By the time I was 6 weeks old I had been given my name “L.C.” which is short for Little Clive, because people said I looked so much like my dad “Clive” (Grand Champion Voncronan Clever Dick) and I was his first son. Life was great fun for me, I even enjoyed being taught to trot on the lead because my owner – or my other mum as I think of her now – never told me off, and allowed me to play even when she thought she was “training” me.  By the time I was nearly 3 months old I was being socialised (playing) with other dogs and people, and getting ready for my first Dog Show!  

But then disaster struck and I became very, very ill. I remember very little about what happened over the next week or two, so I’ll tell you what I have over heard my other mum telling people……… I was struck down savagely by what the vets now think was a severe gastro-intestinal virus.  I was completely unconscious for nearly a week, and had gastro-intestinal fluid leaking from my mouth, nose and my little bottom.  My temperature shot up, and my blood glucose levels dropped during the first few days.  My other mum was asked twice during that week to consider having me “euthinaised” whatever that means, but she said that I was a fighter and she wanted to give me every possible chance.  My only vague recollection was towards the end of the first week when I heard my other mum talking gently to me and stroking me.  I tried very hard to sit up, but I couldn’t because I was still to sick, so I whined to let her know that I could hear her.  

Then suddenly, after being in hospital for 7 days, I started to feel better.  I was sitting up, although it was hard because I was very wobbly and I still had a drip in my arm.  The staff at the hospital even started to hand feed me, but what puzzled me most was that everything was so dark.  After 9 days in hospital, my other mum was allowed to take me home.  The Vets said that I had suffered brain damage because of my illness, and it left me blind and I couldn’t co-ordinate my legs properly.  My mum spent many hours each day talking to me and hand-feeding me while I slowly regained my strength.  Over the next few weeks I got stronger and stronger and even started to play. My mum bought me some special balls for me to chase with bells inside so that I could learn to run again.  This was great fun – even though I couldn’t see where she rolled the ball I could still chase it by following the sound, then my mum would call me and I would follow the sound of her voice and carry the ball back to her.  About a month later I could start to see dark objects on the light grey carpet and I was getting stronger and stronger (and cheekier my mum said).  

Now I am just over 7 months old, it has been 4 months since my illness, and I have surprised everyone.  The Vets smile and shake their heads at the extra-ordinary progress I’ve made, and my mum just smiles all the time.  My sight has gradually returned completely (although my mum said that I might need reading glasses if ever I wanted to read the newspaper) and my co-ordination is 80 – 90%, I still have a little problem with my front feet when I get tired or to excited, but most of the time I can play, gallop & trot just fine.   

On 3^rd September, 2003 my mum took me to the Adelaide Royal Show – all I can say is wow! – The people, the lights, the atmosphere, and so many dogs from all over Australia, it was amazing, I had such a good time, strutting my stuff in the show ring and then “talking” to people for most of the day.  But there is one thing that I was really puzzled about – after I had been in the show ring a couple of time, against nearly 20 other puppies my age, the judge pointed to me and my mum and said “Puppy of Breed”.  What puzzled me was that my mum was smiling, but she was in tears as well – did I do something wrong I thought? – But my dad caught my attention from on top of his trolly and with a twinkle in his eye he said “it’s because were all so happy and so proud of you son”