He was taken from us  unexpectedly just two weeks short of his 14th birthday by a sudden  stroke. The gap he has left in the pack and in my life is impossible to describe.

A cheerful, happy chap, he loved everyone and represented the breed at the Crufts Discover Dogs for five years, thoroughly enjoying every minute of meeting the public and was featured in the television coverage in 1999.

Shamanu was always a much valued member of my working team, and although he excelled in wheel he has also run in lead and team. His power and enthusiasm were always  an inspiration, and he helped introduce the fun of running in harness to all my younger team members.

Sham had a long and successful show career, and apart from mealtimes, show days  were without doubt his favourite times. His wins include a RCC at South Wales KA Ch. Show under Georgia Lawrence in 1998. In 1998 he won Best of Breed at five Open Shows, and at Border Union Ch. Show without CCs. At Crufts 1995 he won Post Graduate Dog under Caroline Kisko, and in 2000 he was third in Veteran under Sue Knowles, beaten only by Ch. Forstal Nicolaas and Ch. Zima Toaki, the top dogs in the breed at the time. He was Best Veteran Dog at the SHCGB Northern Open 2000.

Sham went Best Working Veteran In Show at Livingstone Canine Society Show 2001. He was Best Vintage in Show and Reserve Best Veteran in Show at Ashington and District Canine Society 2002. His many, many other prizes would, I am sure have been only  the tip of the iceberg if he had not had me as his handler impeding his  movement, but we both enjoyed showing together so much we would not have wished it any other way. He was my constant companion until he became too frail to enjoy travelling, and was used to long distance train journeys as well as the more usual trips in the van.

He was a most adaptable dog, and made the most of everything he did. His motto seemed to be that if I was enjoying an outing then he would too - and he fitted in well at everything from Star Trek conventions to educational events, Travelodges to expensive hotels.

There are no words to thank you, dear Shamanu, for a lifetime of devotion and love. There will never be anyone as devoted, as selfless or as single minded as you - I treasure every minute we shared, and I count the minutes until we will be together again.

Sleep well my dearest friend - there is an empty space below my hand where your head should be and a void in my heart that will always call out for you to come home.