Hard Times - Burni-Man and Ivan-da-Ho

Victor and I figured that 2010 would be a hard year to get through - since we have several elderly dogs residing here, it is inevitable that there would be times of sorrow and tears. Unfortunately we had two boys that we did not foresee losing anytime soon, which make the tears flow even harder. One of the greatest burdens of a dog-lover is that of having to say goodbye.

Ivanhoe was an expert leaner

Ivanhoe had been diagnosed with a spinal injury earlier in the year. He was put on a steroid regimen and limited activity in the hopes that it would remedy the situation and he could regain full use of his left rear leg. After several months, the treatment proved ineffective, although at first it looked as though we may have some success, especially when the hyperaesthesia ceased and he seemed otherwise comfortable.

But then his condition deteriorated and Ivan was euthanized on the morning of July 17. His spinal injury had become too great to bear and he completely lost use of both hind legs. The steroid regimen therapy just could not do enough for him. He would have been 10 years old this month.

I regret that I was not brave enough to accompany him. I made the appointment for when I would not be there and was out of town and Victor took him in and stayed with him. I could not bear to say goodbye to another special boy this year.

BIS RBIS Rarities IABCA Ch. Kristull Ivanhoe
August 10, 2000 - July 17, 2010

We have some lovely descendants here carrying on his beauty, both inside
and out - some of whom assisted him in winning the inaugural Stud Dog
class at Silkenfest in 2009.

Ivan's page on the Gryffyn's Aeyrie web site

Farewell Ivan-da-ho - I wish we could have done more.


Burni showing at the May 2009 Midwest Borzoi Club Specialty

Burni had been diagnosed the other week with possible cancer that had spread to the lungs. He had developed fluid in the chest cavity - although not a pyo- or chylothorax. The specialist thought there were metastatic cells in the fluid as well. A sonogram showed the heart in good condition, although some small dark areas in the lungs. That was when the $$ ran out - and that was with the doctor not charging me to draw and analyze the fluid.

Burni came home and seemed to rally briefly, but then his condition deteriorated. Victor took him in the morning - once again, I was too much of a weenie to go in.

Burni was the last Nikki son we had here. All that is now left is her daughter Duri. I had planned a breeding with Burni that never got consummated - so it's back to square one for Bugg. The only dog down from Burni (or Flareon) that we have here is Lars. I wanted more (and prettier). :(

Burni had some nice highlights in his time in the ring: Best in Sweeps at a BCOA TSE, judge Kanne Bowers - he got his first major that next day at the tender age of 9 months; WD/BOW at the RMBC specialty years ago under Karen Dumke; finished both his Canadian and Mexican championships with group placements; Award of Merit at the BCOA Specialty (July 2003); Best in Vet Sweeps at LSBC's first and second specialty shows; Best Opp in Vet Sweeps at the May 2009 MBC Specialty.

But most of all - he won my heart.

Am. Can. Mex. Ch. Gryffyn's Aeyrie Caliburn, JC
December 22, 2000 - August 28, 2010

Burni's page on the Gryffyn's Aeyrie web site