I have been passionate about Boxers since 1970, but I have had dogs ever since I can remember. My first dog was a Dachsund mix which was presented to me when I was 5 years old by my grandfather. I named him Looby, and loved him dearly. Unfortunately, I did not understand that he was already 5 years old when he came to me and when he died after 5 years, I was devastated. It was probably very hard for a 10 year old to understand that their beloved dog has a much shorter life span than humans and that the parting is inevitable.
I vowed then that I would never have a dog again. I suppose, initially this must have come as a relief to my parents who were not besotted with dogs, but they worried when the grieving showed no signs of abating. Eventually, more out of distress at my obstinacy, I was presented with a purebred Golden Retriever in anticipation of my 10th birthday.
I named her Nina. After the initial hesitation of accepting her as a replacement for my Looby, I was quite enthused with this new object of affection in my life. Being a purebred opened new avenues of entertainment for us. The Retriever Club of India was quite active in India then, and I became a member. The first dog show that I exhibited in was in 1962 in Mumbai, when I was legally allowed to handle being 11 years old. The show was a disaster for us although we did place second in a class of two. However, I was awarded a consolation prize for being the youngest handler in the show. That small cup fuelled my ambitions further. Nina and I showed till I was about 15 when school and other educational committments prevented any further forays into the marvellous and exciting world of dog shows. Considering that Nina was not much to look at, and despite the trouncing we got in those years, I can honestly say I enjoyed myself, being a part of the "grown-up" world and making a wide circle of doggie friends. Since I did not drive, I had all sorts of people giving me lifts to the shows, much to the consternation of my parents The Dog World in those days was the privilege of Indian royalty who did most of the hunting, and I had amongst my acquaintance a few of these royals!
Nina-1962 (Duchess of Nikolai)
Time flies, and so did it for me. I finished school and then went to the USA for college and there really was no time for dog showing. Nina aged cantankerously, but with me, was as mild as ever before. During my years away, I did occasionally think of her, but the world opening up for me was so exciting that the thoughts were far and few. The meetings at the time of my vacation were joyous reunions, but as time went on, I could see the spring in her step slowly fade away.
While I was in India on a vacation in the summer of 1970, a friend, as a result of changed circumstances,had to place his young Boxer bitch puppy. At first, when I looked at the "squished" face, I wondered who on earth would keep such a vile looking creature. However, looking at that mournful visage soon answered that question for me. Despite the objections of Nina and my parents', Lisa came home to stay. I must credit my parents for their indulgence in agreeing to look after her while I was away having a merry time at college. A few years later, on one of my trips home, my companion of so many years, Nina, finally went to the Rainbow Bridge. I was extremely distraught, but Lisa was my consolation.
What can one really say about a dog who inculcates in you a passion for the breed? Lisa, converted me to a Boxer fanatic. She was everything that a dog should be. Loyal, kind, energetic, and above all, extremely self possessed. I regret that I was not there to see her growing up, but whenever I was home she was my devoted companion. She would spend all her waking moments with me and I never failed to appreciate what noble dogs Boxers are.
Although she was never shown, people did remark that she was a nice looking dog, and I was quite affronted when people did not acknowledge this. I now know, that despite my great love for her, she never had an iota of a chance in the ring.
I came back to the shores of India for good in 1975, by which time I had only Lisa, who was delightful as ever , but not a show prospect.When I caught up with old friends, the show bug hit me virulently!
