Choo-tai was magnificent. Large eyes, a cute nose, a white chest & a light mane of a tail. The exceptional #Pekingese had won 'Best Champion' many a times! Her owner, Miss Violet Ashton Cross, had started exhibiting her in 1912, & she cleaned up the #prize table every time. It was at the prestigious Southhampton #Dog Show in 1913, when Miss Cross got an anonymous note. "Choo-tai will be poisoned". The #show preceded as planned. Choo-tai performed perfectly for the judges (as usual) & was swiftly brought back to his kennel. He won 'Best Dog In Show'. But in the following days, Choo-tai got sick & sicker. On day 3 post-show, the pedigreed pooch perished. Another prized puppy had departed too, & it was suspected that both dogs had been given pieces of liver laced with poison. A doctor was duly impressed by the poisoners precision on dosing the dogs to death. Miss Cross offered a reward of a £100 for information on the #murder. #history #jealousy #horror