Tessa Earns a Nap, Dexter Fails at Geography and Solo Goes to the Darkside
Tessa is the last remaining puppy from her litter – although I suppose I can’t even come close to referring to her as a ‘puppy’ any more. It doesn’t really matter that she’s thirteen and change – to me, she’ll always be that little red and white trouble maker I tucked inside my coat and brought with me every where I went.
It’s not that I don’t realize she’s getting older – that’s obvious. She moves slower, sleeps more, and occasionally wanders into a room and forgets why she’s there (I’ve compared it to those moments when I get to the kitchen and think “What the heck did I come in here for?”). In spite of that, she’s still pretty perky for her age. Playing with the Grandkids (Fanny is an honorary Grandpuppy) gives her something to do, and probably makes those fireplace naps that much sweeter.
Here’s a video of her wrestling with Dexter, Fanny, Paris and Bunny.
Dexter is living up to the Frenchie family tradition of getting stuck in stupid places. A few nights ago, we heard him bark-bark-BARKing outside, so Sean came down to investigate. Seems Dexter had gone out the dog door, and around the corner of the house into the fenced play yard (probably following his ‘girlfriend’, Tula, who he shadows almost everywhere). Once there, he got a bit confused, and stood outside the ground level windows of our downstairs bathroom, yelling for someone to let him in. That’s where Sean found him, after walking around the house in his slippers – through three feet snow drifts. Dexter seemed pretty happy to be back inside.
Here are a few new photos of Dexter snuggling with his mommy Bunny, along with some lovely profile photos of Paris, and two that show how incredibly similar Sailor’s markings are to Dexter’s. Barb calls it ‘the mark of the Devil’. I don’t think Dexter is ready for a career of evil just yet – he should probably stick to figuring out how to navigate the backyard before he takes on total world domination….
Lots of new photos of Solo to post this week, including some of his exercising his ever growing ESPP powers, and a few worrisome ones where he contemplates going over to the darkside. More on that this week…
French Bulldog Hide n' Seek and Old Timer Nostalgia
It is a simple fact of life that if you live with French Bulldogs, weird things are going to happen.
Years ago, I had a panic attack when I realized I couldn’t find Leeza, our little cream French Bulldog puppy. We searched the entire house, calling her name, and then fanned out over the entire neighbourhood. None of us could remember letting her outside, but mistakes happen, and puppies manage to escape even securely fenced yards. When you live 500 feet from the steep, rocky shores of Lake Ontario, a missing puppy takes on an entirely new level of fear. Just as we were getting ready to call animal control and the local shelters, we heard a tiny noise coming from inside our massive pine armoire.
Leeza had climbed inside of the bottom cabinet while it was being dusted, and stayed there, curled up quietly and unnoticed, when the doors were closed. She slept through our calls, our whistles, our shaking of treat boxes, and the escalating sounds of our panic, waking up only when it was close to dinner time.
Yesterday, I went upstairs to make a steak and kidney pie, leaving Paris, Bunny and Dexter sleeping on the dog bed in the family room. Paris started barking shortly after I went upstairs, and as usual, I told her to ‘be quiet’ and kept on assembling my pie. When I came downstairs, I could hear Paris barking still, but I couldn’t find her. She wasn’t on the floor, on the bed, or anyplace else to be found. I finally realized where the noise was coming from – behind the couch.
Well, ok – dogs sometimes get stuck behind the couch, although it’s usually Dexter, who is sweet but not quite the sharpest tool in the box. I guess maybe Paris could get stuck, too.
A quick look behind the couch showed no sign of Paris, but I could still hear her barking. That’s when I realized – Paris wasn’t behind the couch, she was inside of it. She had somehow managed to get herself behind the couch, and up into the inner working underneath the couch, probably in a quest for some microscopic morsel of dropped food. Paris is nothing if not food motivated. Seeing a panicked brindle head peering out at me and making mournful noises was rather disconcerting, but just moving the couch out still didn’t get Paris to attempt to escape. However she’d gotten in there, she was wedged in good, and she’d need help to get back out. A full size leather La Z Boy recliner couch is heavy, and I had visions of the sharp edged metal frame work coming down on Paris’ head.
Thankfully Sean was home, and he was able to lift the couch, while I held Paris still and then quickly pulled her out. She emerged none the worse for her adventure, and this morning I caught her trying to slide behind the couch once more.
French Bulldogs – more determination than brains sometimes, I swear.
At the end of this post, there are a few new photos of the Frenchie knuckleheads, hanging out. Here’s my favorite one, of the two spaz sisters, Journey and Ellie, having a ‘who can make the silliest face’ competition.
I plan to do a posting of new and updated ‘Where are they now?’ puppy photos next week, so send them in to me if you have a Frenchie from us and are reading this. We want more Solo photos in particular, and some of a certain little white coated Southern Belle hooligan! I’d also like some new pix of some of the old timers out there….
I’m feeling very nostalgic after the death of Tessa’s brother Hammer.
I remember him with Tessa, and Buzzy and Ralph, just like it was yesterday. It’s inconceivable to me that those chubby little red headed puppies are now almost fourteen years old, and that Tessa is the last among them still living. I hope she’s with me still for a long, long, long time.
French Bulldogs at Crufts 2008
Crufts is over for another year, and the Best of Breed winner is the simply stunning Ch. Birique Prinzessen JW – better known as “Sassi”. She was awarded this win by respected breeder/judge Dr. Christine Towner, and it is the icing on a career that has been nothing short of stunning.
Sassi is the UK’s top winning fawn bitch of all time, with 22 challenge certificates to her credit. She won Best of Breed at Crufts in 2004, and her triumphant return to the ring this year caps off a career that has also seen her win 5 UK Best in Shows. Her breeders and owners, Neil and Jacky Birks, of Birique French Bulldogs, have every right to be thrilled. Not only did they take the bitch challenge certificate, four of their other dogs placed or took first in their classes.
You can find the Birique French Bulldogs web page here.
Our friend Sue Case, of Epic French Bulldogs, was at Crufts and took a great big batch of photos. Sue’s photos of Sassi are in the slide display below, or view all of her Crufts photos full sized here. After the photos, I have a listing of the Crufts winners, which you can also find on the Midland and Northern Counties French Bulldog Club website.
Results – Crufts 06/03/08
Judge: Dr Christine Towner
BEST OF BREED
CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW
Bitch | Owner: MR N J BIRKS
BEST PUPPY
FENITON FERGUSON
Dog | Owner: MRS A JENKINS
DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
ACIREMA COLUMBUS TOMMYVILLE
Dog | Owner: MRS M BOOTLE
BITCH CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW
Bitch | Owner: MR N J BIRKS
RESERVE DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
BARON BERTY AT BREMARS
Dog | Owner: MRS J M MARSDEN
RESERVE BITCH CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
ACIREMA LADY CHARMAINE
Bitch | Owner: MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES
CLASSES
VETERAN – Dog
Entries: 3 Abs: 1
1st TRUHALI BLACK ICE OF OTTENSTOCK (MRS S STOCKS)
2nd INT CH GLENLEE NIGHT HAWK (MRS E KOZHEVNIKOVA)
SPECIAL PUPPY – Dog
Entries: 4 Abs: 0
1st FENITON FERGUSON (MRS A JENKINS)
2nd AGEANCOURT SWEET ROCKET (MRS K SMITH)
3rd TERRY LEIGH BOONE AVEC LABANJO (MRS C BURTON)
Res AGEANCOURT TOPS AT TOMMYVILLE (MRS L & MRS M BOOTLE & BONSALL)
SPECIAL JUNIOR – Dog
Entries: 9 Abs: 3
1st FRIEND DE LA PARURE (MR D FRIEND)
2nd TUCHOOS PORTHOS (MR G & MRS D PHILLIPS)
3rd RUOMYES BETE BLOND (MRS P W SEYMOUR)
Res AGEANCOURT MARCEL (MISS H ASKINS)
VHC TOMMYVILLE TEMPERENCE (MR A, MRS M & MRS D CUTTER, BOOTLE & RUMGAY)
YEARLING – Dog
Entries: 5 Abs: 0
1st BARON BERTY AT BREMARS (MRS J M MARSDEN)
2nd BIRIQUE WRIEGNMAKER (MR N J BIRKS)
3rd SHOEBRIDGE FRANCS (MR R & MRS J MAVRO-MICHAELIS)
Res KARCASAM DANCING BEAR AT HELDANSTOW (MR D & MRS H THOMAS)
POST GRADUATE – Dog
Entries: 13 Abs: 3
1st ACIREMA COLUMBUS TOMMYVILLE (MRS M BOOTLE)
2nd OCEAN FANTASY IZ PALEVY BULDOG [ATC AH01295RUS] (MRS M A LEBEDEVA)
3rd GLENLEE CHEYENNE AT SHEARDOWN (MR N R SPENCER)
Res TWINHOE BRIAN (MR C J BLAIR)
VHC TWINHOE RAMONE (MISS E THICK)
LIMIT – Dog
Entries: 10 Abs: 0
1st TOMMYVILLE TANTRUM AT TWINHOE (MR C J BLAIR)
2nd GLENLEE DANCING SHADOWS (MR G & MRS E DRUMMOND)
3rd BIRIQUE PRINZREGENT (MR N J BIRKS)
Res AGEANCOURT FOXGLOVE (MRS K SMITH)
VHC THE PHEASANT CHASER (MRS C HAMMOND)
OPEN – Dog
Entries: 10 Abs: 2
1st ABBEYMILL MR BOJANGLES (MRS L PARTRIDGE)
2nd CH FENITON FERGUS AT MORVERN JW SHCM (MS A & MRS A MCINNES & JENKINS)
3rd TOMMYVILLE TIMMY MCTIMONY (MRS M BOOTLE)
Res TOMMYVILLE TODHUNTER (MRS M BOOTLE)
VHC ELLIOTT DE LA PARURE [ATC AG00709BEL] (MRS FL LALLIARD)
VETERAN – Bitch
Entries: 2 Abs: 0
1st CH TOMMYVILLE TULIP OF GAIS (MRS M LE GALLAIS)
2nd SPANDAPA TANTO TIA (MISS A MITCHELL)
SPECIAL PUPPY – Bitch
Entries: 7 Abs: 0
1st RICCIBET MISS MINK (MR R E RICHARDSON)
2nd AGEANCOURT SOX (MR L & MRS A GIRLING)
3rd DAPLEDAN PARIS (MR A & MRS J CUTTER)
Res SENKRAH JUST AS HONEST (MR & MRS A W HARKNESS)
VHC REDMIST CRYSTAL MAZE VIA NKUNDE (MR S & MRS J COOK)
SPECIAL JUNIOR – Bitch
Entries: 12 Abs: 1
1st ACIREMA LADY CHARMAINE (MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES)
2nd NOKOMIS LITTLE SNOW BEAR (MRS J KEATES)
3rd ACIREMA FLEURETTE TOMMYVILLE (MRS M & MR I BOOTLE & MOYE)
Res DEZINERLABEL ENDLESS SKY (AI) (MRS D & MS J MCKNIGHT-SMITH & MCKENZIE-MORTON)
VHC FAYLOUI AZURA (MR M & MRS VAILE)
YEARLING – Bitch
Entries: 11 Abs: 0
1st BIRIQUE WINNEROVA (MR N J BIRKS)
2nd CRINDLE’S FABERGE (MR B & MRS E WRIGHT)
3rd ABBEYMILL SHTOOM SHTOOM (MRS C A JOPLING)
Res CRINDLE’S PETITE FLEUR WITH AUDACIOUS (MS A STILL)
VHC SHOEBRIDGE GIENNOIS (MR R & MRS J MAVRO-MICHAELIS)
POST GRADUATE – Bitch
Entries: 14 Abs: 3
1st BIRIQUE WANNAGOTU ANASHELL (MR M & MRS K CONWAY)
2nd ROBOBULL SMEG (MRS C ROBERTSON)
3rd MADAINN HIGHLAND MYSTERY (MISS D & MR J MCAULEY & AITKEN)
Res VAGHNA OOPSA DAISY (D & G GAVAGHAN)
VHC MUGGSHOTTS BETTY BOOP (MRS BONSALL)
LIMIT – Bitch
Entries: 14 Abs: 3
1st NELLBANK GRACES SATIN BEAU (MRS L BANKS)
2nd NOKOMIS ENDLESS SUMMER (MRS J KEATES)
3rd DAMEJA LUCY LOCKET (MRS S MCKENNA)
Res BIRIQUE TCHARMED BY TOMMYVILLE (MRS M & MR N BOOTLE & BIRKS)
VHC FENITON RUBY TUESDAY (MRS J CRITCHLEY)
OPEN – Bitch
Entries: 13 Abs: 2
1st CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW (MR N J BIRKS)
2nd CH ACIREMA SEALED WITH A KISS (MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES)
3rd PINK LADY JAZZY V MUPPY’S PLACE [ATC AG00731NLD] (MRS E J & MR F P DE BIE)
Res FENITON FRANCINE (MR D H TAYLOR)
VHC DAMEJA EQUINOXE (MRS S MCKENNA)
GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME – Bitch
Entries: 1 Abs: 0
1st NOKOMIS WHISPERING BREEZE (MRS I & MR R STANSFIELD)