C-Myste Sir Hugh Evans, FM, CGC, JHD, HS, CD
(April 3, 1996 - May 15, 2010)
Ron and Kathleen Stewart's Cardigan Welsh Corgi
These photos were taken on Hughie's last morning.
|
People who have owned more than one dog in a lifetime will often name one who was particularly special. For Ron, that dog was Hughie. Because we have full-time jobs, and our dog would be alone all day, we asked Carolyn Cannon, his breeder, to find the most independent pet puppy in the litter. We were thrilled when she told us that we were getting the second puppy, with the astonishing good looks that he inherited from his father, Smoky. Hughie certainly was independent, but the lasting impression of Hughie was his intensity. He was smart, focussed, hard-headed and demanding. In his youth he pushed all the limits. Once we found flyball, he had a job, and he became obedient and reliable. He became such a good dog, we forgot that he had ever been troublesome. We never got to find out which he preferred: flyball or sheep herding. He had so much herding instinct and drive that Ron could hardly handle him. An experienced handler might have taken him far. But arthritis cut short both careers, with high titles in flyball and low titles in herding. In obedience, he earned both the Canine Good Citizen and the demanding Companion Dog titles. Hughie was always good with other dogs. He liked anybody who would throw a ball for him. He always wanted his days to run according to a routine, and in his last few years, that desire became extreme. Hughie thrived on control and order. When Sparkey died, we got Radar the puppy. We believe that Radar extended Hughie's life by giving him the role of mentor. Then we got Sparkey's great-granddaughter, Dixie. Even though Hughie could not get around very well, the younger dogs absolutely submitted to him. He had great presence, like his sire. In the end, the arthritis was just too much for the little fellow, and we had to let him go. The Great Hughie. There will not be another. |
Introducing Sir Hugh's squire, Radar
Click on the picture to visit his temporary site.
It is March 2008, and Hughie is nearly twelve. He is sore all the time, but good
painkillers help a lot.
The new puppy wants to play constantly, and Hughie treats him well, but
obviously wishes that he would go away.
We will be getting a young adult female in May, who should take the pressure off
Hughie.
I made this flyball video in 2001. It features Hughie's last tournament.
Our friend Richard Woo took these pictures for this web page in the summer of 2006. Hughie was ten.
Hughie in the back yard with a ball.
If you want to find Hughie, follow the ball.
Under Ron's desk. Hughie always reclines with his back to the wall.
In putting these pictures together, I note that Hughie is very consistent. Compare the above two shots.
Photographer Richard's young dog Buddy tries to get Hughie to play.
Buddy finally got the point that Hughie does not play with puppies.
So, what has changed in the six years since this page was last updated?
Hughie was diagnosed with hip displasia
in 2001, so he had to retire from sports.
He also has had some arthritis and a broken bone in his paws that resulted in a
couple of toes being amputated.
We moved from a waterfront condominium in Vancouver to a house in the suburb called Tsawwassen. Hughie defends the house and yard.
Sparkey has a new web site.
We have all grown older and wiser.
- end of 2006 content - we now return you to 2000 -
