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The Rainbow Bridge There exists an anonymous poem written about the wonderful dogs which have left this earth. The poem is well known to those of us in the dog fancy-- it is called The Rainbow Bridge. I have put a copy of the poem at the bottom of this page. If you have ever deeply loved and lost a treasured companion, have a box of Kleenex handy when you read The Rainbow Bridge. This page is dedicated to the special dogs which touched our lives so deeply, and with whom we wait to meet some day on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
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Int'l CH
ADAMAS In Harm's Way CD, AX, AXJ, WAC, CGC (AKC major pointed) Three year, four month old Harm was my once in a lifetime dog. He was my beloved companion and faithful protector, as well as being recognized in many fields, as his various titles reflect. He died needing just one major to finish his AKC Championship and Register of Merit, all of his points being received breeder/owner-handled. I'll never forget his 1st place win at the 2000 DPCA Nationals in the Bred-By AOAC class (pictured right). He was well on his way to his Master level agility titles and had accumulated over 200 MACH points. He was an incredible agility athlete whose unique gift was to run ahead of me and negotiate a course by watching and responding peripherally to my slightest hand or body motion, all without slowing or turning off of the desired heading.
Harm died less than three weeks before he was to compete in the invitational 2001 DPCA Top 20 Agility event. That event was dedicated to Harm with a very moving tribute which brought the audience of hundreds to their feet, and to tears. The loss of Harm was not only felt by ourselves, but by the Doberman and agility community at large, as was evidenced by the well over 100 cards, letters and emails I received upon his death. Here is a sampling:
"I loved to
watch you work him ... he was so willing to try anything you
asked of him." "Harm was a
magnificent dog who excelled in everything he tried... I'll never
forget his awesome agility runs...I may never see another
Doberman who can match them." "I remember
him as being a good representative in the conformation ring,
whose strength was a dog of correct proportions and immaculate
condition." "I love
seeing good looking Dobermans that are capable of doing it all,
and that he was." "...he was
my favorite of all your dogs and truly my competition. I loved to
watch him run. He was so intense. He will truly leave a void at
the trials" "He will
live in my memory...as long as I have one." "Harm was
not only a TRUE AMBASSADOR of the breed, he was BEAUTIFUL!" "I know from
the look on your face when you were showing him or working him-
that he was your best friend. Have comfort in the thought that he
adored you as well, and you were his best friend..." "He has gone
to search for those lost souls, to guard and comfort them, and to
help lead them to Heaven over the Rainbow Bridge" (Note-
Harm died the night of September 11, 2001 after terrorist attacks
in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvaniatook the lives of over
2000 people, representing countries from around the world.) "You two had
become a wonderful team flowing and meshing together." "Anyone who
watched you knew that he was your baby and you were his world.
The kind of relationship you had with him doesn't happen every
day. Some people never experience it. The tragedy is that he left
you so soon with so much on the horizon." "Harm was
such a majestic dog to watch...watching you and Harm run through
an agility course was like watching a dance combined with
athleticism and grace. I know that he was a special dog, because
it was reflected in your work and play together."
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Kai Esa II Ariel of
ADAMAS CD, WAC, ATT, CGC (ptd) Ariel was once credited w We could not have been prouder of Ariel
and her testament to the brains, beauty and loyalty of the
Doberman Pinscher breed. Ariel's legacy is proudly carried on
through the beauty and working aptitude of her children and grandchildren. |
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MACH Amadeus
Idomeneo Warrior CDX, WAC, ATT, CGC (ptd)
“Amadeus” was my first Doberman and was my introduction into the world of conformation, obedience, agility, Working Aptitude Evaluations, public education and much, much more. He was a true Doberman ambassador, dispelling much public misconception about the breed. He was a wonderful working dog, always placing in obedience when receiving a qualifying score, including back to back first places at the popular Cherokee Rose cluster shows for his last two CDX legs. Beginning his career in agility at age 6, he obtained his AX title at the age of 8 years, 3 months at which time he was retired.
The photo to the left was taken of Amadeus at his last agility trial, just days before his 12th birthday. Upon turning 12, he began to finally show signs that his years were catching up with him. I am eternally grateful to God for allowing me to share my life with this remarkable soul.
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Kai Esa The
Meadow Lark, CGC (AKC ptd)
"Lark" was my secondary foundation bitch, given to me by the late Tommie Jones. To honor Tommie, when Lark was bred the theme of the litter was "KE" names (based on Tommie's kennel name of Kai Esa.) In this only breeding, Lark produced two beautiful bitches that went on to make their mark on the world- DPCA Top 20 Agility Finalist MACH ADAMAS Key To My Heart WAC, CGC and ADAMAS Keeping the Faith CD, RN, AX, AXJ, WAC, TDI, CGC. Later in life, Lark went to live 'the life of Riley' with JaLayne Jenkins and her daughter, Katelyn. I thank JaLayne and Katelyn for giving Lark such a loving and wonderful home during her golden years.
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ADAMAS Keeping
the Faith CD, RN, AX, AXJ, WAC, TDI, CGC I was so proud of Rebecca and Faith with each new title earned, and for each and every life that they touched for the better. Everyone that knew you will miss you Fay-Fay...
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CH ADAMAS Intimidator
CDX, RE, ROM, CGC
"Dale" was the queen of her domain at her home in Huntsville, AL with owner Pat Stueck. She finished breeder/handled with three majors. Dale was an important component in my breeding program, with several of her get featured on this site. She won the Host Club Brood Bitch class at the 2004 Nationals in Ft Mitchell, KY. She was the dam of six Champion, AKC pointed and/or multi performance titled get. Dale is pictured right at eight years old.
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Multi BISS CH
ADAMAS Ricochet RN, AX, AXJ, ROM, CGC
In his conformation debut at 6 mos, 3 days, Séamus went Best of Winners for a 4 point major. In limited showing, he finished at 15 months of age with a total of FOUR major wins (two 3-pts, one 4-pt and one 5-pt) to complete his championship completely breeder/owner/handled. He then moved on to limited specialing with Elizabeth, acquiring multiple Best in Specialty Show wins, multiple Best of Breed wins, a Group win and multiple Group placements. He was a breeder-judge's dog. He continued to impress audiences through his participation in obedience and agility. After retirement from conformation and performance events, Séamus was certified through Therapy Dogs International. In addition to multiple visits with children at an autistic kids camp, he regularly helped kids learn to read at area libraries. He was a true ambassador of the Breed.
This was one of my favorite pictures of Séamus. Stuck on the interstate for 3-1/2 hours due to a tractor trailer accident, Séamus entertained two van-loads of children on a Church-sponsored weekend outing with obedience signals, tricks and games of catch. Afterwards, the girls in the group hung out with Séamus on the roadside in an attempt to cool off in the Summer time heat. Just days after Séamus' passing, I know he was cheering from the Rainbow Bridge as his four grandkids competed successfully at the 2010 DPCA Regional and National shows (ADAMAS Aftershock, ADAMAS Shock and Awe, ADAMAS Shockwave and ADAMAS Bottle Shock of Mirabel- all who can be seen on this website). |
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ADAMAS Bite The Bullett CD,
RAE,
OA, OAJ, PD1,
PS1, PJ1, PG1,
Chip was a litter-brother to Séamus seen above, and he was a true do-it-all Doberman- competing in the agility, obedience, rally, flyball and free style dance. I believe that Chip was the sixth Doberman in the country to earn the RAE title. And yes, that is SEVENTEEN titles after his name! He was owned and loved by Martha Reichold of Huntsville, AL.
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One of the fun activities that Chip and Martha, did was freestyle dance. The pair are pictured below in various performances put on by the Huntsville Obedience Training Club. From left to right- doing their 'Hip-Hop' routine, 'Dort E Vader' and 'Chip E Vader' dance to the Star Wars theme, and recreating the Six Million Dollar Man (...uh, make that Dog). Thanks Martha for showing the versatility of ADAMAS Dobermans, and making Chip such a great ambassador for the Breed. |
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ADAMAS Enchanted Host MX,
MXJ, WAC, CGC
2004 DPCA Top 20 Agility Finalist-
#19 Overall Doberman of 241 competing teams
Considering the struggle to live for the first four months of her life, it was amazing that Angel was even able to compete in agility, much less that she finished as one of the top 10 Dobermans in the country two years straight! Angel finished second in the 2004 DPCA Top 20 Agility Event! |
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You can read all about Angel's condition and her long road to recovery on her very own page, or click here. Though small in stature, Angel's greatest legacy is the number of PRAA puppies of various breeds that she has been able to help because of her own experience.
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and now... The Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and all our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in a joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. You then cross Rainbow Bridge together. -- Author Unknown
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If a picture can say a thousand words,
then this is it. If you think by the look on my face that we had
just qualified, you would be wrong. This is the last jump of the
fourth and final run of a NON-qualifying weekend. But my face
expresses exactly how I felt every time I ran with Harm-- 
Ariel was the foundation bitch for ADAMAS and produced
three AKC multi-titled get, including two DPCA Top 20 Agility finalists
and one CH/CD/ROM.
Once her showing and breeding days were over, she moved on to an even higher calling—that of a service
dog. During the last years of her life, Ariel served the needs of Mardee Edelstein of
New York by picking up dropped articles, bringing Mardee the phone
when she would fall, and
helping Mardee get out of bed, off chairs, up and down
curbs and much, much more. She wore a harness
similar to that of a guide dog, except the handle on this
harness stayed in an upright position. 
ith saving
Mardee's life when she had collapsed into unconsciousness in her kitchen.
Although she had never been trained to do so, Ariel finally managed to open the
door to the apartment, and went up and down the hallway barking until she
attracted the attention of a fellow resident, who Ariel then proceeded to take
to her stricken mistress. An ambulance had to be called for Mardee, who
did not learn of Ariel's deeds until days later when she regained consciousness
in a hospital.
After a one
year retirement, Amadeus came back out and
in 18 runs, completed his Novice, Open and Excellent Jumpers with Weaves
titles. At 10 years young, he was brought out to compete for the
ultimate title in AKC agility- that of Master Agility Champion (MACH).
On January 18, 2003 Amadeus became the 8th Doberman in the country to be
awarded the MACH title, only the 2nd male Doberman to do so-- and at a
mere 11 1/2 years old!!! Obtainment of this prestigious title at
such an advanced age in a male Doberman is not likely to ever be repeated.
I
have posted two of my favorite
pictures of Faith here- the first shows her as the Maid of Honor in a
canine 'wedding' put on for hospital patients, while the second reflects
Faith's sillier side while 'leaping' out of the last weave pole- with
style!
