William was born in the Ukraine, probably in 1993. He was sent to Dubai by his breeder and placed in a pet shop, which was owned by the then, only vet in Dubai. My personal feelings are, vets should not own pet shops. Also Dubai is not a suitable country for a Borzoi, being a Russian breed, they cannot tolerate heat.

William was in the pet shop for a week before he was sold. One week after that, he was picked up by a main road, with two broken front legs. At the time, it was believed he was not more than 7 weeks old. He was taken to Carol, who ran the rescue in Dubai, but because of his legs, she had no alternative but to take him to the vet.

The vet operated on his legs but refused to let Carol have him. Instead, she loaned him to Terry and Sheila, telling them they were to return him to her as soon as the legs had recovered, as he was to go back to her pet shop. Terry was at the time, stationed in the R.A.F. in Dubai. After a few weeks, Terry was ordered back to the UK and unbeknown to any one except Sheila and Carol, William was put on a British Airways flight and flown to London. He then had to endure 6 months quarantine, not a pleasant thought for such a big and young dog, but infinitely better than going back into that pet shop.

At this point, Carol ‘phoned me and asked me if I would place him in the Borzoi rescue, which I agreed to do, but I think I already knew what I was going to do! Terry sadly could not keep him, as he was frequently being stationed in different countries.

I went to visit him once a month. I would like to have gone more often but it was a four and a half hour journey from here to the quarantine kennels. After six long months, I made the journey for the last time. I can still remember my excitement getting there and the joy of seeing him jump into the back of my car, settling down straight away, as though he knew he was going home. Actually, it was not without a little concern, I had 5 Borzoi at home already, three of which were roughly the same age as William, teenagers I suppose and they certainly behaved like them! Taking him away was a strange experience, I never expected to have tears from half the kennel staff, two girls begged me to let them keep him. I had given Terry my word I would have him and anyhow I wanted him! I think it goes to show what a wonderful character he had.

I owned this dog for a little over ten wonderful years, he was the most loving friend and he has left a gap in my life that can never be filled.