- My love for dogs was established during my childhood in my native Finland. Through the years this love has grown and grown - today it's a way of life!
- Like most families in the village were I grew up we kept Finnish Hounds - dogs that people back then kept only as working dogs who spent their days in fenced kennels. As I was such a dog-loving child I took every opportunity
- given simply to be with dogs, I sat and cuddled with them in their kennels, asked the owners if I could take their dogs out for a walk etc. I did spend a huge part of my childhood with these animals, both family's and neighbour's dogs, but I always dreamed of a very special dog of my own...
- It wasn't until -85 that I had opportunity to get this puppy I waited for and dreamt of for so long. By then I lived in Sweden and had a family of my own - the children were small and I was at home full time.
- We spent our summer vacation in Finland and by coincidence we heard about someone who had puppies at home, one puppy was still for sale - so, we went to pay the breeder a visit.
- In the bagage on our way home we had the Karelian Bear Dog, "Chibi"! The hunger inside of me for owning a dog had grown to such proportions that I didn't really gave much thought on what sort of puppy we'd purchased - an extremely tough, independent hunting dog, not at all suitable for city life! But, in spite of everything, we succeeded in making a family dog out of our very first puppy - we did some obedience, agility and sledding etc.
- Now I was stuck! My life with dogs had begun!
- Our next dog was purchased after much studying and planning. I wanted an easy to handle, contact-seeking dog, and my choice was the Bearded Collie.
- "Ezzet" (Nillas Castor Ezzet) arrived - a dog that throughout his life fulfilled all of my expectations!
- He was such a fun dog to work with, and he loved working in partnership with me.
- Another Bearded Collie came to live with us in August of 1990 - by then we had left the city and lived in a small house in the country. "Dustin" (Limack's Wind Whistler) came, and he conquered all our hearts!
- He was a rescue with a lot of bad experiences from the past. But we fought for him, and we loved him. We were given four joyful years together.
- My husband Bjorn, a keen sportsman, wanted a hunting-dog and -friend. We found "Stegg" (Korsavads Stegg) -
- a lovely Wirehaired Pointer. Bjorn and Stegg are the ultimate couple and they've had lots of fun together throughout the years.
- In December -00 my friend Marianne wanted me to accompany her on a trip to bring home a new little puppy,
- a Staffordshire Bullterrier female. I tagged along, and like a freak of nature I fell in love with the female's litter brother! "Isak" (Skyeott's Party Pooper) completely stole my heart - you could say that I finally "found my way home". It felt just right from the very start, and it still does. Eventually there will be more staffords in my life, I guarantee!
- Our family of dogs consisted of Stegg and Isak when it was time for the Whippet puppy, "Elias" (Wikellis Special Boy) to move in. Elias is a true maker of mischief with a big, big heart. He fits in perfectly in our little pack of males,
- and his best buddy and playmate is the staffie Isak - two extremes that simply adore the other!
08-03-2003
