Brian Hammond-Edwards
FAREWELL LOVELY BRIAN
(June 2007 – 7.6.2021)
Owen and Sandra told Pauline “We had to say goodbye to Brian last night during the week of what would have been his 14th birthday. He went downhill over the weekend and the vet found a mass in his stomach”.
Having had all day with his family, he crossed Rainbow Bridge where he would, no doubt, have been greeted by his Mum, Connie, and his beloved Aunty Belinda as well as many of his adoptive brothers and sisters including Bond, Casey, Harley, Helga, Jay and Kirby and foster brothers Danny, Gizmo and Sprocket.
Many IRR friends from the early days of the big Reunions, where Sandra and Owen provided all the agility equipment and much of their time and expertise and where Brian was one of the star attractions, would have also have been lined up to greet him as he was such a friendly and popular chap with everyone.
Brian’s agility always had much to be admired as did his tricks but maybe not so much his formal obedience being the winner of the Darcy Cannon Award for the Most Useless Obedience Dog in 2008.
He did finally grow up a wee bit by the time he was 4yrs old when in 2011 with his Mum, Sandra, he won the Clever Clogs class as well as gaining 2nd place for Lads in Best Condition under 5yrs old.
We all adored Brian and his family, of course, all miss him terribly. He really loved life and lived it to the full. Sandra sent us a few pictures of their handsome boy and told us “A friend summed him up in one word Legend” which is a perfect way to describe this wonderful boy.
This is the day he saw Connie. It was Belinda holding them.
Here is Brian on his last holiday, waiting for an ice cream, at Lowestoft.
You really were a shining star and a great credit to IRR. We all loved you very, very much. Our lives were enriched by your presence, sweet boy. Rest in peace then fly with the angels forever, our very special Brian.
History
WHAT A LIFE FILLED WITH FUN THESE BOYS HAVE HAD
Now retired from active competition, Brian who was MERLIN (above right) with his brother MINSTREL (who became Drake) and Golden Retriever mum MAISIE (who became Connie) were all surrendered to the pound and possible instant death. Their sin was Connie’s “mis-behaving” and not earning money for her greedy owner:((
Both boys, in experienced hands, went on to do Connie proud with Brian doing agility and Drake doing a variety of competitive doggy sports.
THE EARLY DAYS
Fortunately, all three were rescued and were fostered in Ireland before coming to the UK where they were fostered by Pauline and Steve in the West Country. This was where his “working potential” was quickly spotted as was that of his brother.
Amazingly, mum and pups were all in good condition and all have superb temperaments.
Connie, with little interest in her lively boys, was more than happy to go to her forever home with Belinda and Terry as soon as possible.
Merlin went on to be fostered in Stafford with a view to be adopted by his foster family who loved him to bits. Unfortunately, the resident cat didn’t feel the same despite Merlin’s attempts to make friends so he, then, moved into foster with Andy and Val in the West Midlands.
UPDATE ON MERLIN
MERLIN, like his brother, has found the most wonderful working home except his forte is going to be Agility instead. He now lives in Bedfordshire with Sandra and Owen and their 4 dogs. Early reports are that he has settled very well and is exactly what they were looking for in a puppy.
UPDATE ON BRIAN
Little Merlin is now called Brian and, apparently, he responds to it well.
Owen and Sandra say, ” Brian is a lovely boy, very contented and intelligent. We have taught him to come to a whistle like the other dogs. He sits and waits for his food. He sleeps through the night and walks nicely on the lead. He loves Casey, the spaniel, but the other dogs just wish he would “grow up” sometimes”
“He has fitted in nicely. We take him to watch the others doing agility, which fascinates him”
NEW PICS OF BRIAN
Obedience training 
With Mum 
With Dad 
Brian says he’s looking forward to the Reunion and meeting his Mum (Maisie, now Connie) and his brother (Merlin,now Drake).
MESSAGE FROM BRIAN 16/04/2010
“Mummy and Daddy were really pleased with us at the weekend. We went to our first Open Agility show of the year. Daddy was Judging, so we had our caravan in the front row.
When we arrived Mummy and Daddy set up our caravan and garden for the weekend. Then they went to set up Daddy’s course for Saturday. I was quite happy as I could see them, but Harley got bored watching them, they were taking so long. I told Harley that it wasn’t a good idea to jump over the windbreaks, so he decided to go under. He was really pleased with himself and ran straight to Daddy. For some reason Daddy didn’t tell him off!!! He just borrowed a lead and brought him back. Mummy and Daddy returned to our caravan then for a little while, but soon went off to visit somebody. Harley wanted to go too, but Daddy said “No, Stay” but of course he didn’t. Daddy looked cross this time when he came back holding Harley by the collar, and he told me I was a “Good Boy”. Then Daddy put some more pegs around the bottom of the windbreaks, and Harley ‘sulked’.
On Saturday Daddy was Judging, so Harley couldn’t compete. I had a great time, for some reason Mummy didn’t wait when I stood at the top of the ‘A’ frame having a look around, so I had to jump off quick to catch up (5 faults) and then I was going so fast in the weaves I got muddled. When we did jumping, we got to the 17th obstacle, the weaves, I didn’t want to get in a muddle again so I ran past (5 faults again). On Sunday I thought Mummy could do with a run, so I went through the tunnel so quick she wasn’t at the other end to tell me where to go. Last course of the weekend, this is getting more fun, Mummy is pleased as long as we start and finish together, and I get lots of treats in the queue, so I thought maybe I would try harder. Well I did it, I got a clear round and in the time. Mummy was so pleased, she said she knew I could do it and kept telling all our friends…………….result”
UPDATE JUNE 2010
Sandra says “The boys have asked me to tell what has been happening over the past few months. The good news is that both boys have passed their Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Award.
Brian has only managed to get one clear round recently, this was with Owen 2 weeks ago, but he was very slow and had time faults. Most of the time he does about 4 or 5 obstacles, has a scratch, and then lies down, once I get him up, he flies the rest of the course but, by then, we have been eliminated for handling. He is worse when he has an audience, but he always get a bigger clap from the crowd than the ‘clear round’ dogs. I reckon he thinks we have enough rosettes at home!!!!!!”