Our Old Boy.

It suddenly dawned on me that I am so occupied with all things Anatolian, that I haven't mentioned our O.A.P dog, who was once quite a charmer in the show ring!

His name is Gilby, he isn't an Anatolian, but he is an English Bull Terrier. He came to live with us early in 1998 at the age of 9 months. It was never our intention to get a Standard Bull Terrier, we were infact in search of the rarer Miniature Bull Terrier. After scanning many show catalogues (we didn't have the net then), we decided to go and visit a breeder in Kent who had both Standard and Mini's - Juliet Shaw of Badlesmere Terriers www.badlesmereterriers.co.uk

The place was amazing, the dogs were gorgeous, and had the most wonderful kennels. There were no Mini's available at that time, but there was an older dog who was in need of a home. He was mostly black, and very mad - he was a rescue, and we were warned that he was pretty much a hopeless case. Juliet said we could take him, but in the event of it not working out, we would get a replacement, who we met there and then. He was a wonderful white male, with red ears - a bit younger, but much heavier than the black dog we'd seen. However, always up for a challenge, we decided to take the rescue. So a week later, after having a whip round for the money, we returned to Kent to pick up 'Gilbert'.

Right from the start, he was a nightmare - hated the car, almost smashed the windows trying to escape. Hated the lead, threw himself all over the place trying to get away, and getting him into the house was another challenge in itself!! He attacked the TV, constantly ran at the patio doors, ripped up carpet, chewed walls and doorframes and generally trashed the place! I was determined to succeed with this dog, but all I'd ever known was Anatolians, and Bull Terriers are a whole different kettle of fish all together!

At the time, we lived on an estate surrounded by army ground in Whitehill, Hampshire. Plenty of space to lead train and exercise a loony bully! Slowly, we made progress, and started to attend two training classes a week. One for general socialisation and basic obedience, the other for ringcraft training. The obedience training wasn't really for us - there was some 'off lead' work involved, and unfortunately, Gilby didn't take to other dogs very well, so we decided to stick to the ringcraft.

We progressed nicely, attending local matches and open shows, and later, Bull Terrier Club Shows, and finally Championship Shows. He did really well at the shows, and was quite often competing against other Badlesmere dogs. Sadly, at just before two years of age, We had to have him castrated after an accident left him with a nasty injury to 'that area'. A huge blow, as some interest had been shown in him as a stud dog. As it turns out, I am glad he was never used. In 2001, at 4 years old, Gilby collapsed in our garden here in Cornwall, and stopped breathing. I rushed him to the vets and feared the worst. Our vet managed to save him, and feared that Gilby had experienced a heart attack. He was transferred to Plymouth, where our fears were confirmed. Gilby has Aeortic Stenosis and Cardiomyopathy. He has managed quite well, but has 'fainting' fits when he gets over excited or stressed. So, he was to become a 'couch potato', fearing that he would not have long left with us.

In January this year, Gilby decided to 'eat' a plastic storage box - I arrived home to find a lethargic, shaking dog amongst a sea of vomit and blood - another emergency dash to the vet. This time, our vet Nigel warned us that with his already serious heart condition, that a general anesthetic and long operation was probably going to finish the old boy off. After almost 4 hours in surgery, we received the call to say he'd made it, but was critical. He spent the best part of the week at the vets in recovery before returning home to us, feeling incredibly sorry for himself.

Well, he was 9 years old in May 2006, and still with us! He started medication earlier this year (Enalapril) to help his heart work more efficiently as he was getting quite bloated with fluid. The medication is keeping the condition well under control at the moment, so he's happy enough and more like his old self again!