Showing posts with label burni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label burni. Show all posts

Saturday, August 28, 2010

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 leaning on Lynn
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

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Oh My, Omaha

Once again I made the trek to Omaha for their BCOA Trophy Supported Entries, spending twice as much time on the road than if I had chosen to head down to the big Houston cluster that is always too hot, too crowded and too stifling. Although missing Houston means missing seeing my dad and a visit to Mike McCartney's booth to get a fun caricature of one of the crew to commemorate their year. Accompanying me on my trip were Faina, a gangly and hairless Ozzy, and ol' man Burni (who was absolutely thrilled to get to come play).

Saturday was pretty uneventful with Faina having the best day by going second in her class. On Sunday, Burni was Best Veteran in Sweepstakes, defeating a bitch I admire greatly who had a wonderful racing career and did well in conformation as well.

Best Veteran in Sweeps
Judge: Shirley McFadden, Svora

Faina again took second in the Bred-By Exhibitor Bitch class, but Burni made me smile even more this time though. He was so psyched to be in the ring again, smiling the whole way around and I was having problems keeping up with him as he was really moving out. He just got better and better. It was a fabulous feeling for him to go Best Opposite to the currently ranked (all-breed) #1 Borzoi, especially with such other nice quality males in the ring, including a recent BCOA National Specialty AOM winner and other regularly campaigned, successful dogs. Not bad for an 8 1/2 year old !

Best Opposite Sex
Judge: Prudence Hlatky, Soyara

Monday, October 27, 2008

LSBC's First Specialty Show



Ten years ago tomorrow, the organizational meeting of the Lone Star Borzoi Club took place. The past ten years has seen LOTS of hard work, including fun matches, A-matches (for licensing requirements), a handling seminar, ASFA lure trials, the hosting of several BCOA trophy supported entries, an auction to raise funds for a rescue or 22 Borzoi near Houston, TX, and assisting in the hosting of the 2005 BCOA National Specialty Show (in Mesquite). In February of this year, LSBC received licensed status from AKC and this past Saturday was the club's first Specialty Show. It was held in conjunction with the all-breed cluster hosted by the Travis County Kennel Club.

Our dogs managed to earn us some nice bling - trophies created by Redbird Adams, Royale Russian Hounds, including original artworks. Royal Russian is part of the foundation behind our friend Sara's Chataqua kennels, which is part of the foundation behind Gryffyn's Aeyrie. Here's a brief rundown of how our guys did...

Sassi - Best of Opposite Sex
Solo - Award of Merit
J/T - Best Bred-by Exhibitor
Burni - Best Veteran in Sweepstakes
J/T - Best of Opposite Sex in Puppy Sweepstakes

Nox won her 12-18 month class; Faina was 3rd in a large Bred-by Class and won her Sweeps class; Burni made the cut in Best of Breed, then became invisible, but showed fabulously for an approaching 8-year old. For the life of me I cannot remember how Nox and Pumpkin did in their Sweepstakes classes! We were so busy juggling dogs and trying to keep up!

Can't wait for the pictures!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Off Again - Denver and RMBC

It seems that no sooner than I get back from NYC, than I leave for Denver! Poor Solo had even less turnaround time - as he and Victor arrived home Wednesday night, and we left Thursday night. Aren't hobbies supposed to be a method of relaxation?? With me and Solo was Burni, Bugg and Lars.

I was still pretty whupped from the NYC trip, and was only able to make it to the rest stop outside Quanah about 4 hours away from home. Of course, I didn't have the Zoibus, so finding a spot to curl up in the Astro-van was an interesting enterprise, to say the least. I ended up squashing myself between the crates and the side door and pulling a couple fleece blankets over myself (in addition to wearing my jacket) in order to keep warm. I managed to - although it wasn't what I would call either restful or comfortable. It wasn't warm either - it was 30 degrees outside and the wind chill was in the teens, not to mention the van being rocked back and forth all night. I managed 4 and a half hours of fitful napping before hitting the road again at 4:30 am.

I had told Jill that I didn't think I needed to be there in time to show on Friday, as I didn't think the judge would care for Solo. I did get there on time - and she didn't care for him . I was too tired for a "told ya so" - so I headed down to Colorado Springs to enjoy Nadine's hospitality along with Jan Browne. After dinner I pretty much passed out for the night and this time got lots of rest, as did Solo who had curled up with me.

It was great to see folks at ringside on Saturday for the specialty! I love coming up to visit here and see everyone and their dogs. Had some interesting experiences in Sweeps and muddled on through the regular classes with Lars and Burni. I didn't get to show Bugg in Open Bitch as she had managed to lacerate her side and it looked uglier (and bigger) once I got to Colorado. Solo showed well and was very happy and animated (almost too much so) even after a travel-heavy week. He made the cut and went on to win an Award of Merit at the Specialty.

The drive home seemed to take forever. I ended up stopping in Memphis, TX and this time actually got a hotel room as my back had been cussing me since Thursday evening's slumber in the van. Although the hard bed in the Travelodge did not do much to make my back feel better! At least it was warm!