Can you vividly remember the first time you made love? Jeffo point blank refused to answer that in case he incriminated himself and dishonoured the girl in tow many years ago. But on Friday he was happy someone did (in the case of Osa’s heritage). Four men got down to the nitty gritty on Friday when they visited Lumiturpa Kennel, where’s Osa’s family tree started.
The kennel is owned by Matti Takanen and Riitta Takalo, who know a thing or two about breeding lapis after having been in the business since 1980. Not just lapis but reindeer dogs and German spitz, too. They are originally from Lapland and their location just outside Karjaa in Finland.
Anyhow, Jeffo was stunned when they took him to the exact spot where Osa’s grandmother, Echo, was mated with Finland’s champion Norri. It was a cold, snowy night when they looked outside, catching Norri doing the business way back in 2000, this would lead to the birth of Osa’s old man Tuukka. It was the first time that a bitch of any breed had been mated abroad under the pet passport scheme, introduced in the UK. So Osa has a slice of history of his side.
This was a real eye opener to us all. Osa has been a pampered pooch all his life, but here were robust, extremely well looked after lappies, relishing life in a rural setting that they were bred for. These dogs are made for temperatures exceeding minis 15C and the contrast between lifestyles was stark.
The visit was tinged with sadness as Matti and Riitta are still getting over the death of Lumiturpa Api, a son of Norri, who died on his 15th birthday a week ago. Norri, himself, died in tragic circumstances in 2006 when a fire ravaged the family’s log cabin and claimed the lives of four dogs.
Bringing Osa to Finland to trace his family tree had been a goal of Jeff’s for years and he was chuffed to hear from Matti that the point-sized Osa had similarities to his beloved Norri. “He’s handsome,” Riitta said, and Jeffo later said: “If they can’t ever say that about me, I’m happy they can about him.” All the boys fell in love with the litter of lapis and reindeer dogs. “I’m not joking but I want to take this reindeer pup home now - I’m fixated,” said James.
Another highlight was Osa, a grandson, meeting Norri’s granddaughters, Oikku and Hassu, who are also 13 years old. To cap off the day there was first-rate coffee and some of the best donuts we have had on tour… Mike was extremely happy!
While we have had a few hiccups on the road, days like these make up for it in bucket loads. Watch this space…
Please make sure to Subscribe to this blog, as we will be updating our adventures along the way. And make sure to Like our Facebook page to see regular posts! www.facebook.com/4menandadog
Please visit www.dogsfortedisabled to see the charity that we are supporting. And if you would like to donate to the Dogs for the Disabled charity, then please visit www.justgiving.com/4menandadog
No comments:
Post a Comment