Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 10th March 1910.
10 Mar 1910
Description:

‘Dear Ned,

We send 2 locks of hair from Billy (whose real name is Little Oo). He won’t shed hair even when brushed – so these have had to be pulled out 1 by 1 – under protest. The black are mainly from the tip of his tail – but some – those that are fawn near the roots, from his head. Ting’s time has began – Bellman thinks it is so much better to have summer than winter puppies that we have written for Exning Huli to come next week. If you did not mind writing a few directions which I will give to Bellman to see to, I think it wd. be a good thing.

Ting is much better[?] – and really  very well. Only I fancy she may have worms. We are giving her a little arcea nut tomorrow or next day.

Yrs

A.M.D.

 Exning Huli is red – with black. We will send locks of his hair when he comes.’

 

[photograph enclosed with above –of ‘Little Oo and ‘Ting’:]

‘To be returned to M.

Little Oo or Billy.

Ting 2nd [illeg.].

Slips       Playdon[?]

Dear Jack,

I send you a photograph of myself with my pal Billy (= Little Oo aged about 9 mos.).

Ting.

5 March 1910.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 13th Oct. 1910.
13 Oct 1910
Description:

‘La Calcina. Venezia, Oct. 13. 1910. I forgot to answer your question about dates. We leave this next Wednesday Oct. 19th & I go to Rhyl for 2 or 3 days & then to Cambridge for a month (4 Brookside[...).]Ting’s famille due Nov. 3rd or thereabouts - & I should arrange to go there from Camb. unless you make some other plan. But I think she wd. be best in her accustomed surroundings. Jill’s date Mrs Ings[?] can let you know – I think December.

Yrs, A.M.D.’

 

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 18th June 1911.
18 Jun 1911
Description:

‘Dear Ned,

Ting gave birth to two daughters on Thursday afternoon at 6, & Friday morning at 3. She had rather a bad time (Margaret will tell you – as she was midwife). Both[?] puppies are like the father but darker. One seems to be a dark brindle – the other a dark fawn. Billy is a light fawn. They are funny little objects – like kittens & of course I don’t know what they are going to be like. I should like to sell one for 4 gns or more if she turns out to be a beauty & keep the other, & mate her later on with an albino (Jack for choice) to see if she would have white puppies with black faces. Margaret goes home tomorrow. Ting is a good little mother – can hardly bear to leave the puppies even for her necessary outings – is very gentle with all of us, but fierce with strangers.

Yrs.

A.M.D.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 19th Sept. 1910.
19 Sep 1910
Description:

‘Dear Ned,

I enclose Little Oo’s Pedigree – not a very complete one I fear.

Mrs Stormont, who has beautiful Pekingese – the ‘Cherub’ among others – has offered to let Ting mate with one of her Champions without a fee, provided she may have the “pick of the litter”. I said she might, provided you might see the puppies, have the Pedigree of the sire, etc. She is anxious to get a white Pekee with a black nose. I thought it best to close with the offer as it is difficult to get a good mate for nothing. As for letting Ting marry a black Pug! Don’t ask me to do it. I really couldn’t. She is more adorable than ever, & the ladies who have the Steps now are anxious to take her to Paris where they live. Weather divine - & this place [Venice] quite intoxicating.

Yrs.

A.M.D.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 22nd Sept. 1910.
22 Sep 1910
Description:

‘Private

Dear Ned,

I sent you a card asking you to send Ting’s pedigree to Mrs Stormont – but if you have not done so – don’t as I have just had the enclosed letter saying she would prefer the fee! I felt rather annoyed at first, as she offered of her own accord to let Ting mate with one of her dogs without a fee on condition that she should have the pick of the litter & I accepted on those conditions - & of course she ought not now to suggest the fee. However she is like many of these dog breeding ladies a little shifty! As she lives in Rhyl & I don’t much like her I think I will pay the fee & have done with her & trust to selling some of the puppies to pay it. If you have no objection.

Prince Pu is a handsome black Pekingese – so I hope he will suit your purposes. You will want his pedigree & I suppose a lock of his hair - & I think the best plan would be for you to write direct to her (in a few days time - so that she will have heard from me first) asking for them - & of course ignoring my affair with the fee or “pick of the litter” – I told her about your scientific investigations so she will understand – I enclose her letter that you may see how things stand.

Yrs in haste,

A.M.D.

The puppies ought to arrive on Nov. 23^rd. Would you like to have her for the “accouchement”[?]’

 

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 26th Sept. 1910.
26 Sep 1910
Description:

‘Please keep Mrs S’s letter about Ting for future reference. She may claim both the fee & the pick! Beautiful weather again. Quite hot. Many thanks for yesterday’s N.C. which crossed mine.

A.M.D.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 28th June 1911.
28 Jun 1911
Description:

‘Dear Ned.

The puppies’ eyes are that sort of “powder blue” that kittens have. The whites are a little bloodshot which gives them a look of  being ‘shot’ with violet. Their noses are quite black – as are their faces for the most part. The elder & bigger is a dark brindle - very much the colour of that French bull-dog with white front paws you had. The younger is a fawn like the father. I do hope you will come & see them & pull their hairs out yourself!

I think I shall keep one, & possibly let Ethel have the other, unless I get a good offer for it. I am looking forward to L on the 12th. That place on the back is probably what you said (a suffusion). A sort of ‘seat’ is coming up as the hair grows & the skin is all right underneath.

Yrs,

A.M.D.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 30th Sept. 1911.
30 Sep 1911
Description:

 

‘Sea View Cottage. Rye Harbour.

I must wait till I get back to the Steps to answer the questions -  as I can’t be sure without looking at the dogs. I hope a fortnights delay won’t matter.

Yrs,

A.M.D.’

 

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettleship, 3rd July 1910.
3 Jul 1910
Description:

‘Billy – or Little Oo is the father. Looking forward to see L on the 12th or 13th. So sorry she can’t stay over Sund. Can’t you come too?

A.M.D.’

‘Billy – or Little Oo is the father. Looking forward to see L on the 12^th or 13^th. So sorry she can’t stay over Sund. Can’t you come too?

A.M.D.’

Sent A. Dew-Smith to E. Nettlship, 26th Feb. 1913.
26 Feb 1913
Description:

‘Dear Ned,

It was very remiss of me not to have sent you particulars of Ting’s last family.

She had 3 puppies on Jan. 21. Two boys & a girl. One boy is biscuit colour (like little Oo.) & the other boy, & the girl dark red & brindle. All have black noses & faces, & no conspicuous white. All were born alive & so far have remained so. Ting was particularly well, & is in good spirits both before & after her confinement this time. The first service was Nov. 13 & the puppies did not arrive till Jan. 21. 10 weeks minus a day – but there were several services after Nov. 13 – in fact I told Gabriel to let them meet as often as Ting liked. This seems a good plan as far as Ting’s health is concerned.

I have heard nothing about Maude. Her time ought to be about now. Will you send here[?] by return if poss. A broken bit of your dinner set to show [Glanshaw?]. He is interested in it.

Yrs.

A.M.D.’