In 1987 we acquired our first Westie, Holly, aged two. As friends of ours were moving abroad, we decided to offer her a new home. Holly was with us until the age of twelve, when, sadly, she suffered an illness and had to leave us. As we enjoyed her company so much, we decided that a new puppy would ease our loss.
December 1996 saw the arrival of our eight week old puppy Gemma (Rosica Twinkling Star) from Ashgate Kennels and who was fathered by Champion Ashgate Ivanhoe. After studying Gemma's pedigree and seeing all the Ashgate Champions in her breed line, we thought we would try our hand in the show ring. Gemma was really purchased as a pet and we had no knowledge of grooming or showing within the dog world. Our first step was to join a local obedience class for puppy training, in which Gemma excelled, winning the overall best obedience dog of the course trophy. We were hooked on our new found hobby.
With Gemma admirably trained, it was time for our own training to start! We joined our local ringraft training club in order to learn the"ins" and "outs" of showing a dog. We needed, and received, a lot of help in grooming and presentation (of Gemma!) and this was given over a period of time by Jillso kennel, for which we are very grateful
Gemma went on to do well in a few local open shows, gaining a first in some of her classes. It now seemed a good time to join our breed club and so we became members of the Southern West Highland White Terrier Club. At the same time, we decided to apply to the Kennel Club for our own Kennel name, which was granted to us as Karagem. How did we decide on this name? Ka (from Kathy), ra (from Ralph) and gem (from Gemma, who after all was the start of our love of showing dogs. The Karagems Westies were born!
We were fortunate to be introduced to the owner of Bellevue Kennels, who very kindly allowed us to purchase a puppy for the purpose of showing ........................... enter Abbey (Bellevue Babycham of Karagem). Abbey entered the championship show ring at eight months of age for the first time, and immediately qualified for Crufts in puppy class. Abbey really enjoyed the show life, which gave us the incentive to progress further with breeding and showing.
From our beginnings in the show ring in 1996 to the present day, we have reached the fourth generation dog from Abbey and her name is Alexa, shortened to Lexi. To explain the family a little, Abbey is the mum of Skye, who is the mum of Holly (number two), who in turn is the mum of the newcomer, Lexxi. Also in the household is Ailsa, who is Skye's sister.
Ailsa has done is proud by qualifying for Crufts for life.
Gemma is now retired and relaxes at home, having proudly produced some lovely puppies that are in excellent homes, through which we have made some good friends.
Abbey is semi retired, but occasionally we dust her off and give her a day out in veteran class, from which she qualified for Crufts 2007.
Skye has retired from showing and is enjoying the rural life with her half-brother, Lewis, after giving us Holly.
We look forward to the show circuit of 2008 with Holly and her puppy Lexxi.
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