A  TRIBUTE  TO  ANITA  EASTON,
Checkerboard Dalmatians.
See Anita on her site : www.dalmatians.com.au

Dalmatian Owner, Handler, Breeder / Judge, Importer & Exporter of Dalmatians for over 40 years.

 Anita Easton lost her life, passing away on 3rd November, 2009.

Anita was a member of The Dalmatian Club Of Australia and The Dalmatian club Of N.S.W. for over 40 years and made a tremendous contribution to the Dalmatian breed in Australia in that time.

Anita loved showing the Dalmatians and handled her dals to Best in Show many times, many Best In Group awards and Class In Show and Class in Group on numerous occasions including Best In Group at Brisbane Royal and Challenges.

Anita was responsible for 40 Champions, exported many dals, from a small kennel and had judging assignments at Dalmatian Specialties in Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand, Las Vegas USA, South Africa, Scandinavia, Pittsburgh USA, The Dalmatian Nationals in Russia and Canada, and Detroit USA.

Anita travelled extensively, attended The World Congress on the Dalmatian in London in 1980, attended many dog shows in the UK, meeting many of the people who have been famous in the Dalmatian World, including the USA.on her many trips there.

History was made in 1978 when Anita, together with her husband Patrick, imported the first and only English Champion into Australia who was the number one Dalmatian in the UK and later became ENG AUST & NZ CH Clydevale Mastermind ( Imp. UK ) "Magnus" appears in the pedigrees of many of the current show dals in Australia. The Australian Kennels to benefit most from "Magnus" are, Checkerboard, Paceaway, Kirindal, Swiftgait, Dizzidot.

In 1988 new blood was introduced when CH Clydevale Enigma was imported from the UK, again from the kennel of Mrs. Kitty Wharton. "Scotty' was half Olbero and half Clydevale as the outcross had been done in the UK.

In 1998, more new blood was introduced when Anita imported the first American Champion to Australia in the form of AM CH Firebuster Checkerboard Evon, who later became the first AM & AUST CH Firebuster Checkerboard Evon ( Imp. USA ).

Then came the importation of semen from the celebrated AM CH Tuckaway Winged Foot, winner of 37 Specialties in the USA. Puppies from a recent union in Victoria are now in show homes in Victoria and South Australia

The most recent of all the imports is still at Checkerboard, he is The first AUST, AM, CAN CH Volanta Vindicator ( Imp. Can. ) "Robbie"

Anita had many sleepless nights as bitches were due to whelp, but never complained as she was there to help the dams bring 52 litters into the world!

Anita always had a good eye for a Dal and it will be remembered by many that at The Dalmatian Association of Queensland Dalmatian Specialty, Anita 'put up' a Minor Puppy Bitch, Best In Show!  That bitch was CH Dizzidot Cicciolina who later became the No 1 dal in Qld. for many years, winning many Group and In Show Awards!

Anita was an accomplished musician playing Violin in many Musicals including the many Rogers & Hammerstein Shows. Anita was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel on one of her many trips to the USA, had travelled around the World many times, cruised on QE2, QM2, and some of the finest Ships afloat. Anita's last 28 day cruise was in the Mediterranean visiting many of the places that she knew so well, even though she was helped on to the Ship in a wheelchair!

Anita had a full and happy life, travelling with Patrick, her husband of 45 years to the Caribbean many times, New Zealand, Europe, South America, Mexico, Panama Canal, China, Japan, Hawaii and Islands of the Pacificand Alaska three times as this was Anita's favourite holiday.

Anita was much loved and is survived by Patrick, daughter Natalie, son in law Cameron, grand daughters, Georgia and Olivia and of course, is missed by all, including her Dalmatians, Robbie, Donna, Evon, Sarah, Vallie.

VALE

ANITA EASTON