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Margaret “Peggy” Malone

 

peggy

On May 17th the world of dogs lost one of its grande dames with the death of Peggy Malone of the Enolam Borzoi, at the age of 101, writes Denise Tyerman

Born into a theatrical family, Peggy quickly discovered a love of Borzoi. Her first was Kazan of Enolam; a spectacular lemon and white who did extremely well at local shows. As Peggy often observed, in those days, no one had a chance at the championship shows against the Duchess of Newcastle and her team of kennel men.
Then came the second world war. As Peggy lived in London it became a huge problem finding dog food. She had to give away her Borzoi to a country home. As she sat in floods of tears, on the train journey home, other travellers were convinced she had lost her husband to the Luftwaffe.
After the war, with the purchase of Reyas Black Magic from the Sayers, the Enolam line really started. Sandra, as she was known, produced several champions in one litter, and the Enolam line of classical blacks with beautiful heads was born. True to her status, Sandra also liked eating fivers and drinking Advocaat.
Although Peggy owned, and made up, other colours, I think she will always be remembered for her blacks.
In the later part of her life, Peggy moved from the south to Saltburn by the Sea. She had grown up in Sheffield, so already had a fondness for the north. Her partner, William Eatwell, never grew to love it as she did, and often missed the warmer temperatures.
It was when she bred a litter from her much loved Ch. Domino of Enolam, a house pet, that we met her. We had seen an advert for a borzoi litter and were interested. We picked a black bitch that became our own first borzoi, and the start of our love affair with the breed. 
It was also at this time Sylvia Marston was founding the Northern Borzoi Association. Peggy was a founder member, and, at the time of her death, the long serving president.
After William’s death, Peggy stayed on at Rushpool Hall for some years. It was a huge and atmospheric Victorian manor. I could never understand how she stayed there on her own, but she said that, in the event of problems, she felt she had places she could run to.
Eventually, Peggy moved to Grange Farm in Brotton. I thought it was much better for her and her dogs. Although, publicly, she agreed, I always thought she secretly missed Rushpool Hall.
She had some tragedies with her breeding, but her good friend Reg Basset of the world famous Colhugh kennel stepped in and ultimately gave her two bitches. One became Ch. Colhugh Comfort of Enolam, and the other became the mother to the last ever Enolam litter. 
Some years ago, she had an accident on the stairs, and ended up in hospital. She was never to return home. Her last remaining borzoi was taken by Adele Conroy, who also owned her litter sister. Both dogs made frequent visits to Peggy in the care home.
Peggy stayed in the care home until her death. She died peacefully, surrounded by some of the staff, and watched over by pictures of her beloved Borzoi.

Peggy