Vallarity Swedish Vallhunds

Welcome Dexter from Sweden

2010-02-13T20:06:00.000+13:00

It was a big day yesterday - Wayne, Teddy and I headed of to Auckland Airport to pick up our new puppy from Sweden. It was very exciting, not without a few problems. Firstly, we didn't know if Dexter would be able to leave Stockholm until the nth hour! I phoned Jonna, and we managed to communicate, albeit difficult with the language barrier. Yay, he was accepted for his flight and then it was a matter of waiting the 60 odd hours until his arrival.

At the airport we met up with Ron and Marion, part of Dexters welcoming committe, for a spot of lunch and chat before heading to Bio Security to start the long wait! Teddy joined us and was included in all the procedures, he is such a great little Vallhund and our 1st Swedish Import boy.

After we recieved the paperwork from Biosecurity and paid the fees, Marion and I headed off to customs for, yet more, form filling, cheque writing and waiting! After we ironed out a few hiccups, one being he was named as a Vastgotaspets, Swedish Vallhund and a Norwegian Elkhound - all on the same forms! we were escorted from the interview area and found ourselves heading out from the arrivals door!! Very exciting, arriving without even leaving the country! By this time an hour had passed and poor Ron and Wayne were wondering if we had, indeed, left the country.

Then it was back to NZ Cargo for, yet more paperwork, cheque writing and waiting. By this time, Dexter had been in NZ for 3 hours!! I was finally escorted to meet the young Swede for the 1st time - he was adorable. Waiting patiently and wisley as only a young Vall can do.

It was all cameras on deck then, lots of cuddles and a bit of a rumble with Teddy. Toilet jobs, drinks of water and then packed up again for the drive home. The whole exercise took about 12 hours from go to whoa, but has been worth it. Dexter is a charm! Very calm, confident and friendly.

What can I say - thanks to Ron Bentley, for our partnership in Dexter; Leonie Darling for her help and support; Marion for her support and humor in the face of adversities; Wayne for his patience, support and love of our Valls; Tove Gustavsson for her friendship and advice to Jonna; and most of all to Dexters breeder, Jonna Kanerva, for her huge effort and perseverance in getting Dexter to NZ. Also to all our national and international friends, whose support, help and advice is acknowledged and appreciated.

Dexter spent the night on our bed and the day exploring his new home. He has met chooks, the horse and had a paddle in the small dog pool. He has quite an appetite and a very good voice! He has fitted in like he has been here all his life and our dogs have accepted him without reservation, mainly thanks to the leadership qualities of our boy Teddy.

I can understand why Jonna was so sad to see him go, he's a very cool little man.

More News from Australia

2010-02-09T20:58:00.000+13:00

Great news from Leonie of Dlarah SV's in Australia. Her new arrival from Finland has landed. He is Bodeneis Foxy Folkmar or 'Moko'. A fabulous new bloodline for Australasia. We are really looking forward to one of his daughters coming here in the future.

Hot Summer

2010-02-07T10:10:00.000+13:00

The weather has been very hot and our pond is looking a bit worse for wear. Too much slush for the dogs to swim in - so I bought a small swimming pool yesterday. Its only deep enough to paddle in, but it is cool and the 'kids' have great games hoovering the bottom for the stones I throw in. We do take them for regular swims at a river near by, but nothing like being able to dip your toes ad lib!

New Australian Champion

2010-02-07T09:48:00.000+13:00

I recieved news today that Harley (Vallarity Harlem Shuffle) has gained his Australian CH Title! We are so pleased with both our Aussie boys being Champions.

Playing Catch up

2010-02-07T09:46:00.000+13:00

After requests to create a blog - I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I thought I had done well just to have a website!

Too much has happened for me to re-count, let alone remember. But there are a couple of things - On the 7th December 2009, Harley went to live in Victoria with Shelly. Sounds like he is completely spoilt and loving every minute of it. He will be trained for tracking, obedience as well as conyinuing his conformation showing. All very exciting for Leonie, myself and his new 'mum'. The main thing he is able to realise his ambition of being a house dog!

One the 8th December it was a solemn morning taking Ricky to the vet for his hip and elbow xrays. It seemed a little unfair to visit the vet when nothing is wrong. However, good news travels fast and his scores were in before Christmas. Really pleased that all is well with better than average scores.