GlenaraJuke

This day has drastically changed our lives ;-))

The whole day, we were guests of the Vizaras.
From the very first meeting we were sure that we'd get our new family member here.
It was going to take another year but we were used to waiting. Similarly, we'd had to wait that long for our first RR, Tari. Nangi, then 2 ½ , was our RR at this time, so we weren't really Ridgeless! ;-))) For the first time, however, we'd opted for a dog, instead of a bitch. He would be our 3rd RR.

The 18th of March was D-Day, and we don't have to tell you how exciting that time was ;-)
11 puppies were born, 4 dogs and 7 bitches. At least there would definitely be one for us among those male puppies.

2 weeks later, we were allowed to take a peep at the puppies, who were behind glass. This was highly unusual, but we passed by on our way back from France.

Mariëtte took a film for us. The next time we came to visit we could cuddle all the little puppies.
Unfortunately, we didn't get to choose, we had to take what we were offered. 2 of the dogs were not show dogs, and the first choice turned out to be destined for Israël. We were not bothered, we thought they were both cute, the ones that were left: gold boy and white boy.
I can't describe the amount of tension you go through before finally hearing which one was going to be allocated to you! :(but, of course, it's all been worth it!
At last we knew: white boy. We called him Jukati.

First of all, he's going to leave his warm and loving home, shedding a little tear.

Many among you will know that we never regretted this young lad storming in to our life. Yes, storming, Mr Jukati is now 6 years old, after his recent birthday, and he's giving us an extremely busy and enjoyable time. Unfortunately, Nangi, our 9-year-old Ridgeback bitch, is not an ideal playmate for him any more. They adore each other, but he is a little too wild for her. They have only been able to play together for a short time because 6 months after his arrival she had to undergo an operation. She has recovered well but, sadly, she has contracted Leishmania. Jukati has since adopted the role of protector ;-)))

Through Jukati we have entered the show world. Mariëtte encouraged us to come to the next club match with him, in October. He was just 6 months old, and he won best puppy! Well, and when you win best puppy the next time, at the Winner, and are allowed to walk the honour round, you can't help getting a bit excited.

The following years we enjoyed visiting many shows, and we've notched up the necessary successes with him.
We set up a website to keep track of everything.
Now we are also travelling abroad, usually together with his mother, Glenara, Vizara, Ben Shemen, sister Jodi Jinga, and later also Ijaba, his half-sister.
We're proud to say that Jukati became French, International, Belgian, and Dutch champion, as well as Brabowinner 2008, and Winner 2008. 2x we appeared on the magical green carpet at the Crufts. The last time, we were 4th reserve in the open class dog. And, of course, we have our Vizara fans there ;-

Because of all the interest in Jukati as a stud, we decided to go for it. To date, he has sired many puppies in several countries, across the world. In the USA, in 2006, a lovely litter of puppies was born, after a fresh sperm insemination. We are proud of the fact that another insemination will be taking place in South-Africa by means of transported sperm. Already 2 new descendants arrived last year from other combinations. The contacts that we have made through Jukati across the world are very special to us.

The Vizaras have become one big family to us, and we have such a great time together. In April 2008 we organised a lovely weekend to celebrate the titles that Jinga and Jukati, brother and sister, have acquired. Glenara was there too. The next day we went walking together in Bergen op Zoom. We took a photograph of Jukati and Glenara together, showing him respectfully licking his mother's lips. That photo is now so precious to us.

We have decreased the amount of shows that we are going to attend in the future. We have won all the titles that we wanted to achieve and, bar a few shows, Jukati's career is coming to an end.

As a veteran, it is highly likely that he will still appear in the ring, but otherwise we'll definitely continue to enjoy him at home, and certainly in our domaine in France.

The new generation is already to be found at the shows. We hope that they'll walk in Jukati's footsteps.
We would never have come this far without Rens and Mariëtte's support and belief in us. They were the ones behind the scenes, encouraging us, also in difficult moments when things were not easy.
Showbiz is not a bed of roses ;-)

17 March 2009
Time to say farewell....................

The day before our Jukati's 6th birthday we learnt the very very sad news that Glenara, his fantastic, succesful, beautiful mother, Juke's great example, had died peacefully in Mariëtte's arms. An end to a beautiful life full of love.

She'll be terribly missed, but she'll live on in her gorgeous children, one of which is our Jukati.