Charlie

Multi-Dual Ch. Carromer's Charlie Chalk (16.11.1991-20.09.2004)

(Rocheby Royal Oak x Carromer Glamour Girl)
Hips FCI A/A - BVA 4-3 - Eyes OK
(July 2003 !)

TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE

My agenda for August 20th 1992 just states "HELLO CHARLIE !". On Monday evening, September 20th 2004 I just wrote "AUREVOIR CHARLIE". For once french is richer than english and if "adieu" is "goodbye" - then "aurevoir" is "till we meet again".

Charlie was 9 months' old on August 20th 1992 when I was lucky enough to see him curled up in a ball with his litter sister Carmen Miranda. I was actually looking for a black dog after saying farewell to Kupros Lucifer at almost 15 years' old. Lucky to notice the yellow ball, lucky that Carol and Mervyn considered me worthy enough to have him in France, lucky to have had over twelve unforgettable years with one of the soundest living creatures I have ever known.

Charlie never had a cross word for anyone, he was a "glad" dog, glad to live, glad to eat, glad to see the sun rise in the morning, glad to meet bitches in season, glad to go on a shoot, glad to lie by the fire, glad to drive through the night, his head on my lap, and still glad at the end of the show to carry his cup round the main ring, glad about everything... Adaptable, biddable Charlie, charming to live with, exciting to pick up with, glorious to show with.

The added bonus was that his genotype turned out to reflect exactly his phenotype and thus his children and grandchildren show his same qualities across five continents. In 1994 he was consecrated TOP DOG all breeds in France and the same year was TOP FIELD TRIAL Labrador. He won 86 International tickets until I retired him at 9 years old from regular competition after he took 2 RBIS at two International all breeds show in a row. He was TOP LABRADOR in France from 1993 through 1999, winning on the way the French Kennel Club CH. Show seven times in 8 years, and the Progeny Class at the French Retriever Club CH. Show every single year including 2003. On March 7th 2004 he was 2nd top stud dog in France (behind the Greyhound) followed in the main ring and onto the podium by his four beautiful champion daughters all of whom were also Field Trial qualified.

Charlie remains the greatest Labrador ever seen in continental Europe and is universally considered as the Labrador of the decade. For me he was, above all, my constant companion : draped over my feet whenever I had time to sit down, the friend of little children, the welcome committee for visitors, the only man I have ever lived with in total harmony for over twelve years until
I kissed him goodbye and closed his eyes late on the last of the summer evenings and let him go because he had had enough.

Beloved Charlie, my heart will always be as full of you as are my eyes of tears today. You brought joy to all who knew you and I must now be glad for your life. Thank-you Mervyn and Carol for Charlie, for your love and friendship and for your present comfort. Charlie, Rest In Peace and in our loving memories.

Felicity Leith-Ross

FRENCH CHAMPION

FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION "à l'anglaise"

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION

SWISS CHAMPION

LUXEMBOURG CHAMPION

BELGIUM CHAMPION

STUD "ELITE A" F.R.C

Top Labrador in France 1993 - 1999
N° 1 in Switzerland 1999 & 2000

(The first Elite A in France...Jake is the second ! Well done boys...)

(11 ans !)