I haven't posted in a long time. We placed those gorgeous puppies and a few weeks later Mom took a trip down south to visit her grandkids and pick up our Calli-girl. I was taking care of our Cricket while she was gone. When Pebbles was weaning her puppies, she and River discovered that they could climb up and over the wood pile to get out of the yard. Pebbles must have just needed some freedom that we were scared to give her due to the pups being so young. Well, we removed access from the wood pile, but in the meantime, Pebbles had taught Cricket how to get out as well and they learned what great excitement could be had just beyond our yard. There is a preserve area with a spring and creek, tons of brush, it would be awesome for a dog.
One day, I was teaching my kids inside the house and I had the dogs secured in the backyard. Neither Cricket or Pebbles had ever jumped over that section of fencing, until this day. The neighbor came over to tell me that Cricket was back behind her yard (if I had only known that she was standing guard over an injured Riv). I went and carried her back over the fence but couldn't see River, he was covered by tall grass. We searched for him but didn't find for hours. He was long gone by the time I found him, it was one of the most painful moments of my life. It is our understanding that he must have gotten hit by a car, then made it nearly back to our property. It has broken our hearts to pieces, we miss him so very much. It has taken me months just to get up the courage to write this post because I can't move us one until we accept the truth.
River has been nominated for awards for the California Brittany Club, Mom and I wrote this to be shared, should he win.
"Oh, our River dog. You all know the pain that has been this year, but we want to remember River’s accomplishments of last year. He was a dog entering his prime. He had just recently completed his field championship and corresponding Dual Championship and did a few months as Gun Dog on the circuit, racking up 111 points in the Spring season. Mary started competing with him in Amateur Gun Dog and accumulated 27 CBC points in 2 trials. River’s Run and particularly “Style on Point” is his legacy. Who can forget his “Tail held High.”
He did well in his first weekend of shows at our Specialty weekend, accumulating an Award of Merit, Select Dog and a Best of Breed. He competed and Won the dual Dog Sweeps at the ABC National Specialty and made the “cut” in Breed.
His first litter hit the ground right at the beginning of the year, bred by Bob, Carolyn and Polly West, two of which are now finished show champions, two others with points. In August, his second litter hit the ground, this time bred by us, Mary Brown and Shellie Sytsma. A lovely litter of eight puppies are adding to his legacy with two of the puppies now major show pointed and many more to hit the ring in time. Several of the above mentioned pups have been competing in field events in Puppy and Derby stakes. One is now field pointed.
The most important accomplishment of 2014 for River was the position he claimed in Shellie’s life as their family dog. Mary relinquished her favorite boy so that Shellie could have a family dog that she could handle and love. Together we kept him exercised by roading him with the bike or galavanting in the fields and trails. He LOVED his outings and semi-field work. The children frequently accompanied these outings and enjoyed “handling” their dog.
He was a confident entitled house dog, so mellow and easy going with the children. He was a very good Gun Dog, and Beautiful Confirmation dog.
So many to thank but particulary thanks to Paul and Peggy for exceptional field training and competitions. Thanks to the Wests for breeding opportunity at the beginning. Thanks to so much love and support from OUR CBC family and friends particularly Linda McDonald and Joy Ory.
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