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| Endal takes a well-earned break at Crufts recently, after his neck was slightly injured when a visitor fell on him. |
THE Kennel Club marked a major achievement in Endal's illustrious career as a service dog by celebrating his tenth appearance at Crufts with a surprise presentation from Caroline Kisko of a bottle of champaign (which Allen promised to share with Endal) and a card.
"I was sitting in the press office listening to the launch presentation of National pet month, given by TV presenter Philippa Forester, who many moons ago filmed with Endal" said Allen. "I was actually trying to recall the actual programme and date when suddenly everyone in the room was looking at us two old crocks." He went on "I heard them saying that a special presentation was being made but not for one moment did I think it was for us!" For once, as Phil Buckley from the KC press office stated, "Allen and Endal were lost for words" and admittedly a wee bit emotional.
Following his head injury in the 19991 Gulf war Allen lost 50% of his life's history, which included being married and the birth of his children. None of these memories have ever returned to this day. Allen and his family have since rebuilt a new life with new memories and have stopped looking back with sadness - they now look forward with hope. Allen said: "When I fell in love with Sandra again we remarried and in doing so moved on from the aftermath of war that could have so easily destroyed our family.
"Crufts has become so much part of the new life for the Parton family and we have made so many real friends over the years. Endal even has folk searching him out for the annual photograph with his adoring fans, to whom a Crufts without meeting Endal is just not complete. The Kennel Club and everyone involved with Crufts have supported this partnership for so many years," said Allen. "They have given Endal and I such a feeling of dignity and worth - a truly unrepayable debt we owe to them all.
"This year's Crufts has got to have been the best for Endal and I, not just because it was our tenth attendance, but because all the charities that we are involved with and that mean so much to me were under the one roof. Canine Partners of which I am a trustee, Labrador Rescue South East and Central of which Endal and I are patrons, Dog Theft Action (now an official charity) as vice-chairman and SSAFA that has helped my family and I post-Gulf war."
Sadly on Saturday Endal was slightly injured when a member of the public fell on to him, hurting his neck. A band of unsung heroes who are always on standby during the four days of Crufts, the Crufts veterinary team, had within five minutes checked Endal over and given him the all clear but suggested some rest. A quiet corner of the press office allowed Endal a good snooze and some R and R in the afternoon and on Sunday morning.
Will he make an eleventh Crufts? Allen replied: "We might make a one-day visit, but four days really does take it's toll on both of us. Endal left Crufts on Sunday afternoon with his head and tail raised high and a spring in his step". Allen added "I am just so immensely proud of Endal, not only for filling his PR role for the many organisation he is associated with but he also cared for me as well, enabling me to be independent throughout Crufts. Even despite his neck injury not once did he ever stop trying to help me. He really is a champion amongst dogs and being at Crufts is truly his rightful place."
