Ghillie, F.T.Ch.Innistona Slay. Pointer Dog.

In similar vein to Danny, Ghillie wasn’t my first Pointer, I had owned Pearl, a daughter of his for a short while but she died of Parvo, just after getting her first inoculation. The day Will left for the Isle of Man he called at my house and handed me a lead, with Ghillie attached to the other end. At this time Ghillie was about eight years old and had won a novice stake, and an open stake, and been second and reserve in the Champion Stake.
Moving swiftly towards his sell by date he was a strange dog. Physically as strong as an ox but mentally still a puppy. A puppy that is until you let him off the lead at which time he was all business. I spent hours getting him fit and I doubt that any other dog could stick the work I gave him in my misguided efforts to get him fit.
Ghillie gave me two firsts. With him I gained my first Field Trial award, a C.O.M. at one of the Northern Ireland Pointer Club’s Open Stakes, and my first trial win. We didn’t know it at the time but 1988 was to be the last running of the All Winners Stake (effectively the Northern Ireland Championship) run by the N.I.Pointer Club due to rule changes at the K.C. With several displays of bird work and running that belied his years Ghillie won the event on Slieveanorra, a hill that has had to be given best by many younger dogs, and men, over the years. This win gave him his title. I was really attached to this less than pretty dog. He was as honest as the day is long and he was a delight in the kennel. Even his midnight baying of the moon when a bitch was in season was done with a bit of class.
There is a funny story about this dog. Will had done what he thought was a sterling bit of work with Ghillie in a trial and on returning to the judges to say “Thank you” was surprised to be told “Bad luck.” Registering the puzzled look on Will’s face one of the judges pointed at the dog. Ghillie was just finishing a snack and the foot of a grouse was protruding from either side of his mouth.

Click here for Ghillie’s Pedigree.