IT IS WITH GREAT sadness that I report the death of Mrs Dulcie Ann Edridge (Zoffany Lhasa Apsos), who passed away on Sunday July 1, having battled against illness for some 7 years.

I got to know Dulcie just a few short years ago, and although our friendship was relatively brief I will sorely miss her as she was a bright, intelligent, caring, yet private lady in every sense of the word – and I know that these sentiments are shared by many of those who came to know her through our hobby.

Before she became involved in the world of dogs, she was a successful breeder of Siamese and Burmese cats – and was a very keen (and talented) gardener; this was borne out when their magnificent gardens at her and husband Tony’s home earned them the Best Millennium Garden in their village.

Dulcie joined the Apso world in the early 1990s, and these hairy little dogs have been a big part of both their lives since then. Unable to make it to many shows during the past year or so, Dulcie was still keenly interested in the show world and Tony helped (as so many husbands do) with all aspects of their dogs’ welfare, which I know Dulcie so much appreciated – as she always said, he was her rock.

Dulcie’s funeral took place at Basingstoke Crematorium on Monday; a magnificent arrangement of pink, white and lilac flowers from her family adored the coffin; there were no other flowers – rather donations to Leukaemia research. To Tony and all of Dulcie’s family I (and I know many others will too) send my deepest sympathy – but rejoice in having known her.

Sally Pointon