Today was the first time I had taken Cruz to an obedience competition to compete, not just a training round. I had drawn first in Beginners and had decided to use this for training before going into Pre-Beginners for real.

It must have been me, as Cruz was on another planet, and we were just not working together. I had had such high hopes today and was quite despondent. We went and did our Beginner stays and he was clear. So onto Pre-Beginners. He was a totally different dog and, although I knew we could have done better, with a couple of exuberent crooked sits, he was with me and listening. Only stays to go and yet again he was clear. I must admit I had watched a couple of other rounds and thought them very good so thought we might get in the placings--I daren't look at the score board so we sat outside the ring and waited for presentations.

I was so surprised when we were called in first!--we had won on our first attempt and received a rosette and a lovely glass photo frame with his award on it! I was so proud of him and it took a while for it to sink in. My trainer, Audrey, was at the side of the ring clapping and I was so pleased that we had not let her down, as it is down to her training that we have come so far in the last year. Thanks Audrey, and also to everyone who congratulated us ringside, and have given me such a lot of encouragement.

So now we can concentrate on Beginners, and Caper and Cudos will have to start off a class higher. Such a lot of work to concentrate on over the winter with the 3 boys and hopefully it is onwards and upwards.

Even Cudos lent a paw to help erect the Teepee.

Puppy socialisation, Billy the westie, Totty the collies and buhund pups and Barney and Bronte the beardies

Gerry with her new puppy Raphael

Chamonix with her 6 puppies

Fun with the pups

I cannot believe it is so long since I last blogged, I know so many people have been waiting for the pictures of Psyches' pups, who are now almost 9 weeks old! So now, at last, I have put together some photos of what we have been up to. Loads more pics to put on here but this is a taster.

Psyche had 10 lovely puppies, 7 dogs and 3 bitches, one of which was a tervueren male. They came 6 days early, which was a bit of a shock, but all were well grown and ready.

I qualified both bitch puppy Laekenois at Windsor but, as many of you know, missed my Malinois classes. Apologies to Judge Frank Kane.

Before I knew it the Club show was upon us and Caper was BP Malinois,Cruz RCC dog, Ziva BP bitch Laekenois and her brother Rodney, BPDog. Antar was RBDog Laekenois.
This year we thought we would do something a bit different for our Belgian Fun Day and we had a Teepee with Tarot readings and healing. Everyone joined in putting the Teepee up and even Caper was pulling on the ropes to tighten the canvas.

We also had a canine chiropractor, Fun agility, puppy socialisation and a BBQ, manned by Martin, and Curry (kindly cooked by our curry king Chris).
The weather was against us and many people couldn't make it, but those who came enjoyed themselves. We had a few showers but on the whole it was nice in between.

Gerry and Steve were with us for the week and Gerry was choosing her new puppy. After a thorough going over she chose Raphael (Raffa for short) and they spent a happy time together. Raffa went off exploring and went through the scary bottle hoops and along the ladder on the ground with no problems. After racing round the field with his sister Min he decided to crash a out by Gerry and finish off a well earned cup of tea (Belgians having the perfect cup shaped noses).

Billy the Westie pup, Totty the collie and Bronte the Beardie pups all had a good day socialising and trying out the equipment. Barney the Beardie had his first try at agility and was brilliant, with a bit of assistance from Frieda he was soon going through the tunnel too. Kate enjoyed her day with Megan and Heidi, and Brian the Labrador had a check over from the chiropractor.

We ended the evening with a Shamanic drumming session in the Teepee, accompanied with by Cudos. Thank you Leslie and Di for a wonderful experience.
Chamonix was due to whelp on the Monday but decided to wait until after the Fun Day, so not a lot of sleep that night. She had 6 male puppies and is a very good mum as she was last time.

We ended the week with a Birthday lunch for my Mum with some friends. Back to the normal chaos now so hopefully I will keep up the blog more regularly.

Obedience training with Cruz, Caper and Cudos is coming on well and they really do enjoy it. WKC in a couple of weeks, then Richmond (the last ones with CCs ) and maybe a couple more and that is about all we shall be doing show wise this year. It is becoming so expensive now with entries and the rising costs of fuel we shall be looking forward to more obedience shows and maybe some open shows up at Newark.

Congratulations to all Bonvivant dogs, and relations who have done so well in Agility, Obedience and the show ring this year so far. The future looks exciting with 2 Groenendael puppies(Ceren and Uli) having gone to Chris Paris Brown and Jude Owen, respectively,for Obedience.

Bath Championship show last weekend with fantastic results.

Deepha was awarded her 3rd CC and is now a Champion! (subject to KC confirmation). Well Done Ann and Deepha I am very proud of you both.

Caper was Best Puppy and RDCC and the dog CC went to Belsharose Nebraska who is by Ch.Bonvivant des iles Fidji x Bonvivant Ombrage.

RBCC was Goldmali Could it be Magic who is by Ch. Bonvivant Esprit x Goldmali Believe.

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.....