Espy (Espen Van Valkin) passed over the Rainbow Bridge 7/23/2015

Espy death was sudden and unexpected.  I don't have words to express how much we will miss him.

A wonderful version of the poem, set to music is here, thanks to Chandler Rudd for such a beautiful creation.

Stopped By Hooters For Lunch.

On our way back from Mom's brother/Sister-in-Law's 50th Wedding Anniversary (Wow), we stopped at Hooters for lunch, another dog friendly eatery in Florida.  As always Poppy & I made new friends.

Dad didn't check the back lighting before snapping the picture.

A Working Bouv, doing a Schutzhund Trial.

Here is a video of a Bouv doing his thing on the Schutzhund field.

From Wikipedia

Schutzhund (German for "protection dog") is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog. The test would determine if the dog displayed the appropriate traits and characteristics of a proper working German Shepherd Dog. Today, it is used as a sport where many breeds other than German Shepherd Dogs can compete, but it is a demanding test for any dog that few can pass. 

Schutzhund tests dogs of all breeds for the traits necessary for police-type work. Dogs that pass Schutzhund tests should be suitable for a wide variety of tasks: police work, specific odor detection, search and rescue, and many others. The purpose of Schutzhund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits required for these demanding jobs. Some of those traits are:

• Strong desire to work
• Courage
• Intelligence
• Trainability
• Strong bond to the handler
• Perseverance
• Protective Instinct
• Sense of Smell

Schutzhund tests for these traits. It also tests for physical traits such as strength, endurance, agility, and scenting ability. The goal of Schutzhund is to illuminate the character and ability of a dog through training. Breeders can use this insight to determine how and whether to use the dog in producing the next generation of working dogs.

One of my European Cousins, with natural ears and tail.

Three month old Loona of clos of the Uvula, with natural ears and tail, they don't allow docking in Europe.

Obviously a future champion.

After Mom & Dad visited with an old friend.

Mom & Dad met Tony at the Green Turtle, which was his family home as he grew up.  Afterwards we stopped by Fantastic Fudge, where we met Landon who is 4 and Jocelyn who is two.  Their dad said "Jocelyn, my little red head had always loved dogs and will make a B line for any dog no matter what size they are."

After the Farmer's Market and a walk downtown

Mom & Dad took Poppy & I to Bret's Waterway Cafe for lunch where we met Frances, she was at the next table and commented how nicely behaved Poppy & I were.  Thank you Frances.

Photo by James O.

We met Eva & Sofia downtown.

On our way back to the car, after stopping for cookies at La Torres and ice cream at Fantastic Fudge we met Eva and her daughter Sofia.

After the Farmer's Market

After the Farmer's Market we went downtown where we met Debbie.

House sitting around Europe, Asia and US.

Today at the Farmer's Market Poppy and I met Simon, Donna and Araya.  They have been house sitting full time since 2013 which has allowed us to slow travel around Europe, Asia and now in the U.S. During this time we have looked after many wonderful homes and pets...

Simon is a former commercial pilot and chef, now a beach appraiser.

Donna is an ex bank manager and professional singer, now teaching English as a second language online.
Our daughter, Araya had done a dozen house sits on 3 Continents by her second birthday.

Espen, Poppy, Simon, Donna & Araya.

More information on their travels can be found on their web site 3 ON THE ROAD -- THE HOUSE SITTING FAMILY

Also met Jan

Jan, Poppy and yours truely

Met Taylor & Loni downtown today.

Right after stopping by La Torres for my treat I met Taylor & Loni.

NOBODY bothers Mom & Dad after they have gone to bed.

Not even that sneaky cat, Blitz.

Espy Met Susan by the Ice Cream Shop

Susan stopped Dad to ask about me, so Dad offered to let Susan have her picture taken with me.

Ms. Poppy has a birthday coming up.

Dad wanted to get a good photo of her to post on FB (Bouvier Appreciation), for her 7th birthday.  So he had her pose on the wall downtown.  He didn't do a very good job of framing the shot, he will have to crop in Photoshop to get rid of the drink cups from lunch.

Helping Dad Drive

Leann Helped Dad Print My Business Cards

Dad went to FedEx to print my Blog Cards, Leann helped him and wanted to meet me.  So Poppy and I posed with her.  Thanks Leann.

Poppy stayed home, it was just Dad am I.

We met Lee J. who wanted to get her picture taken with me.  It was nice to meet you Lee, I hope you enjoy your stay in Fernandina Beach, a very dog friendly town.

Colonial Williamsburg Bouv Walk 2015

Mom, Dad, Poppy & I traveled to Colonial Williamsburg for the 2015 Bouv Walk this weekend.  Had a great time.

We are hosting a Bouv Walk in Fernandina in October.  It is a Facebook Event (click to view).

Debbie was visiting from Largo, FL

It was Tuesday, the dog park was closed, so Mom & Dad took Poppy & I downtown.  While waiting outside of the ice cream parlor we met Debbie, she fell in love with Poppy.  I impressed her with my jump to get the remains of Dad's ice cream.

PS: you can tell that it is Concourse Week by the car in the background.

PPS: The blog is approaching 15,000 page views.

Met some cousins in Palm Bay, Florida

Poppy & I went to the ABRL potluck in Palm Bay, Florida on Saturday.

Group Photo

Mom, Poppy and your's truly

.

Mike Harrison and Ozzie, I was that little once.

Ms. Poppy