LINES FROM LINDA: REMEMBERING AKC FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM HAROLD HOLBROOK
specials. I must admit that my eyes were tearful when, as her turn came to gait Blazer, I saw not only ringside spectators applauding for them, but also the exhibitors inside the ring. Like father, like daughter. Bill’s outstanding handling skills were obviously passed down to Nancy. Other Collies associated with the Holbrooks and their Buffington pre- fix were Lady Dewbrook of Buffington, dam of Blazer (1957), Ch. Sir Ree Bob of Buffington (1958), Ch. Buffington Gambler O’ Walita (1963) and Ch. Buffington’s Lady Nutmeg (1960). In 1967, Holbrook’s Koani Kaper was bred to Ch. Parader’s Reflection, producing Helga Kane’s breathtaking Ch. Kanebriar Holbrook Halloo, dam of Ch. Kanebriar Keynote (1970), an outstanding winner of his era as well. Mentoring is the transfer of knowledge. Often it results in lasting friendship. Little did Doris Koani (Koani Collies) know in 1964 when she bred Koani Mokahana Button, a daughter of Ch. Blazer of Buffington CDX, to Ch. Linbairn Autumn of Clelland (a breeding based on Ted Kattell’s dog, Borco’s Roger Bright) that the sale of a handsome sable male puppy from the litter would have a profound effect on the entire Collie commu- nity for the next 50 years and form a close friendship based on mentoring. It was Al and Helene Forthal who purchased the pretty sable male puppy in 1964, naming him Shane McDuff of Koani. The couple set in motion Shoreham Collies, one of the most consistent and successful Col- lie breeding programs based on a small scale that this country has ever witnessed, which produced the top specialty-winning Collie of all time. Fortunately, along with Al’s purchase of Shane came a knowledgeable mentor and future longtime friend, Bill Holbrook, who guided Al early on into the Sport of Dogs. The charming vintage photograph of “Button” with three of her pup- pies has true historical value. It pictorially takes us back to Al Forthal’s introduction to exhibiting Collies thanks to Bill Holbrook’s friendship and mentoring. At the 2005 San Diego Collie Club specialty show, club members, spectators, friends, and exhibitors threw a huge surprise party for Al and Helene Forthal to thank them for nearly six decades of priceless contribu- tion to the Collie. When Bill Holbrook heard about the party-to-be, he sent the following letter to be publish in the SDCC catalog, followed by a shorter version that fit nicely on a catalog page. Ah, yes: Four-thal In the decade of the ‘60s in California there were a number of couples showing and enjoying their Collies: Al and Helene Forthal (Shoreham), Svend and Joyce Jensen (Valley-Hi), Jim and Pat Martin (Wonderland), The Holbrooks (Buffington), Lynn and Pete Peterson (Highland), Milt and LaVerne Walker (San Lori), Hal and Paula Dickinson of the pop- ular singing group, The Modernaires (Three Trees), Hal and Lunnette Goodrich (Lunnette’s), and Joyce and Marshal Appel. At the beginning, Al kept landing in 4th place…and we all teased him for being “Mr. Four-thal.” As his handling skills progressed, he became Mr. Third-al, Mr. Second-al and Mr. First-al. About this time, Al’s astute Collie, Shane McDuff of Koani, a grand- son of our beloved Ch. Blazer of Buffington CDX, helped him polish his handling skills all the way to the Winners markers. This enabled us to celebrate the Forthal’s first champion by changing Al’s name to “Mr. Win-all.” I remember being at Doris Koani’s home sorting through the lovely litter in which the dam, Button, was sired by our Blazer, and it con- tained Al’s first champion, Shane…So many great memories of those golden years. The Collie ringside was one of the happier places to be in the 1960s, and Al helped make it so. We cherish our fun time with you, Al and Helene. Love, Bill and Jidge Holbrook
1965 – Bill with Ch. Buffington Gambler O’Walita. Jidge with Ch. Blazer of Buffington CDX.
1962 – Blazer winning SoCal Collie Club w/Jidge handling. Nancy holds trophy with Lew Carpenter of Lewellen Collies. Judge Van Dyck (left) and Ted Kattell of Borco Collies (right).
1957 – Six-year-old Nancy Holbrook with her puppy, Blazer, whelped February 19, 1957. Blazer won his first ribbon at a So. Cal. CC match, August 18, 1957.
68 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2021
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