Pat Gaskell (Marshbury)
When I was asked to write this article about Pat it was really hard to try and explain to a lot of people who Pat was . My first real contact with Pat was at UKTD in 1982 when I showed my first homebred puppy Casarow's Summer Sunshine under her. Pat gave me my first ever first at a championship show. My question to myself was when did this person become my friend.
Pats Life in Dogs
Pat was a true doggie person you only had to speak to her and you were astonished by her knowledge not just of Pomeranians but of lots of breeds. I remember sitting in her living room discussing pedigrees of my own dogs and she would correct me if I got the sire or dam wrong. But it wasn't just pedigrees she knew who had breed each dog and were it had won and under which judge. I am not talking just last year but 20 or 30 years ago. She amazed Julie when she could recite a lot of Chihuahua pedigrees going back generations, but that was Pat.
Pat's sense of humour was renowned, and her honest discussion relating to that days judge was unique, even if she won that didn't matter if the judging was “poor” then we all knew about on the way home.
Pat started her interest in dogs when she was a young girl, she worked at a local kennels in Romiley (Stockport), this was in the 1940's she would cycle to work from Hyde where she lived.
Her initial interest was in Sealyhams, later on she owned Lakeland Terriers and was still grooming and hand stripping as a job until very recently. Most of us will know her through the Marshbury Pomeranians.
Pats Champions Her first Champion was Ch Marshbury Candle Glow she gained her title in 1972 winning 2 res CC's, at Bath under renowned judge Mr Joe Braddon & Birmingham under Harold Grace (Vertona). She then won 3 CC's in quick succession at Three Counties (Jenny Shrewsbury- Preservenes) Dumfries (Mr Foster) & Leicester (Mr Allan). When you think that 2 of these championship shows no longer exist and it was only 30 years ago.
Ch Marshbury Cream Rarebit was Pat's next champion he gained his title in 1979, he was a very clear cream and was shown against Ch Hadleigh Pride of The Stars & Ch Cygals My Way. His first CC was won under Sandra Sharratt (Vertona) at Midland Counties in 1978, and then Harold Grace at Manchester, Kathy Fellows (Norjefell) at Leeds and Lily Weinert (Vernlil) at Bournemouth.
It was only when we came to try and complete this article for you that we realised Pat was not one for having photo's done of her dogs. We knew previously that she didn't keep photos of her dogs or of herself. This was evident when Pat's daughter Catherine was holding a surprise party for her birthday we couldn't find any at all. Julie also told her off as she hadn't got a photo for the northern calendar of mimosa, so off we trotted to Pat's with the camera on a cold dark day, Julie spent nearly an hour trying to get that ‘one shot' which is amazing as Julie hates taking photo's.
Pats dream came true when she produced Ch Marshbury Manilow he was a real showman and in 1989 not only was he Top Puppy but Top Dog. He won 4 of his 5 CC's and 3 res CC's from puppy.
Pats most recent champion was Ch Marshbury Mimosa she was a petite wolfsable but was really showy. Pat was ‘gob smacked' when she won her first CC in 2002 from Andrew Brace at WKC and her second from Carl Sparrow (Casarow) at Richmond. But the last laugh was on Julie who volunteered her grooming skills and had the pleasure of Pat & Joan turning up at the house with a bathed dog, to any one that knew Pat this would have been an unique moment. Mimosa 3rd CC was won under Maureen Gregg (Tynan) at Birmingham on the Friday, Pat couldn't believe that you could bath a dog and its coat would be back to the correct texture not in a couple of days.
Pats involvement with the breed clubs
Pat not only showed but was highly involved with a number of Pomeranian Clubs.
Pat took over as Secretary / Treasurer in 1976 from Harold Grace of The Pomeranian Club she worked tirelessly for the Club with Bob Flavell as the Chairman, she resigned from this job in 1986.
In 1987 Pat took over at The Northern Pomeranian Club as Secretary / Treasurer after the death of Queenie Rowley. The Northern Club was reformed in 1981 (it had started in 1898 and was the second Pomeranian Club in the UK) and under Pats leadership the northern decided that they should have a stall at Crufts and in 1991 they became the first club for many years to provide this service.
1992 was an exciting year for Pat as The Northern was awarded CC's on a rotating basis from 1994, this was a truly rewarding time as it was due to the hard work and leadership that within 10 years The Kennel Club thought this club was able to run such a prestigious event. In 2000 Pat resigned from The Northern and was made an Honorary Vice President.
It was as a result of Carl & Julie who proposed & seconded Pat for patron of The Pomeranian Club that Pat became the Patron in 2002 when Harold Grace died. To Pat this was great honour as she felt that all the time serving the breed had been recognised.
Pats Judging
I am not sure but I think Pats first CC appointment in Poms was at Driffield in 1978 she awarded dog CC and BOB to Ch Vertonia Starbright (Mr & Mrs Grace) and Ch Linchow Luisha (Mr Huitson) both res CC's going to Gladys Dyke with brother & Sister, Hadleigh Pride of the Stars & Hadleigh Queen of the Stars.
In 1980 she officiated at Manchester and Dog CC to Saymar Prize Fighter (Doris Ramsey) & BOB to Ch Wynrights Jubilee Belle (Betty Flavell). At Three Counties in 1981 she awarded BOB to Ch Cygals Whipcrackerway (Stuart Finlay Bisset) & Bitch CC Ringlands Forest Mint at Rosskear (Ann Winter)
At UKTD in 1982 Pat had an unusual day , as most people will be unaware there was a protest entry by the German Spitz ‘ Victorian Pomeranians' and Pat had to judge them with the Pomeranians. As a result the German Spitz founded their own club and gained CC status in 1985. Pat gave the CC's that day to Jap Ch Diam of Sushimoto at Cygal & Ch Cream Puff of Hakodate Maekawa both imports from Japan.
Pat judged Pomeranians at Crufts in 1994 and her BOB was Ch Vanwick Cover Girl owned by Liz Sumner (Atherton) who was the Crufts judge this year and Dog CC was Sue Smiths Ch Toybox Platignum Phantom.
It was not until 2000 that Pat had the honour of judging The Pomeranian Club where she awarded BOB to Carol Smiths Ch Moonrae Ebony Hot Shot & Lynda & Nev Ibbertsons - Ch Linak Terffic Tiff, Best Puppy to Eve Smails - Toybox Hidden Agenda.
I remember Pat judging one of our bitches who was later to become a champion asking us whether we would breed from her, because to Pat it was all about the next generation.
Pat – Come dine with me
My best memories of inviting Pat around for a meal would be her asking to see all of our puppies and pedigrees where she would be most honest and forthright as to her opinion of their qualities and soundness. Which on a number of occasions was rather amusing as she wanted us to tell her why we had done that mating what we liked in it, which is rather difficult as neither I nor Julie agree on any puppy anyway, so Pat interference sometimes led to rather heated discussions.
Pat was a game old bird and was always ready to try something new, sometimes the meals were rather experimental including Baked Avocado & Blue Cheese with GARLIC bread, she tried Yorkshire Pudding filled with Pate and warmed Cranberry Sauce. She was rather amused on one occasion as when Julie was on a green day (slimming world) the meal was a three course vegetarian offering which she really enjoyed. She always cleared her plate and she loved the social side of our doggie friends.
Pats turn of phrase could sometimes raise an eyebrow or two, and so could the odd swear word especially relating to some recent judges and their critics.
Pat was easy to talk to and that was why she was so impartial when writing for Our Dogs which she did for a number of years. I think this was why so many people enjoyed her company both at home and away. Recently she travelled to shows with great Chihuahua friends Carol & Amy Davies (Dachidas) and although Pat was not a great drinker she would always have one for the road perhaps that is why her comments on the way home were rather colourful.
The last time that most people had the pleasure of Pats company was at Pats Birthday Party, which a lot of doggie people attended from all over the UK. Pats daughter Catherine had been organising this event for months and we were on strict instructions that we had to be there at a certain time. It was only when we arrived did we realise the reason why, we were to act as a protection barrier for Catherine as Pat hated surprises. So as we all hid in the kitchen, and the door opened Catherine hiding behind us we were a little worried but to everyone's amazement Pat was trilled and enjoyed the evening immensely. Our gift was unusual (a stud to any of our dogs) but Pat never took us up on the offer, as she didn't think that she would be breeding much anymore.
Finally
Pat loved the creature comforts of life, she loved makeup and was renowned for her ability to sniff out a perfume. She would not venture out unless she looked the part. Pats long nails were her own were always immaculate and usually painted a vibrant red.
But for as much as she loved Pomeranians she had the most amazing saying, “If there is someone you hate give them a Pomeranian bitch and tell them to breed something for show”.
To me Pomeranians has lost an amazing lady not just for her sense of humour but her knowledge of dogs.
Goodbye Pat.
Carl Sparrow with a little help from Julie (Casarow Pomeranians)
