In January 1998 a fawn, four-legged little boy moved in with us. From that moment Taigh changed this family’s life forever, for the better. There was not a single person that met him that was not enchanted by his presence. Taigh was loving & devoted to his family & had more dignity than we have ever witnessed in a dog. An old soul – intuitive about the intentions of others, letting us know in no uncertain terms if we should discontinue our relationship with certain people. A true friend we could trust & count on!

At the ripe old age of 7 (bullmastiffs generally only survive 8 or so years) he went to Kleinhoekkloof for his 1st visit – a 15 hour trip all the way from Pretoria – 3 bullmastiffs in the back of the Toyota Prado (by then we had other additions to the dog family). Well, the Lord of the Manor had arrived. Never had we seen him so content. He loved nothing more than surveying ‘his’ farm from the stoep. He always looked as if he could burst with pride when he was at Kleinhoekkloof. Swimming in the dam, guarding his home, watching the sunset, ‘reading’ the wind – he was in his element!

Taigh went on to train 3 more bullmastiffs puppies – a true pack leader that got things sorted by commanding respect, never loosing his cool. 4 bullmastiffs don’t fit into a Prado that easily so they got a VW Caravelle to travel to the farm! Sadly on Good Friday 2008, Taigh left us after enjoying his last holiday at the farm in December even though he was in a lot of pain by then. His spirit will live on forever at Kleinhoekkloof , where he has been laid to rest.

To honour this great dog our 1st Merlot will be labeled as ‘Taigh – a tribute’.