Sasha, CDX, TD, Can CD (1980-1992) started me
in the sport of purebred dogs: she was my pet-store, Novice A
dog.
She was willing to participate in my new-found love of obedience and would have been a much better scorer if I had been a better trainer! It was in the days of "jerk and pull", so she wasn't given a chance to reach her potential. She did, however, earn 2 legs for her UD before being retired with hip dysplasia.
Tracking was a big hit with Sasha -- walk along and eat cookies? What could be better! She had a wishful thinking approach to turns (maybe it goes straight?) and I learned to really study my tracking partner.
Sasha changed my life and I
loved her. What she taught me has rebounded to the benefit of
all the dogs who came after. We went a long way together, she
could have slept on my couch forever. Somehow, I thought she
would.
Griffon (the long nosed Collie) belonged to my
daughter, Carrie. When she was eight, she wanted a dog of her
own. Since we had already learned that not all Belgians get
to stay, and since I would surely micro-manage another
Belgian in the house, we looked for another breed. Griffon
was the result, a sable-merle Collie from Minnesota. Griffon
taught Carrie the value of picking up your clothes (he ate
underwear) and how much grooming a big dog really needs. He
was a wonderful match for Carrie, as she was content to read,
draw and dream and he was content to be with her. We lost him
much to soon to bloat -- another life lesson we could have
done without.
PACER -- Isn't she the cutest? Pacer is
my son, Matt's dog. We showed her a few times in conformation
before realizing that we didn't really understand the correct
way to show a Keeshond and, frankly, didn't care to learn. At
age 10, Matt had her almost ready for her CD when he realized
showing would involve being alone in a ring surrounded by his
mother's friends. So Pacer got the CGC and retired to being a
kid's dog.
In case you are
wondering, Pacer grew up to be a wonderful kid's dog. She has
a ton of energy to keep up with young boys/men but can snooze
and hang out with the best of them. At this writing, she is
twelve and hasn't slowed down appreciably from when she was
three.
Apache-the-Bear, CD (1979-1991) was a five year old
rescue when he came to live with us at Beeken. We were
starting to run a 3 dog sled team; he needed a home and viola!
I disliked the name, Apache, and tried to change it to Bear
but it wouldn't stick. One Christmas he was waiting in the
car for me to leave a friend's house. Foolishly, he was alone
with the Christmas cookies. After he ate them all, her son
asked, "Why don't you call him Apache-the-Pig"? Oh
well!
Apache was rather large (27") and not very correct according to the Tervuren standard. He made up for his unlovely contours by being a willing and cheerful companion. Apache was the pack alpha during the time I had nine dogs and did a good job keeping everyone in line. After he was gone, there was quite a muddle trying to get everyone back in line and understanding their places.
He is pictured at the 1986 ABTC National Specialty where he finished his CD.
BISS/CH Bounder, CD (1983-?) was actually my first Terv. We
never really understood each other but we had some very
interesting times together. He is pictured winning the
Canadian National Specialty under breeder-judge Mme. Renee
Demillier, as far as I know the only time he was shown in
Canada. Bounder was less than 2 years old at the time. He was
on his way to being re-homed when he finished his AKC CH and
CD.