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 Sofie
was one of twelve pups born to a litter sired by Police
Service Dog Dasco (click on photo at left for larger
version) The bitch was the untitled product of another
police service dog and was purchased by Bob Wierenga
from a man in California.
As you can see from the photo at right,
which is one of Sofie's littermates, Striker, there was
variety in the litter. Some of the pups looked like
grey-pointed malinois, and some were brown brindle or
grey brindle. No doubt there was a malinois hiding in
the family tree!
From the day I brought her home at 6
weeks (t he
first pup to leave, and quite young), she acted as
though the world was hers to rule. In this photo she
sits proudly next to my GSD, Lex, who is laying down and
still towers over her!
Since then, Sofie has earned 10 SchH3's,
including the 2000 USA National Championship in Madison,
WI and many Regional Championships. In the spring of
2000, she accomplished her FH and in 2002, at 9 1/2
years of age she earned her IPO3. In Her hips OFA
"Good" and elbows are free of dysplasia. Until
recently, Sofie was as spunky and crazy for work as she
was when she was young, a testament to the breed and
good conditioning. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with
squamous cell carcinoma after having a tumor removed
from her tonsil in December. She was my absolute
darling and we babied her for as long as she remained
comfortable, at which time we let her go, eternally
grateful for every second we shared. She was joy
itself.
We tried sheep herding once, but Sofie
did not enjoy it. She chased the sheep when I
encouraged her, but it was just that...chasing, not
herding. She clearly did not understand the concept
and it wasn't fun for her. The difference in natural
drive was brought home to me when the GSD bitch I was
also working took to it so naturally that one day after
her first introduction to sheep, she trialed in the
morning and the same afternoon to earn her Herding
Instinct Certificate. Sofie and I have pottered at
agility in the winter months, and it is something she
enjoys but we did not pursue it as competition.
Sofie was a holy terror when she was
young. For the first two years of her life I often told
her "if I didn't believe you have potential, you would
be OUT of here!" Her son,
Digit, has
been very similar, both requiring close supervision
during their youth and ultimately blossoming into
talented adults.
To see more pictures of Sofie, click on
the thumbnails below.
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This is
a beautiful stained glass head study of Sofie
that was done by Judi Miller-DeBroux of River
Country Artisans. To view other stained glass
pieces (and really nice judge's gifts!) go to:
RIVER COUNTRY ARTISANS |
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