Can. CH Snowflower's Maine Desire HS STDIs HTDIs NA 11/30-91 - 8/20/03

Desi was my first Tervuren and my foundation bitch. I thank Carmen Helgesen for such an extraordinary puppy. She was a littermate to Pat Grant's SAR dog Topper. She had tons of working drive, a strong will, and a wicked-funny sense of humor. She produced one exceptional litter with George -- the Montage Wine litter, and from that litter I went on to breed the Shakespeare and Surfing litters and onward down the line. Desi was the start of it all for me as a herding addict, and we went to many clincs and camps. At one point, in California, we had 30 sheep just for her! She was a wonderful farm dog and once won a ranch dog trial beating all the BCs, but she often flunked out of AKC trials because she liked to do things her way. She had 2 HI legs (would have had her title if not for a dumb handler error), and would certainly have finished her HX years ago if my husband Gary and I hadn't moved east. It was a long time before I could get set up with sheep again. Meanwhile, she became Gary's first agility dog. We had many adventures with Desi. We backpacked all over the Sierras, went houseboating on Lake Shasta, and camped by rivers with doggy friends. Desi was a really outgoing, friendly dog but when we got lost one time, she still saved me and a friend from men with guns blocking the road who got an arm inside the car. When my husband and I moved east, we bought a beach house on Long Island in New York. Desi became Queen of the Beach and annoyed many neighbors racing up and down barking her head off and hiding in the reeds. She was noisier than all of my other Tervs put together!! I finally did get set up with sheep at a nearby farm and Desi had the joy of herding again. Desi was athletic and strong, trialing in open agility up to age 11, as wild and fast as ever on the beach. She herded sheep with me all winter right up until she began limping and xrays showed bone cancer. We had 3 1/2 more months of her company and kept her pain free. She spent much of that time with me and our little girl Mulan whom she adored. She passed on peacefully at home in her sleep. Its awfully quiet without my dear Desilou. I am so grateful to have her kids and grandkids to carry on. Always in our hearts, treasured forever.

Click here for Desi's Pedigree

To see Desi's offspring, go to the "Wine Litter" page