ourdogs

OUR DOGS

The dogs have changed ... a little. In 1996, my former
partner, Ken, brought home a number of Bouviers, all
pups. They included Rambo, Shadow, Piggy, Cowboy,
Bonnie. I added BP. This obviously meant that we could
no longer live in the city. In December of 1996, we
relocated to Phelan, where Bear's Den was born. Rambo is
the last survivor, 13 in May of 2009.

Then, we added Buster and in 1998, Tino. We also
purchased dogs from another breeder who was leaving
Bouviers, including Misty, Glory, Sumi, Simon and
Chantewa.   Sumi was the last and he passed at the age of
14 years and 5 months. All are now at the rainbow bridge.

We had our first litter in 1997, when I still thought that I
wanted show dogs. Buster and Chantewa produced 9
healthy children.

I had some success at conformation dog shows, but the
activity wasn't what clicked for me. I did manage to
"finish" one dog, but knew there was something I would
rather do with my dogs and that I would need different dogs
to do it with. Zues was a marvellous dog who came into my
life in 1997. He was a true Bouvier, who could do
everything from obtain 2 beauty championships to doing
bitework, tracking, obedience and obtain a Therapy Dog
title. Because we were so impressed with Zues, his
daughter, Nahla became part of our crew in 1999.
Unfortunately, Nahla could never be bred and Zues was
sterile when we finally decided to try to breed him. But,
through Zues, I knew that THIS was the type of Bouvier
that matched my concept of what these dogs should be
able to do -- there was never anything that he couldn't or
wouldn't do if asked and shown how. He epitomized the
ideal Bouvier for me.

Lily came in 2001, a hooligan at the age of 14 months who
came from exceptional working lines. She was more like
the Bouviers I remembered and wanted. She also came
with the stipulation that she had to be bred once to a dog
called Blitz. I hadn't seen him -- saw his terrific working
pedigree, though -- but he had a reputation.

Due to a compilation of circumstances all designed for ME,
I became the proud owner of Blitz in May of 2002. The rest,
as they say, is HISTORY! Blitz and I were a match made in
heaven -- a wonderful animal -- exactly what I thought a
Bouvier should be. Active, healthy, strong, protective,
fiercely loyal, incredibly intelligent   -- but definitely NOT a
dog for everybody.

In 2006, another girl joined my crew, Yno, another working
girl with an attitude.

From Lily & Blitz, I have produced 3 litters. The first litter
in the fall of 2003 produced Bosco Lily v. Hyacinth, SchH 1;
Mystyroch's Khan Lily v. Hyacinth, handicap assist, seizure
alert and service dog; Briarlea's Loretta Lily v. Hyacinth,
high scoring novice obedience at the ABdFC national
specialty at the age of just over 1 year; Osita Lily v.
Hyacinth, search & rescue certified; Porsche Lily v.
Hyacinth, guarder of home and hearth; Murphy Jones Lily
v. Hyacinth, companion extraordinaire and bowling ball
fiend; Alli Lily v. Hyacinth in training; Gator Lily v. Hyacinth
in training. The 2nd litter in the spring of 2005 only
produced Zhari Lily v. Hyacinth, a hellion of epic
proportions. The 3rd litter in the fall of 2005 produced
Glory Lily v. Hyacinth, personal protection dog; Dasha Lily
v. Hyacinth, competing in obedience and agility; Kembe
Lily v. Hyacinth, BH in training for Schutzhund and Blarney
Lily v. Hyacinth, a treasured pet in Connecticut.

Blitz sired a litter with Ch. Zonnetje Ma Belle v.'t Hangijzer,
CD, HT. I have Briarlea Zhana v. Hyacinth, who is being
trained in obedience. Another one of her littermates has
several agility titles.

Lily had 2 litters with Zenga Zigo v. Elton's Home, KNPV
PH1 with honors. Out of the first litter, Cahira Lily v.
Hyacinth, is a handicap assist dog in Northern Alberta;
Kimba Lily v. Hyacinth is working in Schutzhund in Boston,
NY; Ironhart Lily v. Hyacinth is working in Schutzhund in
Inverness, Fl. and Xena Lily v. Hyacinth is in obdience.
The 2nd litter produced Jager Lily v. Hyacinth who was
training in personal protection in Delaware and Lozen Lily
v. Hyacinth, who is training in personal protection in
Riverside, CA. Lily is now retired from breeding. Sadly,
Jager is no longer with us.

Yno and Gator produced 5 nice pups on February 1, 2007.
3 are in pet homes, 2 are here.   An earlier litter produced
only one boy, Elvis, who returned to me this year. He's very
large and very protective. He's available!

Marilyn was bred here and born in 2003. She is currently
with me for conformation dog shows. She obtained her
French TAN with Karin Caporal at NAWBA North Carolina
in the fall of 2006. She'd never seen a bite suit, but
thought it was a pretty terrific game!

Our retirees now in their golden years: Rambo (13),
Goldie (12, rescue), Jodi (12, rescue) and Ronan (10,
rescue). Retired non Bouvier rescues include Nerf (11),
Scruffy (12).

In midlife, we have Blitz (9), Lily (9), Yno (9).

The up and comers: Mibo (6), Marilyn (5), Alli & Gator (5),
Zhari (4), Zhana (4), Rocky (4), Xena (2), Iggy (2), Nora (2)
Hyacinth (2), Humphrey (18 months)

MY HOUSE CREW IN DECEMBER
1996

BUSTER, 1997

ZUES & ME IN MEXICO, 1998

ZUES, passing his NAWBA
courage test in Denver in
2002, when he was more than
10 years old! Later the same
year, he also achieved his last
certification with a BH, a few
months short of his 11th
birthday.