Veteran Bitch Napoleo Alpha De Largo BOSS

Owners: Gilles and Francine Boisse from VanMenthon Saints
Breeder: Denis Gros-Louis

Nik

Once in a great while there comes a dog that will leave his paw prints etched forever in your heart. Such a dog was MBIS, BISS Am. Can Ch. Trusts Saint Nicholas V Slaton, Nik. It wasn't just because he was: a winning show dog, a therapy dog, or a blood donor dog, that was just the icing on the cake. He had the ability to take that big body and steal not only a corner of your heart but the hearts of the many he met. In January it will be 3 years since Nik crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and the thought of him still brings a lump in my throat. Nik is still curled up in a corner of my heart.

His Handler Geri Thompson had tears in her eyes as she proudly took the old veteran into the ring. Gone was his graying muzzle; gone was the slowness in his step as he won his first Specialty at the age of 10. You could see him just come to life as he faced the clapping audience. His head held high, he looked at his adoring crowd as if to say "I won't disappoint you".

When the judge chose Nik the arena erupted with cheers and applause and he was again the talk of the show. ‘Did you see that 10 year old Saint, Nik he won the Specialty he was magnificent’.

One day I will be able to fully tell Nik’s story as a tribute to a great Veteran that owns my heart. Till then, know I love him and will always have a lump in my throat every time I think of him. I am proud of the journey I had with him and now with his 6 year old daughter JD and his 3 year old granddaughter Sarah J.

The following is from an unknown author and I think it best reflects our feelings for those wonderful dogs that are waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

The Journey

When we bring a dog into our life, we begin a journey. A journey
that will bring us more love and devotion than we have ever known,
yet will also test our strength and courage. If we allow, the
journey will teach us many things, about life, about ourselves, and
most of all, about love. We will come away changed forever, for one
soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, we will learn much about savoring life's simple
pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of
puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.
If we spend much time outside, we will be taught how to truly
experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go
unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air
will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable
information.

Our pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish,
but we will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an
expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our
goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We
miss the details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the
honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.

Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look
up, down, all around. We learn what any dog knows that nature has
created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that
each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an
essence all its own.

Even from indoors we will find ourselves more attuned to the world
around us. We will find ourselves watching: summer insects collecting
on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting
the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. We will stop to
observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after
a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the
point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details
slip by.

We will find ourselves doing silly things that our dog-less friends
might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle
looking for the dog food brand our dog must have, buying dog
birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because
our pet enjoys the ride. We will roll in the snow, wrestle with
chewy toys, bounce little rubber balls till our eyes cross
all in the name of love.

Our house will become muddier and hairier. We will wear less dark
clothing and buy more lint rollers. We may find dog biscuits in our
pocket or purse. We will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast,
undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do,
or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can
give another. We will not find it often among the human race. We
will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel
ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. He saw not some flawed
human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only his
wonderful companion. Or maybe he saw those things and dismissed the as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me
any way.

If we pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, we
will be not just a better person, but the person our dog always knew
us to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all
paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the
sun sets, one day our dear animal companion will follow a trail we
cannot yet go down. We will have to find the strength and love to
let them go.

A dog's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love
them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief
years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch
of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The
dog that only yesterday was a puppy too soon becomes old and frail and likes sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. Give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road
curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let
them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good
friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths
cross again.

In Memory of "Diamond"

Ch. Sanctus Black Diamond CD left me on November 21, 01. She had been nicknamed "Diamond Dog" by my good friend Linda Bulicz. Not sure if she got the name because of her brilliance or her sparkling personality or both.

As a young cuddly puppy Diamond Dog was chosen to ride on a float in the Grey Cup Parade that was held here in Winnipeg. Diamond Dog was a talker, always with something to say. Whether it be at the doorbell, the Northern Lights or the wind. You could count on her to express her feelings. In obedience circles she was affectingly called "the 18 wheeler" as she turned like one in the ring. Someone even suggested that I rub liver on my hands to keep her closer by my side. She did receive her CD but not without providing great entertainment at ringside.

Diamond Dog left us with a great legacy. Diamond Dog only produced 2 puppies. WOW, what great puppies. She was the dam of Am & Can. Ch. MBIS MBISS Trusts Gentle Ben V Slaton, No. 1 Saint in the US for 5 straight years, and 80 BIS to his credit, making him the highest winning Saint in the history of the Breed and his brother AM & Can. Ch. MBIS, BISS Trusts Saint Nicholas V Slaton No.1 Saint in Canada for 2 straight years.

Diamond was a tough old girl always with the big heart but graying muzzle. In her latter years she survived 360 degree torsion, she was determined to leave the world on her terms. Diamond was not ready to leave until her beautiful granddaughter JD arrived, coincidently on Diamonds birthday. Once Diamond knew that I was in good hands with both Nik and JD, it was Diamonds turn to leave us.

So where do you bury a great dogs like Diamond and Nik, why the answer is simple, you bury them in your heart.

Julie
Ch Bernduff's Peekaboo Echo2 (age 9) had one of the best attitudes that a Saint could possess. Every thing was an adventure to her and she looked forward to anything new. She loved to strut her stuff in the ring and I really think that she had determined that a show was for her and her alone. There was nothing that could take that big Saintly smile from her as she flowed around the ring. Her show career was cut short when she tore her cruciate. However, she learned to walk again and went back into the Show ring to earn a G3 and her Championship, shortly there after Julie retired. That didn't slow her down at home. She was never bred and had been spayed but was determined to help Diamond with her motherly duties towards Diamond's two boys. Nik and her became inseparable and she protected him like a mother hen and her chick.

As she aged Julie became terrified of thunder. Many a night was spent sitting up with her while she panted and soaked everything around her. She needed reassurance that I was there, although I could not always comfort her. When I was away, I would have my Mom go over and sit with her until the storm passed. One time we found her facing into a corner of the wall and she would/could not move. Much love and trust allowed me to bring her back into the house, my heart almost broke watching my terrified Julie. Everyone was great at giving me suggestions on how to help her overcome this fear. Unfortunately nothing worked. Now she no longer has to fear the thunder. My Julie, a dog with a big heart and even bigger personality.
Denise TrustsSaints

OdieCoyote

This is OdieCoyote, also known as Gavlena's Ode To Titan V Shadows, bred by Pat Larue. Odie turned 7 this past September. This past year she ripped her cruciate ligamnet and underwent surgery to correct it. 5 weeks later she was back in surgery for a closed pyometra. The vet did not give her much of a chance to survive but she has and is going strong. She is a sassy thing but found her niche last year raising boxer orphans, although she had never had a litter of her own!

Angie

Here's a pic of Angie from last year for your veteran file. Born March 18, 1999. Officially, Ch. Sainthavens Angelique CD CGN

 Angie (Ch. Sainthavens Angelique, CD, CGN, dob March 18, 1999) was my first "show dog". I bought her from a lady in Saskatchewan who had kept her as her pick and then decided that she didn't have the time to show her. Most likely, she realized that she was not "show quality". In some ways, I got stung. She is the smallest Saint I've ever owned, the most willful and has the most visible faults. She was also the most exuberant, outgoing and happy girl who has the energy and agility of a labrador.

As a young pup, she would retrieve sticks that I threw in the river. She loved to chase ducks as well and almost gave me heart failure when she tried to follow them out into faster water of the river. When we later went to obedience classes and I wanted her to pick up a wooden dumbbell, her total distaste for the object was evident as she spit and hacked anytime I tried to put it in her mouth. None of that for our girl! She did obtain her CD with scores in the low to mid 180s but going for CDX was out of the question. She could easily do the jumps in the bush where a fallen tree is solid and you clear it but at class, who cares if you knock over those silly boards?

Angie has always had a fascination for little dogs. When at obedience or conformation classes, her entire being would quiver when she spotted a little dog in the room. She would lay flat and crawl to get closer and investigate. Most toy owners would be startled and worried but I knew that she was just curious. When one of the trainers brought her latest litter of pups to class, Angie did her sit-stays and down-stays with her gaze firmly on the pen with the puppies. I knew I didn't have to worry about her breaking to be with me! And what a way to proof a down stay!

Although Angie only weighed in at 123 lb full grown, she has always ruled the roost at our house. Desi was a big boy, 185 lb and he was totally cowed by his girl. She was in charge and he knew it. Until one day when we were on our daily walk and the snow was deep. She was ahead as was her right and Desi saw his chance. He pounced on her and just sat on top of her in the deep snow. She couldn't get him off and the look on his face said it all. He knew she would make him pay for this but it was worth it!

She is still queen here. Even though Lila weighs in at 200 lb, she will not go to her food dish if Angie is giving her "the look". When we hear anguished barks, we know that someone has been trapped and we find that Jaz or Lila or Lucy will be standing at an entrance or on the stairs, waiting for Angie to give the okay to move. Sometimes, Angie will be sleeping at the base of the stairs and the others can't get past. Since she is hard of hearing, their cries go unheard and she snoozes on.

Angie has taught all dogs at our house how to be brave. We have bears visiting every spring and one year, Angie treed a bear. Not unusual except that she was inside the dog's fenced area and the bear was on the outside. It was hilarious to see the bear look around, decide that it could come down and then run down the fence line with Angie on the other side chasing him to the next available tree. Up he went again and there he sat and pondered his situation. She was not allowing bears on her territory. Another time, I looked out to see her nose to nose with another bear through the fence. She had her hackles up and was not giving an inch. This bear was braver but he left after we shouted and swung a broom in his direction.

Angie loves to chase deer and I've spent many an hour in the bush in all weather, hollering for a dog who is "busy". She has been very fortunate that the deer were not in rut. She has never understood why skunks aren't her friends. She's tried very hard to get to know them and all they do is spray her. She'll be 10 in March and she has at last stopped the long chases. But she now uses her deafness as a further excuse to ignore me on our walks. If there is an interesting smell somewhere, she will track it until she is satisfied and then she'll come home.

Joanne

Hercules
Dogs are not our whole world but they make our world whole – Roger Caras
Once in a lifetime every dog owner has owned and loved one “special dog”. We all had different reasons and to this day can probably remember why that dog owned your heart. The dog who people knew his name, but not yours, who shared their gentle temperament with complete strangers and was a friend to everybody.
Hercules was born on February 23, 2000 in Canton, Ohio. After a successful show career in Canada and the United Sates (MBIS AM/CAN Gr.Ch Slaton’s Hunk of Burn’n Love CD, CGN) Hercules retired in February 2007.
Herc is a multi-Best In Show winner and the first Grand Champion Saint Bernard in Canada. He has retired from the show ring and has gone on to work in the community as a Certified Therapy Dog.
We are members of Therapeutic Paws of Canada – a non-profit organization of volunteers providing animal resources for human needs (physical, mental, educational, motivational, socialization) through regular visits to hospitals, residences, schools, etc. We work as volunteers at two local libraries supporting the "PAWS TO READ" part of this program. This is a program to help children improve their reading skills by reading to their best friend .Confidence, self –esteem and improved reading skills...all positives that emerge in children who practice reading to their special canine reading partner.
A few comments from Parents/Caregivers about Herc and the reading program
"Her confidence has increased in all academic areas."
"She is eager to read and enjoys reading to her sister".
"She looks forward to her weekly sessions. She never has to be encouraged to attend."
"It reframes reading as a positive experience...not a stressful one."
"Keegan is relaxed. Keegan is happy to read to him for Herc's enjoyment."
“Keegan is already on the list for the next class."
"A wonderful program. Thank you for everything!"
"She enjoys spending the time reading with Hercules and spoke to her class about her experience".
"My child reads to Herc more confidently than he would normally would, at a higher level than he'd normally choose."
"This is a great program. Herc and Mark are so good with kids.
In addition to listening to his young friends stories on Saturday afternoon and every Wednesday evening at the library, Herc also enjoys his visitation time with his older friends each Monday night at two long –term care facilities. Hercules is also a member of the Halifax Kennel Club Drill Team. Along with his fellow team members Hercules provides obedience demonstrations and pet visitations for the patients and staff of local Extended Care facilities.
In addition to his TD volunteer work Herc has also worked on other Community projects. This is an interview with David Smith, Divisional Chief Logistics/Investigation, Halifax Regional Fire Service in support of the Halifax Kennel Club community project to donate 30 sets of pet emergency oxygen masks to the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service.
"We believe we are the first fire department in Canada to have these," said Divisional Chief, Logistics /Investigations David Smith. "Our department has always been one the leading fire departments in the Canada. "We are proud to lead the way in using these emergency oxygen masks to help save the lives of pets who have been involved in home fires and other traumatic experiences.”
Prior to the arrival of these new masks firefighters would use an oxygen mask used on people in front of a dog‘s nose to encourage the dog /cat to breathe. This was not always successful as the mask was too large direct the flow of oxygen to the critical areas. Firefighters have also performed mouth to nose resuscitation.
"There are 27 houses on my street and a dog resides at 24 of those homes. A number of our department members also have dogs. One in every four homes where are members response to usually have a pet," said DC Smith. "To ensure these masks do not get damaged and are easy to locate on our response engine one of our members is manufacturing a storage case for each set these masks."
According to Divisional Chief Smith this project has the full support of HRM Chief Director Bill Mosher.
"With the addition of six more sets of masks we now have 20 sets. The first masks we received have been placed in some of the rural stations, said Divisional Chief Smith. “There will be a set of these masks in our core stations including West Street (Halifax) Bayer’s Road (Halifax) Eastern Passage, Cole Harbour, Knight ridge (Halifax) and Sackville. This will ensure that at least one engine at each of these locations has a set of these masks for emergency use.”
Upon his retirement from the show ring Hercules has also helped many volunteer organizations with their fund raising projects, he has made TV appearances to help promote the Halifax Kennel Club Shows and appeared in television advertisements. Herc was recently featured in Canine Review and Canadian Dog Digest.
Hercules loves to help make people smile…no one more than me. During the Halifax Kennel Club September 2008 Halifax Kennel Club Show the club paid tribute to the Veteran Dogs in the club. With hundreds of people in attendance Herc made his final trip around the ring. As handlers and their dogs left the ring Hercules went to the center of the ring, laid down, posed for pictures and waited for me to complete my duties as MC!
Herc will be nine years old next year but shows no signs of slowing down his volunteer work.
Yes… once in a lifetime every dog owner has owned and loved one “special dog”.
Mark

Queenie

LOVE LETTER
By: Michelle Grimmelt

Dear Queen of my Heart,

Dear kind and gentle soul – sweetest and most gentle soul I’ve ever known. How my heart aches as I watch you suffer silently, looking at me over red rimmed lids; too considerate of my own feelings to whimper or cry in pain I’m quite sure of. My tears spill my own pain, not of a cancer like yours, but a cancer in my heart that yearns for your survival and for your health.

I grieve the foretold loss of your friendship, your companionship and your unconditional love. A love that has sustained my many lonely hours and turned them into pure happiness. I grieve your passing, though it has not yet arrived, and though it remains in the palm of my own hands and a decision I must make on your behalf.

And you lay on the floor beside me, never very far away, thumping your tail – still in delight of my presence. A delight that announces a rare and pure love. If I had a tail to wag, I would surely wag it each time I saw you too.

We will walk today, if you are up to it. Have I ever begrudged you your walks? I think not ever too often, but, now I think perhaps once was too often and I cherish each walk we have ever taken together, wondering in my breaking heart which one will have been our last. I hold onto your leash, but one day, too soon, the leash on time will run out and I will forsake you to the cycle of life.

When I rescued you from the clutches of the Grim Reaper, neither your breeder or the vet held out much hope, but we showed them, didn’t we my Queen-Bee! Good medicine, good food and infinite love gave us almost seven years together.

Oh, how I dread the initial days and nights of separation from your warm and loving presence. We’ve never spent much more than a few days apart since we’ve met. You should know the joy and happiness you have brought to me in our short seven years. I wonder if you do. I wonder if you are watching the tears stream down my face now, knowing that it is you I cry for.

You nuzzle your big furry head in my arms and I marvel at your years of patience and kindness. Truly – you are my Angel. As you grow your wings in preparation of flight, I stay rooted in my overwhelming thoughts of loss. How can one love a dog so much? But to know and cherish the comfort of a true friend….You! My confidant, my secret-keeper, my best friend, my Beauty-Queen. Queen of my Heart. You.

Love forever,
Mommie.

DADDY’S GIRL

When I met Rene, it was a package deal. He had a ten year old daughter and I had a six year old Saint Bernard. A fairly even match. Though, Kristina did not live with him, Queenie-Bee lived with me. As we discussed the possibility of cohabitating, the subject of dogs and children came up. We were in agreement that there would be no more children. However, he announced to me that he would never have a dog! I quickly announced to him that I would always have a dog!

The matter was never brought up again. Rene moved into mine and Queenie’s home and within a short period of time, him and Queenie became great friends. Easing the tension of meeting a potential ten year old step-daughter was as simple as introducing dog and child. Afterall, who can resist a loving, mature and regal senior Saint Bernard? Certainly not children!

When Queenie was diagnosed with cancer, Rene was almost as heart broken as I was. He stood by me and Queenie through her surgery, medication, remission, and ultimately was with us both, when the good vet came to our home to ease Queenie’s final pain and suffering.

And then Rene saw firsthand the absolute grief, encased in love, that shook the very roots of my soul. I simply could not stop crying. He tried for days to cheer me up, and though I would have moments of peace, they were often followed by hours of sobbing. I was a wreck. My Queenie had been my best friend for years before Rene came along. He finally seemed to understand the magnitude of that unique and uncompromised relationship between me and my big girl.

And so he sought her out in earnest, and, perhaps a bit of desperation. He told me gently over dinner one night that he had found a Saint Bernard puppy in Anola. He was unsure about my thoughts and feelings of getting a new dog so soon after saying good-bye to my Queenie. I recalled the wise and caring words of Doctor Cal. “If you love dogs, then don’t deprive yourself or another dog. No other dog can replace Queenie, but another dog can help to fill that ache in your heart.”

I came to realize that for the first time in 22 years I was living without a pet. My cat had lived to be 21 and my Queenie had almost made eight. Now my home was empty of that pure, raw, unconditional love. I missed it so. For the first time since Queenie’s diagnosis, I felt my heart lift ever so slightly. We sat over dinner and discussed names that would befit a female purebred Saint Bernard.

I was still in bed when he arrived home with Anna Katarina von Himmel, that autumn morning. I called out “ANNA!!!!”. Trot, trot, trot…as though she knew her name already! Along came the cutest, simply most adorable eight week old Saint Bernard puppy! Can there possibly be anything cuter in the world? I think not. I didn’t care that all the books advised against taking your Saint Bernard puppy into your bed with you (Egad – they grow so big! I knew that!). I picked her up and brought her to bed. We snuggled and cuddled and giggled with joy!

Rene had to leave right away for a planned trip to help his parents. He wasn’t due back home until the next day. I would have my first day alone with our new puppy! Well, that didn’t last. He called a few hours later. He couldn’t stand it anymore and was coming home early! When he arrived he explained that he just simply couldn’t stand not being with me and Anna on her first day in her new home! I knew it was more than that. From the time it took for him to pick her up and drive her home (about two hours), he had fallen totally and completely in love with her! In the time he had been gone, so had I.

She turned six this past August. She has brought us immeasurable joy and laughter; tremendous amounts of unconditional love and loyalty, and we try to repay her by allowing her, her own couch, access to the bed, walks, swims, car rides, treats, toys and a new friend, Jesse Saint James – to call her own.

When Jesse, a one year old Saint arrived last year, Annie got older almost overnight. She became Jesse’s mommie and began teaching Jesse all the tricks she knows. Annie and Jesse fell in love in a heartbeat. They seemed to bond literally within minutes of meeting. But it is obvious to us that Annie has slowed down and willingly has passed the puppiness to Jesse. They play together all the time, but Annie is always the first to call “Time Out”. She seems to sleep a little bit more, but still acts insanely goofy whenever we are gone for more than a minute, and then return.

When Annie does not want to come in when I call her, I ask Rene to say her name. He does not even raise his voice an octave, it is like she is living just to hear him say her name. She comes in an instance, whenever she hears his voice. Annie has shared her love equally between us, but on occasion, I catch her looking longingly and lovingly at her Daddie.

I catch him looking the same way at her. The guy who said he would never have a dog, is hopelessly in love with our Anna Katarina von Himmel.

As she is now in her senior years, we are ever aware of how much she fills a room and fills our lives. On occasion we discuss the realities that Saint Bernards do not live a very long life. We shudder and we dread the day she goes over Rainbow Bridge to meet up with Aunt Queenie, and then we remind ourselves to live in the day. Annie is strong and healthy and active. We continue to enjoy each blessed loving minute we get with our great Saint Anna!

Saints definitely come from Heaven, and undoubtedly, one day that is where they return. In the meantime, we keep a very large part of Heaven right here in our home with us!
 

Carmen

Meet our Carmen.....Montblancs Carmen Von Frank. She is our oldest sweetheart and will be 7 this coming April. Carmen is affectionately known as "PigPen"...nothing gives her more pleasure than dirt and food!! Also known for being the biggest food hound around. She still likes to go for her big runs with the younger Saints...but watch out she will take you down if she runs into you!! Sometimes Boss and Abigayle think that they should play with Carmen, the run and bump. They soon give up as Carmen is like a brick wall, when she is standing no one can budge her. Carmen has that special twinkle in her eyes, the twinkle of love, and man can those eyes shine for food. Carmen loves her Tim's donuts and car rides, and really any kind of food at all. Carmen owns Garth's and my heart, and we happily allow her to do whatever she wants.

Guy