We decided at
this time (1978) that we needed help with the training of the dogs
and so we joined Danesford Dog Training Club (DODTC). We thoroughly
enjoyed training the dogs and eventually moved into the formal
competitive obedience classes.
By this time
Rip was getting quite good and getting into the prize cards
regularly. Unfortunately he started to develop epilepsy, but, he did
respond to treatment in the early days. Around 1980 we acquired Sam,
A loony Labrador (Sam), who had nothing between his ears except a
mouth directly connected to an ever empty stomach. Sam and Rosie were
Felicity's dogs, but, neither were any good at obedience so she
decided to adopt a gold coloured mongrel called Lucy. She responded
to training very well and soon won out of Beginners and was always
well placed in the higher classes. Her Kennel Club registered name
was Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
It was about
this time that we decided to apply to the Kennel Club for an affix so
we chose, and were granted, ‘Merrywood'. During late 1981, we
decided that our large house and very small garden in Buglawton was
not the right place to bring up three dogs and so we moved at Easter
1982 to Somerford into a tiny bungalow with a half acre garden
and super wooded walks less than half a mile away. We didn't
like the name which had been given to the bungalow so we renamed it Merrywood.