The Salukis in My Life: Here, There and Everywhere from the Arab World to China

Although Clark spent most of his long diplomatic career in the Middle East, it was only after he had been named British ambassador to Iraq in 1984 that he and his wife acquired their first saluki—a sand-colored puppy whose Kurdish owner really didn’t want to let her go. Beautiful, affectionate and born for the chase, Tayra’s hunting exploits introduced Clark to fellow enthusiasts ranging from Bedouin tribesmen to Gulf royalty, all of whom had much to teach him about the saluki breed and its ancient heritage. Clark retired in 1994, but he continued to visit the Middle East to see old friends and their new salukis, as well as participate in conferences dedicated to preserving the breed. A 1999 trip to Iran sparked an interest in the Tazi, or Persian, saluki, and Clark later broadened his conservation efforts to salukis in Russia and China. In this book, he tells of his diplomatic work, his travels and especially the joy that came into the Clarks’ lives when they adopted the first of their spirited, desert-bred salukis.