L` Etoile Du Nord - NorthStar Great Pyrenees Rescue

Minnesota NorthStar
Great Pyrenees
Rescue
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Volume 18, Issue 10
Spring 2013
President’s Pyrspective
February-March, 2013
Hi, All—
Featured in this newsletter are articles about Great Pyrs. One, written by our fellow
member Wendy Olson, highlights the importance Great Pyrs have in our lives and the
lives of others. One, written by our fellow member and recent adopter, Mark Berkson, highlights the positive side of doing rescue and the difference it can make in the
lives of humans and the rescued dog. Wendy’s tribute to Patton reinforces what we
all know about the nurturing nature of the breed. Mark’s report on Duncan reinforces
that saving the life of a sick dog can bring joy to all involved. Your donations and dues
paid to save Duncan’s life.
Written by Wendy Olson in tribute to INT/AM Ch Euzkalzale’s Heart of a Soldier, RN, HOF, CGC, TDI, CH of
Health, VA, VE, VX “Patton”.
Patton has received many accolades from the national breed club, my community and the people
whose lives he touched. But there is one last thank you that needs to be said and that is from me,
his owner. I don’t need to tell him—he knows how I feel…that is the way it goes with our relationship.
However, in order to truly honor him, I need to share our story.
Early on in Patton’s life, probably shortly after he became a champion, an Apache shaman looked at
his photo and observed that he was a dog that would be much more to me than a “show dog”. Little did
I know the implication that this held.
At the age of 12 or so, my eldest daughter visibly began the descent into the world of those afflicted
with an eating disorder. Since it was difficult to diagnose in the very beginning, we ran her to therapists, doctors and other mental health professionals to help restore her to health. But, as any parent of
a child with an eating disorder knows, it is a tenacious
and insidious disease that fights you at every turn to
take control of your child’s soul. Six years later……I was
still fighting and the disease was stronger than ever. My
beloved daughter now only weighed 62 pounds and was
at the risk of her heart stopping and her other organs
shutting down. We still were meeting with doctors, therapists etc. and nothing seemed to work. She graduated
Presidents Letter..........1
high school with a 4.0 and was accepted at top colleges
across the U.S. Regrettably, instead of gearing up for
college like other parents did at this time, I was plagued
Tribune to Patton..... 1-2
with the fear that I would be planning her funeral.
In this issue:
Duncan.............................5
Membership List...........3
Condolences...................2
Pet Expo Discount
Coupon.............................4
Upcoming
Winter Event..................6
Throughout all of this, my then husband coped by retreating and became emotionally distant.
He stated many times that life with an eating disorder is not how he envisioned his retirement.
On the other hand, I put all of my emotional energy into trying to keep my daughter alive…..the
gulf between us widened. There were many attempts to get her into treatment and they were
thwarted by the disease. Once my daughter turned 18, we lost all legal rights to implement the
proper medical care. I then started proceedings to become her legal guardian.
Throughout all of this I had the support of friends and family, and had sought professional help
as well. The problem was---that none of these people were there in the frontline with me fighting
this disease and I felt terribly alone. There were many nights when I felt so hopeless and was so
frightened of what the next day would bring that I thought I would go insane. When the disease
had the tightest grip on my daughter, I began to sleep on the floor next to her bed and awaken
every hour to see if she was still breathing and her heart was still beating. It was during these
times that Patton came near, laid by my side and rested his head on my arm. He would look into
page 2
my eyes as if he were saying that I was not alone, that he
would be there. Many nights, too numerous to count, I
pressed my face into his mane and asked the Lord to send
healing to my beautiful daughter.
Eventually, her doctor and I placed my daughter into a
treatment facility and the long and difficult road to recovery began. Her body slowly left the danger zone but the
struggle for her soul continued. Ten years later, I am proud
to say that due to her strength of character and sheer will,
my daughter is in recovery. During this time, Patton’s show
career and therapy work (he is TDI certified) became my
outlet from living with the insanity of an eating disorder.
Then the second bomb fell----my youngest daughter
began to manifest symptoms of bulimia (the oldest had
been anorexic). The hell began again with full force even
though my youngest had been working with a therapist and
nutritionist since her sister was diagnosed. I was a bit more
knowledgeable this time around but deep down I knew I
was powerless. Yet…..when your beloved child’s life is
at stake you fight on. With more hospitalizations, groups,
residential treatments than I can even remember my second
daughter entered recovery. But the knowledge is there that
the eating disorder becomes a familiar friend to its victim
and always lurks waiting for the opportunity to rear its ugly
head.
L’ Etoile Du Nord Spring 2013
Our condolences for the following
Pyrs at the Bridge:
Wrigley—Pat Moran—Jan 2012
Panda—Stephanie & David Oskie—Sept 2012
Bishop—Jerri & Greg Hiniker—Nov 2012
Labonte Twig—Dec 2012
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grieving the Loss of Your Pet. Rebecca Cagle has just released her newest
Print and Kindle book "Grieving the Loss of Your Pet: How to Survive Your
Journey" and Answers the Questions: "What Should I be Feeling When I Lose
My Pet?" and "How Long after I Lose My Pet Should I Grieve?"
Contact: Rebecca Cagle, BS, CAPLC • Certified Advanced Professional Life
Coach
Empowerment Life Coaching
Office: 865.692.5409 • Cell: 513.560.5513
Email: [email protected] • Web Site: www.EmpowermentLifeCoach.com
My marriage became a fatality to the disease…..and
when the stress became too much….my husband left. Patton never left my side. My furry angel would climb into bed
with me every night and stayed by my side until he felt I was
ok. There were also two Akita’s in the house but it was Patton that helped me get up in the morning and meet the next
day. As the months progressed and the divorce got uglier
I was forced to sell the house in a failing economy. Three
and one half years and 228 showings later, the divorce was
final, the house was sold, my youngest was out of residential treatment, and I began to feel that the negative cocoon
was falling away. My healing was finally beginning.
(Knoxville, TN - February 28, 2013) Rebecca Cagle, Author and Owner of
Empowerment Life Coaching, a professional life coaching practice based in
Knoxville, TN announces her latest Print and Kindle book "Grieving the Loss
of Your Pet: How to Survive Your Journey" now available through book sellers
and distributors, and on Amazon.com at: http://tinyurl.com/RebeccaCagleBookPage for the pet owner faced with the loss of a pet through death, sale,
theft or other reason.
However, I am now sensing that the beautiful animal that
helped sustain me through those dark times is now beginning to transition himself. At twelve, Patton has lost muscle
mass, is moving much slower and has congestive heart
failure. How do I say good-bye to that creature that defined
all of the good that a Pyr can be? Patton brought many dear
people into my life and enriched the lives of those children
that he touched in school----his picture was present at the
funeral of two of these students when their bodies could no
longer sustain them. Patton truly taught me what a Pyr is
all about and opened the door for two more Pyrs to come
into my life when my Akitas passed . I truly believe that our
bond will never be broken---he is my “once in a lifetime”
boy!
Topics in this book include: The Phases of Grieving the Loss of Your Pet;
Grieving the Loss of Your Pet through Trauma or Illness; Grieving the Loss of
Your Pet from Old Age; Grieving the Loss of Your Pet Before and After Euthanasia; Advice about Advising Other Pet Owners Faced with the Euthanasia
Decision; Facing the Euthanasia Decision with a Teenaged Pet Owner; Grieving the Loss of Your Pet after Selling Him; Grieving When Your Pet is Lost or
Stolen; Theft and Loss Prevention; Is it Okay to Grieve?; Family Members
Experiencing the Grief; Making Decisions During Grieving; Will Your Pet Go
to Heaven?; Bonding with a New Pet after Losing Your Pet, and more. This
book also contains stories about people losing their pets and their journeys
through the grieving process. This book answers a lot of questions about the
grieving process that owners have when they go through the painful time of
losing a pet.
October 11, 2012
Patton passed away today with his
head cradled in my arms. Good-bye my sweet, gentle spirit
you lived your life well. Thank you to all of my friends for
your heartfelt wishes and special thanks to Terry DenneyCombs for bringing my boy into my life. Special thanks also
to Karen Bruneau for finishing his Championship, to Linda
Williams (and all of her Corgi’s) for helping to put P into the
Hall of Fame and to Ken Griffith for showing P to a BOS win
at the Eukanuba Dog Show in 2006.
"Pets are so much a part of our lives that it stands to reason that we will go
through sadness when they are gone," says Rebecca. "It is no wonder that we
have such strong feelings of missing them and wanting them back when they
die or move on to a new owner."
This book is also available free on Kindle for five days through Amazon Prime.
For more information please go to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or go to http://
tinyurl.com/RebeccaCagleBookPage . You may also order this book through
book sellers and distributors. You may contact author Rebecca Cagle through
www.EmpowermentLifeCoach.com , [email protected] .
L’ Etoile Du Nord Spring 2013
Last.......................... First............................... City..................... State........Pyr(s)
Anderson.................. Michelle......................... Woodbury........... MN...........Albus
Armstrong................. Terry & Sharon.............. Coon Rapids...... MN...........Mac
Asher........................ Chrys............................. New Hope.......... MN...........
Augustine................. Kevin & Cathe............... Milaca................. MN...........Malibu (Lola)
Bell .......................... Tom................................ Brainerd.............. MN...........
Berg.......................... Laureen......................... Mpls.................... MN...........Cooper
Bergman................... Christina & Brian........... Prescott.............. WI............Zindell
Bramwell.................. Steve............................. Coon Rapids...... MN...........Tuffy/Samantha
Briggs....................... Cathie............................ Edina.................. MN...........Archey
Brommel................... Brian.............................. St Paul................ MN...........Farley
Brown....................... Robyn............................ Burnsville............ MN...........Greta Garbo, Grady
Bruhn........................ Patricia & David............. Hudson............... WI............Lexington,
Marie Antoinette
Carstensen............... Jordan........................... Marshall.............. MN...........Gus
Centa........................ Corrine........................... Chisholm............ MN...........Monty, Rosie,
Angus, Vanna
Colberg..................... Elaine............................ St Anthony.......... MN...........
Colwell...................... Tina................................ St Paul................ MN...........
Davis ....................... Lynn & Jim..................... Bloomington....... MN...........Sophie
deFiebre................... Jennifer/Jeremy............. North Branch...... MN...........Minka
Dingle/Kremer.......... Karen & Gene............... St Paul................ MN...........Star, Miss Bess
Dobson..................... Stacy............................. Stillwater............. MN...........
Downey.................... Roger............................. Hayward............. WI............Chumley
Dulac........................ Phil & Judy.................... Webster.............. MN...........Daisy
Eichenlaub............... Delcie, Maggie,
Tom, Lindsey................. Crystal................ MN...........Mac, Tessa
Evans....................... Carolyn.......................... Mpls.................... MN...........Rio Star, Yuma
Everette.................... Marcy............................. Granbury............ TX............
Fee/Wald.................. Greg & Elizabeth........... Golden Valley..... MN...........Everest
Fischer..................... Josh & Kim.................... No. Mankato....... MN...........Boomer. Lilly
Forliti......................... Lois................................ Oakdale.............. MN...........Maggie
Garmann.................. Courtney........................ Mpls.................... MN...........Bella
Garrett...................... Kathy & Wayne............. Angora................ MN...........Marco
Goldstein
Debra & Harvey
Mpls
MN
Mabel Bear/Manny Bear
Habas....................... Elizabeth & Mark........... Edina.................. MN...........
Hendricks/Brochman Nathan & Michelle........ Hudson............... WI............Whitney
Henning.................... Sonya............................ St Paul................ MN...........Parker
Hietala...................... Amy &
David Washburn............ Coon Rapids...... MN...........Myah
Hinz.......................... Samuel & Jen................ Lakeville............. MN...........Smiley
Hodel........................ Dan & Christine............. Cedar Rapids..... IA.............
Hogenson................. Kim................................ Minnetonka......... MN...........Yang
Isay........................... Susan............................ Eden Prairie........ MN...........Macy
Jacobson.................. Jim................................. Chisholm............ MN...........Shilo
Jarnefeld.................. Janet.............................. Somerset............ WI............Soleil, Etienne
Johnson.................... Michelle......................... Crystal................ MN...........Sandy
Johnson.................... Wendy........................... Mpls.................... MN...........Barkley
Johnson.................... Missi & Ryan................. Hammond........... WI............Maggie4
Johnson.................... Lynae............................. Frazee................ MN...........
Jordan...................... Nancy............................ Shakopee........... MN...........Bailey1
Karas........................ Bonnie........................... Newport.............. MN...........Wheezie
page 3
Last.......................... First............................... City..................... State........Pyr(s)
Kemm....................... Joel................................ New Richmond... WI............Drake
King.......................... Lisa & Chris................... St Paul................ MN...........Bonnie
Kline......................... Jocelyn.......................... Monroe............... WI............Stormy, Mighty
Quinn
Landgren.................. June & Doug................. Alexandria.......... MN...........Stryker
Lee........................... Debbie & George.......... Edina.................. MN...........Bear
Libby......................... Jill.................................. Nowthen............. MN...........Hank
Loven-Bell................ Marnie .......................... Mpls.................... MN...........Twig, Leaf
Lundeen................... Bruce............................. Mpls.................... MN...........Alfie
Lyons/Sanford.......... Charlie & Andrea........... N. St Paul........... MN...........Samson
Mathews................... Wendy & Steve............. Lakeville............. MN...........
Mattson/Harrell......... Louise/Jim..................... Mendota Hts....... MN...........
McAlles-Callanan..... Sands............................ St Paul................ MN...........Amy
McGarthwaite........... Mike & Nikki................... W. Bear Township
MN...........Sadie
Medin/Berkson......... Laura & Mark................. St Paul................ MN...........Duncan
Miller . ...................... Joan............................... St Paul Park....... MN...........
Miraglia..................... Rob & Raine.................. Dellwood............. MN...........Winter, Falcor, Phoebe
Moran....................... Pat................................. Bloomington....... MN...........Sammy,Wrigley,Seamus
Newman................... Mark & Pam.................. Bloomington....... MN...........Bailey2
Olson........................ Wendy........................... White Bear Township..........MNHope, Halsey
Olson/Coen.............. Chris/Michelle................ Arcadia............... WI............Spirit (Loki)
O'Neill....................... Pat & Mike..................... Hastings............. MN...........Nanook
Orenstein.................. Debra............................. Mpls.................... MN...........Basil
Orr............................ Megan & Ted................. Ames.................. IA.............Burney
Oskie........................ Stephanie & Dave......... Mpls.................... MN...........Panda
Peterson................... Jon................................. Mpls.................... MN...........Maverick
Peterson................... Bruce & Terri.................. Lakeland............. MN...........Maggie, Murphy
Poole........................ Bill & Lisa....................... Burnsville............ MN...........Chloe
Probotanojo/Kurnianta.................................... Nicole & Ivan...... Mpls.........MNErin
Quast, DVM............. Jen................................. Eden Prairie........ MN...........
Reed......................... Sara............................... Sioux Falls.......... SD...........Hannibal
Rein.......................... Mike & Sharon............... Moorhead........... MN...........Murray
Roth.......................... Cheryl............................ Lakeville............. MN...........Thelma
Saukkola.................. Wanda & David............. Andover.............. MN...........Sugar, Bruin
Smithback................ Jerhod & Nicole............. N. Mankato......... MN...........Louise
Symons.................... Karlin & Mike................. Peterson ............ MN...........Mack, Snowball, Nellie, Bentley
Syverson.................. Rosemary & Mark......... Brainerd.............. MN...........Kaleb, Lucy, etc
Tapp.......................... Kathy............................. Plymouth............ MN...........Thumper
Teigen....................... Robert & Mari Pat.......... Shoreview........... MN...........Max
Thompson................ Kimberley...................... River Falls.......... WI............Nimbus
Tuhy......................... Micahel & Rachel.......... Taylors Falls....... MN...........Cooper2
Turgeon.................... Linda.............................. St Paul................ MN...........
Uzelac...................... Wendy & James............ Grand Rapids..... MN...........Yukon, Avalanche
Vanhees................... Jennifer.......................... Robbinsdale....... MN...........Bear
Vidmar...................... Diana............................. Minnetonka......... MN...........Cola
Walt.......................... Thomas & Katie............. Hastings............. MN...........Josie
Walton...................... Bill & Jean..................... Lino Lakes.......... MN...........Monty, Robey
Westburg.................. Anita ............................. Coon Rapids...... MN...........Omie
L’ Etoile Du Nord Spring 2013.................................................................. page 5
Written by Mark Berkson, shortly after adopting Duncan. Duncan came to us heart worm positive so he was treated and
cured. Laura is Mark’s wife and Christina Bergman and her family fostered Duncan for us through all his treatments
and recovery. So often rescue can be so depressing. Reading about Duncan playing in the snow at his new home, made my
day. I have Mark’s permission to share this with you.
Dear Laura and Christina,
I am writing to share with both of you a wonderful experience that I
had with Duncan earlier this evening. Before I do that, let me say a
quick word to Christina - I know that you get periodic Duncan updates
from Laura, so I haven’t written as much recently. But let me take a
moment to say how smitten we all are with Duncan. Since it’s late, I
can’t go into detail about how wonderful Duncan is (that would take
a while), but let me just say that I cannot imagine a sweeter, more
good-natured, gentle soul than Duncan. In the short time he has
been with us, he has become a cherished and beloved member of
the family. He is a joy to be with, whether we’re at home, on walks,
or interacting with other people and dogs (which Duncan can’t get
enough of).
As Laura has probably
told you, he’s doing very
well at doggie school.
Training with him is a lot
of fun, as it enhances our
ability to communicate
and ensures that he’ll be
well behaved in a wide
variety of situations (he’s
such a mellow dog overall
that he’d be fine even
without much training, but
it will be nice to be able
to let him off leash at dog
parks, for instance, and
know that we can reliably
get him to come to us).
I’ve also been hoping to
teach him some games
so that we can play more.
The teacher told us that some dogs just aren’t into games like fetch,
which is fine, as long as they get exercise in other ways. Given how
much Duncan loves walks (and, when I can keep up with him, runs),
he gets plenty of good exercise. So, I wasn’t going to focus too much
on games and play, but it was something I was thinking about doing.
Which brings us to tonight...
Duncan and I were out on our late night walk (which I love), and as
we were on our way back to the house, it started to snow. I already
know that Duncan really likes snow, but I’ve never been outside with
him during a real snowfall. It was coming down fairly hard when we
got to the backyard. I let him off leash so I could get the door open
and clear his path up to the kitchen. He was standing outside, and it
seemed like he was enjoying the snowfall. So, I decided to do a little
outdoor training. I had some extra snacks in my bag, so I decided to
work on calling him to me across the yard. He bounded with a more
intense vigor than usual, and then, after receiving his treat, began
to move and jump around, side to side, as if inviting me to play. I
started to match him, running and jumping around, and he began to
get more and more excited. He would hunch down, then
leap up and run around me, as we got more and more involved in the
play. I then spied an old tennis ball outside and decided to give it a
try . Duncan has never showed much interest in balls, but he was in
a playful mood, so, following the teacher’s advice, I began to show
great interest in the ball, throwing it up and catching it, staring at it,
etc. He bounded up, looking eager. I then threw it, and off he went.
He jumped on it, grabbed it in his mouth, ran across the yard with it,
plopped it down between his feet, and waited for me. I went to get
it, and he grabbed it in and ran off. This happened a few times. So,
I know that this wasn’t fetch. It was keep away! He loved it. After a
while, we developed this game - he would nudge the ball away from
him toward me, inviting me to try to get it.
I would try to get the
ball from him with my
foot, like I was playing soccer with him.
Sometimes I managed
to kick the ball away,
and then we’d both go
racing for it, with Duncan always winning.
He’d pounce on the
ball, bat it around, pick
it up in his mouth, and
run and jump with it.
He then spied an old
Frisbee on the ground
and started pawing at
it and then putting it in
his mouth and dashing around the yard.
I’d alternate throwing the ball and Frisbee, and he’d dash after each
one. This game went on for quite a long time. There was a period
of about 10 minutes in there where he had the intensity and energy
of a puppy. It was a sight to behold. I’ve never seen him that way.
He was racing, leaping, batting, and jumping, all around the yard. All
the while, the snow is falling. It was as if the snow energized him,
brought something out in him. After a while, he lay down on the
snowy grass, the ball between his front paws, his white fur fluffy and
beautiful, panting happily, enjoying the falling flakes. I just looked at
him. It was magic.
I only regret that I didn’t have a video camera to capture all of this.
But I’m sure that there will be many more play sessions like this. A
new side of Duncan came out tonight, and it adds one more delightful
element to his lovely personality. I am grateful for him every day.
Thanks Christina, for making this all possible. And thanks Laura, for
having the wisdom to know, when you saw that picture of Duncan,
that you had found the perfect dog.
Mark
Joan Miller
P.O. Box 1114
Minnetonka, MN 55345-0114
NSGPRC Website,
visit our NEW
website at
northstargreatpyrs.com
Most photos taken by
Debra Fisher-Goldstein
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Officers & Board Members
Marnie Loven-Bell – President/Co-rescue chair • 414-5th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 • 612-379-0010 • [email protected]
Diana Vidmar - Secretary/Treasurer •P.O. Box 1114 Minnetonka, MN 55345 • 952-200-4699 • [email protected]
Linda Turgeon - Vice President • 651-224-4779 [email protected] Bonnie Karas - Board member • [email protected]
Joan Miller • Board member/Newsletter designer • [email protected]