ROMEO
Ch Kyon’s Hot To Trot (OS)
(1996-2011)
Posted on June 12, 2011
We are deeply saddened to report that ROMEO died this morning in our arms – well into his 16th year. Our very special “velcro dog” is now gone…
However, we take great comfort in knowing that Romeo lives on, in so many goldens, on BOTH sides of the border, while at Kyon he will forever remain in most of our pedigrees, particularly strongly through his sons: Mick and Bugsey- and through his many active grandchildren here: Ollie, Nahla, Maddie, Tierra, Tessa and Hailey.
Rest In Peace darling boy, we will miss you so…
Romeo’s sire was ch Haydene Commadore OS (1993-2008) and his dam was ch Kyon’s Born Free OD (1991-2008)
SHEASTER
BISS Ch Kyon’s Passionate Sheaster (OS)
(2000-2011)
We are heartbroken to report that our dear Sheaster was felled within 2 weeks of starting his 12th year. Relapsing Lyme disease (since age 3) likely predisposed him for a foreshortened lifespan.
We received the news that he was in severe pain; from a variety of issues; a raging infection, as well as an advanced degenerative disc disease (with fracture) and moreover; also beginning osteosarcoma.
There are not enough words in the world to explain how hard it was to receive this news and to therefore make the decision to kindly let him go and end his obvious suffering. We deeply grieve over the loss of our darling brave boy , who had more HEART than any dog we have ever known.
Sheaster was also a keenly birdy dog, he once caught a pheasant in midair, as it was rising out of the underbrush, and gently brought it to hand- with no training he knew exactly what to do… it is therefore no surprise to us that he produced more working dogs than any other stud-dogs of ours, whether these are dogs with advanced hunting and working titles- or those working actively as service dogs. Sheaster was also a Best in Specialty winner and also won several JAMs at other specialities, all from the the veteran class.
Throughout our many tears, we still celebrate Sheaster’s tremendously productive life and take comfort in knowing he will live on forever , in his many talented offspring. But oh- how much we will miss him… Rest in Peace, Sheaster.
Sheaster’s sire was BISS ch Sherhaven’s Sheaman at Kyon CD (OS) and his dam was ch Kyon’s hearts afire.
TONI
Can Ch Dewmist Santorini (OS)(1994-2005)
Posted on April 9, 2005
Our sweet Toni passed away over the Easter weekend. He suffered a series of small strokes over one week – and then finally a massive one, which took him away from us, gently; in his sleep.
We found him in the early morning – and between his front paws he had gathered his new stuffy toys. It was as if he went to sleep rejoicing in his new toys; a soft Easter rabbit and a turtle. I will always remember how the night before he had held them so proudly in his mouth, wagging his tail in happiness – and I had then thought to myself; “he is getting better now, he will beat this….”
But then this was not to be.. and our sweet Toni was instead taken away from us.
We cannot think of Toni’s passing, without also remembering our close friend Jane Lunow (1946-1996) who was Toni’s co-owner and instrumental in bringing Toni to North America. Jane herself died far too soon and our grief for Toni has re-awakened our old sorrow over Jane’s early death.
I am happy to say that many of Jane’s hopes for Toni were fulfilled; first of all he had a happy life with us ,with lots of freedom to run through our fields and bush, a huge pond to swim in and always many things to retrieve, from balls to pheasants. Toni was a true retriever and this is what made him the happiest, that plus having little puppies of all ages around to gently play with.
BANDIT
Ch Kyon’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
(1992-2005)
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.
Badit’s sire was am ch belgold the cotton bowl. his dam was ch kyon’s lucy in the sky (OD)
SHEAMAN
Can Ch Sherhaven’s Sheaman At Kyon, CD (OS)
(1990-2005)
Posted on August 13, 2005
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.
ROCKY
Can Ch Kyon’s Rock’n Roll (OS)
(1988-2003)
Posted on February 19, 2003
Rocky (ch Kyon’s Rock’n Roll-OS) suddenly died this past Sunday morning (February 16th/03). The world seems a much emptier place now, without him. Born in 1988, he had a long and happy life and although he had been declining somewhat in the last couple of weeks, he was only unwell briefly – for a short 24 hrs.
He suffered a minor stroke Saturday, but was still fine enough to move around – and still ate his evening treat. True to form he woke us Sunday morning, at 7 am, insisting to be let out to do his regular business. When he came back in he seemed tired, but content. He quickly went to sleep, on his new mat by the fireplace – with his 9 week old great-grandson curling up in-between Rocky’s big and sturdy paws.
Rocky adored puppies and they loved him in return. He always slept with our puppies, by choice- he always was surrounded by puppies (again by choice), he led the way for them all, in his gentle kind manner. He was endlessly patient.
Only 15 minutes after we had gone back to bed this past Sunday morning, the dogs in the kitchen started barking again- and when we rushed downstairs Rocky was already gone. This time he had obviously had a major stroke, which swiftly had ended his long life.
He was a truly wonderful dog and a most kind-hearted gentle spirit. A sweeter soul we have not known.
We are so grateful for having had Rocky in our life. Also we are eternally thankful for the quick and easy way that he left us. No painful decision had to be made, no prolonged suffering occurred. He died at home and at peace. His death did not come us a shock. We had the clear warning the night before, that he was going to leave us very soon. Thus we had already whispered our goodbyes…
Rocky is fondly remembered and deeply missed by Karin Klouman, Wally Barr and the Barr-Klouman Family.
SHEA
Can & Bda Ch Mjaerumhögda’s Kyon Flying Surprise, CDX (OS) (1981-1996)
Posted on June 23, 1996
Shea champion english golden retrieverDo not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the star that shines at night.
Do not stand by my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die …
Shea was bred by Grete Sofie and Eivind Mjaerum in Norway- and arrived in Canada at 10 weeks of age. He turned out to be a hugely influential dog in Canadian breed-history and he was a wonderful friend and companion. Not only was he a phenomenal show-dog, he also was a talented working dog; incredibly clever and highly trainable.
Shea became the top-producing sire in Canada for well over a decade. He was also the top Golden Retriever in Canada 1985 and won 10 all-breed BIS and one speciality BIS, which was an unheard of feat for a ‘cream’ dog at the time. He also became the sire of numerous guide dogs, hunting and working dogs, and several top obedience dog.
Shea continues to live on in his many outstanding offspring… and at Kyon he is behind just about every single puppy we have bred.
He was a once-in-a-lifetime dog …. and words cannot express how much we loved him.
