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Dead Fred
by Hazel Girolamo

Ladies and Gentlemen, before presenting this years Championship trophy to the worthy winner, I would like you all to pause for a moment to lament the passing of an esteemed colleague – Fred Entwhistle. so well known to you all here as a dog judge extraordinaire, also fondly remembered for contributing those immortal tomes - Making Friends with Intestinal Worms and, who could forget that great epic – How to Get Rid of a Lousy Dog but the book Fred had devoted the last few years of his life to – The Turd and Fly may, sadly, never be finished.

Yes, what Fred didn’t know about reading bird droppings in the open field, wasn’t worth knowing. Mention must be made of Fred’s faithful companion of many years, always by his side and responsible for a lot of Fred’s success, his great old bitch - 'Hoot’n’toot-I’msoperfect-doesn’tit-makeyou-wanttospit”

In all fairness I have to admit that in recent years Fred may have made one or two unpopular decisions in the show ring but we always had a soft spot for the Dear Old Gent as he was fondly known – and not as one unkind soul put it - demented old git.

My own "Diandra HiFaluting Fitzhenry Moonglow'' had once or twice come under Fred’s critical gaze but let us hope that when Fred enters that great show ring in the sky, he be judged less harshly, for sound temperament.

Always handy with helpful advice and although could be very critical about under sizing, it must be said he was always available for help with a difficult mating regardless of any breeding.

His only other interest was ballroom dancing, dodging turds in open fields kept him very light on his feet for a man of his age, but his main love was reserved for the Spitz breeds, the German, the Japanese and his personal favorite, the Finnish. Yes, the Finnish Spitz or the barking bird dog as it is more commonly called, owes it’s continued popularity to Fred’s single handed mating program. When we next see a fine Finnish Spitz with a quick, swift spurt, we will remember Fred.