Wasatch Mountain Vizslas

"There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given."

Baron Von Boldark - Bear
Sire: CH Sleepy Hollow's Boldark
Dam: Dutches Gumdrop Grant
Whelped: 02/15/2000
OFA-Good

Feb 15, 2000 - Jan 14, 2012

Bear was our 1st Vizsla. The one who started theMVS (Multiple Vizsla Syndrome) He was the sweetest, most loving Vizsla, and he had a heart of gold. The BEST snuggle butt in the world. There was not one person or animal he did not love. He was never demanding, except of course when he wanted you to throw the ball for him. He loved for any and everyone to throw a ball or toy for him.

I remember the day Bear arrived. It was suppose to be a quick 1 hour flight from Montana to Utah, that turned into an 11 hour ordeal. Due to mechanical issues with the plane, flight delays, and an unexpected stop in another city. By the time he arrived in Salt Lake, we were frantic thinking this poor 11 week old pup had to go through all that alone. We arrived at the cargo area and the crew opened the crate door and out tumbled this adorable happy pup, tripping over his ears. Surprisingly there were no accidents in his crate! We took him outside to the lawn area where he made up for the 11 hours with several potties. After each one, would wiggle over to us with his stubby little tail wagging as fast as he could make it go.

Bear bonded immediately to our 11 ½yr old Golden Retriever, Miss Coop. She showed him all the cool places to investigate, they played together, slept together, hiked together and played in the water together.

Bear was a very happy boy, except when it came to loud noises. Maybe due to his flight experience during a crucial fear period, maybe due to our “novice” training, maybe a combination of both. But we loved him just the same and worked around those things. We have a very large walk incloset, and we ended up putting a dog bed in there just for him during the “scary” times. If a storm was coming in, he would let us know a day ahead of time. Fireworks, lightening, thunder or Camp Williams doing bomb testings. He would go to his bed in the closet for comfort.

Bear was very smart, learned at an early age how to open doors himself. If I put them outside for a bit to get something done inside, everyone would sit by the door, Bear would come up, open it and let every one in. We ended up needing to put a special lock on the front door, as several times we would come in looking for him and he had let himself out the front door. That happened when Camp Williams was doing their testings or during July when a lot of fireworks were going off all the time.

Bear was gentle to puppies. He LOVED puppies. When Budha joined the pack in Jan 2005, they became best friends. Miss Coop had passed away June of 2004, Saigie who joined us Nov 2001, was no longer playful. She had one thing on her mind and that was birds. Bear was still mourning the loss of Miss Coop, so Budha was a joy for Bear to have around and took his mind off of her. Budha looked up to Bear and followed in everything Bear did. You’ll notice in the picture album, after Budha arrived, there wasn’t many pictures of Bear without Budha. When Szari joined the pack in Oct 2007, Bear showed her the same gentle, tolerant ways he showed everyone. LOVED to play,loved to chase, loved to catch and loved to snuggle.

Bizzy stayed from the Stryder/Szari litter and Lila camefrom the Budha/Brenna litter summer of 2011. Even at his age, he showed his gentleness and willingness to play with rambunctious puppies. Of course he was much slower now then in the past, but still enjoyed it. Lila seemed to bond the closest with Bear. Was always there kissing him in the face, wanting to interact, right up to the end.

Through the years we have gone on many camping trips, ATV rides, hikes and “scouting” trips for an upcoming bird season. Bear enjoyed each and everyone to the fullest, always with his happy smiling expression. He brought us much joy, happiness and lots of love.

Today, I see Bear everywhere. From pictures on the shelves,to chewed baseboards in the mudroom (from his puppyhood before we knew about crates), his “special” bed in the closet, everything red in the house, leashes, collars,blankets and of course his empty bed in the bedroom. Of which, I am not ready to put away. Each night at bedtime, the kids run into the bedroom, sniff his bed and crawl into theirs. Yes at night they each slept in the same bed, no trading, so when I walk in, the first bed I see is an empty one.

Someday, I will be able to speak aloud all the funny stories of Bear, with joy in my heart, laughter in my voice and a smile on my face without turning into a blubbering fool. But that day is not today. I do take solace in the thought that Miss. Coop was there waiting for Bear, to show him the way. That they are once again, running, playing and enjoying being together again to the fullest.

I know there are some that will say “Geez, get over italready, he was just a dog!” To those, I leave you with this story I add to all my puppy packets and once you have loved and lost a best friend, a family member, you’ll understand. He WASN’T just a dog!

Just a Dog – By Author Unknown

From time to time people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just adog”, or “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the cost involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just adog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “justa dog,” and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too think it’s “just a dog,” then you probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better a person.

Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly into the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of thepast and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “justa dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.”

So next time you hear the phase “just a dog”, just smile……because they “just don’t understand.”

I have put together a collection of a few of Bear’s pictures. It was healing for me, to remember back on all the days, of his happy, healthyand joyous ways.

Rest in peace sweet Bear, run free, without fear, pain and with lots of joy. I hope there is someone there to throw the ball for you. You gave us so much joy and happiness and we love you more than words can say.

Baron Von Boldark - Bear Sire: CH Sleepy Hollow's Boldark Dam: Dutches Gumdrop Grant Whelped: 02/15/2000 OFA-Good

Feb 15, 2000 - Jan 14, 2012

Pedigree of "Baron Von Boldark - Bear"

Baron Von Boldark - Bear
Sire: CH Sleepy Hollow's Boldark
Dam: Dutches Gumdrop Grant
Whelped: 02/15/2000
OFA-Good