We can hardly believe this is our last issue…

This project began towards the end of 2008. Full of enthusiasm, we wanted to create a specialist magazine dedicated solely to retrievers. We spoke with Elena Casolari Videsott, President of Retrievers Club Italiano, and Laura Sgorbati Buosi, another board member. It was a special moment for the Club: we had just launched a new structure segregating the Club into individual breed sections and a working section, and we liked the idea of creating a publication that could be a gathering point for all of the breeds and that would speak to everyone: Labrador, Golden and Flat lovers, fanciers of the ring and of field. A magazine that would also report important news from beyond our borders, and that would be a pleasure to look at and read!

With much enthusiasm we discussed the guidelines in which to move. We were fortunate to receive a great deal of support from Elena and Laura, and later from Stefania Sammaruca Roche who succeeded Elena as President.

Thanks to skype we were able to hold interminable meetings without moving an inch from our desks: Milan, Borgosesia, Sassari and Vicenza connected, so that we could dream and discuss for hours how to construct the magazine. It had to be for “everyone”, independent, impartial, with something for every member - breeding, shows, work – we wanted readers to find at least one interesting article in each issue. It had to have pleasing and elegant graphics, and to talk to “retrieverists” of all breeds about the activities in which our dogs excel, without forgetting their origins as gundogs.

Now that the “product” is well established and has received favorable feedback – we’re proud to have been asked to allow some of our articles to be reprinted, even in other countries – we’re giving it back to the Club, so that new forces are free to improve it and make it grow. We believe strongly in the utility of a breed club dedicated to all retrievers, and thank everyone who is willing to dedicate their time and energy to the cause!

We salute all of you and thank all those that have helped us over the years in a thousand ways: with advice, translations, by sending photos and passing on interesting topics: GRAZIE DI CUORE!

Martino Salvo, Patty Fellows, Alessandra Franchi, Leonardo Langiu