Who's Who in FIGS.

Here are introductions as posted by the subscribers of FIGS (Aust). They are in no particular order - just the way they came.

John and Lyn Hales
Wondoan IG's
Ballogie. Queensland,
About 50 km North West of Kingaroy.
We have both been involved with pure bred dogs for over 35 years and met at a dog show in Newcastle in 1967 where we were both showing Great Danes and have since exhibited Poms an Afghan a Schnauzer and a Poodle and have exhibited and bred The Danes, Keeshonden,English Pointers and Greyhounds and of course for around 29 years Italian Greyhounds.
Our email address is wondoan@bigpond.com
Our web site URL is http://www.geocities.com/igyqldo1
Together with Mary and Adrian Keast we were instrumental in getting this group started and sincerely hope that FIGS_Aust can in some way bond all the Breeders Owners and Exhibitors of our great little dogs throughout the country into a unified group
John & Lyn

My name is Cheryle McMillan.
Castlemaine, Victoria.
Email buraba@iaa.com.au
I have been involved in the purebred dog show world for about 25 yrs now. My 1st love is the Cavalier which I have had for all that time. I have been involved with the IGs now for about 10 yrs and wouldn't be without them. My 10 yo daughter L aura has developed a special love of this breed and has started training and showing her own IGs this year quite sucessfully. Considering the small mumber we have had, we have done quite well with several champions and some rather good wins in big competion. I dont have a website at the moment, but have a Cavalier one under construction and hopefully after that will get onto getting an IG one done. I wish this list goodluck and hope it achieves the aims that it was started for.
Cheryle
Forgot to add, my prefix is BURABA.

* Adrian and Mary Keast
* our Kennel prefix - Merikaez [pronounced Mary Kays]
* Our location
Frankford, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA [thought I should just remind people that Tasmania is part of Australia [VBG] seeing our state was left off the OlympicTorch Relay Medals[g]]
* How long we have been obsessed with our breed/breeds
Our first IG came to live with us in 1976, when we lived in Cairns.
* Our email address merikaez@iprimus.com.au or [for Adrian] webpages@iprimus.com.au
* our web site http://home.iprimus.com.au/merikaez/
* any other info we feel may give other members a better insight as to who we are.
We are both slowing down a lot[g] and live very quietly here in Tas. Adrian spends a lot of time getting firewood [g] and enjoys building webpages.He is also a dab-hand with the pooper-scooper. Mary enjoys judging,studying for more qualifications and battling with the wood stove to bake and prepare meals. We have too many dogs, but couldn't live without them. They are a constant cause of interest, pleasure,comfort, laughter and joy [mixed in with some tragedy and disappointment]

Tara & Graeme Symes

Hi everyone,
Well what can I say. I haven't got much left to tell you. Mum and dad have just told you how I got my first IG when I was five. Ch. Sheung Suzanna. I suppose you could say I've got a lot to answer for. I now live in Sydney with my fiance Graeme and we have three dogs with us. One IG and Two Cresteds. My prefix is Tardoan and I have bred three litters so far under this prefix. Two IG litters and one Crested litter. I haven't been showing much due to ill health but I hope to be out there again next month after my operation. Then you'll see the new healthier me,hopefully.
Tara Hales & Graeme Symes
Tardoan IG's & Chines Cresteds.
Sydney
Ooops forgot my email address etc gs0866@one.net.au
my web page is still under construction but will be at www.geocities.com/tardoan

Anyway here goes for me. This is the very shortened version but it is all on the website if you want a longer read [g]
Shantiah IGs
Claire Needham [and Simon East]
Epping, Sydney
email shantiah@eisa.net.au
website http://www.geocities.com/shantiah.geo
In 1988 I had a cross bull terrier who had to be put down. My uncle offered to buy me another dog and Sydney Royal was on at the same time. I went along and checked out all the different breeds and really liked the IGs and whippets. I wanted an older bitch rather than a puppy and went along to Ann Freudentein's (Kemisa) who had a bitch available at the time and I fell in love with the IGs and just had to take Minky home. A few days later I was offered a whippet so it was pretty close. About six months later I found myself homeless so was really glad that I had opted for an IG instead of a whippet. Minky became my constant companion and became quite a personality at Sydney Uni while I was studying since I could not leave her where I was The Shantiah kids have also tried racing, lure coursing and agility when we have time. Minky attended a few agility trials but went blind before she gained her title. She is now a couch potato but still manages to boss everyone around. Ralph and Spot are now in training for agility. I have bred three litters but much prefer to show and do agility I have been on the committee of the IG Society for several years and hope that one day the IG owners of Aust can put aside their differences and get back to the unity that was evident when I first got into IGs.

My website will be launched shortly and you will be able to find out the answers to all these questions!
Maryanne Rosenberg
Giocattolo Italian Greyhounds
Canberra, Australia

Hello
1 our names - Diane & Tony Strazzeri
2 our Kennel prefix - Just recently registered the prefix 'Canmio'
3 Our location - Fairfield, Melbourne
4 How long we have been obsessed with our breed/breeds
We have been besotted with Italians for about 7 years, but have only been owned by one for 2 1/2 years
5 Our email address strazz@on2k.com.au
6 our web sites - Web site in construction
7 any other info we feel may give other members a better insight as to who we are.
We are owned by two IGs - our first, Rani - is about two-and-a-half years old, and we have now got his daughter Skeeta (5 mo). Tony is a programmer, specialising in Word. I am capable of this, but prefer my art - principally stuff for churches, but I also draw, and have been know to sell the odd photo. We also have two children - Phillip (13) and Sarah (11), mostly seen at shows eating and slouching about with IGs stashed down the front of their coats. My parents breed and show Kelpies so we are often to be found around the working dog people at country shows (Mum & Dad have more dogs than we do).
Di & Tony

My name is Anu Lummevaara, currently living west of Sydney (I say currently, because I seem to have moved so many times in last years I am getting dizzy). My prefix is Berizza and I purchased my very first IG in mid 1989, family has since grown as everybody can relate to that, Italians have that effect on you... We are very busy showing and most people have met me at the shows either QLD,NSW or VIC, or Canberra.
My email address is berizza@tpg.com.au and website is in process.
I am also involved in Whippets(have bred couple of litters) and racing greyhounds, so never a dull moment in this house. Look forward to seeing everyone face to face around the shows, always better for someone as quiet as I am...

Hi,
We are Joanne and Shayne Ryan from Glossodia near Windsor in NSW.
Our Kennel Prefix is Xarnego.
We are intensely involved in all facets of the Ibizan Hounds as well as the IGs. We have been involved with the IG since 1992 and our first IG came to live with us in 1994.
Our email address is sryan6@vtown.com.au
It is nice to get to know all of you who we didn't know anything about untill now. The introductions was an excellent idea.
Thanks
Joanne and Shayne

1 our names and partner names if applicable
Ok Well I am Evelyn Lonergan my partners in crime are Melanie Ferenc and Chris Scott.
2 our Kennel prefix or pet owner?
My Prefix is Splfyr. ( chinese crestieds) Chris Scott is Tunmara. (italians)
3 Our location Adelaide \ South Aussie
4 How long we have been obsessed with our breed/breeds
Chris forever I think Melly and I are newer to them
5 Our email address Liebchen@primus.com.au
6 our web sites Boo Hoo not finished

Hi everyone - I'm Kira (Tunamura Secretly Misty) and I've been living with Andrew de Plater for several months now.
His e-mail is and.dav@dynamite.com.au
- but don't take notice because all he likes to do is chat (rather than give me all of the attention I deserve!) I have to share this household with a Bull Terrier, a Persian (who is not very popular because he recently took a swipe at my beautiful nose), a Tabby, 20 Canaries, 8 King Quails and 10 Fish (all of which have stupid names). Gawd... you think dogs get brushed, powdered and pampered at the shows - wait until you see this guy painting blue stuff on this fishes eyes, changing the Canary nesting material and rotating the eggs! As I lay here on my electric blanket (under the donna) - one paw on the key board, I can tell you a little story about Andrew. He has always wanted to own an IG from childhood - ever since he saw one on a chart at the vets. He liked the idea of a poor shivery thing that liked to sleep in beds! So one day when a relative came down from Sydney to attend a show with her ugly-arsed Rottweilers he scanned for the toy ring... and there they were (including a relative of mine!). Someone quietly whispered in his ear and said "They don't take up as much room in the bed as the Rotties!" Andrew watched and decided not to jump in, but spend many hours reading IG Web pages (including one from Tasmania!). Anyway, Aunty Rottweilerwieller (as I call her) spoke to a Breeder in Melbourne. All it took was one phone call and I was on that plane to Canberra. I must say that special thanks should go to Aunty Rottweiler at this point as she was the precursor! For those of you who do not know what Canberra is like - picture this.... running around the ring, slipping on the snow and ice, knocking over the stacking table as well as the judge. Andrew also moonlighted with some long haired Collies - but he forgot that their gait wasn't the same as mine.... you should have seen him mincing around in his suit with these pseudo Lassies. Several weeks ago I was running around like a stupid IG and I made my way into the forbidden lounge. There I found this high sofa to propel myself six foot above the carpet towards the dinning area.... the rest was a dream. I woke up, and realised that I was not home. My leg was in a cast and I was out of it - dreaming crazy things. Andrew felt like a useless idiot because he was the one who had left the door open in the first place (and we all know I wouldn't have gone in if the door was closed, right?) To cut a long story short - I'm getting better however, this is the reason why I'm writing this from beneath the doona - and its certainly better than sucking the cats ears! I have been told to rest before my new sister (hopefully) arrives next week. Her name is Daisy (Mirica She Devil Dares). No doubt Andrew will be keen to keep all posted on this one too!!! Anyway - Andrew is watching a video of the Sight hound Association 2nd Championship show (Easter 1994). He was looking out for some of my relatives who were competing as well as Kay Sheridan who Andrew says is a top mentor and friend! (She'll get the boy right before long!) Oh - and by the way Andrew is going to try to create a Web page to show embarrassing photos of me as well as those in the 'zoo' but he can't find the ball to the PC mouse because I pulled it out and hid it in my crate! A special g-day to Daniel, Oberon and Panda. Hope to see you all soon.

My name is Graeme Bates, my partner's name is Diane, and this is our story.
It's amazing in a group of 32 people (admittedly with a common interest) how many uncanny connections there are. Here's a few more to raise the hairs on the back of your neck... I worked with a graphic designer for many, many years by the name of Mike Stone. Now Mike's wife Di bred chihuahuas and I'm sure there are plenty of breeders out there who know Di. Mike Stone was one of my closest friends, a mentor and more like a father. When he retired he and Di moved to Coffs Harbour and occasionally we'd drive up from Sydney and visit them. I knew about the chihuahuas but on one visit we were sitting in their lounge room and out of nowhere an IGGIE appeared and landed on my Diane's lap. She was besotted my this gorgeous creature called Millie who simply cuddled up and wouldn't move. That was about four years ago and Diane would always refer to them as Millie dogs and dreamed of one day owning one. It wasn't really practical and besides which we'd inherited a big old dog when Diane's mum came to live with us. Then the fickle finger of fate struck at 1.00pm Saturday afternoon in July. There in the newspaper - "Free to good home - Italian Greyhound". Diane looked at me with that look..."OK, give them a call, it might still be available." The first question we were asked, "Do you know what an Italian Greyhound is?" Of course we do, it's a Millie dog! We'd passed the first hurdle. So we were invited to drive out to Mount Colah and meet Cody.(We subsequently changed his name to Carlos.) He was so handsome (Claire N, are you reading this?) A one year-old pied male. He jumped into my arms (I passed the second hurdle) and we just knew it was destined to be. We were so anxious driving home with him. How would our old dog (a cross Rottie/Blue Heeler) get on with him. Why give him away? There must be something wrong with him. So straight to the vet at Cremorne for a check-up and his next shots. "He's perfectly healthy," was the pronouncement from the vet. "I see a lot of IGGIES. Did you know the lady downstairs has 13 of them?" And that's how we first met Claire. We visited Claire and her 13 IGGIES and that's when we met Tara. Talk about a small world. They both new Carlos and proceeded to tell us all about him. "He is by Ch Berizza Dspite thWhite (pied) out of Ch Vacquero Miss Holly (pied), bred by Anu Lummevaara (Berizza)." As Tara confirmed - Wondoan bloodlines behind him. We were told that Anu moved down to Sydney - she used to be up in Queensland. Bev Holt was the owner of the bitch (bred by Barbara McLeod and given to her for her young daughter to show) and she got Carlos as a dog puppy from the litter. So there you are. That's less than six degrees of separation! BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE We wanted a friend for Carlos. And that's how we came to meet Kate Alexander. We drove down to Yanco on the long weekend in June this year. Kate and Ian made us feel at home and we spent three wonderful days that literally changed our lives. Instead of finding one friend for Carlos, we came back with TWO! Little Dusty (1 year old male - Wondoan! Hi Lyn and John!) and Fophum (3 year old male and one of Kate's favourite boys). Three little IGGIES that have changed our lives. Thank you to all the wonderful IGGIE people we've met. And thankyou Di Stone for introducing us to her Millie dog all those years ago. Sadly Millie died this year but her memory lives on in all those wonderful IGGIES we all cherish. My warmest regards to all the members of FIGS. Graeme and Diane Bates graeme.bates@boom.com.au

Hi all
    I am a newcomer to the Italian Greyhound breed having just had my first two litters of iggies.
  I own CH Tunamara Whishn N Hopein Tunamara Cherie and Tunamara Hello Dolly   Cherie and Dolly are the mothers of the litters.
     There is a lovely dog pup Tuscamada Trend Setter in W.A who has allready won four Baby in Group awards and I have retained a dog from Cherie as well Tuscamada Scene Stealer who has just started his show campaign.
  The other lovely bitch pup is from Dolly and Whishin N Hopein her name is Tuscamada Golly MsMolly I am looking forward to showing both of these pups.
      I will still also have Australian Shepherds as well.
           Regards Linda
Linda Matthews
Australian Shepherds
http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MATT8596

Sandy & Mike Reeve
Piccino Italian Greyhounds
New South Wales, Australia
Mobile: 0412 129 646
Our first encounter with an Italian Greyhound was in late December 1993
near the Louvre Museum in Paris. We had been sightseeing and stopped to
look at some shops. From one of the doorways a diminutive hound
appeared, looked up and down the street and having satisfied itself that
all was well returned to the warmth of the shop where it proceeded to
curl itself up on a small tasselled cushion. We were at once enchanted
with the grace and demeanour of the animal and at that moment promised
ourselves that we would one day own a hound of similar traits. Not
knowing what the breed was, we inquired of the owner and was told it was
a "Petit Levrier Italien".
Having forgotten most of our school French, a translation was soon found
and we knew that our preferred breed was to be the "Italian Greyhound".
We searched bookshops for information on the breed but found that there
was little available. At last a copy of "The Italian Greyhound" by
Annette Oliver was located which gave us an in depth knowledge of the
breed.
Sandy is no newcomer to the world of pedigree dog breeding, having shown
Dalmatians in her hometown of Adelaide since 1982. Her involvement with
Dalmatians included membership of the Dalmatian Club of South Australia
and a dedicated Committee member of the club for 10 years. Sandy was
also Secretary of the Club for many years and Editor of "The Spot Press"
a magazine devoted to the Dalmatian breed.
Our first Italian Greyhound, Eltazzi Lucelli "Mia" joined us on New
Year's Day 1999. Since then we have enjoyed the antics and companionship
of this enchanting breed.  In March 2000 we welcomed "Ecco" into our
kennels who is now a “double” Grand Champion and Multi All Breeds Best
in Show winner.
We are now committed to this superb breed and continue our interest in
showing and breeding Italian Greyhounds. The Italian Greyhound is an
exceptional breed with a charming, affectionate, and amusing
personality. These hounds have the ability to completely captivate their
owners, they certainly have with us!