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Our
Rainbow Bridge Page....
We had really not anticipated creating such a page so early in the history of our kennel. All of our animals were young and perfectly healthy. This just goes to show that you will never know what lies around the next bend in the road. All one can do is try to stay on track and navigate through the tricky parts. This page is dedicated to the memory of Liebchen vom Eichenbaum, whom we lost during whelp on March 18, 2001. Your spirit lives with us in your son Arrow. |
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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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together... *Author Unknown* |
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June
2, 1996 - March 18, 2001
This is a photographic tribute to Liebchen, left to right is her sire Heinz, Liebchen, and her dam Elsa. Her litter is buried with her. |
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poem written by Taffara Murray, aged 12, is dedicated to Liebchen
and her 12 puppies who passed away on March 18, 2001. May you rest in peace my sweet darling. |
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You
came to us not knowing who we were, and were afraid. But soon
we grew a bond that no one could break. You loved so many, and
so many loved you. We cradled your head in our arms. You were
a beautiful creature that shone in the light, you ran, you played,
you enjoyed life! But the day you were ready to give birth you
froze and you took the last breath of life and left us. They tried
to bring you back but you were gone. Out of your 13 babies in
your belly 12 went with you to heaven. Thank you for leaving us
with a beautiful baby boy. And when I look into his eyes I say
"the love sparkles in your eyes like your mom's." Thank
you for leaving a part of you with us. May he grow up to be as
beautiful as you! |
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Kurt
Vom Eichenbaum
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March
11, 1996 - April 9, 2002
Kurt was killed in a tragic accident on the highway shortly after we moved to New Brunswick. Kurt knew that his special girl Rein was in heat and somehow managed to break out of the kennel and track her to the house. Unfortunately her scent must have blown down to the highway below. He died instantly. Kurt had sired only one litter for us, our B-litter with Oberin vom Eichenbaum. The future of his beauty and spirit now rests with his two daughters Bravo and Brier. They are just now coming of age. Kurt Vom Eichenbaum was just over 4 years old when he came to live with us. Pictured above right with his favourite girls Liebchen and Oberin and breeders/owners Bonnie Sue and David Lewis on the day before our big journey from Sarona, Wisconsin to Victoria, BC. It is not without reason that it is almost two years before I add Kurt to the Rainbow Bridge Page, and it is not without pain that I remember that day so clearly. David Lewis pictured with the trio above, had a very special attachment to Kurt, and he has been battling lung cancer for years. When I told Bonnie of Kurt's death, her immediate concern was how it would affect David. I agreed not to post his passing as long as David was still with us. In the light of two more recent deaths and a need to update this site, I have cleared it with Bonnie that David only views the pages when she shows him puppy updates and such. So anyone knowing David Lewis, please do not mention Kurt's passing to him, it will be a pleasant surprise for him to be met at the bridge by this special boy. Kurt was a beautiful and affectionate boy who loved to run with his girls. We wish him sunny days and acres of land to enjoy them! Update: May, 2004: It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of David Lewis. He finally succumbed to his illness in January 2004 after a 3 1/2 year battle. I met David only briefly when we purchased "the trio" from him and Bonnie. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I shared with them and grieve for Bonnie for her loss. Our sorrow can only be slightly eased by the thought of the joyous reunion at "the bridge" where David must be with all the pets of his life. How lucky for them. |
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Igor
V. Hatzbachtal Call
name Bojak
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May
24, 1990 - January 14, 2003
Bojak came from one of the finest working kennels in Germany! At 2 years old Bojak was certified for narcotics through the N.N.D.D.A. in Binghampton, New York. He spent 9 years working as a narcotics dog for various Wisconsin Police forces as well as correctional facilities and schools. He is well known for his determination and scenting abilities. Bojak was well liked by David and Bonnie Sue Lewis at Eichenbaum Kennels in Sarona, Wisconsin and sired a number of litters for them. One of his daughters is Oberin Vom Eichenbaum, a foundation bitch for our kennel. To our knowledge his only "grandpups" to date are from our B von der Leidenschaft litter. We hope to present him again in our C-litter in 2003 with Rein V Salmans and his son Nestor Vom Eichenbaum. Bojak was a happy ambitious dog right to the end, he went to the bridge peacefully and painlessly at our vet clinic in Fredericton NB. Bojak was feeling the winter extra hard this year and was showing symptoms of his advanced age. We felt it time for him to rest before his body failed him too badly. It was a pleasure to have him in our lives for the last year, and an honor to have a "Bojak daughter"! |
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Westhaven's
Rein Von Salmans Call
name Rein
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July
1, 1999- December 13, 2003
Rein passed away suddenly in her kennel only 7 months after whelping our C-litter. Her death is completely unexplained in spite of a very thorough post mortem. We are mystified at the loss of this apparently healthy young dog. Rein was our first Giant puppy. We had experienced a bit of the Giant temperament with Zeus, however with his background it was uncertain what was breed trait and what was his upbringing. Rein's arrival gave us great insight into the unique pleasures of Giants. Rein was as soft as she was stubborn, and those traits are clearly visible in her offspring. She was extremely affectionate, funny and energetic. Rein's retirement home was spoken for by our good friend Maria before she was a yearling. Maria bought Giants from us years before they were born, beaus of her love for Reiny. At least we were able to provide her with a son, Czar. Rein was loved by many, both people and dogs. We are comforted by the fact that her loving spirit lives on in her pups. We are glad that you have friends at the bridge to show you the way. |
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Groucho
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July
1, 1990 - December 31, 2003
Groucho passed away peacefully and painlessly in my arms at our vet clinic in Fredericton, NB. He was 12.5 years old. His body was seriously failing from complications related to diabetes. Groucho above at 8 weeks old, he actually precedes my "dog life"! Groucho was the kind of cat, even "cat haters" liked! He was big, cool and very affectionate! He was such a social beast that he would boldly walk through dog classes to greet anyone seated on the sidelines. He seemed to know how much he could get away with where the dogs were concerned. Groucho was always tolerant of his canine pack, even if he did suspect we had plenty of dogs! |
 Groucho allowing 8.5 week old Blitz (fresh off the plane from Germany!) to examine her new pack member! August 2000, Groucho was 10 years old. |
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Groucho
enjoyed this spot on the barrels and even though he new it was
for the dogs, the warmth of the black plastic in the sunshine
was a magnet for this comfort seeking feline! This photo of Groucho
was taken when he was about 8 years old. In his prime.
 Groucho was my personal buddy, he traveled with me from Nova Scotia to B.C. and back again. He was my pleasure and my pride and like most cats he was also a big pain! Demanding! I wouldn't change a minute, and I miss him dearly. Please don't annoy the gang at the bridge too much, I'm not there yet to back you up. |
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Westhaven's
Raven V Salmans TDX, SAR Call
name Raven
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February
25, 1997 - June 30, 2005
Raven developed lumps in her breast tissue on the left side of her body, and within three weeks, the tumors were massive. When ulcers on the tumors started to break and bleed, it was time to put an end to her pain. Raven passed away peacefully in my arms at our vet clinic. Raven will be remembered by all who knew her as a spirited, tough minded bitch who lived for her squeaky. When she went out on a search, that's what she was looking for, that a lost person was on the other end of it, was of no consequence to her. Corporal Curtis Horton of the Western Communities RCMP K-9 Unit said of Raven, "She is the best civil working dog I have ever seen"! Curtis had at the time over 25 years as a K-9 Dog Master, and has been featured on Leerburg tracking videos. I was extremely proud of the compliment. Curtis also called Raven "willful" on another training exercise, and she definitely was that too! Below is the description I wrote about her back in 2000, it sums up her personality and drives. Raven is a tough minded, highly driven dog with just a little bit more attitude than is probably good for her! She is a keen scenting dog with a determination to get the job done! She achieved her CKC Tracking Dog title at the age of 19 months, her CKC Tracking Dog Excellent title at 2 1/2 years of age and achieved the goal of being a civil Search and Rescue Dog in April 2000! It has been a lot of work but very rewarding. Raven was probably the toughest thing I've ever had a leash on. She has likely taught me more about dog training than I ever taught her in her life. She made me laugh, cry, rant and rave. I tell everyone that "her accomplishments came from blood, sweat and tears, all of them mine". My fondest memories are of her with my cat Groucho. Groucho would enter the room, and Raven could be sound asleep. She would immediately jump to her feet and begin to gather all toys and treats in the room. He could care less about her bone and squeaky, and would walk boldly past her "lair" with his nose and tail in the air. Only days before her death, my question "Where's Groucho" sent her off gathering.... she hadn't seen Groucho in over two years. My guess is, he's up a tree somewhere on the other side of the bridge. Be gentle with him Raven! |
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March
18, 2001 - September 16, 2005
Arrow came into the world tragically and left it the same way. However in his short life, he touched many lives very deeply and created special memories that will last us all a lifetime! Arrow's life began as his dam Liebchen's ended... then we got busy! Hand raising this sole survivor of a litter of 13 was a 'round the clock job! We had many great friends help us and for that we'll always be grateful. Everyday that Arrow grew and thrived was a triumph for us, but the tragedy of Arrow's life was not to end there. We kept our sole survivor with the intention of him being our future stud dog. Sadly at just nine months, preliminary hip ex-rays showed mild Hip Dysplasia... a mystery since both parents were OFA Good! :( As much as we loved Arrow, we did not feel it fair for him to be just another dog in the kennel. We began to search for a wonderful home for him, and after two mismatches (Arrow WAS a lot of dog!) we found that perfect home almost in our own back yard! At 16 months old, Arrow went to live with Ingrid Augustin near Cole's Island, NB. Ingrid who had owned Giants for 30 years, had just lost her last one and had an order in with a German breeder when she discovered our website and Arrow. She came immediately to see him and fell in love. That was in June 2002. This past November, Ingrid emailed me with the news of Arrow's death in a tragic accident. He had been hit by a car, the damage was too extensive and Ingrid held him when he passed. We grieve for you Ingrid, you did adore him. I can't begin to understand the series of losses that shrouded Arrow's short life, however I do know that he brought together a family of people in a way only tragedy can. Arrow is now with his dam Liebchen and his littermates, and many other dog (and cat) friends at the bridge! Until we are with you again.... |
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Mighty
Zeus von RAM Call
name Zeus
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May 1, 1993 - April 14, 2006 At just shy of 13 years old, Zeus had already lived 11 more than he was supposed to! Ron had rescued Zeus from certain death at the age of 14 months. Zeus had been in the middle of an abusive relationship where he took regular beatings as well. :( When Zeus fought back one day, "the husband" told "the wife" I'm putting that dog to sleep in the morning. She immediately stole away with him to her family in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, the abuse Zeus had received had caused too much damage. He attacked any man that came near and soon ended up in a kennel. When the funding for him ran out, Zeus' options did too. The time in the kennel cemented Zeus' aggression level and it seemed the only option was to put Zeus to sleep. A friend mentioned Zeus to Ron and in the end Ron decided Zeus was a challenge he wanted to take! Zeus was never trustworthy around people, but he enjoyed the companionship of our immediate family as well as his buddy Groucho and his Dobie girls Raven and Chyna. Zeus was the reason we got involved in Giant Schnauzers! He was tough, proud, beautiful and at times downright silly! He had ball drive galore and loved to swim. He had an intimidating presence that had seasoned dog people tread cautiously! This past winter Zeus had moments of puppy like behavior as he ran around in the snow with his ever present ball. However this past month, he began to slow. After a week of not eating, and signs of kidney failure, we felt the time had come to give this great beast his eternal rest. Never an easy decision, we feel comforted at the thought that he is free of pain, stress and suspicion of the world. Also his great friends Raven and Groucho were at the bridge to greet him. Zeus' passing truly marks the end of an era for us. Until we meet again, Old Man. |
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Anja
von Leidenschaft Call
name Anja
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July
13, 2001 - September 22, 2007
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"Grieve
not, nor speak of me with tears but laugh and talk of me as if
I were beside you.. I loved you so--- 'twas Heaven here with you."
Isla Paschal Richardson |
Last Update: Wednesday, May 28, 2008