Whistler's Woods Argo, "Argo"
9/22/1997 - 7/22/2005
View Argo's Memorial Collage

Argo in mid-flight

UAGI UCD LCA/RH-CH VLA Whistler's Woods Argo LCA-CD CGC came to live with us at Thanksgiving of 1997. A rowdy pup, the dominant female in a big litter, she was a handful. But her love of playing was easily channeled into a love of working, and she has been a wonderful dog in everything we try. Known as The Blonde Bombshell in the breed ring, she finished her breed championships (LCA and Rare Heirs) right after her second birthday. She earned her LCA-CD and her UCD the following year, snagging an award from DGOTC for the Highest Scoring UCD in the club that year.

Argo earned two LCA High In Trials in her obedience career, including one on the same day she also won Best of Opposite at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leonberger spring specialty. Her UCD was earned in three consecutive UKC trials with two first places and a second place. She earned her UKC Agility I title the next year at only her second trials, which earned her the newly established Versatile Leonberger Advanced title from the LCA. She earned her CGC twice, once as a 6 month old pup, and again as a 2 year old (for her breeding evaluation).

Argo has a creative streak and a somewhat devilish sense of humor, and despite many attempts in Open, she remains without a CDX. She totally rocked in Water Rescue, however, and took to it with such ease that the Newfie people who helped me along were very impressed. She would charge into the water at warp speed, never hesitating a moment. We dabbled in tracking last winter, finding Argo to be a natural at that too, thanks to a powerful food drive and an excellent nose.

Argo has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. She left us quite suddenly from hemangiosarcoma. She left this world as she lived it, charging full speed ahead to the next adventure. We miss her terribly.

Berljon Giosefina, "Fina"
11/22/2002 - 5/20/2010

Fina

LCA CH Berljon Giosefina CGC came to live with us in February 2003 at 10 weeks old. Imported from Guido Perosino in Italy, Fina and her sister Gemma made the journey to America together, with Gemma living in New Jersey.

Fina was a tall girl, sassy and playful. She had a high prey drive which I tried to channel into play/work drive.

Clicker trained from 10 weeks, she learned quickly, though she was inclined more toward creativity in her responses, more like Argo than Faran.

A beautiful baby, Fina had her first big conformation win at the tender age of 5 months, when she took Reserve Best Puppy in Show at the ARBA Cherryblossom 2003. In limited showing she earned her first two majors at just over a year old.

At 17 months, she took Breed and a Group 4th at the Cherryblossom with the #1 ARBA dogs in the country in that ring.

She finished up her LCA championship with a Winners Bitch at the Southeast regional LCA specialty.

Fina (or Fifi as she was also called) learned carting and water rescue training. She took a shine to flyball, though learning to catch the ball took a very long time.

She was an excellent swimmer, and was learning the water retrieve.

But her greatest love was snuggling with people. She was a very gentle girl with a tender heart.

Fina left us quite suddenly from hemangiosarcoma at 7.5 years. We miss her terribly.