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When a flag flies half-mast, you know that a Lord and First Lady are no longer.

THIS IS MY TRIBUTE

Ch Arizona First-Lady of Snoweyriver
KUSA National WSSD 2001

IT SEEMED ONLY FITTING THAT THEY GO OUT TOGETHER

In any country around the world the people of a nation know and respect the flag that flies half mast.
In my Kennel today, my flags are flying half mast in honour of two great dogs.

Both Arizona and Canto were truly great AMBASSADORs for our breed.

Arizona was always a flashy, showy and stunningly beautiful female.
Her temperament was open and friendly even in her old age not a day went by without her ‘little spin around’ and wagging of her tail.

Affectionately known as ‘Tete’ she became the dog that I constantly looked at for safe linebreedings.
She loved her special treats and ‘marie’ biscuits late at night and was truly my ‘sunshine child’.

The night before Tete passed on was an emotional one for me – I sat quietly in the lounge and called her to me –
she hobbled along in her old age and sat in front of me , her eyes questioning – I couldn’t speak and grabbed her
and gave her the biggest hug I could, and something happened then – she became weak suddenly,
the tears rolled down my cheeks unashamedly and I whispered how much I loved her –
I knew then why she had gone ‘limp’ in my arms – she was saying, it’s ok mom –
we’ve said goodbye you can let me go now’……………

She will always be my ‘FIRST-LADY’ – My princess and :

ONE MOMENT IN TIME

As for Canto, well how do you describe a male with precence, a male with pride and a deep nobility.
His temperament was too be admired : he was a fun loving dog, always picking up his toys and encouraging ‘play’ –
he wore a ‘smile’ wherever he went. He loved his milk, icecream and yoghurt. His love for children was evident
even at an early age and he adored Keiron, my nephew. Canto was prepared for IPO1 and admired and
respected by the ‘working’ handlers and trainers alike even participating in training under a GSD judge Herr Eric Bosel
some years back who admired Canto for his potential as a working dog – our IPO training days were great fun.

Canto was reliable as a working dog with excellent balance for work and play.
I say to Ingo and Manuela Bortel (Germany) once again :-

A SPECIAL AND BIG THANK YOU FOR SENDING A DOG FULL OF SPIRIT AND WITH A GREAT HEART.

My ‘milkman’ is no more. He was always my ‘King’ and will forever be in my heart.

Judges crit : ‘EINE SEHR SCHON AUFGEBAUTE RUDE MIT SEHR VIEL RASSE ADEL’.

TO BOTH THESE DOGS I SAY:

I HOPE LIFE HAS TREATED YOU KIND,
AND I HOPE I GAVE YOU ALL THAT YOU DREAMED OF…………
‘BECAUSE MOM WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU’

Canto and Arizona play an important role in the history of the breed in South Africa. 
Both bloodlines either formed the ‘ground’ breeding stock or contributed largely to most of the SA breeders breeding programs today.

Direct Offspring of both dogs either combined or with other sires /dams:
(If I have left any dogs out my apologies, in my grief it is not easy to do this)

1)Snowey River Blizzard Foxfire – owned by Shelley van Schalkwyk
Birch Acres Obedience Dog of the Year

2)Ch.Snowey River Brittney Blue Star – owned by Michele van Vuuren
Breed Champion and top producing female (placed in numerous Agility events)

3) Ch. Snowey River Eli-Chiara – Breed Champion/Zimbabwe/Agility – owned by John and Heather Armstrong

4) Snowey River Echo Sultan – KUSA ‘B’ test obedience – owned by Gisela Daniel

5) Ch.Snowey River Fenja Snow Queen – Breed champion – owned by Louis Kruger

6) Ch.Snowey River Force One – Breed Champion – owned by Linda Hough

7) Ch.Snowey River Flamenco Fire – Breed Champion – owned by Stephanie Bridge

8) Ch. Snowey River Fara Alphine Empress – Breed Champion /Herding Group winner– owned by Colleen Venter

9)Ch.Snowey River Gjema-Lee – Breed Champion/Top winning WSSD female 2003/KUSA National Reserve WSSD

10)Ch.Snowey River Molly’s Secret – Breed champion /agility – owned by Angela Curtis /Namibia

11)Ch.Snowey River Magnolia Star – Breed champion – KUSA National WSSD 2008/KZN Top Herding Dog 2007

12)Ch.Snowey River Ice Lord – Breed Champion – co-owned by Michele van Vuuren and Vanessa Revie.

13)Ch.Snowey River Ivory Star – Breed Champion – KUSA National WSSD 2003/2006/AG1 (Agility)

14)Ch.Snowey River X-Lord Cougar – Breed Champion

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