ELDOMAR STERLING MELINA
BCOA NATIONAL SPECIALTY 2006 - 1ST PLACE AMERICAN BRED - (Judge Espen Engh, Patricia Wiseman Ostrov Borzoi, myself)
Melina was brought to Islehaven
after several years of admiring her in the yard at Truhaven
Borzoi. Purchased as a puppy by Truhaven from
Sterling Borzoi's Lisa Cole, Melina was the incarnation of
the best of the old English Karistan lines -- elegant,
powerful, and sweet.
Personal health issues had kept Dottie from showing Melina
after her spectacular debut as Best Puppy in Show at
Western Sighthound at 8 months, and finally in Summer of
2005 Dottie agreed to allow Melina to come to Islehaven to
first show, then breed.
Mellie was, perhaps, the most athletic borzoi I have
personally known.
She had an elegant hard body with great loin and driving
movement. She was also one of the silliest, sweetest girls
under the sun. During her rather limited showing, she
garnered two BOS. Her "sterling" moment, however, was at
the 2006 Borzoi National Specialty where she won her large
Am Bred class, and received one of judge Espen Eng's few
compliments as his "ideal of a brood bitch".
A fall breeding to Ch Truhaven Apollo of the Isles was
planned, and all seemed to be going well until a few days'
persistent limp a month after the National brought her into
the vet. With disbelief we looked at the x-ray and saw most
of her proximal humerus eaten away by osteosarcoma. A month
later she was gone, and with her many of our dreams.
WB/BOS AUTUMN 2005 - MELLIE (Handled by Patricia Wiseman
Ostrov Borzoi)
TRUHAVEN'S INFINITY
RWB TO A MAJOR
WESTERN WASHINGTON HOUND ASSOCIATION 2003 (Handled by
Patricia Wiseman Ostrov Borzoi)
Truhaven's Infinity, a litter sister to Truhaven's Silver
Serife (Reefer), was a party girl, who believed that every
gathering of people -- especially dog shows -- was a party
thrown for her. She was a lovely elegant looking bitch with
a pretty head and light movement. When she learned what was
expected of her, she willingly tried her hardest to please.
Unfortunately, due to a variety of personal circumstances,
Nita did not have the opportunity to start her show career
until she was five. She enjoyed some nice wins over the
next couple of years under limited showing, but the
decision was made to retire her when she became a Veteran.
Whenever we at Islehaven see something pink and pretty, we
think fondly of Nita.
WB/BOW/BOS SUMMER 2003 - NITA (Judge Mrs. Francine
Schwartz, handled by Patricia Wiseman Ostrov Borzoi)
TRUHAVENS SILVER SERIFE JC
REEFER AT 6.5
YEARS OF AGE
Truhavens Silver Serife JC
came to Islehaven in 1998 as a 5 month old, specifically as
a coursing and obedience prospect, as well as to keep his
litter sister, Truhavens Infinity, company. Their sire was
Ch Truhaven's Oberon of Boneen (Baron) out of Pippa's
litter sister Truhaven's Moonraker. He had been the runt of
his litter and, while remaining a smallish dog (30 1/2"),
always made up for it by his huge personality. He possessed
one of the loveliest headpieces around, turning it from
side to side when you looked at him as if to say "Do you
prefer this profile... or this one?"
He was a coursing fool, winning his first Best of Breed at
a year and one day old... and missing Best in Field by very
little. His agility and speed were impressive, and had he
not had to stop coursing because of lack of opportunity he
could have made a name for himself, we're certain.
Reefer's lack of achievement in Obedience, however, was
mostly his owner/handler's fault. He was always such a
character and quick learner that any hesitation or mistake
on his handler's part encouraged him to "open his bag of
tricks" -- in the ring or out -- and try them all (in quick
succession) in an attempt to break the tension. Alas, while
this entertained ringside (and often the judge) and usually
even myself... it was not the way to acquire legs of a CD.
Reefer nevertheless remained the most obedient of all the
hounds until his recent death.
TRUHAVEN'S TRADEWIND
Trader's beautiful profile.
Truhaven's Tradewind was co-bred by Truhaven and Islehaven
in 2000. Sired by Ch Truhaven Oberon of Boneen (Baron) and
out of Skye's litter sister Ch Truhaven's Silk Stockings
(L'eggs), Trader chose me the moment he was born, and there
was no question where he would end up. Dottie Trulock kept
the single bitch from the litter -- Ch Truhaven's Odyssey,
who has some lovely wins to her credit, despite limited
showing. Trader had a stunning masculine, yet elegant head
with tiny ears and lovely pigment. A flaming red and white
boy with gorgeous curls, women coming in the bookstore over
the years have asked for a snip of his hair to take back to
their hairdressers! He was sweet, silly, and adored lattes.
Trader grew to be a very tall boy at 35", and life on the
couch suited him just fine... when he wasn't schmoozing at
the bookstore and attempting to con sips of coffee from one
and all.
TUHAVEN'S CAVALIER
CD
TRUHAVEN'S CAVALIER CD - PLAYING ON A LOPEZ ISLAND BEACH.
Truhaven's Cavalier CD was a gentleman is every sense of
his name. He joined us here at Islehaven as a puppy when
Pippa was 2 1/2... because borzoi need other borzoi -- or
so the rationale goes!
Cav's dam was Pippa's litter sister Truhaven's Forever
Amber, a lovely red sable bitch who died too young as a
result of damage done to her esophagus while being
intubated during an emergency C-section (Cav's brother had
gotten turned sideways blocking the birth canal, and could
not be shifted). His father was Ch Truhavens North Star (Am
Can Ch Kishiniga's Northern Lights x Truhaven's Delphyna),
a majestic brindled fellow who could carry his big frame
effortlessly around the ring.
TRUHAVENS CAVALIER CD - A FREESTACK WHILE LOOKING AT
SEAGULS.