Memorials
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone – wherever it goes – for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
Rudyard Kipling
This page is dedicated to the memory of beloved PVBMDC Berners.. If you would like to add a memorial to this page, please send an email with the memorial (under 500 words,please) to Bob Reeve. We welcome pictures and favorite stories too.
JUST SAY JUKE BOX HERO (Malibu x Chevy)
HANK
4/28/2018 - 8/11/2018 - 4/10/2024
Cherished by Laura & Gus Verdun
It is with tremendous heartbreak that we share HANK crossed the Rainbow Bridge a mere 18 days prior to his 6th birthday. He is fondly remembered as being loud, a big goob and a master pick pocket, even advising his Berner peeps on proper technique. HANK was the self-appointed curator of trails for all PVBMDC Walks & Meet-ups, a responsibility he took very seriously. Perhaps he was best known in the neighborhood and on social media for his mad H️ing skills. He loved a street corner where he could savor frosty grasses, assess the goings on, looking for a pup friend or their human for a pet or goodie. We are grateful to those who crossed his path. HANK was always our most precious gift.
GRAND CHIMES STROKE OF MIDNIGHT BN RE RA RN TKN CGC
LOUIE
Owned Loved and Missed by Bill Davis and Pete Williams
May 9, 2012 – November 1, 2021
With heavy hearts we helped Louie across the rainbow bridge to join his friends. He was fighting cancer and without much warning he finally lost the fight. Louie was the clown of our family, the only dog to howl. He would go to dog show to have fun but not to earn titles. He did ok with rally but only earned his beginner novice title in obedience. No matter how mad you got at him, he had a look that made you laugh in the mist of telling him he was a bad boy. He was named for the song “Louie Louie” from Animal house and he lived up to it. His funny little habits are surely missed.
BLACKROCK KEYSTONE KID CD BN RAE RE RA RN CGC
KODY
Owned Loved and Missed by Bill Davis and Pete Williams
May 5, 2010 – October 14, 2021
With heavy hearts we helped Kody across the rainbow bridge to join his friends. He was our longest living Berner at 11 years 5 and a half months. Kody was the most loving and patient out of all the dogs yet his presence commanded respect. He earned many Obedience and Rally titles. Kody taught me the difference between a “wait” and “stay” command. Old age finally caught up with him, he could no longer standup even with help. Kodman you will be missed by all
Witchway Rumble of Thunder v Cabernese CD MXP3 MXPB MJP3 MJPB XFP ANDDABNDD MDD MBDD GMDD WD
Boomer
September 13, 2013 to February 16, 2021
On Feb 16 we said goodbye to our Boomer due to cancer. He was the most eager to please of all our Berners and remained an absolute puppy throughout his life. He was a soft Berner, funny, needy, funny, affectionate, funny, and the best walking partner I have ever had. He was an amazing performance Berner and did everything Jack asked of him with a huge Berner grin. He greeted everyone with ebullient gusto and is so missed.
Maria & Jack Crifasi
GRAND CHIMES BELLS OF CRYSTALL ROSE CD BN RI RN TKN CGC
Crystall
Owned Loved and Missed by Bill Davis and Pete Williams
May 9, 2012 – March 22, 2021
With a heavy heart we helped Crystall across the rainbow bridge to join her friends. She was fighting cancer and without much warning she finally lost the fight. Crystall always did things her way, greeting you with lots of happy barking no matter how short a time you were away. She earned many Obedience and Rally titles. On the recall she would just push her head through your legs to check out the people. Every time she did better than her brother, we would look at him and say why can’t you do as well as your sister. The house is now way too silent.
Quincy Bowins (Jul 4, 2008 – April 26, 2020)
Owners Jonneita and Rob Bowins 2012 - 2020
We rescued you 8 years ago from a family 6 hours away. We traveled just to put our eyes and then we met a family member 3 hours away to get you. We made a stop on the way home and I took you out of the truck. There was a car that made a loud noise and you went under our Ford expedition. I still to this day do not know how you got under there. So, in the cart went the Thunder Jacket. It hurts to look over and not see you laying there sleep and as soon as I move, you move. I go up the steps 50 times and you right behind me. Not hearing you snap at the air (still do not know what that was about). Not having you stand there waiting to get your meds in a piece of chicken meat or cheese. You running to me when I come home and you had been chilling with Rob. Lol. Just like kids when Mom comes home. You laying in the corner so you can see your Mom lay her head down to go to sleep, then you would go to sleep. You staying at Grandparents house while we go on vacation and not eating nothing but treats. But the last time we traveled to Florida you did eat, good dog! :-)
You happy barking at the lawn mower as your Dad cut the grass. You only barked at the lawn mower or when we would walk to the back yard and you would see us. But you did not want to be outside ~ spoiled to be inside! Candi, the crazy black lab that lives with your Grandparents will miss the days of being with you even though you would go upstairs when at Grandparents house and want nothing to do with her. Let alone you would rush to get in her dog bed. We took you to the Vet because of a cough, you were examined, and all was good, so the Vet said let’s do x rays. Diagnosis on December 26, 2019 1 tumor in the chest and 1 in the stomach, 3-6 months of surviving. Well you did good sir, 4 months. Watching you take your last breath was tough. Run free in the Doggie Park in Heaven with Eagle Beagle and Princess. Love you dude! I pray that we gave you all you wanted in a family. We miss you. RIP Quincy (Monk Monk, Toilet Paper (always behind me) Snufalufagus).
Indian Hills The Thunder Rolls
October 28, 2013 - August 13, 2019
For Tucker’s memorial page I am going to share words he shared in his communication session with Rachelle Embrey. Rae has been with us on this long journey since he was diagnosed in May 2018 and without her insight and support I do not feel we would have had all this extra time. He was given 3-4 months to live and just look at all the extra quality time and love we had to share! Whether you believe in communication with the spiritual afterlife across the bridge or not this has given me peace.
Debbie Reams
"When I connected with Tucker, he came through readily. I can see him running through the meadows as he often showed me and his regular sessions.
I got the sense that he’s been running free and enjoying the spiritual side of things at this time.
Almost as if he’s sort of on a high of enjoying his body without limitations. Enjoying being back in spirit and returning home to himself.
I can see that he’s checking in and out with you, but he feels that “ she can’t feel me right now.”
He then told me “she can’t feel me, so I’m letting it loose over here.”
He said to tell you that “I come to see you in the morning. That’s when you’re fresh and I feel like that’s when you can feel me the most when you are able.“
I told Tucker that you loved him so much and you missed him deeply. That you desperately wanted to feel his presence and be near him.
He took off running again, and he said that “don’t be so serious! Life is too short to be so serious mom. Come on let loose and think of me. No matter what was happening, I still always enjoyed my moments.”
I saw him running like a wave of energy and he burst directly into your heart.
He says that “you’ve had your heart closed and without an open heart, you can’t feel anything. You won’t feel me, Jolie, your mom or anyone that’s trying to be there for you. Open your heart and allow yourself to receive. Allow yourself to receive the love that you gave all of us.”
When he entered your heart center, it’s almost as if I could see him open up into 10 tiny rainbows. He was filling your bodily vibrations in your heart center with the energies of all of the colors of the rainbows.
“When you think of the rainbows, those are the colors that stream to us and connect you to the spiritual side.”
I’ve never heard of this news and I got the sense that this is something that Tucker is teaching both you and me during the session. Something that he’s learned on the spiritual side.
He says that “this is a new way of connecting, see a rainbow coming out of your heart and stretching as long as the earth and as far up into the skies as you can imagine. They’re on the edge of the rainbow, lays all of the people and animals you wish to connect with.”
I follow the rainbow and on the edge, I could see Tucker, Jolie, Maggie who is wagging her tail immensely!
All of them were sending you so much love and smiling with joy at the person you are and who you’ve become.
I then saw two cats and another large dog come forward who said that he was “Apollo.”
Apollo is clear that “I have returned to earth, but you can still feel me in spirit.”
Tucker says that “my transitioning, will make you stronger. But first, we must allow you the time and space to open your heart once again so that you can receive all the love and kindness that is around you.”
Let Yuri show you how to be a puppy again. Let your mind believe that you can release your pain when you release your desire to hold onto life as it is so tightly. "
Wow! I had to really focus as I type that out because he was very precise with his wording. He is sending so much love from his heart into your heart center.
" A times, he’s not leaving you intentionally, but he’s going off to go learn about all of the things they can so that he can “come back and help the humans in the world.”
He is telling me specifically that many of the messages will help many others. He wants your permission to share some of them as they come through.
I’m learning on a rapid and quick level. Everything up here moves so fast. On earth, everything moved slow. Here, things move fast and I’m learning quick! There’s so much that I need to come back and convey regularly.”
He is sending all that rainbow love and energy into your heart and tell you that “I will always love and be with you. I am your most special boy. You did everything for me- and now I will do everything I can for you.”
And yes Tucker was and always be my special baby boy"
GCH Witchway To Cabernet CD OJP AXP ANDD ABNDD MDD MBDD, GMDD WD VDX
"Cabby" Nov 2, 2010 - Aug 1, 2019
Relieved of his tired body, my Cabby passed to the Bridge today. He was everything one could wish for in a Berner: gorgeous, lovely light movement, enthusiastic, smart, too smart, agile and he ADORED pulling a cart. He did the most work in clearing forest debris and loved every minute of it. He could open any door. When he decided it was bedtime, once I was in the room, he would shut the door. He never wanted to see me scared (Jack's TV programs) or upset (Jack's TV programs) so off to my bedroom we would go. So often when I was unable to sleep, I would hear him approach the bed and breathe softly against my face. It was Valium. Cabby loved agility because upon entering the ring, people would admire him loudly so, of course, he had to leave the ring so that they could pet him. My thanks to Joyce Dickhoff for entrusting him to us, to Kasey Von Engel and Kristen Greenwood for showing him to perfection.
Cabby made me feel loved, cared for and safe …. so safe.
Maria Crifasi
CH Hayfield’s Grand Maggie Flower
May 3, 2008 - November 9, 2018
Maggie came to us from the Wehes’ in Stowe, Vermont. Maggie was our second Berner coming down from the Granstaffs’ Hayfield’s line. She was joined down here by her sister, Jaz (Melinda & Tim Pitchford) and brother Hugo (Christine & Fred Haggard). Maggie had a stubborn streak, always doing things her way and in her time. She was “mother” to all our other Berners and was so good at mothering. She had 2 litters of her own and would have love to have more, but not to be. She began her (and my) journey in conformation. She won her first puppy match when she was 4 months at the annual PVBMDC picnic/ puppy match. She ended her conformation journey winning first place at Watchung Specialty in 2018 in the 9 -11 veteran bitch class. She went around that ring like she owned it & loved showing one last time! Maggie was special and very loved by her family and all who knew her.
Debbie Reams
PACH Witchway to Hearts Delight CD MXP7 MXPS MJP6 MJPS MFP DD BDD PAX and BMDCA Working Dog 3/7/07 – 2/18-19
Our beautiful Maggie, who was going to be 12 on March 7 passed to the bridge today. A tumor was discovered this past Friday, an ultrasound today showed nodules on the liver -- upon opening her, she was so compromised that she would not have recovered so we let her go. She came to us at 8 weeks for a visit that lasted her life time. She ran through an agility tunnel and straight into Jack's arms. She was an amazing performance dog, kept Cabby and Boomer in line and decided, upon her retirement from agility, that I was her #1 sleeping mate.
- an amazing Berner who is now running alongside of Daisy, Buddy and Justin
Maria Crifasi
GCH Witchways Keeping My Cool RN BN CD NDD ANDD HCT-s
Ice
BMDCA Versatility Dog (as of April 2018
Tied for #9 all time rank based on GCH points)
Ice passed complete blood work, x-ray and ultrasound exams in March, but it was clear he wasn't totally up to speed so we only went to the National Specialty in Sturbridge for 2 days. There he flew around the Versatility Dog under 7 ring with Kristen Greenwood. Ice also got to visit with his co-owners Joyce Dickhoff and Richard Harrison. Ice was the best draft dog we have had. And he did everything I asked of him with acceptance that I would never ask of him what he couldn't do. He ignored a blasting fire engine roaring past us hooked up on a paved road and crawled out of a collapsed x pen when the wind blew it over sandwiching him in its panels to stand and wait for me to set it up again. His favorite spot was lying unhooked on the grooming table watching a dog show. Maria Crifasi wrote me his best epitaph "Ice was a quiet, gentle, biddable boy that adored you - a fine true working dog." Missed beyond words. Health work will be in Bernergarde #84822.
Valerie Chase Johnson
ROCK HARBOR’S WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
MAX
4/18/2013 - 11/8/2014 - 1/27/2018
Cherished family member of Laura & Gus Verdun
Our dearest MAX has passed. He came bounding into our lives at 18 months and departed much too soon at 4 years-9 months. We are sure he was welcomed across the bridge by all the sweet Berners who have preceded him, to a place filled with all of his favorites… much snow, ornamental grasses, and nature’s buffet; and by Janet (Hayfield’s Grand) for a prompt and proper bath. He was a friend to all, and particularly enjoyed his weekends at Great Falls Park, the PVBMDC walks, and his besties of all sizes in our neighborhood. He succumbed to hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma, preceded by his dad Apollo (GCH CH Jennycreek’s Lord Bacchus), and leaves behind his mama Maggie (CH Hayfield’s Grand Maggie Flower). We truly are grateful for the bonus days we received with him. He was always a gift to us, thanks to The Reams. Run free tiny MAX.
#Tiny #wideload #economysize #socialchairman #poweredbytripe #ownerGreatFallsPark
Cassy, origins unknown, rescue
2011-November 5, 2017, owner of Polly Martin
The first time I met Cassy, she spent half an hour barking and backing away from me. It took 24 hours before she even let me touch her. Over the course of the year, she tore both her CCLs within the first two months of coming to live with me, spent 5 months in rehab, and slowly built up a trusting relationship with me. In that time, she grew into a dog that loved to experience life. While I was allowed to go to work during the week, the weekend was hers and she made no bones about it. She accompanied me to the grocery store, the pet store (where she pushed me to get the food quickly so she could drool all over the cashier to convince them to give her more cookies), and the farmer’s market. Cassy always greeted me at the door with so much enthusiasm that I was always surprised she didn’t fly through the door. She loved riding in the car and often hung her head out to check out everything that was happening…even in the dead of winter. I can’t say I always appreciated the freezing air blowing around the car, but the joy she experienced was worth it. Every day, twice a day, we would walk in the state park two blocks from the house. Although she loved to chase deer and squirrels, she never let me out of her sight. Her favorite part was to flop down in the stream, slap the water with her paws a couple of times, and then shovel water into her mouth for a drink. She was the epitome of a hooligan, but she always made me laugh. She embraced all of life’s experiences and was so much fun to be around. A total clown, a great sense of humor, and a real sweet personality defined this curly-haired, long-legged awkward Berner. Nobody could ever say she was a beautiful dog, but I never regretted sharing a moment with Cassy. Goodbye, my second heart-dog. You will always be remembered with love, laughter, and a few tears. I will always feel your presence just behind me where you always placed yourself whenever we went anywhere.
L-SIN’S SANTA ROSA V GRAND CHIMES, BN. RE, RA, RN, CGC (ROSEY)
January 16, 2009 – July 8, 2017
Owned Loved and Missed by Bill Davis and Pete Williams
With a heavy heart we helped Rosey across the rainbow bridge to join her friends. She was fighting kidney disease and without much warning she finally lost the fight. Rosey always did things her way, greeting you with lots of happy barking no matter how short a time you were away. She had the healing pattern down in the ring so she would sit down and wait until you came back to her. On the recall she would just push her head through your legs to check out the people. She produced five beautiful puppies. She earned all her Rally titles and a Beginner novice title and toyed with the CD title not caring if she finished the last leg or not but always gave it a shot and happy about it. The house is now way too silent.
CASMOR'S JUST ON TIME
(12/31/2011 - 6/8/2017)
My girl... Jolie ❤️
As I sit in the house I first met you at, I seem to be at a loss. I have written this over and over, erased, and started again... Words just seem to escape me. Anyone that knows me knows each dog I get the chance to show I treat them as my own, Jolie was no different. Jolie started showing in November of 2014 and by the end of December 2015, Jolie was a silver grand champion who had finished the year by winning Best of Breed at Eukanuba. Jolie always aimed to please, I never thought I would have a dog that loved to show like Jolie did. The louder the crowd clapped, the better Jolie showed. It was like she knew her job, she aimed to please. Jolie was the first dog I campaigned that I was able to show in the top twenty, she was the first dog I won a speciality with in the US, she was the first dog I piloted to number one female, she was the first dog I placed at Westminster with, she was the open door to so many opportunities in my life. I couldn't be more Thankful to Deborah Reams for allowing me to be on the end of her lead. Though Jolie's life was drastically cut short, her legacy will remain in the 3 puppies she gave us yesterday. What I would do to take one last lap around the ring with you and hear you bark at me just one more time💔 rest in peace, Jojo ❤️
Kasey VonEngel
CH Hayfield's Grand Holly Matilda Bay v Rock Harbor (9/18/2010 - 5/23/2017)
It is with a broken heart that I report that Holly crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday to be with Janet. Holly was from Maggie x Steam and was my first breeding. Janet helped mentor me and whelp this litter and thus Holly went to the best home - she was the perfect dog for them and was Don's girl! Don & I were just remembering when we all went to Eukanuba in 2013 and much to our delight & surprise Holly took Best of Opposite sex (meaning best female showing there in Berners). It was a wonderful time! While there we went to Disney World where Don rode Space Mtn! One thing checked off the bucket list!! Holly died from Kidney failure. Holly is buried in the Grandstaff "cemetery" in the woods. :( Debbie Reams
"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished." (Dean Koontz)
CH SANTERA DALLAS PRINZ CGC NDD
June 29, 2005 - April 2, 2016
Loved by the Bullard family
Dallas became ill and within two weeks was crying with pain. He departed painlessly in the loving arms of our middle daughter. Just weeks before Dallas was practicing brace draft with the Crifasi's talented Maggie and having a great time. He lived his life to the fullest and will be greatly missed.
CH ROBYN VOM WORBLENTAL, CDX, RAE, TD, HSAS, MDD, MBDD, HTD I-S, HRD III-S, HTAD III-S, RLF I-S
BMDCA Versatility, Working Dog Excellent & Grand Master Draft Dog Awards
May 4, 2006 – Feb 29, 2016
owned, loved, and missed by Buck & Priscilla Sykes
ROBYN was (and in our minds, is..) a loveable, huggable, and silly little girl – a wonderful mother for ANDY and ANJA, and a devoted companion for Priscilla. She greeted each morning with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face that brightened our day. She was the eternal puppy – coy, inquisitive, ready to play, and joyfully looking forward to making new friends, facing new challenges, and “being at her mom’s side.” She was more than a good student; she was also a gifted teacher … she taught us all (Buck, Priscilla & her pups) to listen and to nurture our relationship. Oh what a privilege it’s been to have her as our teacher.
"Don’t Cry because it’s over, Smile because it happened" - Theodore Geise
DYLAN (DE-LI’S FOREIGN INSPIRATION) aka "Love Sponge"
June 5, 2005 - Jan 25, 2016
Adored and missed by Pope Burr & Diane Ssanya (and a slew of others)
Dylan passed away in Pope’s arms at 1:05pm Monday at the Mid-County veterinarian clinic in LaPlata, Md. He had been fighting canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) for about six months before we knew that it was time to go and cross over the bridge.
I hope that he gets a chance to meet Fred who passed 11 years ago, almost to the day. They were both big, gentle, goofy Berners who spent all their time close to me or Diane because that’s what they like to do - be in your face.
Sharon Hasenauer nicknamed Dylan "Love Sponge" and I’m sorry I can’t take credit for that. When I traveled to Pittsburgh I would sometimes drop Dylan off at George and Sharon’s and he would sit on their couch and just "sponge up" all the love that they gave for days on end. We all have to walk our "green mile" and I’m so thankful to have had two Berners that walked with me a while.
"So this is where we part, My friend, and you’ll run on, around the bend, gone from sight but not from mind ,new pleasures there you’ll surely find,
I will go on, I’ll find the strength, life measures quality, not its length, One long embrace before you leave, Share one last look, before I grieve,
There are others, that much is true, but they be they, and they aren’t you, And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, will remember well all you’ve taught,
Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed ,the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed, and as you journey to your final rest, take with you this……..I loved you best"
- Jim Willis
HAYFIELDS GRAND SHENANDOAH (SHEENA) CD RE RE TDIRVA
February 23, 2004 - October 21, 2015
Owned, loved and missed by Jim & Peggy Barrett
“If you want me, just whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you?”
(Lauren Bacall, in “To Have and Have Not”). Picture taken 14 Oct 2015.)
Sheena, you graced us for nearly twelve years, more than any other of our Berners save one (“Beta”). I saw you the day Annie whelped you (the last of seven!). As an eight-week old puppy, you squirmed your way into our hearts (even though I was determined to pick a boy puppy – okay, I was wrong, you were right.).
We developed as a team in freestyle (including, Lexington!), obedience and rally. But therapy work was where you really glowed. You padded down the halls of the local Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital for some eight years. At each visit you let me balance treats on your muzzle, snatching them mid-air, before the kids could blink.
Until the very end, you had that knowing, loving look, “Of course, Jim and Peggy, of course”.
CH. ANASTASIA'S AN APPLE A DAY "DAILEY"
August 30, 2010 - October 15, 2015
owned, loved and missed by Brenda Bernard
Dailey crossed the bridge and I am so heart broken. I was holding out hope and wishing for a miracle, but she was needed to help out up in heaven. I will miss my hugs from my special showboat. Even being so short of a time she has taught me a very special love. She always knew when I was having a bad day she would give me her famous Dailey hug. Dailey and I had such a special bond that I will truly miss. Hope her legacy lives on in her babies.
RIP sweet baby girl, I will miss your cute little showboat butt. Kisses and BIG hugs until I see you again. Love you Ms. Dailey and miss you more than I can stand.
LINDENHOF'S FREYA V. CHARGUN CD RE NA NAJ NAP NJP NDD JHD WD CGC
April 24, 2007 - July 28, 2015
Owned, loved & missed by Barbara Bootes
Once again this year, I am in the position of having to report the loss of one of my girls. Accomplished Freya, mother to 15 puppies and who excelled in performance events, passed peacefully on July 28 after an intense battle with Histio Sarcoma, the full onset of which was triggered by a DHPP booster vaccination in the middle of June. Her actual cause of death was likely a secondary infection from a puncture wound to her foot a couple of days before, which introduced the bacteria that overwhelmed her liver due to her weakened immune system. Fortunately, she was not in pain. We pursued a course of treatment that included canibidiol (CBD) hemp oil and the Budwig protocol (cottage cheese blended with flaxseed oil) among other holistic approaches. These seemed to have had a positive effect on her tumors, but in the end, the disease moved too quickly through her system for us to be able to keep up with the counter measures required through nutritional means. We did not do chemo
Replacing my girls, in all senses of the word—and indeed if they can ever be replaced, will be a long and challenging process
Barbara Bootes
Lindenhof BMDs
INGRID IDA V. LINDENHOF CD RAE OAP OJP DD JHD-s HTAD-1-s WD WDX CGC
January 13, 2005 - May 13, 2015
Bred, owned, loved & missed by Barbara Bootes
As some of you already know, my sweet, brave Ingrid crossed the bridge in mid-May. She was 10 years and 4 months and mother to the 26 puppies in Lindenhof's M, N and Q litters. After surgery in early March to remove two malignant tumors in the lung and along the mammary chain, she was healing and recovering well. Follow-up blood work and X-rays a month later showed normal function and no further evidence of malignancy
However pain coming from the neck area was causing her increasing difficulties with walking and coordination. Finally we elected to do an MRI on May 12 to see what was going on and if it could be addressed surgically. What we found was a condition in her spinal cord described as myelomalacia, or disintegration/death of the tissue comprising the cord, which was causing her tremendous pain. Usually, such a condition is a result of injury or trauma to the area, which I’m inclined to believe, though it happened 4 1/2 years ago, came from the time she was caught in a snare and nearly choked to death. The affected area was right where the wire had caught her. She was at that point cancer-free with a healthy body but there is no known treatment to reverse this process and we had no choice but to let her go
Her pack-mates, Freya and Mirko are missing their sister, as indeed are all of us. Attaching a few pictures to honor her life.
Best, Barbara, Lindenhof BMD
POSSUM"
December 16, 2003 - April 23, 2015
Owned and loved by Mark & Regina Jessop
Although the picture is two years old, this is how we see her. She loved to be outside, and she was always “smiling.” We can sum up Possum as “the happiest dog ever known”. She was truly a girly girl who believed life was meant to be a party.
(Possum's tribute was made possible by friends who generously contributed to our rescue fund.)
KEILISSA'S HAD TO HAVE HER, aka Haddie, Hadlyn & Haddie Ho
October 3, 2003 - April 12, 2015
Owned, loved & missed by Brenda Bernard
It has been a tough couple of days, and I knew the time was going to come, but, you know, you’re just never ready. My sweet baby girl Haddie has crossed the Bridge. I am thankful to Haddie that I did not have to make the choice, it was on her terms, and she went peacefully in her sleep on Sunday afternoon. Haddie has always done things on her terms, LOL. She has been my best friend and the love of my life, my baby girl, and has had some beautiful Babies and Grandchildren, and I hope her free spirit lives on in their hearts, I am also hoping that Emma her Granddaughter will carry on her legacy. My heart is breaking, but I do know that she is in a much better place and running with all the boys that have met her at the gate, and I am sure they all were happy to see Ms. Hot Pants cross the bridge..
Haddie Mommy will miss you and loves you so much. Until we meet again, know you will be waiting!!!!
LARA LYDIA V. LINDENHOF CD RE OA NAJ NAP DD JHD WD CGC
September 1, 2007 - January 31, 2015
Bred, owned, loved & missed by Barbara Bootes
It is with great sorrow that I have to report that Lara is no longer with us. She passed away suddenly on Saturday after a brief illness marked by intense diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss that began around the middle of January. I will have a post mortem done to determine the actual cause of death, as the speed at which she departed suggests a cause other than the GI Lymphoma she was initially diagnosed with.
Lara was an accomplished girl and hard worker, full of mischief and humor who felt life intensely. She excelled in agility, draft, herding and obedience. She was also the loving mother of 16 pups in two litters, and passed along her strength, sound temperament and intelligence to them.
Her pack-mates—Ingrid, Freya and Mirko—are also devastated. The departure of Miss Lara Sunshine leaves a big hole in the family.
Best, Barbara,
Lindenhof BMDs
GCH OWL BRANCH ROUGH JUSTICE CD RA - "JUSTY" - BG#50975
June 11, 2007 - January 10, 2015
Bred, owned, loved & missed by Valerie Chase & Bill Johnson
Justy, took herself over the bridge around 4am January 10, 2015. She started life taking Best Puppy at the PVBMDC 2007 Match at 3 months of age and was Best Veteran at the PVBMDC Match in 2014 at 7. In between she earned 40 GCH pts and took 8 BOB and 10 BOS ribbons as well as doing obedience. Justy's show name reflects her treatment of her three litter brothers - Danny, Timber and Sonny - whom she tormented relentlessly. Justy never met a boy she didn't invite to riot. Ice and Sonny will miss having her woof while squeaking a toy in their face, bouncing around which she was doing up until 4 days before she died. She took over Tart's house guard duties the day her mother Tart died, as well as Tart's spot on the sofa. Ice and Sonny look a little lost without Justy's directions on when to bark at the door. And the sofa looks very naked without her.
In August 2012 Justy was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma from two lymph nodebiopsies. She had no tumors on ultrasound or xray exams and did 2 rounds of CCNU before almost dying of Lymes and was saved by doxycycline. Justy recovered completely over the following year. Justy never lost a pound and showed no signs of illness before January 6th when she left half her breakfast, but still ran in the pasture. She declined precipitously, showing liver enlargement on xray and liver and spleen invasive tissue on ultrasound on the 8th. Like Tart, Justy is in both Berner Garde and the NIH Canine Genome Project databases with swabs and blood samples. Unlike Tart, she could not go to JHMI for their incredibly complete necropsy as it was a weekend. Her regular vet did the gross necropsy and sent tissues off for analysis. Reports will be forwarded to both BG and NIH.
Tart died at 8.5 of a small hemangiosarcoma on her heart that ruptured and none of the 28 other tissue slides had any evidence of cancer. She is being used as a control by NIH for some studies so comparison with Justy if she has histio may be useful.
GCH WITCHWAY'S SOARING WITH EAGLES, RN - "MOOSE " - (BG#78429)
November 2, 2010 - June 20, 2014
Bred, owned, loved & missed by Joyce Dickhoff
Moose was one of the neatest dogs I have ever owned. He was a clown, my obedience dog, my show dog, my DOG. He got me to work in obedience and we were doing great. I will never replace Moose. I am having him checked out by Hopkins so that we will know what happened to my Moose. He was only 3 1/2 and he was a champion and had so much more to do.
Joyce
SILVER GRAND CHAMPION JENNYCREEK'S LORD BACCHUS (APOLLO)
July 17, 2006 - May 5, 2014 - (BG#44383)
Loved and missed by Jim & Debbie Reams
It was with a heavy heart that we helped Apollo cross the Rainbow Bridge on 5 May 2014. He was our heart dog and all our days are a little less bright without his cheerful, quiet dignity and gentle charm.
Apollo came into our life 2 1/2 years ago from Bobbi Kinley-Blewett. We specialed him immediately with Heather Bremmer and Kevin Bednar. In the 2012 show season he only competed for 10 months, but took 47 BOB titles, numerous Awards of Merit and Group Awards. He received an Award of Merit at Eukanuba in Orlando and was BOB at the National Dog Show in Philly. He finished at Number 6 all breed and Number 7 in breed for the year. His last appearance was in Veteran Sweeps and the Veteran Parade at the 2014 Nationals in Hampton. It was a special pleasure to go around the ring, that he loved, one last time. He went around the show ring one last time like the trooper he was.
We miss him dearly and feel blessed that we were privileged to share his last years with such an exceptional Berner. RIP
OWL BRANCH’S SNOWDROP CD, RE, RA, RN, CGC (SOPHIE)
October 30, 2003 – May 11, 2014
Owned Loved and Missed by Bill Davis and Pete Williams
Sophie was named after the Snow Drop Flower and she always had a little grin on her face. She came home to us after much debate over whether we could handle four dogs in the house. She was our mischief maker charging thru the bathroom in the morning, jumping out of the ring to check out something then coming back to finish, on a long down it was scratch your back time and yet she finished all her Rally titles, and her CD. She also had two legs toward her CDX and Two RAE legs. She was our first conformation dog that we pointed ourselves. When she couldn’t walk on Sunday we took her to the emergency clinic and they determined that she had cancer. We our thankful for the time we had but still it wasn’t long enough. She is able to run freely now and join our three musketeers at the rainbow bridge.
With great love.
Pete/Bill
CHESTER
Our First Berner
June 4, 1998 - January 10, 2014
Owners: Bill Davis and Pete Williams
On that dreary icy Friday afternoon, we finally, with very heavy hearts, decided that Chester should go to join Bear and Krystall. He was our first experience with Bernese Mountain Dogs; although part husky he was more Berner, which carried through to his color and personality. This was such a great trait that we decided to get Bear and Krystall. I called them our three musketeers. (Chester is in the trunk).
Chester was the trainer for all the new Berners that followed. He taught them to hunt squirrels and birds, dig holes and just have fun. He often went along on our many trips to Nationals and other far away shows. He was often mistaken for a poorly marked Berner. The house is not the same without him.
Well rest in peace, Chester, you were loved by both humans and dogs.
Caroling's Alice Blue Gown (BG#25651)
"Alice" 5/5/04 - 12/6/13
bred, owned & missed by Carol & Ken Lingley
Alice, always in a hurry, left us suddenly after suffering recurring seizures of increasing intensity over her last 24 hours. She had lost an eye two years earlier to melanoma, but her strong personality overcame any handicap associated with partial blindness, and she continued to soar through her days at full speed, enjoying every minute. Cookies were her passion, and one could stand in the doorway and address no dog in particular with "lie down" mentioned in a sentence, and she would drop like a ton of bricks, and give you an expectant grin for her reward. We never tired of playing the game. She was a singleton, raised with a "litter" of stuffed, black monkeys--probably where she picked up her frenetic energy.
Alice-Bigalous, a very special girl, sorely missed.
Hayfields Grand Molly "Molly"
February 2, 2005 - August 23, 2013
Owners - Jim & Debbie Reams
We helped "Molly Moo" across the Rainbow Bridge on 23 August. She was suffering from histiosarcoma and at the end there was no doubt it was her time. It was both the hardest and easiest decision we have ever had to make about her well being.
She was our first Berner. She won no titles but she won our hearts. As a pup she was as goofy, uncontrollable and irrepressible as any dog could be. She loved to chew up socks, TV remote controls and DVDs, case and all. She was on a first name basis with all her vets but never seemed to suffer any ill-effects. As a teenager, she was a gangly ugly duckling but she grew into a huge, magnificent "grand dame" who ruled our house. As new puppies arrived in our household, titles acquired, and litters whelped, she abided the upstarts and maintained her quiet dignity.
Up until the end she slept at the end of our bed. When she could no longer could get up onto our bed, she slept on the floor next to us. During the day she would struggle on her painful and crippled legs to limp outside where she would sit for hours and bark at folks walking by, ever protective, ever faithful. Even toward the end, when we would travel, she would hobble to the back of the van and put her front paws up on the floor and wait for the boost she knew would come. She would not be left out or left behind. She loved having her belly scratched and would do anything for a treat, including hobbling into the vet for the last time.
We loved her dearly and will miss her forever. She represented all the reasons we love Bernese Mountain Dogs. Godspeed, be without pain, run free, and rest peacefully.
Caroling's Heir of Elation (BG#19494)
"Lera" 1/1/03 - 8/10/13
bred, owned & loved by Carol & Ken Lingley
What to say about Lera Lou? Born in our front yard in the wee hours of New Year's Day 2003, a surprise addition to the litter of six already in the whelping box, dubbed "Potty Dottie" for her neonatal days, Lera claimed us from the get-go as her forever family, and here she stayed for her full 10 years, 7 months. She was Symbol's best buddy, and her daddy's girl. She had the coat of a unshorn sheep, which hid her girlish figure, but was agile and smart and enjoyed obedience training, especially the treats part. She was a beautiful moving girl and sound all her life. Too small for the show ring, but nonetheless a champion in our hearts.
Rest well, Woo. We're missing you.
Kidd’s Kringle of St. Pelz (Kringle), CD, CGC, Therapy Certification
February 20, 2003 – June 18, 2013
Owned, Cherished and Missed by Lee & Debby Isdell
We met you at three weeks of age and thus began a decade love affair. You were your "Mom’s" first ever dog and you have set the bar ever so high. You lightened our lives in so many ways…a bright-eyed tail wag when she came home from a stressful day…a "lean" when we stood still…a kiss and a hug whenever we needed one…and good old-fashioned "push" as you drove your head between my legs, getting a full-body massage. You were at your best in a wild abandoned roll across your yard, scratching your back…or playing "snowplow" as you put your nose down on the deck full of snow and shoving your way through it… or playing our madcap version of kickball, pushing your "indestructible" hard ball with your front paws all across the yard at a full run. When we cried, you came and put your head in our lap and gazed up with those incredible big brown eyes. When we laughed and played, you jumped, rolled and wagged right in the midst of everything. You were everywhere in our lives, touching every aspect of them. From being my daily partner as we drove all over Central Virginia, to hiding in the closet at the rumble of thunder, you were an excellent dog…patient, obedient, completely trustworthy, with a great disposition. Everyone who met you fell in love with you. You were an excellent Ambassador of your breed. You were a beautiful dog.
Now…our hearts break, for you were everywhere in our lives…and now…are not. There shall be others, for the love you gave us created a space in our hearts that we now know only a dog can fulfill. We understand that, but there can never be another unique you. Of all the GREAT things you did, the primary one is…that you taught your Mom what is to be loved by and to love a dog. Very Good, Puppy-Wuppy!... See you later, Handsome.
CH Caroling's Symbol Du Saguenay (BG#36919)
"Symbol" 8/13/01 - 1/12/13
bred, owned & loved by Carol & Ken Lingley
Sym was one of three pups we kept from the same litter, and arguably the sweetest dog to ever grace Caroling. She was slower to mature, probably because of her large frame & lovely bone, but once we got serious about showing her , she finished handily, and won a 5pt major at a PV supported entry along the way. She had only one litter of two girls, but those girls gave us our Targhee (Ch. Carolings Winter Flight) and his sister Twitter (Caroling's All A Twitter), so a bit of "grandma" is still with us. Symbol gave us all we could ask of a Berner for 11 1/2 years. Well done, ol' girl. You were the best.
CH Bedro's Justintime v Greenway CD AJP DD BDD - BMDCA VD & WD
"Justin" 3/16/04 - 1/7/13
owned & loved by Maria & Jack Crifasi
Jack and I helped our Justin to the Bridge. I can only imagine how happy he was to see Buddy and Daisy again. We are so grateful that he had a fabulous holiday and spent so much time laying in the snow watching kids sledding and throwing snowballs as well as taking short hikes on the wood paths with Maggie and Cabby.
CH Bedro's Justintime v Greenway CD AJP DD BDD - BMDCA VD & WD plus his herding certificate. Translated that means: an obedience title, an excellent level agility title earned last April, a Draft Dog and Brace Draft Dog title and a herding instinct certificate. He would have gotten his herding title but after herding the sheep once, he felt that were too stupid to deal with and went to lay down in the shade. Justin and Jack were an amazing draft and agility team.
Justin could open any door with any type of knob. He would wake us up before dawn by slamming his steel food bowl against the wood floor by our bedroom door. He could play a sneaky game of hide and seek. Find It was his most favorite game of all. He loved to lean and cuddle and clean ears. He loved to be groomed and shown in the ring. He filed bills and napkins by eating them. It was Justin who taught us the most of any Berner we have owned.
Please pour yourself a nice glass of wine and toast a great Berner.
Maria and Jack Crifasi
If you get there before I do
Don't give up on me
I'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long I'll be
But I'm not going to let you down
Just you wait and see
And between now and then
'Til I see you again
I'll be loving you
Love, Me.