in Show Judge had done in the morning of the same day!! What a nice win under both Judges!!

#1 Whippet of the Year 2005 (progressive points)
Martina - Aust & Spore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini - 76 points!!!
(the next 3 Whippets are on 18 points, 18 points, and 11 points)

#1 Hound of the Year 2005 (progressive points)
Martina - Aust & Spore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini - 250 points!!!
(the next 3 Hounds are on 70 points (SLH Dachshund), 30 points (Whippet), and 5 points (Whippet)

Martina wins BACK-TO-BACK Reserve Best in Show and Best Open in Show, Bitch Challenge (X2), Best of Breed (X2), and Best in Hound Group (X2) at BOTH SHOWS today!!!! Under world-renowned Crufts 2006 Best in Show Judge, Mrs Brenda Banbury (UK) and later in the day, Mrs Christine Rafton (Australia).

Charlie wins Dog Challenge and Reserve Best of Breed (to Martina) under Mrs Brenda Banbury too!! Handled to perfection at this show by the very talented Louis Woo!

And as usual, we only brought 2 of our 3 whippets - Martina & Charlie; and yes, there were many other whippets at these shows. It means so much to win 2 BOB and 1 RBOB out of 2 shows and what an honour for us that a Crufts BIS Judge should award Martina and Charlie both her Challenges!!!

Mrs Brenda Banbury, United Kingdom
(Crufts 2006 Best in Show Judge/ Crufts 2005 Working Group Judge)

Dog CC : Charlie (Aust & Spore Taejaan Stone ThCrows)
Bitch CC : Martina (Aust & Spore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini)

Best of Breed : Martina
Reserve Best of Breed : Charlie

Best in Hound Group: Martina

Reserve Best in Show: Martina!!!!!

Mrs Christine Rafton, Australia
International All Breeds Judge

Bitch CC : Martina (Aust & Spore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini)

Best of Breed : Martina!!!

Best in Hound Group: Martina!!!

Best Open in Show: Martina!!!!!

Tuesday 1 March 2005

The critique from Mrs Sandra Mashford (Australia) is out in Dogtalk magazine.

Mrs Mashford, an International All-Breeds Judge and Whippet Specialist awarded our "Martina" Bitch CC and "Charlie" Dog CC, then Best of Breed and Reserve Best of Breed, and then on to Best in Hound Group and Reserve Best in Hound Group, respectively! (and yes, there were many whippets at this show!)

Mrs Sandra Mashford has this to say about Martina (Aust & Spore Grand Ch Taejaan Ms Martini)...

"A Whippet bitch. Excellent breed type, well balanced. A lovely overall picture of elegance, excellent length of head with lovely oval eyes, keen and alert, which flowed into neck, shoulders and body which had good depth. Excellent bone, feet and wonderful sound movement fore, aft and profile."

And Mrs Mashford has this to say about Charlie (Aust & Spore Ch Taejaan Stone ThCrows) ...

"A Whippet dog. Excellent breed type, well-balanced, a lovely overall picture, length of head flowed into neck, shoulders and body.Excellent bone and feet. Very sound movement fore, aft and profile."

Thanks to yet another International Judge who found amongst the many, many whippets - the only 2 quality, sound whippets we brought to the show. Thanks Molly for breeding these two outstanding whippets!

Monday 10 January 2005

WHAT A WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR! WE SWEEP BACK-TO-BACK TOP SPOTS IN THE WHIPPET BREED AND HOUND GROUP, PLUS A RESERVE BEST IN SHOW AT THE FIRST 2 SHOWS OF 2005!!!

The First and Most Prestigious Dog Shows of 2005!
PEDIGREE ASIAN KENNEL UNION (AKU) CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOWS

(photos to come soon!!!)

International Judge: Mr Philip John (India)
Having judged Sydney Royal (twice!), Brisbane Royal, Hobart Royal and all over the world - Sweden, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, S Africa, Brazil, New Zealand, and all over Asia, Mr John's choice for Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group was none other than our super elegant show girl, Martina!!!!

Our Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker won Dog RCC and Best Singapore Whelped Whippet and Best Singapore Whelped Hound under him too!! (Congratulations, Dean & Mariko!)

Mr Philip John goes on to award Martina Reserve Best in Show at the end of the day!!!

These were particularly special wins for us as Mr Philip John has judged Specialties in Sighthound breeds and has bred, owned and shown a variety of hounds which include the Whippet!!

FCI, AKU & JKC All Breeds Judge: Mr Kikuhiko Kashiwagi (Japan)
Qualified as an All Breeds Judge in 1971, Mr Kashiwagi's choice for Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group later in the day at another show was our stunning Martina!! Yet again, another international judge finds her amongst the large entry of Whippets!

We congratulate all the GROUP WINNERS at these 2 PRESTIGIOUS SHOWS:

Mr Philip John (India)
Best Exhibit in Hound Group - WHIPPET Aust & S'pore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini "Martina"
2nd Best Exhibit in Hound Group - DACHSHUND (SLH) Keaton Royal Salute
3rd Best Exhibit in Hound Group - SALUKI - S'pore Ch Mauresque Autumn Star

Mr Kikuhiko Kashiwagi (Japan)
Best Exhibit in Hound Group - WHIPPET Aust & S'pore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini "Martina"
2nd Best Exhibit in Hound Group - WHIPPET Dreamchamber Urban Faith
3rd Best Exhibit in Hound Group - DACHSHUND (SLH) Keaton Royal Salute

***********************************

Thursday 30 December 2004

We have a piece of exciting news on this cool, breezy December evening as our 2 whippets - Martina & Cosmo - curl up on their couch in the kitchen ....

The results for our Judges Exams which I had sat for last month is out and I've passed the Whippet Breed and Shih Tzu breed. This is the summary of another (exciting) phase of my hobby:

Fundamentals
Anatomy of the Canine
Glossary Of Terms

Utility Group
Miniature Schnauzer
Shih Tzu

Hound Group
Whippet

WE WISH EVERYONE
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR US (YET AGAIN!),
ESPECIALLY WITH THE WHIPPET BREED IN SINGAPORE!!!
#1 WHIPPET & #1 HOUND FOR 5 YEARS IN A ROW
WITH TWO TAEJAAN MOVING-MACHINES, MARTINA & CHARLIE!!!

Sunday 7 November 2004

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!
MARTINA IS SINGAPORE'S #1 HOUND OF THE YEAR 2004 &
SINGAPORE'S #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR 2004!!!
FOR 5 YEARS RUNNING -- 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004!!!

Martina has done it again - and at 7 years of age, she's OFFICIALLY still the BEST in the Whippet & Hound ring here. For the past 5 CONSECUTIVE years, she's held on to the title of #1 Whippet & #1 Hound in this country!!

Yesterday, we repeated our performance of bringing only 2 Whippets - Martina & Charlie - and winning BOTH the Dog Challenge and Bitch Challenge under renowned International Judge, Mr Keith Simmons (New Zealand)!!!

PLUS 5 BEST EXHIBIT IN HOUND GROUP!!! for Martina out of the 7 Shows this Year!!

We'd like to once again thank Molly Rule-Steele for letting us have 2 super dogs - Martina & Charlie! How fortunate we are to have a world-class breeder believe in us like she does!

We also want to thank Handler Extraordinaire, Mr Edwin Hu for handling Charlie with such enviable flair and talent! Thanks, Edwin!! And Dr Edwin Chan for loving Charlie!!)

We've uploaded the paper I presented at the Whippet World Congress in Melbourne, Australia in September 2004. Click here to read the informative article about Whippets in Singapore.

(It's been a fabulous year and until the first show of 2005, take care.)

Friday 24 September 2004

Here is the photo of our GREAT weekend where we won BOTH the Dog Challenge and Bitch Challenge against so many other whippets under All Breeds Judge & Whippet Specialist, Mrs Sandra Mashford from Australia!! And then on to Best in Hound Group and Reserve Best in Hound Group!!

Left: Winning Best in Hound Group is Aust & Spore Grd Ch Taejaan Ms Martini ("Martina") with me.
Right: Winning Reserve Best in Hound Group is Aust & Spore Ch Taejaan Stone ThCrows ("Charlie") handled expertly by Mr Edwin Hu.

We return from the Whippet World Congress in Melbourne, Australia from 15 - 19 September where I represented Singapore and presented my paper "Whippets in Singapore" to whippet enthusiasts, breeders, judges, and exhibitors from all over the world.

The paper is now uploaded on this website. Click here to read it, with appendices of tabulated information provided by The Singapore Kennel Club as evidence of facts reported.

Sunday 5 September 2004

What a GREAT weekend competing against so many whippets and sweeping it all -- winning BOTH the dog class and bitch class -- yet again!!!

Martina is now way ahead on points to be #1 Hound of the Year 2004 and #1 Whippet of the Year 2004, for the 5th year running!!!

138th SKC CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Martina wins Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group!!!!
Charlie wins Dog CC, Reserve Best of Breed and Reserve Best in Hound Group to her!!!!

Under renowned All Breeds Judge & Whippet Specialist Mrs Sandra Mashford, Australia who obviously found correct whippet 'type' and soundness in kennel-mates, Martina (Aust & S'pore Grd Ch. Taejaan Ms Martini) and Charlie (Aust & S'pore Ch. Teajaan Stone ThCrows).

137TH SKC CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Martina wins Bitch CC, Reserve Best of Breed, and Reserve Best in Hound Group under Mr Robert Velhurst from Canada on the same day!!

What a double celebration!! This puts Martina way ahead on points to be the #1 Hound of the Year 2004 and #1 Whippet of the Year 2004. (by the way, for the 5th year running!) Photos to come soon!

Sunday 1 August 2004

STOP PRESS!!!
On Sunday 25 July 2004, yet another dream came true for us.
Martina has become the Biggest Winning Dog of Any Breed in Singapore since the Singapore Kennel Club was founded in 1971.

International Judge Ms Beth Warman of New Zealand awarded our precious Martina "BEST IN SHOW".

Martina winning Best in Show under Ms Beth Warman, New Zealand on Sunday 25 July 2004.	Martina winning Best in Hound Group on the same day. Standard Long Haired Dachshund Keaton Royal Salute won Reserve Best in Hound Group.

With this being Martina's 12th BEST IN SHOW, she is now Singapore's Biggest Winning Dog (All Breeds) since 1971!!!!

Martina will go down in the history of the Singapore Kennel Club as the Record-Holder for the Most Number of Best in Show awards won by any dog since 1971!!! (Good girl, Martina!)

Saturday 26 June 2004

Interesting Photos & News Updated This Weekend!

We hope you will enjoy these updates ... Dogtalk Magazine ...

This is the cover of the 1st Issue of Dogtalk Magazine for 2004, featuring Martina for winning #1 Dog of the Year 2003 (All Breeds) for the third time. This time around, we decided to let the world to see Martina like they've never before - as the perfect mother. She is pictured with Cosmo and their 7 puppies - all of which have been given away to dog-loving close friends and relatives. Thanks to everyone who emailed, sms-ed or called to tell us you love the cover shot. I decided to write a poem for Martina this year. Click here to read the poem. (This is Martina's first and last litter in Singapore.)

... Martina with Dog of the Year 2003 Trophy & Certificate ...

This is a photo of us receiving the Dog of the Year Trophy and Certificate from the President of the Singapore Kennel Club, Mrs Jina Williams in March 2004.

... Martina winning at the 133rd SKC Championship Dog Show ..

Martina winning Bitch CC, Best of Breed, and Best in Hound Group under Mrs Marit Sunde (Norway) on 28 March 2004.

... Martina & Charlie winning at the 134th SKC Championship Dog Show ...

This is Martina winning Bitch CC, Best of Breed and Best in Hound Group again. And Charlie (expertly handled by Edwin Hu) wininng Dog CC, Reserve Best of Breed, and Reserve Best in Hound Group under Mrs Connie Redhead (Australia) on the same day! It was a good outing, seeing we brought only two whippets to both shows!

Thursday 24 June 2004

4th International Whippet Congress, Melbourne, Australia
16 - 19 September 2004

We are pleased to announce that we have been invited to present a paper about the Whippet scene in Singapore at the 4th International Whippet Congress.

The paper entitled "WHIPPETS IN SINGAPORE" - already vetted and approved by the Singapore Kennel Club - will be included in the Congress Notes for all delegates. Some interesting points about the breed in Singapore will be briefly highlighted at the Congress.

Thanks to the Congress for this invitation. We are looking forward to representing Singapore at this special event.

Sunday 20 June 2004

Scizzorhands Jane Austen (Emma)

Our beautiful Emma (5 months old in the photos) has joined my lovely cousin Ms Jasmine Tan and her family. I know Emma will be spoilt rotten by them.

Emma - profile

Emma - head study

Monday 29 March 2004

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND AND FIRST 2 SHOWS OF THE YEAR 2004!!!!!

Again, quality beats quantity! We bring only 2 whippets - Martina and Charlie - to the 2 shows over the weekend and sweep it all.

Martina wins at back-to-back shows - Bitch CC, Best of Breed and Best in Hound Group at the 133rd SKC Championship Show under Mrs Marit Sunde (Norway) and Bitch CC, Best of Breed and Best in Hound Group at the 134th SKC Championship Show under Mrs Connie Redhead (Australia)!!

Charlie wins Dog CC, Reserve Best of Breed, and Reserve Best in Hound Group under Mrs Connie Redhead (Australia) which means we took both Hound and Reserve Hound under her!

Dean & Mariko's Monza (Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker) wins Reserve Dog CC and Best S'pore Whelped in Breed and Best S'pore Whelped in Hound Group under Mrs Marit Sunde (Norway), expertly handled by Mr Ratakrishnan.

Monday 9 February 2004

All the puppies joined their new families over this weekend.

Individual photos of Puppies at 5.5 weeks up on website. Click Puppies to see.

Left to Right:
Anne Bronte, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte.

Wednesday 21 January 2004

Puppies Page has been updated. Click Puppies to see photos of Martina's 7 beautiful babies.

Thursday 18 December 2003

EXCITING NEWS!!! THE STORK HAS ARRIVED!!!
MARTINA IS MOMMY TO A BEAUTIFUL LITTER OF 7 PUPPIES TODAY!!
3 BOYS AND 4 GIRLS!!!!

The first baby arrived at 1.05 am; the last one at 7.35 am.
Fat Babies and Proud Mommy.

After 4 years of being in the ring and sweeping it all, "Miss Universe" Martina is taking time out to play her part for the Whippet breed in Singapore. The perfect show girl, the perfect housepet and now the perfect mom - we couldn't have asked for more.

Daddy Cosmo at home. And Martina with her latest Best In Show under Mrs S Prebble (NZ).

Sired by my Cosmo, this litter has 3 red brindle/white like Dad; and 4 brindle/white like Mom. How clever Cosmo and Martina are to divide - almost equally - the sexes and colours in their children!

THIS IS AN EXCITING LITTER FOR A COUNTRY LIKE SINGAPORE. MOMMY MARTINA NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION, BEING THE RECORD-HOLDER OF MULTIPLE TITLES OF #1 HOUND OF THE YEAR AND #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR FOR 4 YEARS RUNNING. AND #1 DOG OF THE YEAR (ALL BREEDS) FOR 3 YEARS.

DADDY COSMO - A BEST IN SHOW & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW WINNER HIMSELF - IS THE ONLY WHIPPET TO HAVE EVER WON THE EXCLUSIVE "CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS CONTEST" WITH FIRST RUNNER-UP UNDER A PANEL OF 4 INTERNATIONAL JUDGES FROM AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, AND THE UK!

Naturally, a few of these very precious puppies will go to approved homes. If you are keen to own a whippet puppy, do email me and I will tell you what it takes to be a responsible whippet owner.

I just have to be sure the puppies are going to loving, permanent and deserving owners.

Sunday 14 December 2003

GOOD NEWS #1 - MARTINA IS #1 DOG OF THE YEAR 2003, #1 HOUND OF THE YEAR 2003, & #1 WHIPPET OF THE YEAR 2003!!!

Without needing to be at the last 2 championship shows of the year to collect a single point, Martina is OFFICIALLY the holder of all the above titles again. Yes, YET again! And she does this in great style, sleeping at home awaiting the arrival of her first litter in Singapore.

GOOD NEWS #2 - CHARLIE WINS DOG CC, BEST OF BREED AND BEST IN HOUND GROUP!!

"Charlie" (Aust & S'pore Champion Taejaan Stone ThCrows) wins
Whippet Dog CC, Best of Breed, Best in Hound Group under Mr Hugh Gent (Australia), above;
Whippet Dog RCC, Reserve Best of Breed, Reserve Best in Hound Group under Mr Hideaki Nakazawa (Japan)
on the same day at two championship shows!

We bring only 1 whippet, "Charlie", to the back-to-back championship shows and breeze through a huge whippet breed entry with DOG CC, BEST OF BREED AND BEST IN HOUND GROUP under ANKC President, Mr Hugh Gent (Australia)!

At another championship show on the same day, Charlie takes RESERVE BEST OF BREED AND RESERVE BEST IN HOUND GROUP with DOG RCC under Mr Hideaki Nakazawa (Japan) who also gives him the AKU Asian Champion Award!! We would like to thank Charlie's co-owner, Dr Edwin Chan, for loving and exercising this super moving machine, and keeping him in tip-top show condition.

GOOD NEWS #3 - MONZA (Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker) WINS BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN BREED, BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN HOUND GROUP, AND BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN SHOW AT THE PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL ASIAN KENNEL UNION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW!!!

Monza winning BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN SHOW at the prestigious annual
Asian Kennel Union Championship Show under Mr Hideaki Nakazawa (Japan)
pictured with proud and doting owner Mrs Mariko Owen!!

Mr Nakazawa from Japan decidedly pointed to 17-month old MONZA at each round of judging from Breed to Group to General Specials. Coming from a top-notch Conformation Judge who is also a Veterinarian Surgeon, this award says a lot about Monza's physical beauty and soundness.

Well done, Mariko & Dean Owen for loving Monza like a child and keeping him in such tip-top condition. Again, one whippet is all the Owens have. Quality does it; not Quantity.

GOOD NEWS # 4 - MARTINA & CHARLIE: 2 OF TOP 3 WHIPPETS IN SINGAPORE!

Martina is the #1 Whippet in Singapore 2003. And Charlie is the #3 Whippet in Singapore 2003.

Having 2 of my 3 whippets in the top 3 annual placings for the Breed says it all. We're grateful to all the international Judges for consistently finding quality, soundness and unparalleled movement in our dogs.

GOOD NEWS # 5 - PASSED JUDGES EXAMINATIONS

We receive news from the Singapore Kennel Club that I passed the Judges' Exams for Anatomy & Glossary. I also passed my Breed paper.

WHAT AN AMAZING WAY TO END THE YEAR!
THANKS AG FOR BEING THERE.
2003 WILL ALWAYS BE A SPECIAL YEAR! :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everyone!!

Tuesday 23 September 2003

Newcomers Dean and Mariko's "Monza" (formerly called Tag) Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker goes to 2 shows and wins BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN BREED and BEST SINGAPORE WHELPED IN GROUP at one of the shows under Mrs Frances Hickey (Ireland)!

What excellent handlers you were, considering that was the first time you've both stepped into a show ring! Congratulations!

Sunday 24 August 2003

AMAZING NEWS!!! MARTINA IS INVITED TO COMPETE AT CRUFTS DOGSHOW 2004 IN BIRMINGHAM, UK!!!!

We receive a letter from the Singapore Kennel Club informing us that Martina has qualified to represent Singapore at The Greatest Dog Show on Earth - CRUFTS 2004 - in Birmingham, United Kingdom in March 2004!

This is the FIRST TIME a dog from Singapore has been invited to compete at Crufts, the internationally-acclaimed dogshow, otherwise known as the "Mecca" of dogdom!!

What an INDESCRIBABLE HONOUR this is for Martina's breeder, Mrs Molly Rule-Steele in Australia, for our country Singapore, and the Whippet Breed!

Saturday 2 August 2003

Photo of Martina winning BEST IN SHOW under Mrs Shona Prebble (New Zealand) on 13 July 2003 uploaded on website. This is Martina's 11th BIS win!

Photo of Martina winning her RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under Mrs Rhonda Lane (Australia) on the same day uploaded on website. And this is Martina's 3rd RBIS win!

BEST IN SHOW
Mrs Shona Prebble (New Zealand), 13 July 2003




RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
Mrs Rhonda Lane (Australia), 13 July 2003

This now puts Martina way ahead in the points for Singapore's #1 Dog of the Year 2003.

For the record, these are the results of the past six CONSECUTIVE SKC Championship All Breeds Dog Shows:

Sep 2002: Best in Show (Martina) under Mrs Stephanie Rickard (Australia)
Dec 2002: Best in Show (Martina) under Mr William Stevenson (Australia)
Dec 2002: Reserve Best in Show (Martina) under Mr Izumi Awashima (Japan)

Feb 2003: Best in Show (Martina) under Mrs Elle Maitland (Australia)
July 2003: Best in Show (Martina) under Mrs Shona Prebble (New Zealand)
July 2003: Reserve Best in Show (Martina) under Mrs Rhonda Lane (Australia)

We're so grateful to all these internationally-renowned judges for awarding her Best of Breed in a huge class of quality whippets, and then Best in Hound Group, and finally giving her the biggest ribbon at the end of each of these shows!

Tuesday 22 July 2003

"Tag" (Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker) joins Mrs Mariko and Mr Dean Owen as a much-loved family member.

"Tag" will continue to be shown, moving in his signature "free and fluid" gait, in the Singapore ring by Dean. Click "here" to see Tag.

Monday 14 July 2003

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!! (yet again!!!)

Martina wins BEST IN SHOW and RESERVE BEST IN SHOW at two back-to-back SKC Championship All Breeds Shows on Sunday 13 July 2003!! Judges: Mrs Shona Prebble (New Zealand) and Mrs Rhonda Lane (Australia). Photos to come soon!!

Charlie (Aust & S'pore Ch. Taejaan Stone ThCrows) takes both Dog RCCs too! And goes on by putting every foot right for Mr Edwin Hu to clinch BEST ADULT HANDLER for him yesterday! What an unbeatable team, Edwin & Charlie! Well done!

Thursday 5 June 2003

The Singapore Kennel Club magazine, "Dogtalk" hits the road today. The cover is a photograph of the beautiful and record-breaking Martina in our front garden. There is also a cover story to accompany it. Thanks and appreciation to the Editor of Dogtalk, Dr Monique Goh and her team at the SKC!

The two articles, "Martina - Dog of the Year 2002" and "A Special Interview with Singapore's Handler of the Year 2002, Dr Arnold Tan" are uploaded on this website today.

Click here to read the Cover Story 2002 . Click here to read the Interview.

Saturday 26 April 2003

Thanks to the many people who've sent me emails asking me how I keep my whippets in condition. I've decided to add a new page with lots of photos of Cosmo & Martina at home, at the dog run, on the grooming table and even asleep on my bed. It's basically a really fun 'behind-the-scene' page!!
Click here to see A Typical Day in our life.

Dogtalk magazine has also done an interview with me for winning Singapore's Handler of the Year 2002. They asked me 20 questions, some of which I did find quite challenging to answer!
(Sorry but with due respect to the Editor of the magazine, I will only upload the Interview article on this website when the magazine hits the road in early June.)

Wednesday 2 April 2003

I receive news from the Singapore Kennel Club that my application to be a Trainee Judge on the Judges' Training Scheme has been approved!

Photo of Martina's BEST IN SHOW win under Mrs Elle Maitland (Australia) is now on this website. See below.

Saturday 22 Feb 2003

126th SKC All Breeds Championship Dog Show
Judge: Mrs Elle Maitland (Australia)

Martina wins BEST IN SHOW again !!!!!!
This is Martina's 10th Best In Show award!

BEST IN SHOW
Mrs Elle Maitland (Australia) 22 Feb 2003

Martina wins Bitch Challenge Certificate from a strong Open Bitch Class, and takes Best of Breed and Best in Hound Group!

Charlie wins his 3rd Dog Challenge Certificate from an equally strong Open Dog Class and is now a SINGAPORE CHAMPION! He takes Reserve Best of Breed and Reserve Best in Hound Group to Martina!!

My brother Michael's Tag (Scizzorhands Luke Skywalker) wins Best Puppy Dog in Breed and his Leia (Scizzorhands Princess Leia) wins Best S'pore Whelped in Breed; and Best Spore Whelped in Hound Group!!

My friend Danson Kwok's Ashley (Scizzorhands Queen Amidalla) wins Best Puppy Bitch in Breed, Best Puppy in Breed; and Best Puppy In Hound Group!! Ashley wins the Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate at the age of only 8 months too!!

Yes, we won every whippet class at this show. Thanks to my talented friends - Ameeta for handling Tag; Sharon for handling Leia; Edwin Hu for handling Charlie and titling this moving machine; and Rata for handling Cosmo.

Danson, you are an amazing handler for a first timer! (Maybe we needn't have had so many practice sessions afterall) Well done!

Saturday 8 Feb 2003

Launch of my new website! I learn to do my own website - the one you see here. Thanks Carole Poh for teaching me!

• Introduction • Updates • Martina • Cosmo • Charlie • New Whippet • Puppies • Past Dogs • Whippet World Congress •

• Our Home & Garden • A Typical Day • Cover Story 2000 • Cover Story 2002 • Cover Story 2003 • Interview •

• View Guest Book • View Archived Entries • Sign Guest Book • Links • Email Me •