Terry Thorn

Although the news of Terry's death was not unexpected, when it came it was a sad moment for us, since we have known Terry for nearly 30 years. Terry was always interested in Tibetan dogs and we spent quite a few hours by the side of the Apso and Tibetan Terrier rings discussing, well, Apsos and TTs funnily enough but other things too. Terry was a good conversationalist.

We  first heard that TMs were back in the UK from Terry and he was one of the first knowledgeable judges to cast his eyes over the Tibetan Mastiffs once they were once again seen in the show rings in the mid 80's. Since those early days he judged the breed on a number of occasions. Our first time of showing TMs under him was in 1989 when we were chided by him for entering Ben and Lingka in two classes each. Both had won their puppy classes but both were beaten in the Junior classes and thus lost out on the chance to challenge for Best Dog/Bitch and thus Best of Breed or, more realistically, Reserve Best of Breed. We did not make that mistake again. Terry last judged at the Club Show a few years ago where we put our 14 year old Lingka under him. Quite a fitting end to Lingka's show career.

After the Club had been formed in 1987 one of the duties of the newly elected Committee was to think about which personalities we should approach for the positions of Patron and President. Ann Wynyard was the obvious choice for President and was so elected by the membership. The position of Patron was rather more tricky with a number of names being put forward. In those days the membership was involved with decisions such as these. The Prince of Wales was one obvious choice but he declined, as did a prominent member of the KC, Leonard Pagliero, who had been involved in advising the Committee about how to proceed with the KC requirements in order for the Club to be recognised by the KC. He too declined, not wanting to have his name put forward if there was to be an election. And then as if a light flashed somewhere, a number of Committee members voiced Terry as a very good choice. From memory, this then was put to the membership which voted unanimously in favour of Terry. I think Terry was rather taken aback at the level of support for him especially as he said that he had never before been asked to become a Patron of a dog club but I think he was glad to have been asked. Terry served as our Patron until his death.

The dog world has lost a good friend.