Ch WILLOWRUN’S BEAUREGARD, CD

As our first Newfoundland, Beau introduced us to the world of purebred dogs. Our old family dog (a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Standard Poodle) died, and we were looking for one last dog to fill the void. We wanted a large dog, preferably black and hairy, with a sweet disposition. We wanted a purebred that would be as much like our old dog as possible. After a year of reading and going to dog shows, we finally settled on a breed – the Newfoundland. It took us another six months to find a breeder with a litter of puppies. We wanted a male. We saw the litter when the puppies were about four weeks old. There were two male puppies. The red ribbon puppy was a stand-out, but he was pick puppy. We were offered his brother, a very nice puppy, and we readily agreed. When we went back to pick up our puppy, the breeders put red ribbon puppy in our arms, and handed us a three page show contract. The puppy we were supposed to get had been injured by the dam the day before (he did recover), and they did not want to disappoint us. Knowing nothing about showing, but desperately wanting the puppy, we agreed to the terms of the contract.

Fulfilling that contract by showing Beau to his championship changed our lives forever. We were hooked on Newfs and on showing. Beau was a fabulous show dog. It is very unusual for a new owner/handler to finish a championship on a dog. We did it. We used to say that Beau showed himself. He was a a very typey, well-balanced dog with an outgoing “look at me” attitude. His sire was Ch Seaward’s Blackbeard (Adam), the first Newfoundland to win a Best in Show at Westminster. Beau had his sire’s attitude. He carried that attitude from the show ring into the obedience ring and earned his CD very quickly. We have owned, bred, and loved many Newfs since that day in 1983 when we brought home “red” puppy, but he will always be “the special one.”
Decoria was truly one of a kind. Weighing in at two pounds, she was a singleton puppy born to Edenglen’s Merry Voyageur on April 4, 1991. Merry was our foundation bitch from Edenglen Kennels and had the wonderful, sweet, eager to please temperament characteristic of the Edenglen line. Merry passed this temperament on to Decoria. She gave us two litters of wonderful puppies. Out of those litters came Ch Minnemato’s Good Thunder (Brian), Ch Minnemato’s Thunder Bird, CD (Ben), and Ch Minnemato’s Waseca (Polly).

Many of her offspring are in companion dog homes and have earned CD’s and CGC titles. All have her sweet temperament. At thirteen years of age Decoria was the oldest dog entered at the 2004 NCA National Specialty. She led the Honors Parade gaiting around the ring like the show girl she was in her youth. Decoria went to the Rainbow Bridge two months following her fourteenth birthday. We miss taking her to dog shows, family visits, and on errands. She was not one to be left behind. Most of all we miss a beloved companion.


Ch MINNEMATO’S DECORIA

Ch MINNEMATO’S DAKOTAH ‘VETTE
 Koty was our first “homebred” champion. Her dam Sally Am/Can Ch BISS Minnemato’s Halcyon Firebird, CD), was one of our first Newfoundlands. Sally was a fantastic show dog and companion, and Koty followed in her dam’s paw prints. A big, strong, athletic girl, Koty had great presence both in and out of the ring. She loved to give kisses to everyone, and just assumed that she was everybody’s friend. Her first litter produced Minnemato’s Kirby, CD, NA, a very athletic dog who earned his Novice Agility title at seven years of age. He lived in the Minneapolis area so we were able to watch him compete. Her second and last litter produced two outstanding show dogs, Mako (Ch Minnemato’s Mako ‘Vette), and Tempest (Ch Minnemato’s Tempest Storm), as well as a lovely brood bitch, Minnemato’s Gale Storm. Koty has now joined her dam at the Rainbow Bridge, but she left us with a legacy of big, strong, athletic dogs who excel as companions, show dogs and working dogs.
Sam came to us when he was nine months old. He had already been through three homes and was not well-trained. He was athletic, energetic, mischievous, and very intelligent. He took to conformation training very easily, and soon was winning in the ring. During his show career, Sam won many Best of Breeds and was a group placer. He won Best In Specialty Show at the Newfoundland Dog Club of the Twin Cities regional specialty. Our biggest thrill was at the NCA National Specialty in 1996 when Sam won the Veteran Dog Class over a very large entry of well-known and much publicised dogs. He also earned his first leg towards his CD at that specialty. We came home with ribbons, medals, trophies, and prizes, but most of all with wonderful memories.

Sam completed his CD, and qualified to be a therapy dog through Therapy Dog International. He visited nursing homes and made regular hospital visits up until the time of his death. Sam left us with quite a legacy. Two of Sam’s “kids” are still with us, Melvin (Ch Minnemato’s Intrepid) and Winter (Ch Minnemato’s Winter Solstice). Many of our dogs go back to Sam. We see that special “Sam” look and attitude in Lacy, Ellie, and Circe, his great-great grandchildren.

Am/Can Ch BISS EBUNYZAR’S SAMSON OF COLROCK, CD, CGC, TDI

Ch CASTAWAY’S THUNDER STORM
 We bought Travolta when he was two years old and showed him to his AKC championship. He then became our primary stud dog for a number of years. Travolta was sired by Am/Can Ch Wee Lovett’s Island of Manitou, ROM. His dam was VN Ch Spindrift’s Wee Lovett Alcor, CD, TD, WD, WRD, DD. Travolta had size, strength, an outstanding topline, and a large, typey head. As a tightly linebred dog, he was dominant for these characteristics and passed them on to his offspring. He produced seven AKC champions: Ch Castaway’s Enchanted Crystal, Ch Minnemato’s Mako ‘Vette, Ch Minnemato’s Tempest Storm, Ch Minnemato’s Good Thunder, Ch Minnemato’s Thunder Bird, CD, Ch Minnemato’s Waseca, and Ch Wavedancer’s Reef of Minnemato. He was very influential in our breeding program.

Travolta was a very unique dog to show. He needed to see and absorb everything going on around him. He was not a dog you could grab and dash into the ring and expect to perform. The day he finished his championship was typical. We got him out of the van and walked to the entrance of the show site, a hill from which you could see all the rings and vendors. When we reached that spot, Travolta stopped and surveyed the scene for five minutes without moving . Then he shook himself, trotted to the ring and confidently took Winners Dog, Best of Winners and a major to finish his championship.