IDEAL BULLDOGS
By: Dr. Margie Lorraine Ong

As I look back on our passionate pursuit in dog showing and bulldog breeding. It is with deep happiness that we will cher¬ish our visions and dreams irregardless of failure or despera¬tions."

EARLY BEGINNINGS

It was fifteen years ago that faith had brought us in dog show competitions with a Doberman named GEORGE. Clueless of the sports and the enormous responsibility that goes with it, not to mention all the hurdles we have to go through just to get him in shows. we had no choice but to halt. but truly, nothing in life is permanent. George and LIS will always had the best of times, but not necessarily the best of circumstan¬ces. Nonetheless, it was sweet till the very end.

A GOOD 'PRESENT’
Who would have thought the show bug has bitten us again, without a plan or a hint the least. There I was, with an en bulldog for a Christmas present on December 24, 2002. I can say, it was the best Christmas ever. The following year, Febru¬ary 1, 2003 having to go to my daily routine at the hospital and missing my supposedly first show with English bulldog after ages, my family and cousin Jojo, the forerunner of Ideal kennel headed in the show with enthusiasm. There it was the beginning of yet another journey.

MEET THE IDEAL FAMILY
Though we wanted our bulldogs to be an ideal bully, the meaning came only secondary as the kennel was named after Ideal Marketing, a store which Jojo's grandfather has establish way back 1930's in Batangas City. With his ideals , the ' Ideal Kennel ' was born.

The ever growing ideal family started with:

Philippine Hall of Fame Butch of Nippon “Spoon”. Currently the only local born bulldog to attain the hall of fame title. A multiple best of breed, group winner and group placer bully and a winner of best baby puppy in show. Our first but definitely not the last. Thank you Mr. Charles Dy.

Philippine Hall of Fame Xzibit Missy Elliot Bronorn (UK) ." Ber¬tha” carrying the rich tradition of the Ocobo Bronorn kennel, carried its name through winning amongst the male. The first ever female bulldog to attain the hall of fame title, a best of breed and rnultiple group winner and group placer. Winner of best baby puppy in show and RUBIS. She sailed the show ring swiftly, a bitch as tough as the dogs. Thank you Ms Vicky Roach.

Philippine Hall of Fame Kelloe Locket ( UK ) " Kim " the lady of the kennel, the aristocrat that she is, carrying the name of one of the oldest and prestigious bulldog breeder in Eng¬land, Kelloe Bulldogs. Too many obstacles went on her way but nonetheless, a sweet finish. Kim, on her first litter gave us 4 champion bulldogs, sort of a way to compensate her quite a long walk to fame. Thank You Mr. Cris Bruton and David Mc.Hale.

Philippine Hall of Fame Estella vh Slaghek (Belgium), 'Estella' the noisiest in the kennel and probably if dogs have ADHD, she is one. And who would have thought our Estella's ADHD is an extraordinary way of expressing she is unique, More than being a hall of famer. She is currently the first and only bulldog to pass obedience trial in the Philippines and is on her way in attaining the CD title. From pain to gain, a blessing in such a unique package.

GOING NUTS OVER DONUTS
It would be under fitting not to give our donatello the space and recognition he needs, after all he is the culmination of our dreams, but let me stress, he is not our favorite!

Philippine Hall of Fame Donatello vh Slaghek ( Belgium ) " doni, donuts” to us is a dream until now we never came to seize fully. His first entry in PCCI show at 8 month old, and just almost months in Manila gave us our first best in show in all breed judge Miss Esther Benson. But it is with no set backs as the following year, PCCl January 2005 gave us a hard fall of losing back to back with just a runner up in breed. Realizing where we lack and fall short, and that dreams are always to be toiled on. We worked extra hard. Hence, the slow start of 2005 had ended up the best of the years as he finished PCCl # 3 dog of the Year All Breed 2005. A passport back to Belgium led donatello to many wins including all breed shows and specialty shows in countries such as France, Germany, Holland, and a Cruft qualifying stint at 2007.

SWEET ENDINGS
With a big thanks to all the breeders, a special thank you is extended to Miss Marieke Van Os and Family, Trus and Leo Van Os of the Slaghek Kennel. They are the reason that these dreams are made into reality. Even an imported breed dog like Doni, reared in the Philippines may not find its way back home with¬out the tremendous effort of Marieke van Os and family. She kept true to her word of giving me a beautiful dog based on trust and honesty.

To our handlers and trainers, Mr. Danilo Ofalia and Mr. Nomer Reyes. Thank you. your attitude " I will win because I can win” carried us with five hall of fame and several champions.

Our Kuya at home, the kennel keepers Kuya Lando and Bon and Manang Demi who had to suffer our being obsessive and compulsive with cleanliness and perfection.

The vets who took the time to answer our whims no matter how silly its is, Animal House Del Monte ( Dr. Que and Dr. Luy) Chua Vet Clinic ( Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Franz ), Pet Bu¬reau (Dr. Hawson ) Dr. Rico, Dra. Sicam, Dr. Tan Lim Co, Dr, Sarmiento.

The friends we met along the way, they made showing more pleasing, from the simple conversation of sharing a big win or expressing a sad lose. Friends all over the world who share their vast experience and knowledge, thank you. Quistel omega 3 (UK ), Plush puppy grooming products (Australia), Eukanuba, who work hand in hand with us in pet grooming and nourishing, Thank you.

The future may look bright on us with new members on the way, a different competition next year, a world show in polland, a cruft experience on march 2007. We could not ask for more. But at the end of the day, no matter how tremendously fun the things may be, it all boils down how we continue to upgrade the breed, giving a healthy bulldog in care of loving homes.