How Much is a Life Worth?
I sometimes get discouraged about French Bulldog rescue.
I sometimes feel like all we’re doing is sticking our fingers in the dike, while the water pours over the wall in spite of us. I can’t look at a classified ad or open my email with seeing a French Bulldog for sale at auction, or abandoned, or one who has been through unspeakable cruelty. Sometimes, I feel like all I ever write about are dead dogs, dying dogs, dogs for whom we couldn’t do enough, in time, to save their lives. Sometimes I worry that writing about dead dogs is going to make everyone who reads this blog so depressed and discouraged that they’re just going to look at that wall of water, and say ‘let it pour, I’ve done all that I can do’.
Sometimes, I worry that I’ll walk away with them.
Every once in a while, though, we all do make a difference, even if it’s just for one single dog. Take Holmes, for example.
ECFBC Fun Day in Mississauga
Eastern Canada French Bulldog Club held its second French Bulldog Jamboree Funday on Saturday, at Doggie Central in Mississauga. French Bulldogs and their friends (all breeds are welcome at these events) gathered together to play, try out the agility equipment and generally enjoy each others company.
Our door prize draw and raffle were a great success, with almost everyone in attendance going home with a gift of some kind.
If you missed Saturday’s event, don’t despair – we’re already making plans for another one, this time in downtown Toronto! Stay tuned for details.
Our thanks to our wonderful sponsors, who make all of this possible – we couldn’t do this without you!
Doggie Central (for the use of their great space, their staff and their beautiful raffle gift basket)
Golly Gear
Pets 4 Life Raw Pet Cuisine
Essex Cottage Farms
Ashleigh Devries, Training by Ashleigh
Richard Rockford, Aristocrafts French Bulldogs
Robert and Diane Lowes, Robb Isle French Bulldogs
Megan Lorenz Photography (make sure to check out her photos of the events – prints are available!)
Check out photos from Saturday, after the break.
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Finn Hits the Show Ring!
Finn with handler Kay Reil and Judge Richard Paquette
Finn amazed us all by finishing his Canadian championship in a single weekend, his first time in the ring, from the 6 – 9 month puppy class. While he was there, he also took a Group 2, two Group 3 wins, three Best Puppy in Group wins and a Best Puppy in Show.
Our thanks to judges Olga Gagne, Mel Saranchuk and Richard Paquette for recognizing Finn’s excellent type, and to Finn’s handler, Kay Reil, for making him shine. Thanks as well to Pam McClintock and John Griffith for assisting with Finn this weekend – we appreciate it!
It’s always fun when puppies finish this quickly – Finn’s great uncles did the same, with Stoney finishing in one weekend, owner handled by Charlotte Creeley, with back to back five point majors. Just to keep things interesting, he finished his CD the same weekend. His great uncle Rebel finished with three five point majors and two group wins, and his half sister, Butters, finished in four days with a Best Puppy in Show.
Those are some pretty big shoes for Finn to fill, but I’m confident he can do it.
I think I’m particularly proud of Finn’s wins because he’s not just correct, he’s healthy – his breathing is perfect, his eyes are JC clear, his hips, patellas and spine are all prelim clear, and he jumps like a mountain goat. Topping it all off, he moves with that gorgeous French Bulldog double tracking movement that is so incredibly unique to our breed, and yet is so increasingly rare to see. It’s nice when your dog wins, but it’s even nicer when he’s a dog you can be this proud of.
Finn’s sister, Madge, showed this weekend as well. Madge looked great in the ring, and Kay handled her beautifully, but Madge is never going to enjoy the ring the way Finn does (partially because she doesn’t have his same unbridled enthusiasm for snacks). You know you’re up against it when the judge asks your dog “Why so sad, little pup?”, and your handler has to explain, “That’s not sad, that’s just Madge’s face”. We sometimes wonder if she isn’t really Delilah’s daughter, stolen away by Penelope when we weren’t looking.
It’s OK, Madgela, mommy loves you – and so did the crowd. I’ve never had so many questions and comments about a Frenchie puppy, ranging from “What color do we call this?” (asked by a judge, and answered with “We call it fawn pied, and it’s in the standard”, which seemed to make everyone happy) to “Wow, her markings are perfect”, which – of course they are, they’re on Madge.
I took home two tired puppies last night, and they celebrated with ice cream, followed by a vigorous romp through the muddy backyard.
Show dogs, yes, but swamp puppies first.