Sorry for the big gap in my blog but I have just not had the heart to communicate lately. So much has happened in the last few weeks so I must catch up now.

Bunny had a pyometria and we thought that we would lose her, but she recovered well after her emergency operation and is now back to full strength.

Gerry and Steve came down for a few days which was lovely. The week after Bunnys' op of course, we lost Cougar, and then Margy and I went to Slovakia judging at the Belgian Speciality. We had a lovely weekend (see next blog) and managed to get a flight home in time to go to Birmingham National where Cruz had the RDCC, Dana (B.Sorciere) the RBCC. DCC was Theas' new Import Casykas Ituha and the BCC and BOB, Ch.Revloch O'Baoill. BP was Revloch Yabba Dabba Doo. Congratulations everyone.

Steve came for a few days, on his own this time, and just chilled out, being head chicken keeper and Kennel man. :) thanks Steve.

In between I have been training with Caper,Cruz, Cello and Cudos, and lead training the remaining Laekenois pups. I still have a couple of bitches looking for active homes.

Psyche is decidedly in whelp to Becanbrie Rohan at Linvetts, and will do well to get to her due date on the 16th of June!

Eleanor Z Kovarny(BV)

Hikka de la Tyvall(L)

Toby Comme un Reve Noir(G)




Grimmendans Honey (T)

Here are some photos from the Belgian Club show in Slovakia where myself and Margy were judging. The weather was wonderful, the venue was in a wooded area with lovely cabins and on site restaurant. The food and company was great and we were made so welcome by Nora and the comittee.

The BIS winner was Grimmendans Honey (T) and RBIS was Toby Comme un Reve Noir (G).

BOB Malinois was Daring Devil du Crepuscule des Loups.

BOB Laekenois was Hikka de la Tyvell.

BVeteran was Eleanor Z Kovarny.

We spent a day in Bratislava which had some beautiful old buildings. The weather was hot and we spent a lovely day eating out on the street restaurants, pottering around the art shops and taking photos.

Thankyou to everyone who has sent me messages and emails about Cougar.

He is buried by his mother, Cachet.

His legacy will live on in his progeny-both Malinois and Laekenois-who all have something about them that will never let us forget him.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of Cougar (Ch.Bonvivant Esprit). We suspect he had a blood clot and I found him peacefully lying in his bed on Tuesday evening. He had spent his day playing in the sunshine with his ball, sleeping in the office on his chair and keeping an eye on Cudos the puppy. When the other pups left home he took it upon himself to look after Cudos and slept on his chair so the pup knew he wasn't alone.

Cougar made history, being the first Malinois male Champion in the UK, gaining his crown under the late Terry Thorn. He represented the Malinois many times in the Group ring, was lead dog for the Bonvivant Breeders Team, the last time this year at Crufts where he had taken the RDCC the day before. Cougar loved to show and just couldn't wait to get in the van. Always a gentleman, loved and admired by so many both here and abroad. Sire to many lovely puppies and was the only Malinois to be used here in the UK for the Mal/Laekenois mating, passing on his character and qualities.

Cougar was Top Sire 2009 in Malinois and Laekenois. He represented the Breed at the Contest of Champions, Discover Dogs and was a wonderful Ambassador for the Breed.

Above all, Cougar was my soul mate, always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on.....

Bali arrived in Norway--very lucky that we changed the date from the 15th to the 14th or the eruption of the volcano in Iceland would have cancelled her flight. I think I can safely say that Bali was pleased to meet her new owners, Linda and Kathrine, and she spent her first couple of days with Linda and Ronny. She took her Tigger with her and looks so relaxed in the car on her long journey from Stavanger to Bergen, with 2 ferry crossings. What a big day that was for her. I think she will be very happy in Norway.

Her brother, Cudos, is on his own now and has moved into the house with us. He hasn't stopped using his voice for the last 2 days, but he croaks a bit now. He has been travelling around with the dogs in the van and spent a lovely afternoon up at Carols' yesterday--running in and out of the container as if he did it every day. He went to visit my friends at the kennels this morning and joined their dogs in the kitchen while we had a cuppa. He was quite surprised to meet dogs which weren't Belgians but soon made himself at home pulling a net of lemons out of their veg rack.

Another beautiful warm, sunny day and Barbara and I went for a walk with the dogs. Hard to believe that Ziggy the Collie is almost 11yrs old now, the same age as Bunny (Gwashleas Rigmarole at Bonvivant) pictured at the bottom here.

Chatter and Cruz went on a photo shoot up the field and posed on the straw bale--taking five and rolling around on top of the bale--almost falling off! Then they played hide and seek round the bale before going home for a cool drink.

A really nice week with Claire and Gaston visiting from Belgium. The Malinois puppies had their first outing in the sunshine with mum, Chiraze, and had a great time. Bali is off to Norway on Wednesday this week to Kennel Nadjarah where she will be showing and doing agility with Linda and Kathrine. Biper and Chiraze returned with Claire and Gaston to Belgium on Friday just leaving the 2 pups here.

My Mum has been recruited to train Caper on his retrieve and he is very good with her and is careful not to bounce all over her.

It was cold on Saturday when I went to Newark, having volunteered to do stay stewarding and scent decoy, met lots of friends and socialised Caper and Ziva. They both enjoyed the experience and mugged everyone they could. I came home to thaw out!

Today, Barbara and I took Sam, Zig the collie and Cerise to play in the field and they had a great time. Soli the Laekenois is on holiday and posed beautifully for me to take some photos.
It wouldbe nice to think that it will remain sunny for the rest of the week and today the wind had dropped making it so nice to be outside with the dogs.

A really busy couple of weeks with the BSDA of GB club open show where Cello was BOB and BVet in Breed, Sam was RBD and Res BOB and Deepha BOppSex in Malinois. Remy was BD and BoppSex, Elle won her class, and Cerise was 2nd in Open Bitch. It was a good day out and great to see Gerry and Steve again. Charli the Laekenois puppy came along and took everything in his stride. Penny Draper was there doing her heelwork to music and here is her Yorn daughter Secret doing her stuff!

Some really good training sessions with Cello, Cruz and Caper last week.

Ruger went to his new home with Gill and Simon and has settled in well--the only problem being a bit of sheep worrying (see photo).

This weekend was the Contest of Champions at Heathrow where the Belgians were out in force(Malinois, Tervueren and Groenendael ) and all showed well. All went out in the first round but they looked great. Ann took Deepha and thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Lots of visitors this weekend which was nice. Solli has come for a holiday while Christines' bitches are in season and she took one of the Laeken bitches back for some socialising. Still got pups left here from that litter, all bitches, great characters and very outgoing.

Gaston and Claire arrive wednesday for a few days :) then we are on countdown for Bali to go off to Linda and Kathrine in Norway next week.