The saying goes that reading books is not a hobby
at all. But I always liked to read and collect, especially antique
books. On the other hand I prefer outdoor sports also a lot. At the age
of six I started alpine skiing, which remains my favourite winter sport
until today.
All the way through the teenage period I was a member of the DLRG
(German Life Rescue Org). Today I enjoy a swim every morning, before
work, throughout the summer period.
I left the DLRG long time ago. Today, as I like to “work” with dogs
since my childhood, I am member of a local Search & Rescue Dog
team. And this leaves at the end no more spare time for any
other hobby one can think of.
Training with the Search &
Rescue team of Singapores Civil Defence Force
After a long search for a robust, naturally
looking and not too large breed I purchased a Tibetan Terrier.
This shaggy coated dogs originate in the "Lost Valley" of Tibet, where
they were bred and raised in the monasteries by lamas almost 2000
years ago. They were known as "Holy Dogs" and "Luck Bringers".
The breed was introduced into Great Britain in the early 1930's
when Dr. Agnes R.H. Greig, an English surgeon practising medicine in
India, brought several dogs home with her. She had been presented with
a gold and white female puppy by a Tibetan whose wife she had cured.
Dr. Greig was so fascinated with the breed that she acquired more dogs
from Lamas and began to breed them in India.
She managed to get them registered as a
distinct breed, they were originally known as Lhasa Terriers, by the
Kennel Club of India in the 1920's. But this dog does not have
Terrier-blood at all. It was a mistake with the registration, correctly
he must be called Tibetan Apso. The tibetan designation Apso means "
with long hairs".
