In Memory Douglas
All Cavaliers are very sensitive and gentle spirited, but we knew from experience that Douglas was unusually so, within his first year. He required a very soft approach and kind, loving leadership. We were glad we could do that for him, because he blossomed into a magnificent dog. He was also exceptionally bright. One of many examples of his intelligence was training him on show lead. He was only 3 months old and had the whole drill mastered in under two hours. In relationships to the other animals in the home, including two cats, two other dogs (Latifah the Pug, and later, Tait the French Bulldog), Douglas was always the peace-maker and arbitrator. He would put himself between disagreements and confrontations and defray the small frictions with a licky-kiss and a quiet, loving demeanour. Once again, his intelligence and intuition were exceptional. There was absolutely no one who came to our home who did not leave with love for our little baby boy.... even people who "didn't like dogs". His time in our life was too short. But then, it could never ever have been long enough. -Bryan
Greenwood & James Pawley Layla
Layla was such a wonderful, lively, little girl who brought so much joy to our lives. She had such an incredible zest for life, always finding something to discover. Never a time did she come home from her adventures in the park or hikes up at the trailer without bringing her treasures, pine cones, sticks, or whatever else looked interesting along with her. Layla was certainly her mother’s daughter and so much like Becca. On her other side, she was a loving, trusting soul, who loved nothing better than curling up beside us (particular her daddy), whether it be on the sofa or bed. Layla was taken from us far too early and succumbed to MVD ON August 15th, 2011 at 7 years and 9 months.She is sadly missed by Simon (her protector), Zachary, Laney & Tyka and her human parents Joe and Florence Saunders. Thank you, Peggy and Bill for allowing this very special girl to have spent her life with us. Run freely, sweet Layla, you will be missed and loved forever. We hope there were lots of leaves up there for you to chase. Daddy says: LAYLA, “YOU HAVE ME ON MY KNEES” -Florence &
Joe Saunders Molly
Molly was one of 4 tri girls and had been chosen by a family who later decided they no longer wanted her. When I was talking with Cynde one day, and told her there was a puppy that I needed to find a home for, she asked me if she could have her. So, a few days later, Cynde and I met half-way between her home in Michigan and our place. Molly spent the rest of her life with Cynde and Steve and they loved her unconditionally. Her passing of MVD at 11 years 8 months has left a very large hole in their hearts. Prince
Prince was the first born of our first litter and the last one to die, at the ripe old age of 14 years, 1 month. He spent his entire life with Gord & Valerie Warren in Brampton, ON. Placing puppies for the very first time was a new experience for me, and interviewing potential owners was daunting in the beginning. But from the first time I met Gord & Val, I knew they’d be a great home for one of our puppies, and we’ve kept in touch over the years. Prince was a handsome Cavalier and a much-loved family pet. He’s pictured here at 12 years of age. Dylan
Dylan was one of 6 boys in our second litter. He went to join Jacki & Mel Cutler, and half-sister Jacy, in Milton, ON. Several years later, they all moved to Nova Scotia, where both Jacy & Dylan enjoyed the Maritime beaches. The Cutler household is a quieter place these days, but maybe another Cavalier will be in their future. Dylan is pictured here on his 13th birthday. Kacee
Kacee was one of the two girls in Tori’s second litter – I desperately wanted a tri girl, but Kacee was too black, and the other girl, Chloe, was too white, so both were placed as pets. Kacee went to live with Elaine & John Gunn and their two girls, Jennifer & Kayla in Toronto. A few years ago, they all moved out to Vancouver, BC and in May I got the call from Elaine telling me that Kacee had died. With the girls grown up, Elaine will miss Kacee even more – she told me she was a very healthy girl all her life, right up until the end. Jade/Jay
I imported Jade from Australia as a young puppy and when she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, she was spayed and placed with Reid & Barb Bell of Newmarket. She was 2 years old at the time and spent the rest of her life with the Bells. When Reid himself died in 2003, their daughter Jennifer moved back home and Barb, Jen & Jay became a three-some. Jay’s death came as a big shock as she had just gone to the vet for routine blood-work. She had MVD but was only beginning medication for it – she suffered severe heart failure and left Barb & Jen in shock. Becca
Once in a while we are blessed with a Cavalier who is different from all the rest and Becca was that one for us. She came to us from Gloria Watkins & Bonnie Wylie, Castlewood Cavaliers in Winnipeg, in May of 2001. Purchased as a “show dog”, Becca had her own idea of what showing was all about. She was there for the fun and was the comic relief many a time – insisting on jumping up and grabbing whatever piece of clothing I was wearing that day. Our back yard fence surely wasn’t meant to keep her IN the yard and we learned many ways of reinforcing chain link. And a tree? Well let’s climb it and look out over the fields! She loved puppies and she loved visitors – and pizza crusts! We lost her to MVD shortly after her 10th birthday, and while it was much too soon, Becca put a lot of life in her 10 years – and our home will never be the same without her. Run free Boo – there are no fences now to keep you in. Miles
Sadly, Miles’s life was cut short by MVD. It’s devastating to lose our beloved Cavaliers to MVD, especially younger than 10. Unfortunately Miles’ mother, Tiana, also died young, at 9, but he didn’t make it even that long. Miles’ 3 other littermates are doing well though and will be 9 this year. Lisa & Bill Jenkins of Barrie, ON were extremely devastated when they lost Miles, and we never know who this disease will take early. Our hearts go out to the Jenkins family. Tyler
Owned, loved and cherished by Kim & Wendy Stringer-Hansen of Brampton, Tyler was the first puppy from our first litter that was chosen. Kim & Wendy were my first "interviewees" and we've been good friends ever since. Tyler was Wendy's heart-dog and both of them loved him for 13 1/2 years. Their love and devotion saw him through pancreatitis, anal gland cancer, a stroke, syringomyelia (although asymptomatic) and many other issues. Tyler embodied the true meaning of "the girls love you, but the boys are IN love with you". Angus
Angus went to live with John & Ruth Gray in Mississauga, where he was loved and cared for until first John & then Ruth died. He spent the last year or so of his life with their son Rob and his wife Sally, in Cookstown, ON. I remember when John called me looking for a puppy - he told me he was 75 and had had dogs all his life but now he wanted a smaller one. Angus' second home was with us for many years as John & Ruth did a lot of traveling. As age caught up with them, Angus was there to see them through it all. Miya
Miya began her short life in Ontario and when she was 2 1/2, moved south of the border to live with Cynde & Steve Blackburn in Michigan. As part of their family, she was treated like royalty and came to believe the "princess" status they felt she deserved. Tragically, Miya died suddenly and left Cynde & Steve devastated. The love they gave her though, was incomparable and while only on this earth for a short time, she left footprints on their hearts. Riley
Riley was one of 6 boys in Tori's second litter and spent his life with Hilary & John Taylor, first in Milton and then in Wasaga Beach. Riley succumbed to cancer a few months short of his 12th birthday and will be forever remembered as a wonderful companion. Chloe
Chloe was our second cavalier, and our first tri colour. Her quiet, timid "afraid of everything" demeanor always won our hearts, and provided a quick rescue from whatever the circumstances or situation. She truly lived up to her kennel name "Burbrook's Whispering Breeze". Sprawled pancake bellied on the carpet with her tail wagging briskly and dark pools for eyes saying "I love you" is how she will be remembered. She was laid to rest in her 11th year from gastro intestinal complications due to the onset of cancer. We miss her so very much. Judy & Steve Booth, Brampton Benny
Benny was Gayle Kovacs' first dog and we spent a lot of time during his first year on the phone together. Over the years, she learned a lot about dogs, Cavaliers in particular. During that time, we became good friends and over the next 12 years we kept in touch. Sadly, Benny finally succumbed to syringomyelia but he will always be remembered by Gayle, her husband Peter, and mother Stella MacKay in Etobicoke, ON. Tiana
Tiana came to us from a litter of 6 - she was the only girl and I was thrilled when Norma Moffat offered her to me. She had a great show career, earning her Canadian Championship at 15 months of age. The following spring she went to the US with Will Alexander and got her American Championship - and that took her 3 weekends of shows. She got Best Opposite Sex at the CFSO Specialty in 2002. Tiana was bred and had 4 litters - she produced 5 champions and in 2008 was given the ROM designation (Register of Merit) from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada. She was a wonderful little girl, who succumbed too young to MVD. She slept on the pillow next to me most of her life, and I'll miss her gentle snores. Sleep well sweet girl. Jacy
Jacy was one of 3 girls in Tori's first litter. She lived with Jacki & Mel Cutler, first in Milton, ON and then recently in Port Mouton, NS. She was just a bit short of 12 years old and died of MVD. Darma
She had the kindest soul. She definitely was not a "sally socialite" like little Holly. She used to wait so patiently if one of the others (even the cats) were at the water dish and she never, ever complained....right up to the end. Taken too soon, but loved forever, by Kim & Wendy Stringer-Hansen, Brampton, ON, Darma is also missed by Tyler & Holly, her sibling Cavaliers. Frick
Frick spent his life with Barb & Bill Wilkinson of Pointe Claire, QC. He died of MVD right after his 10th birthday and is missed greatly. Brodie
Brodie was the much-loved first Cavalier for June, Brian, Nicole and Lauren of Dundas, ON. He was there for June while she went through some serious health issues and the family was there for Brodie when he did. He developed cancer when he was 8, and succumbed to heart failure at 10. His Cavalier buddy, Ben, misses him, as does the whole family. Charlie
Charlie was the second son born to Tori in our first litter. He spent his life in Guelph with Terri Reeds and Adam and Brett. He died from mitral valve disease, but enjoyed 10 wonderful years with his family. Our sympathies to the Reeds family. Tori
After several months with Tanner, I started attending a few dog shows. It seemed like a fun pastime and I thought "I could do that!" I began my search for a Cavalier to show and perhaps breed. By this time I had joined the local Cavalier club and got to know many of the breeders. My search led me to Frances Hill, Cambrian Cavaliers, and she very generously offered me Tori. The only girl in Frances' last litter, Tori came into our lives with the hope of the future for Burbrook Cavaliers on her little shoulders. And when she was 6 months old, she and I hit the show ring. She never did well in the ring, but I learned the basics. When she was old enough and had passed her health checks, she was bred. Her first litter produced 9 puppies, much to my surprise and everyone else's. She needed a c-section. The following year, she had 8 puppies, another c-section and was never bred again. At 10, she went into heart failure (CHF) and I thought her life was coming to an end. Much to my surprise (again!), she lasted nearly 3 years. Tori was my heart and soul, and she was the beginning of our breeding program. I wasn't fortunate enough to keep a girl from her, but she spent her life in our bed and in our hearts. Rest in peace sweet girl. Toby
Toby lived with Lise & George Braden in Ottawa. He was their "Teddy Bear" and was the much-loved third Cavalier in their family. Brandy & Bailey, both blenheims, were Toby's older siblings and all 3 were inseparable. Brandy died in 2006 and Toby's sudden death has left Lise & George devastated. Our hearts go out to them and we sympathize with the loss of Toby at such a young age. Tanner
Tanner
came into our lives after our Samoyed/Shepherd "Misty"
died at the age of 14. The kids were teenagers with busy lives
of their own and the house was awfully quiet without a dog. We
investigated purebreds, was introduced to the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel (which I'd never heard of), met Norma Moffat of Brinklow
Cavaliers in Campbellville and were fortunate enough to be offered
Tanner in the spring of 1993. (Her ultimate arrival coincided
with our 25th wedding anniversary!) She wasn't going to be a show
dog - she had a smudge on her face. We were happy to get her,
and despite Bill's thoughts of calling her "Smudge",
we named her "Tanner". It took a family vote to come
up with the name though as everyone had their own favourite. Polly
Sometimes
we wonder why a puppy so young should have to die. Although Polly's
time on earth was short, she brought much happiness to her owners,
Lisa and Glenn Lott of Hillsburgh, ON. Polly was always small,
but there was no indication of a health problem until just prior
to her death. The postmortem diagnosis was a diaphragmatic hernia.
Polly will always be remembered by those whose lives she touched. Raven
Raven was my first champion and our first wholecolour. Unfortunately she was never able to have puppies, and it was discovered that she had hip dysplasia. In retrospect, not having puppies was a good thing - she died of mitral valve disease at just under 7 years of age. She had lived with our daughter and her family for the last 4 years of her life where she was much loved and is sadly missed by Gail, Dirk, Tyler & Samantha deBruin of Milton, ON. |
