-
Why?...
Story of a wonderful dog career
For those who don’t know me, I am a fawn Boxer male and my name is “Olav del Trinitad”. I celebrated my eleventh birthday on March 29, 2001.
I was raised in a large family with many children, which is one of the reasons that I was never short of cuddles or affection. I think that I have attained almost everything in life what’s achievable for an ordinary doggie that I was. I became a show dog and later a working dog.
I still remember my first show, at five months of age; it was in August 1990 in Naast. There I scored winning Best Puppy with the citation “much promising”, then 2nd in the ring of honour. Needless to say that I was very proud when my people decided to give it another try and so they showed me on September 9, 1990 in Lille. Also there, I got the 1st place with the mention "very promising".
Some months later, on February 16, 1991, in Mousscron, I competed in the Junior Showmanship and obtained the citation 1st excellent. On the same day, I was so lucky to meet a beautiful brindle male “Lasko van den Hazenberg”, who was, in fact, my daddy. That made me very happy and I was proud of him. I have inherited my fawn color from my mum “Katia del Trinitad”. On January 13, 1991, we had a big party at home; my mistress became a baby girl Stéphanie. My master gave me one pair of baby socks that I could keep to fill me with the good smells of the baby. When my mistress came home with the baby, she took me in her arms and gave me a big hug. I was so close to the baby that I could sniff her and could show her how gentle and glad I was to welcome them at home. Stéphanie grew up with me and we always have been very close to each other.
On March 23, 1991, we went to Luxembourg. I won in my class and became champion of the juniors’ class, with the citation “excellent”. I received a nice diploma and a very nice cup. On May 4, 1991, in Brussels, I was judged 1st excellent and titled Belgian Junior Winner. The older children in our house were very proud of me because now they could tell their school friends that they had a beautiful boxer at home. On June 6, 1991, I finished as the Best of Breed and made 4th place in the Ring of Honour in Namur. It was amazing to see all the different breeds: small ones, big ones, there is a lot to look at in a show, and I just couldn’t believe my eyes.
After that, I was presented in the open Class in Courcelles on June 30, 1996, where I scored 1st with excellent. Then I succeeded as 1st with excellent and Best Male in La Louvière on August 11, 1991; then I finished reserve CAC and reserve CACIB in St-Rombout, on September 7; I scored another 1st excellent in Roeselare on September 22, and 1st excellent reserve CAC/CACIB and IB confirmed in Courtrai on November 16, and last but not least, as Best of Breed in Turnhout on December 8, 1991. In the meantime, I started working and scored in breed in Kortenaken on October 20, 1991 with excellence. After that, on June 27, 1992, I obtained CQN (Certificate of Natural Quality) and got 162 of 200 points. Thanks again to Gaétan who was my handler for that day because of my master’s unavailability. This last one made amends in Courcelles on October 18, 1992 where we got another CQN. I also participated in two nocturnes (defending the master while refusing a lure). It was wonderful! After all, I was the only one of the Boxer breed. Many of the assailants (helpers), who didn’t know my breed, were surprised of the excellent quality of my work. I won the tournament “Charles Dupont” in Courcelles with 93 of 100 points and the 3rd place. Then I went back to show business. This time, for sure, to the working group: 1st excellent and reserve CAC in St-Ghislain on August 23, 1992; 1st excellent in Charleroi on October 4, and finally, reserve CAC and King of the BCB in Kortenaken on September 27. What a nice day! The cup of King was magnificent! I was very proud of it but my masters were even prouder. I also got the 1st place in the working groups in 1992 and 1993 in Hoogstraten, Mouscron, Ostende, at the Speciality Nord-Pas-De-Calais and in Kempen. Following my first big working competition in Atibox in Sochaux in 1994, I have been registered in IPO 1. That meant that I had to work hard every day. It’s not always easy, but Jacques, my handler was satisfied with my 4th place with a total of 269 out of 300 points. We, my master and myself, had wonderful moments and, of course, some less memorable moments… but that is life, I would say. The greatest disappointment was, no doubt, the Atibox 1995 – particularly the tracking competition – in Rome. There is nothing but hard work that counts, and you just need that little bit of luck that one is aspiring for. Those, who work hard with their dogs, will understand if I say that everything collapsed like a house of cards. One full year of training, travelling, hoping and then the trip back home with a heart full of pain. Although my masters told me that I had really given my best I saw tears flowing on their cheeks. However, what a good feeling it was when I heard them talking about the next competition. THEN, I understood that they really had no grudge against me. Later, I had the opportunity in participating in a team working competition in Wickrath with “Lasko”.
We were a formidable and famous pair and scored 3rd place. Dad was really proud to have his son being worth of him. At the Atibox show 96 in Prague I finished third, so I got a place on the podium! That gave me satisfaction after my misfortune of last year. We assumed the leading position thanks to our 273 points. This time, I quickly realised that the tears shed were tears of joy. Undoubtedly, I reached the top of my career when I finished second at the “Bundessieger 96” in Achen with 283 points; we have had to pass many qualifications in order to participate in this championship. After winning 16 SCH and IPO 3 competitions, two of which with excellent, we, my master and I mutually agreed to put an end to my professional career so that I could enjoy a peaceful and well-deserved retirement. Also the city of Enghien has honoured us on January 18, 1997, by presenting us with a medallion and an award for merits in sport.
Let me express my thanks to all my friends, near and far, who have helped me to get good results in dog shows as well as in working competitions.
OLAV DEL TRINITAD
Farewell to an exceptional friend
This morning, February 18, 2003, at our house you left us quietly and peacefully, surrounded by all of us who were caressing and kissing you farewell. We have loved you until the end. What a pain for us, but for you it must have been a relief, finally no more suffering. The strains of age that had spared you so long had suddenly caught up with you…On Christmas Eve we had started your treatment, but in vain, you had arrived at the end of your way. You would have been celebrating your 13th birthday on March 29, 2003.
Your first grey hair had appeared around your tenth birthday, you were still looking magnificent when you were twelve; just have a look at the picture in the “Boxer Calendar 2003” where you were sitting in the snow, so majestic, we were so proud of you! We were so lucky having you with us for such a long time!
If we may express one regret, it would be that we don’t have descendants from you. You had so many qualities, you were so well balanced (had such a good character) and you could have been an asset to the breed. I won’t speak about your fabulous career that everyone knows; even abroad you are, after such a long career, still remembered. You were the patriarch, the one and only master at home and esteemed from all, you could go wherever you wanted, you could play with the puppies and never would any bitch have growled at you. You were the companion of the children and always their accomplice in their play. Despite your achievements as a winner, you were never aggressive and the helpers know that only dogs with these characteristics can achieve high-level sport results. Certainly, a boxer is a very good guard dog that would give his life for his people. The boxer is very courageous and gentle with children. These are the reasons why we became so affectionate of the boxer breed. We can’t recall our lives before your arrival at our home, it is just as if you had always made a full part of our family. You grew up with our children, you were all over in the house, and we will always remember you deep in our heart.
Thank you "Olav", you have given us so much love. I think that you truly enjoyed being with us since you stayed with us for so long. We will never forget you and your name will survive, since all the puppies born in our kennel are named “DU JARDIN D’OLAV” in memory of you. This reminds me of a magnificent phrase of a close family member that has passed away: “that the misfortune of losing him should not let forget us the luck that we have known him”. Whatever happens in life, we promise you faithfulness and we swear that we will never renounce the Boxer breed and that we will always do our very best to improve this breed in our kennel. We also would like to express our thanks to René and Colette Lanoy, your breeders, who, by choosing to match Katia Del Trinitad with Lasko van de Hazenberg, were able to sell us such a splendid dog that you have been. We miss you so much, but you are not far away, we know that you found your entire splendor, your joy of life in the dog paradise and this gives us peace of mind.
Your family Patricia, Nicolas Limon and their children
Translated by Vangrambesen Josephine
I was raised in a large family with many children, which is one of the reasons that I was never short of cuddles or affection. I think that I have attained almost everything in life what’s achievable for an ordinary doggie that I was. I became a show dog and later a working dog.
I still remember my first show, at five months of age; it was in August 1990 in Naast. There I scored winning Best Puppy with the citation “much promising”, then 2nd in the ring of honour. Needless to say that I was very proud when my people decided to give it another try and so they showed me on September 9, 1990 in Lille. Also there, I got the 1st place with the mention "very promising".
Some months later, on February 16, 1991, in Mousscron, I competed in the Junior Showmanship and obtained the citation 1st excellent. On the same day, I was so lucky to meet a beautiful brindle male “Lasko van den Hazenberg”, who was, in fact, my daddy. That made me very happy and I was proud of him. I have inherited my fawn color from my mum “Katia del Trinitad”. On January 13, 1991, we had a big party at home; my mistress became a baby girl Stéphanie. My master gave me one pair of baby socks that I could keep to fill me with the good smells of the baby. When my mistress came home with the baby, she took me in her arms and gave me a big hug. I was so close to the baby that I could sniff her and could show her how gentle and glad I was to welcome them at home. Stéphanie grew up with me and we always have been very close to each other.
On March 23, 1991, we went to Luxembourg. I won in my class and became champion of the juniors’ class, with the citation “excellent”. I received a nice diploma and a very nice cup. On May 4, 1991, in Brussels, I was judged 1st excellent and titled Belgian Junior Winner. The older children in our house were very proud of me because now they could tell their school friends that they had a beautiful boxer at home. On June 6, 1991, I finished as the Best of Breed and made 4th place in the Ring of Honour in Namur. It was amazing to see all the different breeds: small ones, big ones, there is a lot to look at in a show, and I just couldn’t believe my eyes.
After that, I was presented in the open Class in Courcelles on June 30, 1996, where I scored 1st with excellent. Then I succeeded as 1st with excellent and Best Male in La Louvière on August 11, 1991; then I finished reserve CAC and reserve CACIB in St-Rombout, on September 7; I scored another 1st excellent in Roeselare on September 22, and 1st excellent reserve CAC/CACIB and IB confirmed in Courtrai on November 16, and last but not least, as Best of Breed in Turnhout on December 8, 1991. In the meantime, I started working and scored in breed in Kortenaken on October 20, 1991 with excellence. After that, on June 27, 1992, I obtained CQN (Certificate of Natural Quality) and got 162 of 200 points. Thanks again to Gaétan who was my handler for that day because of my master’s unavailability. This last one made amends in Courcelles on October 18, 1992 where we got another CQN. I also participated in two nocturnes (defending the master while refusing a lure). It was wonderful! After all, I was the only one of the Boxer breed. Many of the assailants (helpers), who didn’t know my breed, were surprised of the excellent quality of my work. I won the tournament “Charles Dupont” in Courcelles with 93 of 100 points and the 3rd place. Then I went back to show business. This time, for sure, to the working group: 1st excellent and reserve CAC in St-Ghislain on August 23, 1992; 1st excellent in Charleroi on October 4, and finally, reserve CAC and King of the BCB in Kortenaken on September 27. What a nice day! The cup of King was magnificent! I was very proud of it but my masters were even prouder. I also got the 1st place in the working groups in 1992 and 1993 in Hoogstraten, Mouscron, Ostende, at the Speciality Nord-Pas-De-Calais and in Kempen. Following my first big working competition in Atibox in Sochaux in 1994, I have been registered in IPO 1. That meant that I had to work hard every day. It’s not always easy, but Jacques, my handler was satisfied with my 4th place with a total of 269 out of 300 points. We, my master and myself, had wonderful moments and, of course, some less memorable moments… but that is life, I would say. The greatest disappointment was, no doubt, the Atibox 1995 – particularly the tracking competition – in Rome. There is nothing but hard work that counts, and you just need that little bit of luck that one is aspiring for. Those, who work hard with their dogs, will understand if I say that everything collapsed like a house of cards. One full year of training, travelling, hoping and then the trip back home with a heart full of pain. Although my masters told me that I had really given my best I saw tears flowing on their cheeks. However, what a good feeling it was when I heard them talking about the next competition. THEN, I understood that they really had no grudge against me. Later, I had the opportunity in participating in a team working competition in Wickrath with “Lasko”.
We were a formidable and famous pair and scored 3rd place. Dad was really proud to have his son being worth of him. At the Atibox show 96 in Prague I finished third, so I got a place on the podium! That gave me satisfaction after my misfortune of last year. We assumed the leading position thanks to our 273 points. This time, I quickly realised that the tears shed were tears of joy. Undoubtedly, I reached the top of my career when I finished second at the “Bundessieger 96” in Achen with 283 points; we have had to pass many qualifications in order to participate in this championship. After winning 16 SCH and IPO 3 competitions, two of which with excellent, we, my master and I mutually agreed to put an end to my professional career so that I could enjoy a peaceful and well-deserved retirement. Also the city of Enghien has honoured us on January 18, 1997, by presenting us with a medallion and an award for merits in sport.
Let me express my thanks to all my friends, near and far, who have helped me to get good results in dog shows as well as in working competitions.
OLAV DEL TRINITAD
Farewell to an exceptional friend
This morning, February 18, 2003, at our house you left us quietly and peacefully, surrounded by all of us who were caressing and kissing you farewell. We have loved you until the end. What a pain for us, but for you it must have been a relief, finally no more suffering. The strains of age that had spared you so long had suddenly caught up with you…On Christmas Eve we had started your treatment, but in vain, you had arrived at the end of your way. You would have been celebrating your 13th birthday on March 29, 2003.
Your first grey hair had appeared around your tenth birthday, you were still looking magnificent when you were twelve; just have a look at the picture in the “Boxer Calendar 2003” where you were sitting in the snow, so majestic, we were so proud of you! We were so lucky having you with us for such a long time!
If we may express one regret, it would be that we don’t have descendants from you. You had so many qualities, you were so well balanced (had such a good character) and you could have been an asset to the breed. I won’t speak about your fabulous career that everyone knows; even abroad you are, after such a long career, still remembered. You were the patriarch, the one and only master at home and esteemed from all, you could go wherever you wanted, you could play with the puppies and never would any bitch have growled at you. You were the companion of the children and always their accomplice in their play. Despite your achievements as a winner, you were never aggressive and the helpers know that only dogs with these characteristics can achieve high-level sport results. Certainly, a boxer is a very good guard dog that would give his life for his people. The boxer is very courageous and gentle with children. These are the reasons why we became so affectionate of the boxer breed. We can’t recall our lives before your arrival at our home, it is just as if you had always made a full part of our family. You grew up with our children, you were all over in the house, and we will always remember you deep in our heart.
Thank you "Olav", you have given us so much love. I think that you truly enjoyed being with us since you stayed with us for so long. We will never forget you and your name will survive, since all the puppies born in our kennel are named “DU JARDIN D’OLAV” in memory of you. This reminds me of a magnificent phrase of a close family member that has passed away: “that the misfortune of losing him should not let forget us the luck that we have known him”. Whatever happens in life, we promise you faithfulness and we swear that we will never renounce the Boxer breed and that we will always do our very best to improve this breed in our kennel. We also would like to express our thanks to René and Colette Lanoy, your breeders, who, by choosing to match Katia Del Trinitad with Lasko van de Hazenberg, were able to sell us such a splendid dog that you have been. We miss you so much, but you are not far away, we know that you found your entire splendor, your joy of life in the dog paradise and this gives us peace of mind.
Your family Patricia, Nicolas Limon and their children
Translated by Vangrambesen Josephine