The dreaded day has come -- and now our dear old girl is gone forever. Our "tomboy" girl has left us..  

Fancy spent practically 17 years with us, she had become an integral part of the fabric of our every-day life; and thus I still keep looking around for her - it's as if I am still expecting to see her smiling face and her impish look of sheer determination. The shock of then realizing that she is not here - that she has passed on - feels like a blow to the gut, all over again...

Given her age we of course knew we were on borrowed time, but still the loss feels so acute...

The sun is shining today -- it is a glorious winter day -- and  I know Fancy would have loved to roll in the snow with her buddy MacGyver. He looks lost today, too -- and so I give him a good pat and offer him an extra biscuit, which he gratefully takes - but he's not willing to fetch a ball (for the first time, ever) and he now suddenly seems 'old' (he's going on 12). I notice there is a light that is missing in his eyes -- and so I know that he is grieving as much as we are...

Fancy collapsed yesterday - and this time I knew she would not rally. She refused food last night - for the first time in her life. She soon slipped into a deep sleep, which she never woke up from... and so 17 years of a good life, very well lived - has come to an end.

It's the end to an era really; as Fancy was our very last Shea (bda/can BIS Ch Mjaerumhogda's Kyon Flying Surpsise CDX (OS )) - offspring still alive.

Like her father and many of her siblings/half siblings she lived a very long and rich life. She always found pleasure in each new day: Even as she was getting very old and was beginning to have some difficulty moving around she insisted on strolling up and down the lane - between the kennel and house -- while at other times she would wander into the barnyard... looking for cats to "chase" or other interesting things to do (such as rolling in muck). Impaired by several strokes in the last few years she would stumble sometimes,  but with a fierce independence she wanted no help to get to her feet, she would stubbornly pick herself up and carry on...

Fancy had such a tremendous will to live ... I therefore knew that when she no longer wanted try to keep going, that we had  come to the end of her road.

Fancy continues to live through her many descendants here at Kyon as well as in many other bloodlines throughout north America. She has been a hugely influential force in the golden reretriver world.. there are many goldens on both sides of the border who carries her name somewhere in their family tree. She made a huge impact especially through her son Fire (Ch Kyon's Great Balls of Fire) and her grandson Bugsey (Ch Kyon's Hot Bugsey).

Fancy is sadly missed and fondly rembered by Karin and Wally , the whole Barr-klouman family and all those that have  worked for Kyon over the past 17 years. Also deeply grieving is her  best buddy MacGyver (ch Kyon's Escape Artist).

Fancy was bred by Hollymere goldens (Kate McDermot and Denis Couture). Her sire was bda/can BIS ch Mjaerumhogda's Kyon Flying Surprise cdx (OS) and her dam was Linchael Christmas Cracker. Thank you Kate and Denis for entrusting us with our wonderful girl, so many years ago.

Vicky was one of those dogs that we thought would keep on living for a really long time. Her advanced age should of course have warned us that every new day was a blessing, but in her case we just did not expect to lose her quite yet. Vicky seemed so strong, so full of life and spunk. Strongly muscled and in gleaming coat, she was in fabulous shape for her age... 

It was therefore a shock, when she suddenly was gone this early spring- after just a brief week of intestinal upset, which in turn triggered a massive stroke.

Vicky lived a happy and productive life with her owners Ed and Anita McDougald and sometimes she also spent some time with us (her co-owners) at Kyon Kennels. We all loved Vicky - and we all miss her so.

Vicky was a funny, quirky dog - a dog that met any visitor with a shoe in her mouth and a smile on her face, a dog that demanded to be fed at the exact same time every day (at 6 AM  and again at 5 PM), a dog that insisted on being petted - and who readily gave lots of love in return, a dog that was extra happy whenever she could  go for a long hunting expeditions in the bush. She was affectionately called "the Princess" a most fitting title for a dog that was so affectionately indulged.

As one of our more prolific brood-bitches Vicky raised 3 large, healthy litters - and never was she happier than when she was nursing her babies- especially since at these times she had unlimited access to all the feed she could possibly eat! Her offspring can be found across this continent and on both sides of the border, with new generations continuing on Vicky's tradition of being completely sound- in mind and body. We find comfort in knowing that although she is gone, Vicky's bloodline will carry on- through her many outstanding descendants.

Thank you Ed and Anita, for providing the best possible home for "the princess". We grieve with you, over the loss of such a truly lovable dog.

A homebred champion, Vicky was sired by Ch Kyon's Rock'n Roll (OS) out of the dam Ch Kyon's Hocus Pocus CD.

This past December 2006 Trapper passed away at 14 and a half years. We mourn the loss of a truly great Working Retriever and a much beloved family pet.

Trapper was always a very gentle and loving dog. He did extremely well in obedience, as well as in the field-plus he was a wonderful representative of the breed. He was truly loved wherever he went, which indeed were many places; he even took part in guest appearances on TV shows! Tolerant in spirit and gentle in manner, he  helped raise the Vaelholter children-- and with endless patience he always put up with his younger "brother" Elvis (Kyon's Hunk of Burning Love WC).

Trapper was proudly owned and trained by Vali Vaelholter. Purchased as a pet, he was her very first dog - and what a superb job she did in nurturing Trapper's many talents! In Vali own words:

"We sadly lost Trapper late Sunday night. He had a sudden pneumothorax or simply his lungs collapsed; so I had him euthanized- after the girls and I said our goodbyes.

He went peacefully in my arms.

Karin, he was the best dog. Truly an amazing animal and he will be missed tremendously. We are lucky to have had him for such an incredibly long time and we have nothing but terrific memories of all the great things we did and his accomplishments.

We are all quite sad, although I believe Elvis is taking it the hardest. He really misses his best buddy. Time will heal all and I am sure he will bounce back quickly with all the love and special treatment he is now getting being the #1 dog."

Our hearts go out to the Vaelholter family.. and we thank you for providing such a special home for this wonderful dog.

Trapper's sire was Ch Saddleback Rechargeable Randall (OS)  and his dam was Ch Kyon's Miss Shalamar

Every now and then a dog that we have placed in another home still remains part of our extended family, forever. This is not necessarily because of incredible performance or conformation titles, nor is it because the dog is used for breeding, but it is simply because some dogs just stay close to our hearts. In short; this kind of dog symbolize the epitome of a what we feel a Kyon golden retriever pet should be.

Duoghal was just such a dog; kind, dignified and bright- always willing to please, always content to take life in stride. It was therefore with sadness that we, this past February, received the news that he was gone.

Thank you, Kim and Brad Hull, for keeping in touch with us, through the past 14 years - and for thus allowing us to stay connected to Duoghal!

His owners explained the loss of this very special dog best:
"After a wonderful long life of providing support, companionship, and endless hours of joy and laughter, we quietly let Duoghal go this evening. Although he will be deeply deeply missed, we are incredibly thankful and extremely fortunate to have had him as part of our family for so many years."

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.

Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more
into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together,
never again to be separated.

Sometimes in a breeders' life there comes shock out so of the blue that it just takes your breath away - and you cannot, for a while, find the words to describe the overwhelming grief that you feel.

Such a moment came this spring, when Louise Grant (of Maltcairn Goldens) tearfully called to tell me that Jester had suddenly left us - that he had been the victim of a senseless accident, that his time had been cut short. Although technically "an old dog" he obviously still had had lots of life left in him.

Jester had stayed with me a few weeks before and he had been so amazingly strong.  I had been in awe over how easily he had climbed our stairs at almost 13 years of age. True to stubborn form he wanted to always be at my side, when he came for visits. He insisted on sleeping right by the side of my bed - just like he always did in his home with Dave and Louise Grant.

Jester was an unusual golden in that he was extremely loyal. He was passive in nature and not really named all that well, since our Jester was not a particular joker, but instead a thinker, a dog of astonishing independent intelligence.

He also only gave his heart sparingly and only to a few people:  I was one of those lucky ones that he just chose to love. I saw the same light in his eyes when he was with Louise. And I always then knew that I had placed him wisely; in this the best of possible co-ownership homes. 

On this particular day Jester was out for his usual stroll, happily and politely walking along the side of a private residential lane. This is a walk he made every morning with another couple of dogs, under the watchful eye of his owner Dave Grant. But then, in a second of a moment, the whole world was changed for the Grant family and for our beloved Jester. A young  inexperienced boy was driving too fast, taking a short-cut to make it to work on time - and with the sun in his eyes he saw Jester too late... He lost control of his vehicle and ploughed the car into our most wonderful old dog.

Jester was grievously hurt, with internal bleeding...  The point eventually came when it was obvious that he had to be allowed to move on... Thankfully this is the gift we can give our dogs: when it is hopeless to fix things; we have to offer a very peaceful exit-devoid of any more suffering.

Thank you Diane Roman (of Zyzygy goldens) for bringing your wonderful Winnie to our stud-dog Trouper, all those years ago. From that union you chose the best possible stud fee pup for us.

Jester grew up become a multi BIS winning stud-dog, who made a significant impact on the breed. We are so proud of him and his many accomplishments!

We grieve with Louise and Dave Grant over this sad loss of a truly great dog. It's still a heartbreak for us all, trying to come to terms with such devastating news.

A beautiful boy has passed away. Suddenly, from what was likely a massive stroke, Eddie collapsed in his owner Ann Loch's  home. He was helped to his veterinarian and then gently let go; with both his owners Ann and Stephen, at his side.

The promise of protecting our dogs from protracted suffering was thereby fulfilled and peacefully Eddie's wonderful strong and sweet soul moved on... leaving us with all the memories to ponder.

I remember Eddie as a puppy in his breeders kitchen - the smallest of all the boys, the puppy that caught my eye with his perfect balance. I remember him later in my kitchen, playfully chasing after Killy, the cat - and then bravely climbing the stairs at 8 weeks to follow after me - wanting to sleep in my bed his first night away form his littermates..  I remember indulging him that night and many days thereafter as I watched him grow up to a handsome and strong young dog. I remember watching him run in our fields - his iron topline never failing... I remember watching him fly off the dock and swimming happily, in our pond.

I remember thinking that this dog must have a purpose... and I was right, but this was a purpose he had to find through a round-about-way.

I remember one day meeting Ann and Stephen for the first time... and I remember the tremendous weight that fell from my shoulders when I realized that Eddie had now finally found his "forever" home. Some dogs arrive at their destiny by following a winding path. Eddie was such a dog - but when he found his place of love, the relief I felt was great.

And then as often happens; through our dogs new friendships are forged. Eddie was exactly such a catalyst. Ann and Stephen became close friends and we continue to work together, all these years later.

Proudly I have watched that Eddie has made his mark on the breed.  He continues to live on in many pedigrees. Thanks Ann and Stephen for taking Eddie into your hearts.

Eddie was bred by Ann Wood Johnson of Foxwood reg'd goldens.

Angel was "the runt" of a litter. At 8 weeks she weighed about half of what her littermates did - so we decided to hang onto her for a while. We were not planning to keep her - it just ended up that way. At 6 months of age she was finally  normal size, but best of all; she had the most endearing nature. And so; Angel stayed with us. She was shown to her championship and she produced some lovely pups both for us and for our close friend Lisa McCabe of Grenadier goldens in  Worchester, M.A..

One of the most painful decisions a breeder has to make is the one to place a beloved adult dog, in order to make room for the younger generation of pups growing up.  We made just such a decision when Angel was 6 years old. She then moved to Bonnie.

From then on Angel lived a wonderful life as a much beloved family pet, as a St. John's therapy dog - and finally as a foster-mother to the various other dogs that entered Bonnie's and Angel's life, over the next 6 years.

Then this past winter we got the news that Angel had passed away... and that Bonnie was heartbroken. My own heart broke a little bit then, it just seemed impossible to grasp that this charming girl of ours was gone - and we had not really said our final goodbyes; after all, was it not only yesterday that she had lived here on the farm with us?

We always referred to Angel as our "just wait a minute" girl. Angel was wonderfully bright, but instant obedience was still never her strong point. She always wanted us to know that she had SO many people to visit, even more dogs to playfully greet, then butterflies to chase - and also birds to catch in mid-air..  all had to be done before she would happily be coming to us, in fact she would give us a very specific "look", which we later coined as "the angel look", mainly because ,as time went on, we could see that she had produced this trait strongly in her descendants.

Thank you Bonnie for giving Angel such a wonderful life in her retirement. Thank you also for getting in touch with us... and letting us know in the gentlest way possible that Angel had passed away and how much she had meant to you.

Thankfully Angel lives on in many descendants on both side of the border.. and there will continue to be many little pups growing up that will know how to give their owners the "angel look". These youngster will want to happily explore the whole word and say their many, many hellos to all that they meet... as they all carry this part of Angel within them.

So therefore; a ray of sunshine will last forever because of Angel's sunny traits being passed on from generation to generation. We will never forget Angel - we will always remember her with a laugh and a smile. Our world was a much richer place because we had the chance to love her.

Passion, to our great sorrow, has passed away. It happened this past late fall, with her owner Margie Orrock at her side. Passion had lived with Margie for the past 5 years, as her beloved family-pet. In October of 2005 Passion contracted acute gastro-enteritis. Although all tests were normal, she was still slowly going downhill - and so she was eventually let go - with all the dignity that she so richly deserved...

We were on holidays in Spain last November and came home to the news that Passion had just died, shortly before our return. Our shock was great, as this was ,to us, such an unexpected loss. Since then it has taken me a very long time to be able to find the right words to formulate our grief over having lost Passion. First now, in the summer of 2006, has the pain of her death finally subsided enough for me to write Passion's " in memoriam".

These days, I finally can take great comfort in seeing Passion all around me. She is still here; in the overall look of her son Sheaster, in the sweet manner of her daughter Emmy, in the birdyness of her grandson Copper, in the  soft expression of her great-grandson Ollie; and so on...

Passion's legacy at Kyon has indeed been huge. A more influential brood bitch we have hardly owned - and we watch with pride as generations upon generations of her offspring still continue to make her special mark on the breed. Not only was Passion an outstandingly sound producer, she was a darling dog - kind and gentle in spirit. Passion was furthermore extremely loyal in nature. Once you had won her  heart, you had it forever.

Passion was also stunningly beautiful. In fact, she was a breath-taking dog to watch, as she trotted through our fields and bush; her richly golden and wavy coat always gleaming in the sun-light.

Passion will forever be sadly missed and fondly remembered by Karin and Wally, by the whole Barr-Klouman clan - and of course also by the extended Orrock family.

Thank you; Margie, for loving our sweet Passion with all your heart.

Sometimes being a long-time breeder is a heartbreak. In the past year we have lost so many dogs that it has been overwhelming for us.  It is therefore it has taken months to be able to write about the latest one to leave; that being our beloved Bandit... It has just been too hard to express our "official" goodbye; to the gentlest and kindest dog we have ever known.

Bandit was part of our breeding program and our kennel for the first almost 9 years of his life. More than that; he was an integral part of our lives, with his sunny and kind personality. A keen working retriever, he was also naturally considerate. He was therefore the dog that over the years had the prime responsibility of meeting all our visitors. Bandit made everyone feel welcome - and so he was affectingly called our Welcome Wagon. He  intuitively knew how to make all people and all dogs, male and female - young and old - feel at ease in his presence. He would kindly lean into you, he would then gently lay his head in your lap and nudge your arm for more pats. He could also just sit there, quietly patient, while puppies jumped all over him and pulled on his ears.. or while busy toddlers wrapped their arms round his neck and hugged his kind face. Always  tolerant of all creatures, he exemplified the term "rock-solid temperament".

At 9 years of age Bandit became sterile and so we regretfully let him move to Doug and Joan Allen's home, where he remained until his very last day, as a treasured family pet.. and the constant companion of Smokey (Ch Kyon's no Smoke without Fire).

Then in August I got a sad email from Joan, advising us that Bandit had suddenly become desperately ill with acute and terminal liver disease. He had therefore gently been let go. As Joan explained:

"Bandit had been off his food for a few weeks, which was most unlike him; he was always ready for his food and especially his treats. We tried hand feeding him, to no avail - and we didn't want to put him through the process of going down and down;  we wanted to remember him the way he was, so full of life.

I stroked his head, as he left us. I  just kept saying; "I'm sorry Bandit". It broke my heart the way he looked at me, just writing this brings tears to my eyes...

We called Bandit our gentle giant... "

Thank you Doug and Joan, for loving Bandit with all your heart.

Bandit is fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew him, but especially so by Karin Klouman and Wally Barr, the Barr-Klouman family, as well as by Doug and Joan Allen... And more than we can probably fully understand, Bandit is missed by his soul-mate; Smokey....

It brings us great comfort to know that Bandit continues to live on, through his outstanding offspring and now through his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Every now and then a very special puppy appears in a litter. It is unmistakable, how even at a very young age a particular young one can "speak" to you..   Casey was one such puppy: Ever since he was just a tiny baby we knew he was truly one of a kind... And so the search was on, for a very special place for our precious little boy to live.. a place where he would not only be loved deeply, but also a place where his potential could be realized. We were lucky enough to find exactly what we wanted for Casey, in the home of Anita and Ed McDougald. He eventually grew up to become "the king" of their household, gently ruling over a small pack, which in time grew to include his full sister Vicky (Ch Kyon's Magic Tricks) and his promising young great-nephew Charlie (Kyon's Magic Victory).

As a young dog Casey achieved the honour of his championship. Thereafter he went into the obedience ring and expertly won his CD. Then; several years later, Casey made one  brief re-appearance in the show-ring, when he was well over 9 years old. At our regional specialty, in July of 2001, this spunky veteran dog stunned the people gathered around the veteran dog ring. It was a proud moment, when Casey - the complete unknown -  not only won this veteran dog class; but also went all the way to a Best in Specialty Show.

So yes, Casey was  indeed a bright and shining star, but unfortunately his light could not shine forever - and this fall he was gently let go, with all the dignity he so richly deserved. I was fortunate enough to have gotten the chance to say my goodbye to him, on the day before he passed on. Despite being very weak, he brightened considerable when I showed up, while still telling me that this was going to be our goodbye-moment. His kind and gentle eyes spoke volumes.. and having understood what he was telling me I cried all the way home.

Then the next day I received the news I was expecting. In Anita's own words:

"Our beloved Casey is gone. With Ed and I holding him and Vicky and Charlie standing by he quietly slipped away. We have laid him to rest under our huge old and beautiful maple, where the sun shines down in the afternoon. He will be happy there...

Casey was truly a classic golden in every way. Not only was he beautiful and elegant. He was stylish and sweet tempered and most of all very loving. We enjoyed all 13 years and 6 months with him. He was a proud and dignified dog .... "

Thank you Ed and Anita, for giving your hearts so fully to Casey.

Casey is fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew him, especially by his owners Ed and Anita McDougald and his proud breeders; Wally Barr and Karin Klouman.

Vicky and Charlie are carrying on, without their king, but we know he still lives on, both in their hearts and in their memories.

Our beloved Sheaman has just today left us... and we are lost without him. He was 15 years and 3 months... Such a long life, lived so very well and I know we should celebrate that, but it is still so very hard to not see his smiling face.

There are so many memories of life with Sheaman that I could write a book- but most of all we will remember his tremendous sense of humor. Not a day went by, without our eternal puppy making us laugh. He wore food bowls on his head as a top-hat, he banged the same bowls around for the sheer fun of making a loud bang, he laid on top of my children as he crawled into their beds and took over their sleeping space, he endlessly nudged us all for more pats (because of him our kids coined the phrase pushy-love dog)- and he mischievously got into my make-up bag more times than I can count (he liked to wear lipstick). Sheaman was most of all a very funny dog!

His working desire and his birdiness was also something to behold, he was trained through CDX, but unfortunately could not be trialed due to an injury. He loved to jump and to retrieve - he followed hand-signals to a T. Although never formally field trained, twice I experienced him catching live pheasant in midair as they rose out of the underbrush - and he did the same with a pigeon, who had flown into the kennel. These bird he gently and proudly delivered to my hand.

He was also a star in the show-ring, as a veteran he flew around proudly showing off, winning numerous veteran classes, best veteran in sweeps, JAMS and also a Best In Specialty Show. Sheaman truly was a star and he just shone in so many ways...

I know his star will continue to shine brightly, through so many of his off spring: coming down from him there are numerous champions and foundation dogs for other breeders, also Obedience dogs, Hunting dogs, Guide dogs for the Blind, Service Dogs and most of all so many beloved family pets.. whose owners always tell me the same thing; their dogs have incredible character, they are So funny and they love to make you laugh.

Sheaman was also the undisputed king of our kennel, he greeted every dog-boarder that has ever come by here, with a happy curiosity and exuberant good will. He equally happily welcomed their owners (more chances for pats!) and even in these last few weeks he still would get quite enamoured whenever any female in season came for a visit.

Furthermore Sheaman was the strongest and the most courageous dog I have ever known. Despite his aging body he still wanted to live every day to the fullest. He wanted no help, he would get to his feet and wander around, lying down to rest when it suited him, but then always picking himself up and carrying on but today; the dog who has always had such tremendous zest for life and heart for doing everything required of him (plus much more) asked me with his eyes to please let him go- and so with the outmost gratitude for what he has meant to us all we therefore bid him goodbye. My children kissed him farewell, while he for the last time nudged their hands, for that final pat. I held him in my arms, while we sat together in the shade, until he had slipped away.

And then the light went out of our day...

Sheaman is fondly remembered and sadly missed  by Karin and Wally, plus the whole Barr-Klouman family and by Julie Harwood Jones, our kennel manager. He will also never be forgotten by the many, many other people, whose life he so touched throughout his long and very productive life.

Sheaman was bred by Liz Sherren of Sherhaven Kennel. We thank Liz and Bill for entrusting us with this outstanding dog. He was sired by our BIS Ch Mjaerumhogdas Kyon Flying Surprise CDX (OS) out of the dam; Ch My Darling Clementine.