Dreaming of Nova

Last night I had a very vivid dream about our Nova (CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Can/Am CD FDJ, JH, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN). I dreamt that she was still alive and with her breeder, Eileen Wilks (formerly Wright). I was overjoyed to see Nova. Did she come to 'speak' to me? I don't know. I am very close to my dogs who are like my 'kids', albeit four-legged but I don't often have dreams about them. Recently both Sasha and Nova have been in my dreams but they have been on my mind so perhaps it's nothing more than a transference of daytime thoughts to night-time dreams. Regardless, it's wonderful for me to have contact with dogs that I love and miss very dearly. You may think I'm cuckoo but so be it.

Relatively speaking

This week, I receive an email from a woman who just found my website and discovered that we have Vizslas in common!  She happened to have owned the brother of our Buster (Am/Can CH Kezdet's Adrian Buster Am/Can CD CGC)!!! And surprisingly and amazingly, "Bert" aka Kezdet's Adrian Albert lived so close to us but neither Bert's owner nor I knew of each other until just now, several years after both dogs had died.  If I had only known, I would have loved to have visited and seen Buster's brother.  It turns out that Bert was imported into Canada from New York state to the same person in Toronto from whom we acquired Buster.  Bert apparently developed an overbite by 6 months of age and so was placed elsewhere.  Our Buster was a replacement for Bert but the importer decided to sell Buster at 16 months of age because he was rather tall - although not outside the Canadian standard - and that's when we entered the scene and adopted Buster into our household. From there, Buster went on to finish his Canadian and American Championship titles, American and Canadian obedience titles, and was # 3 Vizsla in Canada in 1992 and sired one litter that resulted in our wonderful Sasha and Jazz.

Bert's forever home was with his loving owner Anne Freeman and her family.  She acquired Bert at 6 months of age in 1989.  "Up to the age of 12.5 he was extremely healthy and we only saw our vet for yearly vaccinations. The last six months he began to lose weight, had a decreased appetite and lost muscle tone in the hind quarters. We had runners everywhere to ensure he didn't fall because he certainly never slowed down!! The last week he became disorientated at times, had difficulty with mobility in his hind legs, seemed weak, confused and would wander and just stare at walls. So pitiful to see, but the discomfort was ours not his. We finally had to make a decision based on quality of life. I still grieve at times when I see his pictures as he was truly a beloved friend and such a spirited character. Once you've been adopted by a Vizsla, no other breed will do."

I am so glad to learn of another relative that has lived a long and healthy life.  Anne and her family said goodbye to Bert on August 28 and the very next day, we said farewell to Buster on the 29th.  I just learned of this fact tonight and can't believe they both crossed the Rainbow Bridge within a day of each other.  RIP brothers.  You are both still greatly missed.

Anne doesn't have an digital photos of Bert but wrote that he looks just like Buster. Here are some photos of Buster to remind me of what they looked like.

Buster below, August 28, 2001 one day before he was euthanized. We love you and still miss you.

Rochne

Gingersnap Rochne

June 17, 1997 - December 24, 2009

Sire: BPG Am/Can CH Varazs Kiraly Sassy Sasha Am/Can CDX FDJ CGC TT (Sasha)

Dam: CH Gingersnap Dunmore's Pride (Cindy)

I recently received sad news that Rochne passed away on Christmas Eve, 2009 at almost  12.5 years of age. Rochne was bred by Joanne Baxter of Medicine Hat, Alberta and sired by our beloved Sasha.  Even as a young dog, Rochne became a spitting image of our Sasha, both of whom had beautiful heads.

Sometime ago, Rochne's owner, Carol Snedden wrote to tell me that "Rochne takes my husband for at least one walk a day and sometimes two. That keeps them both in good shape! Rochne loves going in the canoe fishing with us but doesn't like water or
swimming! He loves chairs, beds and sitting as close as possible to anybody."  For Carol and Jack Snedden, there will never be another breed as wonderful as the Vizsla.  If Rochne took after his dad in temperament, then I know how exceptional a dog he was even though I never had the opportunity to meet Rochne or his family.  My deepest sympathies to the Sneddens on the loss of Rochne.  Here are some photos of Rochne supplied by the Sneddens.

Sasha, In Memoriam

In loving memory of our wonderful Sasha
(BPG Am/Can CH Varazs Kiraly Sassy Sasha Am/Can CDX, FDJ, RE, RAE, TT, CGC, CGN).

December 31, 1992 - January 22, 2008

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing."

from "A Thing of Beauty" - John Keats (1795 - 1821)

Sasha is still sorely missed. Fortunately his beauty, spirit, talents, and exceptional temperament live on in many of his offspring.

Sasha (green collar, R rear), 3 months old  with his littermates Jazz (L rear) and Marco (front)

8 months old

14 years old