“Dogs, lives are short, too short, but
you know that going in. You know the pain is
coming, you're going to lose a dog, and
there's going to be great anguish, so you
live fully in the moment with her, never
fail to share her joy or delight in her
innocence, because you can't support the
illusion that a dog can be your lifelong
companion. There's such beauty in the hard
honesty of that, in accepting and giving
love while always aware that it comes with
an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a
way we do penance for all the other
illusions we allow ourselves and the
mistakes we make because of those
illusions.” Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening
of the Year
MBISS Am Can Ch Beechcroft’s Study In
Black x Pisgah’s Oreo
September 1 2005 ~ February 24, 2013
Type, movement and good temperament –
Scoundrel had it all and more.
He was an affectionate, high spirited, funny
dog whose antics were always good for a
laugh – at home, waiting ringside or in the
ring.
At shows you never knew what might catch his
eye – but when it did he just had to have
it. Table decorations, rings decorations a
judge’s gift. Quite a bit of time at shows
with Scoundrel involved “rescuing” items
from him – and trying to put them back
hoping no one had noticed that they were
missing or now covered in dog spit.
He also had a knack for finding mud – and he
loved to share his find. I was usually the
recipient of both. My most memorable mud
covered moment was at Central Ohio when
Scoundrel was a pup. It was very rainy and
extremely muddy. By the end of the day I was
so covered that it prompted an exhibitor to
good naturedly tell me I looked like a
homeless person. I wouldn’t trade a single
mud spattered moment for the world.
Scoundrel lived with and was loved by Pierry
and Stan McLean, Castlegar Labradors and
their sons Tristan and Spencer. He was a
cherished family member and part time
Houdini who kept them on their toes looking
for potential escape routes in the fence. I
know he leaves a large paw shaped hole in
their hearts.
Grateful is not an adequate word to describe
how fortunate I felt to co own Scoundrel –
to be a part of his life. We logged many
miles and kilometres together while pursuing
his championships. Hotel stays with
Scoundrel were always hilarious. Thank you,
Pierry and Stan, for your generosity of
spirit and kindness in allowing someone who
wasn’t yet a friend at the time to
participate in Scoundrel’s world.
Maryann Czerwinski, Labradors of Broadway is
Scoundrel’s breeder. Her faith and trust in
sending Scoundrel “north” with us laid the
foundation for the experience that was
Scoundrel and the friendships that grew as a
result. To paraphrase the old saying,
Maryann didn’t lose a dog, she gained a
flock of Canadians.
Scoundrel leaves two legacies; In the breed
he leaves his titled and multitalented get.
In our lives he leaves all of the
friendships he helped to create – bound
together by one beautiful dog.
