Tag: 2020 Issue 2 (Mar/Apr)
The Beauceron Bulletin
President’s Page – April 2020
Pick of the Litter
Beauceron Bibliothèque
2020 Rose City Classic
Kayla Phillips
I love kicking the year off at one of my favorite shows on the west coast, the Rose City Classic! It’s in Portland, Oregon, typically the third week of January. This is a huge four day show with over 3,000 dogs and public attendance is very high. This show gets news time and featured on AKC.TV, as well as visited by children on their school field trips! It’s great to see the community come together for a show and for the dogs to be so nicely displayed for viewers.
This year we had a nice entry of some lovely Beaucerons from puppies to mature adults, both colors, and both ear styles were represented. We had multiple kennels, both domestic and foreign, represented. All the judges commented on their amazing temperaments, and how hard breeders have worked to improve the breed in the last 10 years!
Overall it is was a great weekend filled with Beaucerons, friends, and fun times! We hope to see everyone back next year and more Beaucerons competing in conformation, rally, and agility! I will be working hard to make this a supported entry for next year.
Thursday Conformation Entry:
Judged by: Mr Christopher Tilghman Neale
Puppy Dogs 9 Mos & Under 12 Mos.
(1/W) 5 SVAJONE’S PRINCE SIDON. DN577169/03. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-CH Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Maile Hirano Kayla Phillips.
Puppy Bitches 6 Mos & Under 9 Mos.
(1) 20 PRAEDA DU JOIE DE VIE ADVENTURE. DN576724/07. 04/21/2019. BREEDER: Angie Robertson Dawn Johnson. By CH Japper du Dragon Noir-GCH Monet Happy des Monts du Lac CGCA CGCU. OWNER: Dr. Kim Rioux Angie Robertson.
Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches
(1/W/BW) 6 SVAJONE’S PAINT YOUR PALLET BLUE AND GREY. DN577169/04. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais garden des chutes. OWNER: Maryann Sullivan/ Kayla Phillips. (3 Pt Major)
Open Bitches
(1/RW) 14 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. BREEDER: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. OWNER: Carly Fryer.
(2) 18 ALAUNA OF GABRETA FOREST (CZECH REPUBLIC) CGC. DN471733/01. 04/18/2016. BREEDER: Dr. Villiam Stancik. By Ame Magnanime Cyrano Puissant-Arwen Enyhed. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Angie Robertson & Milan Hecimov.
Best of Breed Competition
(B) 9 GCH LORD LEKOR DU CHATEAU ROCHER. DN426424/02. 03/04/2015. Dog. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By DJack Du Mont Des Croisettes-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup. OWNER: Susan Almatrood & Adell Almatrood. (5 Pt Major)
(BOBOH )10 CH OCTAVIA BLEUE GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN560486/01. 10/07/2018. Bitch. BREEDER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczeurolapa-GCH Jezabella Noire du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. (5 OH Pts)
12 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. OWNER: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
(SEL) 16 GCH MYSTIQUE DE SOLEIL MINUIT CGC. DN464310/03. 07/02/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Joe Ciorra Jan Ciorra. By Ch Ch De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA-Gatekeeper Xena CGC. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Lan Hecimovich. (5 Pt Major)
(OS) 22 GCHG CH MAITRISE DU CHATEAU ROCHER TT RATN CA RN CGC. DN456023/06. 01/26/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By GCHG CH De Jolie Du Chateau Rocher TT SAR CGCA-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup BH CA. OWNER: Karen Muller. (5 Pt Major)
Friday Conformation Entry:
Judged by: Jean-Louis Blais
Puppy Dogs 9 Mos & Under 12 Mos.
(1/W/BW) 5 SVAJONE’S PRINCE SIDON. DN577169/03. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-CH Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Maile Hirano Kayla Phillips. (3 Pt Major)
Puppy Bitches 6 Mos & Under 9 Mos.
(1/W) 20 PRAEDA DU JOIE DE VIE ADVENTURE. DN576724/07. 04/21/2019. BREEDER: Angie Robertson Dawn Johnson. By CH Japper du Dragon Noir-GCH Monet Happy des Monts du Lac CGCA CGCU. OWNER: Dr. Kim Rioux Angie Robertson. (3 Pt Major)
Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches
(1/RW) 6 SVAJONE’S PAINT YOUR PALLET BLUE AND GREY. DN577169/04. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais garden des chutes. OWNER: Maryann Sullivan/ Kayla Phillips.
Open Bitches
(1) 14 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. BREEDER: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. OWNER: Carly Fryer.
(2) 18 ALAUNA OF GABRETA FOREST (CZECH REPUBLIC) CGC. DN471733/01. 04/18/2016. BREEDER: Dr. Villiam Stancik. By Ame Magnanime Cyrano Puissant-Arwen Enyhed. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Angie Robertson & Milan Hecimov.
Best of Breed Competition
(B) 9 GCH LORD LEKOR DU CHATEAU ROCHER. DN426424/02. 03/04/2015. Dog. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By DJack Du Mont Des Croisettes-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup. OWNER: Susan Almatrood & Adell Almatrood. (5 pt Major)
(BOBOH) 10 CH OCTAVIA BLEUE GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN560486/01. 10/07/2018. Bitch. BREEDER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczeurolapa-GCH Jezabella Noire du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. (5 OH Pts)
12 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. OWNER: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
(SEL) 16 GCh MYSTIQUE DE SOLEIL MINUIT CGC. DN464310/03. 07/02/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Joe Ciorra Jan Ciorra. By Ch Ch De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA-Gatekeeper Xena CGC. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Lan Hecimovich. (5 Pt Major)
(OS) 22 GCHG CH MAITRISE DU CHATEAU ROCHER TT RATN CA RN CGC. DN456023/06. 01/26/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By GCHG CH De Jolie Du Chateau Rocher TT SAR CGCA-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup BH CA. OWNER: Karen Muller. (5 Pt Major)
Saturday Conformation Entry:
Judged By: Mrs Patti Widick Neale
Puppy Dogs 9 Mos & Under 12 Mos.
(2/RW) 5 SVAJONE’S PRINCE SIDON. DN577169/03. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-CH Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Maile Hirano Kayla Phillips.
(A) 7 PIRATE’S LAIR AU GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN575080/03. 03/04/2019. BREEDER: Carol Ann Cossey & Joanna Marie Law & Karla Davis. By GCH Glacier Bleue Souers Jumelles-Lady Rhea Van Horst Du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: rose bednarski/ Jessica Lyn Stover / Kayla Phillips.
(1/W/BW) 11 PICK YOUR POISON DU LA COUR DES REVES. DN577169/05. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla & Sherri Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Alissa Felix & Kayla Phillips. (4 Pt Major)
Puppy Bitches 6 Mos & Under 9 Mos.
(1) 20 PRAEDA DU JOIE DE VIE ADVENTURE. DN576724/07. 04/21/2019. BREEDER: Angie Robertson Dawn Johnson. By CH Japper du Dragon Noir-GCH Monet Happy des Monts du Lac CGCA CGCU. OWNER: Dr. Kim Rioux Angie Robertson.
Twelve To Eighteen Month Bitches
(1) 8 OH LE VRAI AMOUR DE ROI GIVRE. DN557641/05. 11/10/2018. BREEDER: Pamela Frost. By GCH CH Luc Du Chateau Rocher-GCH CH Magie Noir Du Mont Des Croisettes. OWNER: Adina Norris and Thane Norris and Pamela Frost.
Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches
(1) 6 SVAJONE’S PAINT YOUR PALLET BLUE AND GREY. DN577169/04. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais garden des chutes. OWNER: Maryann Sullivan/ Kayla Phillips.
Open Bitches
(2/RW) 14 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. BREEDER: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. OWNER: Carly Fryer.
(1/W) 18 ALAUNA OF GABRETA FOREST (CZECH REPUBLIC) CGC. DN471733/01. 04/18/2016. BREEDER: Dr. Villiam Stancik. By Ame Magnanime Cyrano Puissant-Arwen Enyhed. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Angie Robertson & Milan Hecimov.
Best of Breed Competition
(B) 9 GCH LORD LEKOR DU CHATEAU ROCHER. DN426424/02. 03/04/2015. Dog. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By DJack Du Mont Des Croisettes-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup. OWNER: Susan Almatrood & Adell Almatrood. (5 Pt Major)
(BOBOH) 10 CH OCTAVIA BLEUE GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN560486/01. 10/07/2018. Bitch. BREEDER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczeurolapa-GCH Jezabella Noire du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. (5 OH Pts)
12 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. OWNER: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
(OS) 16 GCh MYSTIQUE DE SOLEIL MINUIT CGC. DN464310/03. 07/02/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Joe Ciorra Jan Ciorra. By Ch Ch De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA-Gatekeeper Xena CGC. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Lan Hecimovich. (5 Pt Major)
(SEL) 22 GCHG CH MAITRISE DU CHATEAU ROCHER TT RATN CA RN CGC. DN456023/06. 01/26/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By GCHG CH De Jolie Du Chateau Rocher TT SAR CGCA-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup BH CA. OWNER: Karen Muller. (5 Pt Major)
Sunday Conformation Entry:
Judged By: Sulie Greendale-Paveza
Puppy Dogs 9 Mos & Under 12 Mos.
(2/RW) 5 SVAJONE’S PRINCE SIDON. DN577169/03. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-CH Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Maile Hirano Kayla Phillips.
(A) 7 PIRATE’S LAIR AU GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN575080/03. 03/04/2019. BREEDER: Carol Ann Cossey & Joanna Marie Law & Karla Davis. By GCH Glacier Bleue Souers Jumelles-Lady Rhea Van Horst Du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: Rose Bednarski/ Jessica Lyn Stover / Kayla Phillips.
(1/W/BW/BOBOH) 11 PICK YOUR POISON DU LA COUR DES REVES. DN577169/05. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla & Sherri Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes. OWNER: Alissa Felix & Kayla Phillips. (4 Pt Major, 5 OH Pts)
Puppy Bitches 6 Mos & Under 9 Mos.
(1) 20 PRAEDA DU JOIE DE VIE ADVENTURE. DN576724/07. 04/21/2019. BREEDER: Angie Robertson Dawn Johnson. By CH Japper du Dragon Noir-GCH Monet Happy des Monts du Lac CGCA CGCU. OWNER: Dr. Kim Rioux Angie Robertson.
Twelve To Eighteen Month Bitches
(1) 8 OH LE VRAI AMOUR DE ROI GIVRE. DN557641/05. 11/10/2018. BREEDER: Pamela Frost. By GCH CH Luc Du Chateau Rocher-GCH CH Magie Noir Du Mont Des Croisettes. OWNER: Adina Norris and Thane Norris and Pamela Frost.
Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches
(1/W) 6 SVAJONE’S PAINT YOUR PALLET BLUE AND GREY. DN577169/04. 02/08/2019. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips. By Ch Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa-Ch Lykiais garden des chutes. OWNER: Maryann Sullivan/ Kayla Phillips. (4 Pt Major)
Open Bitches
(2) 14 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. BREEDER: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. OWNER: Carly Fryer.
(1/RW) 18 ALAUNA OF GABRETA FOREST (CZECH REPUBLIC) CGC. DN471733/01. 04/18/2016. BREEDER: Dr. Villiam Stancik. By Ame Magnanime Cyrano Puissant-Arwen Enyhed. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Angie Robertson & Milan Hecimov.
Best of Breed Competition
(OS) 9 GCH LORD LEKOR DU CHATEAU ROCHER. DN426424/02. 03/04/2015. Dog. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By DJack Du Mont Des Croisettes-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup. OWNER: Susan Almatrood & Adell Almatrood. (5 Pt Major)
10 CH OCTAVIA BLEUE GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN560486/01. 10/07/2018. Bitch. BREEDER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczeurolapa-GCH Jezabella Noire du Chateau Rocher. OWNER: Joanna M Law Carol Cossey.
12 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. BREEDER: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. OWNER: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
(SEL) 16 GCh MYSTIQUE DE SOLEIL MINUIT CGC. DN464310/03. 07/02/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Joe Ciorra Jan Ciorra. By Ch Ch De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA-Gatekeeper Xena CGC. OWNER: Derylee Hecimovich Lan Hecimovich.
(B) 22 GCHG CH MAITRISE DU CHATEAU ROCHER TT RATN CA RN CGC. DN456023/06. 01/26/2016. Bitch. BREEDER: Karla Davis. By GCHG CH De Jolie Du Chateau Rocher TT SAR CGCA-Gem De L’Ame Du Loup BH CA. OWNER: Karen Muller.
Saturday Rally Entries:
Rally Novice A Class: (080.0/3) 64 CH LYKIAIS GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN423293/02. 04/07/2015. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Carol Cossey. By Gch Ch Glacier Bleue Souers Jumelles-Gch Ch Fiala Du Chateau Rocher CGC. Owner: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips.
Rally Intermediate Class: (091.0/Q) 81 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. Owner: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
Rally Advanced A Class: (089.0/1) 36 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. Owner: Carly Fryer.
Sunday Rally Entries:
Rally Novice A Class: (098.0/2) 64 CH LYKIAIS GARDIEN DES CHUTES. DN423293/02. 04/07/2015. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Carol Cossey. By Gch Ch Glacier Bleue Souers Jumelles-Gch Ch Fiala Du Chateau Rocher CGC. Owner: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips.
Rally Intermediate Class: (097.0/4) 81 CH SVAJONE’S POUR LA REINE CGC RN. DN577169/02. 02/08/2019. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Kayla Phillips & Sherri Phillips. By CH Sokrates Melodia Szczurolapa CGC-CH Lykiais Gardien des Chutes. Owner: Carly Fryer & Kayla Phillips.
Rally Advanced A Class: (086.0/2) 36 MARIPOSA LE BOULANGER CGCU. DN458396/08. 02/28/2016. Bitch. Beaucerons. Breeder: Deborah Baker. By Hartza de Subeltz Beaucerones-Ch Fredericka du Chateau Rocher CD OA NAJ. Owner: Carly Fryer.
The Why of Breed Club Membership
Courtney Goddard, Region Director (1)
I have been involved in the breed for a little over three years now. I joined the American Beauceron Club (ABC) before bringing a Beauceron into my home. You might be asking why I joined before even owning a Beauceron. I wanted to get my foot in the door and show the community that I was serious about adding one of these amazing dogs into my life. Although I owned purebred dogs, I had never been part of a breed club and wondered what it would be like to join.
Being part of a breed community is so much more than just joining a club of like-minded people. It’s getting involved on a deeper, more meaningful level. A breed-specific club is not just a camaraderie based on ownership of a specific breed, but a “celebration of the breed” by enthusiasts, as Beauceron owner and breeder Craig McCracken said (The Beauceron Bulletin, Volume VI, Issue 2 [2004]).
There are numerous benefits to joining the ABC, or any breed club:
- You are accepting and understanding the breed standard toward which all Beaucerons should be bred, exhibited, and judged;
- You are encouraging ethical breeding of purebred Beaucerons who exemplify that standard and bring the natural qualities and abilities of the breed to the forefront;
- You are an active participant in protecting and advancing the breed’s best interests;
- You are encouraging and participating in the events and promoting the abilities of the Beauceron through participation and sportsmanlike conduct;
- You are supporting the ABC’s Code of Ethics (COE);
- You are contributing to OFA, CERF, genetic research, breed rescue, and the health of the breed;
- And, perhaps most importantly, you have a voice, and, if you choose, an active role in protecting and promoting the Beauceron breed.
I wanted to be able to participate and contribute by going to ABC events, joining committees, etc. In my short time in the ABC, I have been to numerous events to represent the breed and club, such as Westminster’s Meet the Breeds, assisted with the rescue raffle at the 2018 National Specialty, and I helped run an ABC sponsored herding trial. Wanting to get even more involved, I volunteered to chair the Ways and Means committee. In doing so, I gained hands-on experience with the 2019 and 2020 National Specialty events by creating welcome bags and finding souvenirs. As the chair, I also oversaw the creation and production of the 2020 ABC calendar. While that was a very involved and tedious project, I learned SO much! I got to know a lot of dogs and learn about their breeders, pedigrees, owners, and the great things they accomplished. I took my club involvement a step further and ran for the Region 1 Director to the ABC Board of Directors (BOD). Since joining the ABC, I have had more opportunities to work one-on-one with other club members and have gained a lot of new friendships. You open your world to new people and gain new friendships with whom you truly learn to appreciate the Beauceron breed.
By joining the ABC, you also gain the ability to advocate for the breed. Claire Roybal (Poissonniez) wrote:
The ABC is the voice and representation of our breed in this country. In arranging Meet the Breed events and Judges Education seminars, this club determines how our breed is known and perceived in the United States. As ABC members, we are the guardians of our breed’s reputation in a nation where some breeds have struggled with wrong perceptions. In our club, we have the ability to agree upon a code of ethics for owners and breeders. How shall we protect the health, temperament, and type of our breed? It’s easy to talk about these things in online forums, but in the club we have the power to take these lofty ideas and make them so.
Claire Roybal Poissonniez, The Beauceron Bulletin, Volume XVIII, Issue 1 (2015)
A breed club does so much more for the breed than non-members may realize. We have the ability to educate not only people interested in the breed or new owners, but judges too. From long-time Beauceron owner and ABC member, Elaine Giannelli, ’The club is responsible for writing and making any changes to the breed standard by which all AKC judges judge the breed. The ABC is responsible for the training of AKC judges through the club’s judge’s education program. They put on seminars and present the breed at judges’ institutes.
Additionally, ABC members get some tangible benefits too! The ability to submits photos for the annual club calendar, discounts on entries in the National Specialty and other supported events and gear, the bi-monthly club publication The Beauceron Bulletin (including all archived copies on the website), access to the club’s website and all content. ABC members are also eligible to receive the club’s Register of Merit and Versatility awards.
Keeping all of this in mind, why wouldn’t you join the parent club for the Beauceron? We have the power to continue to encourage the responsible breeding of purebred dogs and preserve, and better, the Beauceron breed. When considering joining don’t ask yourself, “What can the club do for me?” ask, “What can I do for the club.” Although intangible, for the most part, being a member of the ABC provides so many benefits. It connects you with others who care about preserving the authentic Beauceron as well as bettering the breed through better health testing or genetic research. It allows you to contribute in minor such as participating in elections or voting on revisions to the COE, or in more significant ways such as volunteering your time, skills, knowledge, or expertise to assist the club. You should want to join because you want to do your part in bettering the breed. What begins as self-education about the Beauceron will evolve into public education. You start as a newcomer, and over time, you become the elder who helps guide and mentors the next generation. It is through the power of the breed club’s collective membership that we ensure the preservation of our beloved Beauceron.
Beaucerons Running Biathlons
ABC Rescue Update
Kara Staroski
Do you think some things work out for a reason? Some days in rescue things go smoothly, dogs are adopted into their perfect homes right away and live happily ever after. Some days we hit roadblocks at every corner. We had a case recently where a beautiful Beauceron ended up in our rescue program, this is Abby’s story.
I first heard about Abby via email several months ago. Abby’s owner was an experienced dog person, someone who had even put obedience titles on her Dobermans. She acquired Abby secondhand through a back yard breeder. She had owned Abby since she was a puppy and had done an incredible amount of training with her. Abby’s owner poured her heart out to me, admitting that with health issues and not being as young as she once was she wasn’t able to meet Abby’s needs. As I reassured her that we match the dogs to their perfect homes (NEVER first come first serve) I could hear the relief in her voice. She really loved Abby and truly wanted the best for her. As we worked out the details I learned Abby lived in Idaho. Perfect, I thought to myself, I already knew the perfect foster.
Sidney Wilcox, the Region Four Director, has fostered over a dozen Beaucerons since I have known her. I knew she would be a great fit for Abby, to evaluate her and help figure out the next step in her life. Sidney responded immediately that she and her family would be able to take Abby in. Over the next few days arrangements were made and Abby went to live at RiverRim Ranch. My first emails about Abby were all positive, she was everything her first owner said, sweet, intelligent, and VERY well trained. Sidney told me if she entered her in a Rally trial she could get her Rally Novice title on her that weekend. We got pictures and videos of Abby posted and waited for applications to come in.
One of the hard parts about being rescue chair is disappointing people. Often for every dog we post we may have a dozen people (or more!) apply. Some people are eliminated from the running rather quickly, their landlord doesn’t allow dogs over 50 lbs, their veterinarian tells me something along the lines of “Wow, I’m surprised they want another dog, we haven’t seen their current dog in several years and they would only let us do a rabies vaccine.” Once we eliminate those folks then we move to step two, Googling and checking Facebook profiles of the applicants. One applicant had multiple ads in classified groups for various dogs. Red flag. Another had a Go-Fund-me set up to get a knee surgery on a dog she forgot to mention she owned on her application. As I moved through the applicants there were several good ones. But were they the right fit for our perfect Abby? Abby is VERY smart. She needs a job, so we wanted her to go to a home where she could possibly do a performance sport, or at the very least be an active companion. Finally, Sidney and I found what we considered the best home possible for Abby. Our little Idaho lady was heading to the Pacific Northwest! The family’s application sounded wonderful. They had researched the breed and even attended shows to meet up with breeders and other adult dogs. They were looking for an active hiking buddy and possibly a dog to try agility and barn hunt with. This was perfect!
We gave the family the great news, and then Covid-19 started sweeping across the USA. Everything came to a screeching halt when Sidney’s entire county was put into a mandatory stay-in-place order until June; over two months away. I gave the hopeful family the bad news. They were understanding, and asked me to keep them in mind for a future dog. So what to do with Abby? She was safe and sound at Sidney’s of course, but she really deserved a family of her own. Sidney came to me with an idea. She knew of a family local to her who had asked her about training a dog for them to be their hearing assistance service dog. They were experienced dog folks who lived close enough to Sidney that she could be there to support and educate them as needed. I am the last person to recommend a Beauceron as a service dog. We all know that they are slow to mature and their failure/washout rate is very high. It didn’t take much to convince me as Sidney and her friend Gabby began sending me videos of them training Abby. Abby was such a fast learner! Within a week she was alerting to the sound of a telephone ringing, and a fire alarm going off. I was incredibly impressed! Once the family submitted their application they took Miss Abby on a trial run. This brings us to present day. Abby is thriving and now, officially, has her forever home! I think of all the twists and turns in her road of life. There are so many different ways her story could have gone. As I go through the photos her new family has sent me, and I hear about how Abby not only is bringing them joy, but a little more piece of mind I know we have given them both a happy ending.
Kara, ABC Rescue Chair
Wags & Brags
Ki Earns Rally Novice Legs!
CH Lykiais Gardien Des Chutes CGC (right), owned by Kayla and Sherri Phillips, earned her first Rally legs at the Rose City Classic. She went 4th place and 2nd place in her two trials, and was cheered on by brother Link (left).