Rainbow
Bridge
Just this side of heaven is
a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that
pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as
we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body
quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green
grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy
kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and
you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from
your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
A Note From the Other Side:
Posthumous Reflections of a Poodle
"The Golden Years" by Laurie Rollins
TRIBUTE TO OUR AMAZING POODLES THAT HAVE PASSED:
Why Title your Dog
by Sandy Mowery
Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores;
a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial.
A title will remain in the record and in the memory, for about as long as anything in the world can remain.
And though the dog herself doesn't know or care that her achievements have been noted,
a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.
A title says your dog was intelligent, adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you
enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.
In addition, a title says that you love your dog.
That you loved to spend time with her because she was a good dog and that you believed in her enough
to give her yet another chance when she (or you!) failed and in the end your faith was justified.
A title proves that your dog inspired you to that special relationship enjoyed by so few.
That in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.
And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind
the best you can give to a deserving friend. Volumes of praise in one small set of initials after a name.
An Obedience (Weight Pull, Lure Coursing, Rally, Barn Hunt, Nosework, Agility) title
is nothing less than the true love and respect given and received and recorded permanently.
Best in Show Alter, UKC Champion
"K Lar's Brilliant Beaujolais ", URO1, URO2, CGN
~ 5x TOTAL DOG AWARD ~
August 3, 2012 - July 7, 2024
Tonight we made the heart wrenching decision to put Beau
(Ch. K Lars Brilliant Beaujolais ) to sleep.
He guarded the property and kids until his last moments.
He tried not to let us see him stumble, weaken or decline.
I sent you a photo of him guarding the property (today) At 12 yrs old.
Look at his beauty, dark brown colour- he looked majestic in better days
at the top of the driveway when I would come home from work.
I'll send more pictures of this dog who was everything you said he would be and more.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of his life.
He watched me start my first real job, get my masters and have 3 kids
he literally watched me grow into an adult.
My home won't be the same without him.
Ashlea
UKC Multi Best Puppy in Show
UKC Champion
UKC Grand Champion
"Bijou's Gotta Lotta Faith"
S.P.O.T., RATI, PT1, PTN, URO1
March 8, 2012 - November 4, 2023
Faith is out of Paris (who everyone swore was a real Angel).
Faith had her mom's sweetness, but Faith also enjoyed doing dog sports
with me and was always up for a good laugh.
Faith most enjoyed sun bathing (like her mother did) and
She seemed most happy when in Florida with me, laying in the sand
so it is fitting she waited until we returned to Florida,
to decide it was her time to go.
Faith you will be missed, so much, you never did a thing wrong in your life, except leave.
Faith is survived by her daughter
CKC Grand Champion "Bijou's Tickle my Fancy"
May 23 2009 – September 1, 2023
May 21, 2023
The ol' girl looks great and is doing well on the eve of her 14th birthday !
Kind regards,
Fred - NY, NY
September 1, 2023 Joy's Owner Fred passed away soon after sending me this update.
When Java gave birth to this perfect brown girl I was so elated, I named her "JOY".
Joy and I spent the next 8 years together training, laughing, cuddling
and every weekend driving to her Dog sporting events she just loved doing.
OR rather loved to make the crowd laugh, by being goofy, or tripping me in the ring.
Browns really are clowns.
When the time came to retire Joy, it was so difficult.
Breeders can’t keep them all and yet MUST keep the next generation for their programs to keep moving forward.
One of my puppy people, Brad in New York felt he had the perfect home with one of his friends who was living on his own.
I really bucked the idea, mostly because no one could replace me in Joy’s heart !
But my friend Crystal and I drove to New York to meet this Fred.
Not sold at all, on this being a good placement for Joy, Joy decided it for me
and went over to Fred and laid her head on his lap. OH the betrayal… found out later that he had pocketed some treats !
SO I said to Fred, “Listen she can be stubborn so if you can get her to follow you on leash
through that snow bank, then I know you can handle her”. Fred obliged and Joy trusted him enough,
to walk with him over the treacherous terrain. Gut wrenched and out of excuses,
Joy went home with Fred and I cried all the way back home and for months after.
However over the next 6 years, I received such wonderful updates of Joy and Fred’s day to day walks
and visits with Brad and his poodle pack, that the pain of letting my friend go, was eased over time.
I knew she was really enjoying her retirement.
When I received a photo of Joy on her 14th birthday, I said to Brad, that I was
considering retiring Joy’s daughter Lily and when Joy passes I was thinking of sending Lily to Fred.
It came as a huge shock when not a couple weeks later, Brad wrote saying that Fred had passed
and Joy needed to come home as Brad refused to put her down, and was caring for her,
but could not take on another poodle.
Unfortunately I had just had my hip replaced and could not travel so I sent out an SOS on Facebook asking for help.
Much to my astonishment several people came forward. THANK YOU … ALL OF YOU.
Brad worked very hard through his grief over the loss of his friend,
to help me screen and eventually decide upon a placement for Joy.
Bruce and Arlene of Maine drove to New York and picked up Joy.
They had 2 poodles of mine already including Joy’s son.
They knew that after the loss of her owner and her being elderly, that she may not live much longer
but they were insistent that she live out her remaining time, naturally and as best she could (THANK YOU).
Realizing that Joy being a senior was having difficulty with stairs,
they even built her an elaborate ramp for her to get in and out of the house !
A video I posted. How amazing is that !
Joy or as Fred called her "JO JO" brought so much love and joy into this world,
she will be greatly missed. I know Fred will be waiting for her on the other side.
Arlene and Bruce said good-bye to Joy this morning.
May 23 2009 – September 1, 2023
Joy is survived by her daughter "Lily" and granddaughter "Gucci" who both live with me.
UKC Grand Champion
"Bijou's Dare to be Different"
S.P.O.T., URO1, URO2, RN, RATI, UWP
PT1, PT2, PT3, PT4, PT5, PTA, PTS, PTM, PTE, NV, NC
2011 UKC's #9 STANDARD POODLE !!!
November 19, 2010 - July 24, 2023
Our sweet Dare bear passed today.
Everyone loved Dare, she was the softest most cuddly poodle whose
only desire in life was to be loved and love back.
She would be content streteched out laying with me for HOURS watching a movie.
Dare also had a huge sense of humour and would often play pranks and be silly.
When Dare retired from showing, she was placed with family friend's mother
and she lived out her last 5 years being a much loved bed warmer.
"Gretel Donegal"
29 March 2010 ~ 12 May 2021
My beautiful Gretel Donegal left this world on the 12th of May 2021
with the same grace and dignity within which she lived every day of her eleven years.
To say she was amazing does not even begin to describe the poodle she was.
As long as there is breath in my body, I will never forget her,
nor will the many people whose lives intertwined with hers,
whether through her therapy work or a brief encounter when out for a stroll.
Gretel loved life and embraced every day with passion.
She was my best friend, my strength, my inspiration, my love. She was "my girl,"
Brokenhearted, I wrote the short poem "I am. . ."
to remind myself that death only claimed Gretel's body.
Her spirit will remain with me until we are reunited at the Gates of Heaven.
I share this poem in memory of my Gretel and with the hope it will offer comfort
to others who have endured such heartbreak. God bless.
"I am. . ."
Written by Laurie J. Rollins
I am the sun that warms you on a blustery winter's day.
I am the stars that light up the sky to help you find your way.
I am the cry of eagles upon mighty wings they gracefully soar.
I am the foam atop the waves as they break upon the shore.
I am the glistening diamonds that dance upon the seas.
I am the music of melodious chimes when teased by God’s gentle breeze.
I am Gretel Donegal. Now that I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
my spirit will remain with those who love me forever.
May 20 2019 - November 15, 2021
Grace was my next generation of hope.
She was funny, super athletic, and loving.
I had ordered these cow hoofs that a breeder of siberians
said her dogs loved. Thinking my kids in dreery weather would like them too.
The next day Grace had a fever, was trying to cough something up, to no avail
and no vet would take us in as they felt she was not dying (COVID Thank you).
I hosed her down all night to bring the 43 celcius fever down
I also gave her some gasX thinking maybe it was bloat
and I put her on old antibiotics I had.
Fever did come down and day 3, Grace started to eat again
and seemed to return to her old self. Still not 100% but improving.
I found her dead in the morning, all bloated up 11 days after hoofs.
Grand Champion -
"Bijou's Valor Under Fire of Mithril"
S.P.O.T., URO1, URO2, URO3, AKC RN, RA, CGC
~ 2x TOTAL DOG AWARD ~
May 3 2010 - 2021
I purchased Valor from Mithril Kennels as a puppy
and he was perfect in every way. Dark Red, Sweet old soul, super loving.
It was really hard to make the choice to retire Valor
but he got to live out the remainder of his life with a great family
Valor's lines live on in his granddaughter "Fancy" and great grandaughter "Peaches"
January 21, 2011 - May 20, 2020
Best Puppy in Show, Grand Champion
"Bijou's Cherry Blossom"
DOB: January 21, 2011 - Retired in 2014
Blossom didn't enjoy doing our dog sports and my goal is to only breed Poodles
that have proven looks, health and ability to provide myself and the public with a Total Poodle
So we decided to retire Blossom and not use her in our breeding program.
Blossom was well loved, enjoying being a cherished pet
Grand Champion
"Palmares Paris to Mithril"
SPOT
"Paris" - Red Female
DOB: April 2007 - March 2020
We adopted Paris when she was 3 years old and in need of a home.
Paris instantly became everyone's best friend.
She was absolute love, and everyone that met her wanted to be a part of her life.
Everyone that met her said she was an angel that came onto earth into a Poodle body.
Paris does not enjoy doing dog sports, or being a mother
so we retired her from breeding and placed her with my friend "Crystal".
Paris was busy warming beds and giving out hugs, being the caregiver that she enjoys
Paris's lines will continue on through our "Faith"
December 4, 2006 - July 2019
Grand Champion
"Ruby" - Red Female
CA, CAX, CAS, CAT, RN, RA, CD
URO1, URO2, URO3, UCD, 2x HIT, UWP, S.P.O.T., CGC
~ TOTAL DOG AWARD WINNER ~
At 13 years of age Ruby's herniated disc injury, was really catching up to her.
I purchased Ruby my first red from Leatherstocking Kennel in New York.
She really hurt my feelings too, as she was a SNOBBY puppy, too good to be cuddled.
Ruby finally warmed up to me and then never left my side since then, unless to go to Aunt Crystal's.
Ruby was the first of my Poodles to get the new Lure Coursing Ability title
and was willing to try anything, as long as we did it together.
Ruby and I did many road trips together, she was the BEST company.
When I found myself alone again, I made Ruby promise not to leave me until I retired
becuase there was no way I could go to work and deal with that AND the loss of her.
Today Ruby found a spot in the yard to sit, and watch me to chores which was odd.
I called to her and for the first time in her life, she refused to come to me.
I went over to her and gave her a huge hug and started crying,
"this is it ? This is the end Ruby"... ? But I knew.
I told her it was OK, and thanked her for holding on, as she promised until I retired
that if she had to go, she could now, I would be OK.
I'm glad she let me say goodbye.
Ruby went off to lay under the shade of the beautiful apple trees.
It was with heavy heart that I put Ruby down today, July 30, 2019
I will miss my shadow and my new puppy entertainer and
dog pack enforcer. Everyone respected Ruby.
"Ruby I miss you so much".
UKC Champion
"Dream"
URO1, URO2, URO3, CA, UWP, UWPCH, WPT1, RN, RA
brown Male
Dream passed away at 11 years of age.
Dream was a massive dark brown boy I purchased.
He was my ideal in everything. Dream was just content
to be around the yard, having girls available to play with and breed.
He really enjoyed working for praise but mostly just to be a goofy boy.
UKC Champion
"Java"
URO1, URO2, CGN
brown Female
Java passed away at 12 years of age.
Java was a massive dark brown female I purchased.
She was my ideal in size, temperament and desire to please.
Java always kept me on my toes, eager to be doing something with me
and if I didn't provide the stimulus she being the clown she was
would provide the entertainment for sure.
Because I kept Java's daughters for my program I placed Java
in an amazing home with people who did all sorts of activities all seasons
and Java lived out her life full of experiences, happiness and love.
Java even welcomed my retired Sultan into her home to share her new parents with him.
CKC Champion
CKC Grand Champion
"Cherub"
Second brown Female Grand Champion in CKC history !!
brown Female
Chubby Cherub as she was affectionally known by
passed away at only 2 years of age during complications with her delivery
We suspect uterine inertia. Cherub gave me one little female survivor "Mira" out of 7 pups
and with the help of a foster mother, we hope this girl will carry on our lines.
Cherub was so sweet and loving, she passed before her life really began.
Times like this when a breeder's fortitude for the hobby is tested.
BISV, UKC Grand Champion
"BIJOU'S RED RAZZBERRY OF MAJESTIC"
S.P.O.T., CA, CAX, CAS, CAT, CAA, UWP, UWPCH, WPT1
AKC RN, RA, CGC, URO1, URO2, URO3
"Razz" - Red Male
Razz started my Red Program
Razz passed away January 2018 after an unfortunate accident
12 years of age and was still Lure Coursing and playing like a puppy
RIP my beautiful, kind, loving boy
Razz's lines will continue through to his progeny:
L'Etoile ,
Flame ,
Reva,
Dare,
Ula,
Blossom,
Bindi,
Glory
Champion
"K-LAR'S CHOCOLATE SOPHISTICATION"
URO1, URO2, URO3, RN, RA
"Sophie" - Brown Female
~ 11 years of age, Sophie passed away in her sleep December 2017 RIP my sweet Sophie ~
Sophie gave us our beautiful Charm and Daisy
BISV, Champion
"BIJOU'S RED ROSE OF MAJESTIC"
URO1, URO2, URO3, HIT UCD, UAGI, AKC RN, AKC RA, AKC BN, CGC
~ 2x TOTAL DOG AWARD WINNER ~
"Rose" - Red Female
DOB: Aug 30 2007
Rose passed away December 2015 after being exposed
to what we are calling a SUPER BUG, brought to a dog show
and brought home by MANY breeders, suffering many losses.
Rose had the most amazing sweet eager to please personality, always wanting to please
Rose is survived by Finnegan and Crystal
up until her death Rose was still competing in Obedience, Agility and Tracking
Rose lines are continued on through our amazing
"Dare" and "Glory"
Grand Champion
"BIJOU'S DARING RED REVOLUTION"
UKC's #1 Standard Poodle 2013
"Reva" - Red Female
Reva passed away December 2015 after whelping a litter of 11 beautiful babies.
Reva died after being exposed to what we are calling a SUPER BUG, brought to a dog show
and brought home by MANY breeders, suffering many losses.
Reva's death brought us the result that Baytril will not touch this foreign bug
only the medication ("ratio-Aclavulanate" 250F) "amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium"
(human form of Calavamox) would kill this bug. This information saved lives.
Reva you were everything in a red Poodle a breeder could hope for and more
RIP my goofy gorgeous girl !!
Reva produced our beautiful Poppy to carry on our Rose line
"K-Lar's Hot Cocoa", CD, CGC, RO2 Cocoa - Brown Female
(Nikki X Fergol daughter)
Jan 30 2000 - June 15, 2011
Cocoa was alive and well and actively competing in Obedience, Conformation, Rally
until shortly before passing away at 11 years of age of cancer.
She was my best friend, could read my mind and know exactly what I wanted her to do
and exactly what I needed, be it a long hug after a rough day at work seeing death and destruction
or for her to be silly and make me laugh when I were feeling stressed
I could never ask or get a better dog... better Poodle...or better friend.
Cocoa was the QUEEN of my home and official bed warmer
Cocoa completed her CD title with 2 high in Class wins and Rally Excellence, ALWAYS in the top 3 !!
She did all of this because she loved being with me, and doing fun stuff together.
"Gertrude Tynan" - Brown Standard Poodle
(Java x Hershey)
~ March 12, 2016 ~
This page is dedicated to Standard Poodles I have "Owned, Raised and Loved" since 1990's,
however anyone that has followed my web page, has been also been following
Gertrude and her family, as they grew up and had various adventures through the years.
So it is only fitting, that I offer tribute to Gertrude, on this very sad day
on our Rainbow Bridge Page, for all to share
From Gertrude's mother Laurie R. :
Our Gertrude left this world this past Saturday, 12 March 2016,
with the same beauty and grace within which she lived her life.
It is hard to believe I had her out for a slow stroll the day before we had to let her go,
but her spirit was "that" strong; however, her decline following our
"Last Beautiful Day Together" was very quick.
Our Gertrude has returned to Heaven. I say "returned," because all angels come from Heaven
and our Gertrude was an angel. And when an angel fulfills its purpose in the lives it touches, God calls them home.
It is appropriate to say, "Our Gertrude has returned home." May our Gertrude find peace in the arms of angels.
We are better for having had her in our lives. Her job here was done. . . rest, sweet angel.
For this last time I shall sign off with...
Cheerio ~ Laurie Gertrude Gretel & Ghillie
Champion
"Bijou's Flair for Majestic Red"
UROI
"Flair" - Red Female
DOB: Aug 30 2007 - retired 2012
Flair was retired to a loving family to live with one of her pups.
Flair passed away in 2013 after ingesting possibly mouse poison.
"K-Lar's Hear the Raven" - Raven - Black Female (Nikki x Bailey daughter)
Raven was our funny girl. She enjoyed making us laugh and playing keep away with her friends.
However Raven got secret pleasure out of laying near us and farting and then wagging her tail
so the smell would waft up and she would almost laugh as we would shout "Raven stinky girl"
She was not the "lady" that she appeared to be !
Raven was retired to a very nice couple that one day she got away from and was hit by a car
Raven is half sister to Cocoa.
...
"K'lars Naughty Nikki" - Black Female
(Cocoa's Mom)
~ Retrieving and Tracking Trained ~
Nikki was a special girl.
She arrived at 6 months of age, the last puppy this breeder still had.
Nikki as a result was mentally beaten and bruised, from her obvious neglect and hurtful breeder
and took me a long time to earn her trust. Once I did I had the most loving
eager to please beautiful Poodle. She most loved just snuggling.
We would take naps on the couch, with her stretched out fully on me, her regular breathing
would put me to sleep in no time. Nikki blessed me with our Cocoa and Raven.
Nikki passed away at 12 years of age of natural causes.
...
"Fuzzies Midnight Star" -Black Female (Cocoa's grandmother)
Wow ... Star was full of herself. She was "on" all the time and always thinking of trouble to get into.
Star had more energy and drive than what I would ever want on any dog, but her combined with TJ
just produced the sweetest calmest pups. I really missed Star when she departed as she had a big personality.
Passed away at 10 years of age from a form of cancer
...
"Whatchagot Tommy Junior", CGC -cream Male
We purchased TJ at 10 months of age.
He was an amazing dog so gentle and sweet
~ Certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog ~
It has only taken me over 10 years to be able to write anything about TJ, as the pain was too great.
He was the first dog I had when I was on my own.
He was the most human Poodle I have ever met (Cocoa would be close) and was my best friend
who got me through my divorce, a strike at work and many other of life's hard ships along the way.
Some days I would just think life was too challenging, but TJ was always there to cheer me up with
a cuddle and or a funny trick he would do to make me laugh.
"Brownie"-Brown
Purchased male from Leona Williams in the USA.
Brownie was like TJ reincarnated. We just bonded so fast and he was like an old soul.
We never had to teach him anything as he arrived as a puppy acting and doing everything an adult would.
It was pretty hard for me when Brownie developed a huge lump on his leg and we were told it was cancer.
Brownie was sent to Rainbow Bridge at just 1 year of age and was never used in our program
I still remember mowing the lawn back and forth down my 180 feet back yard and Brownie following
every step of the way right beside me looking up with love in his eyes, until I was done...
His loss will never be forgotten
...
"Fergal" - Black male
Pictured with his brother "Feary" and their Family
(TJ x Star)
We are so very glad that we have found you again, having failed to find you using your original kennel name of K-Lar.
We are still living at the same address in Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island. But we have very sad news
in that Fergal died May 25 last year at almost fourteen, and Feary this year on January 7 at twelve and a half.
We miss them both very much. They were amazing dogs and gave us all so much pleasure,
and were admired for their looks and temperament wherever we were and right up to the end..
They adjusted to our fostering our daughter's husky/shepherd/lab cross for four years,
and also adjusted well to the various grandchildren who came to stay.
If you would like more information on their lives here we would be more than happy to share with you.
We are in the process of deciding if we can live without standard poodles
in our lives having shared our home with them for over 28 years. Needless to say,
if we do decide to welcome them into our family again we would like to purchase them through you.
It was so very exciting to find the picture of Fergal with Nikki as the originators of your beautiful line of brown poodles.
You are to be congratulated on your focus on health and temperament.
Edward and Deirdre O. - Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island