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The NEW BERN
I PUBLISHED WEEKLY
IN THE HEART OP
j. 'ASTERN NORTH
^ Or/
VOLUME 15
NEW BERN, N. C. 28560, FRIDAY. JUNE 9, 1972
NUMBER 13
New Bern, for some of us,
isn’t quite the same since
Royston Blandford’s wire-
haired fox terrier. Lucky, died.
Seeing them take their daily
walk together was one of the
plesanter sights in this town on
the Neuse and lYent.
Love and exceptional care
kept her longer among ttie
living than most dogs. Almough
18 pushing 19, she
remained active and
alert until recent months.
And to the last she had the mark
of class, and the air of an
aristocrat.
This reserve, bordering on
but never actuaily iapsing into
aloofiiess or disdain, stemm^
from her heritage. Her father
was an International champion
and her mother a British
champion. She had a good
excuse for hoiding her head
higher than the average canine.
Lucky came into the Bland-
ford home as the result of one of
those emergencies that
happen in the iives of all
parents. Royston’s small son.
Jay, now grown, had a German
shej^erd that died, and ieft the
youngster heartbroken.
J. K. day, who used to
operate a kennel near New
Bern, tried to find a quick
replacement. He didn’t' suc
ceed, but Lucky, born in
Baitimore, was suggested as a
likeiy pet. Royston agreed, and
she was flown to New Bern.
No dog ever had it better than
Lucky. From the day she
walked into the Blandford
household until she ceased to be
among the living, she was a
queen in manner and in fact.
For years, since Royston’s
wife passed away, and his sons
grew up and departed to
establish homes of their own,
the man and his dog have
leaned heavily on eacn other
for affection close at hand.
This editor, who once gave his
heart to a, stray dog named
Lucy, and lived to weep by her
death bed in the early
darkness of a winter morning,
can appreciate the grief that
Royston feels. It won’t leave
him any time soon.
Lucky had her quirks. She
wouldn’t eat just anything. Her
favorite dishes were chicken
and ice cream. She loved candy
suckers too, but only the red
ones. You couldn’t fool her. She
selected her color at Clark’s
Drug Store. If you think we’re
spoofing, ask Callie at the candy
counter there.
Well do we remember an
occasion when Lucky showed
signs of an allergy. Royston
took her to the vet, and
e^diaustive tests revealed that
she was reacting unfavorably to
the brand of cigars that her
master was smoldng.
They weren’t cheap cigars.
You never saw Royston in all
your born days with a cheap
cigar rammed in his mouth.
Nevertheless, Lucky was
getting upset, so Blandford
switched brands without
hestitation.
Much as we hate to admit, it
we never managed to get real
chummy with her. About the
most we could claim was ap-
(Continued on page 8)
’ -: * “ . if
OUR LAND OF ENCHANTING WATERS
—Photos by Billy Benners.