Au Revoir Francois

Today we wrap up the birthday season with a hearty Happy Birthday wish to the Secret litter. David drove Solene to Repentigny, Quebec for her tryst with Bosch. While in Quebec, David enjoyed skiing at Mont-Tremblant and the wonderful hospitality of Francois Menard, the owner of Bosch. Francois sent David off each day with a beautiful box lunch, and welcomed him back from the slopes with a great meal and fine wine. The weather was terribly cold, but the breedings were successful and Francois sent David off with yet another nice meal for the road.

Bosch, David, and Solene at Francois Menard's home

With Solene's registered name being 'Intl Intrigue,' we chose 'Secret' as the theme of her litter. Solene is so special to me and her first litter was filled with emotion. I remember the fun of Neil Fournier flying in from California when the puppies were 11 days old and our joy of sitting in the whelping box sharing these beautiful babies. I think of the lost promise of the 3 stillborn souls who did not take a breath. When the puppies grew, Grandma Claire became a surrogate mother to the pups and she and Solene shared in raising the 9 sweet babies. I have been so proud to watch these pups grow and accomplish so much. So today, on their third birthday, I remember our friend Francois Menard, who passed away last Saturday. Francois was special, a swashbuckling sort of handsome and proud man. He had a distinctive handling style that said 'Of course you're going to choose this dog.' Yet he didn't just expect to win; he put in the work and earned titles in Conformation, Rally, Obedience, and other events. He was the first to earn an American Rally title. He won the first group placement at Premier with a Barbet. With his gregarious heart, he hosted wonderful cookouts while we camped at the shows. Francois donated prizes to our specialties, he became a SPOT evaluator, and he made friends for the Barbet wherever he traveled with Bosch. Francois and I shared the bond of being cancer survivors, but sadly, his recurred and no more treatment was available. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Manon. Francois, you were one of a kind. 

I am honored to own my Bosch daughter Marlee, and I know that Francois is proud of her and all of the other Bosch kids. Happy birthday to Marlee, Micah, Meg, Clea, Charlie, Clovis, Teddy, Ernie, and Libby.

Francois Menard   1957-2017

Happy Birthday to the Final litter!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Finals! At the time, we thought this would be Claire's last litter, so the puppies were all given a Final name. A change in plans led to one more litter from Claire, and they were called the Epilogue litter. The Final group was sired by Quaciendas Thunus Georgii and they were a delightful group to raise. Happy birthday to Gris Gris, Marcel, Dallas, Fia, Alainn, Magic, and Blueberry. A beautiful group!!

Welcome home, Marlee!

We are right in the middle of our birthday season. Almost every one of our Barbet litters have been born in late March or early April. Living together usually makes all of the girls come into season around the same time, so it has been easy to plan for spring pups that are ready to head to their new homes just as summer is starting. A great time for puppies to make the transition when their new families can easily get them out to new places every day.

Next week we will celebrate the 3rd birthday of our beautiful Marlee and her siblings. Time flies! Yesterday I drove to Chesapeake City, MD to pick up Mar after her month on the road with Michelle and Michael Scott. This road trip was extremely successful for Marlee. She won Best of Breed and Best in Miscellaneous at 12 of the 14 shows where the Scotts showed her. Marlee made a lot of new friends for the breed and the Scotts learned about showing a Barbet. In the end, Marlee earned her CM2 title and is just two points shy of her CM3. She came home in impeccable condition, and she loved everyone on the Creekside Handling team. Marlee will continue to meet up with the Scotts throughout the year. My sincere thanks to Michael for presenting Marlee so beautifully!

An honor to win under Houston Clark

Balanced, beautiful movement. Totally correct. So proud :)

Taking the glamour down a notch :)   judge Richard V Miller

Happy Birthday to the Claire - Pascal Pups

April 6, 2016 was a special day here last year. Claire, our fabulous foundation mama, had her last litter of puppies. Papa Pascal stopped by with his owners Josh and Maria to meet all of the babies before they went on to their new homes. Happy birthday to Brigitte, Gavroche, Rex, Lucy, Lila, Rush, Max, and Pink Cotton Candy (CC)  We are so lucky to have such wonderful owners for our puppies!!!

Happy Birthday Fools Day!

Happy second birthday to these special little Fools!!! Nessa and Murdoch had a very wonderful litter two years ago today. Happy birthday to Kit, Ren, Mallie, Addie, Marley, Beau, Flambeaux and a special memory to Remi, whose life was cut so short in a tragic accident. Nessa now lives with Remi's family, helping to fill the giant hole left by his loss.