Frizzy in Memory 

FRIZZANTE FURIOSO GRIS de la Maison du Garde-Barrière

If tears could build a stairway
and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again.

HD 0/0, CSNB clear (by parentage) * BGH-A * full breeding confirmation

born Dec. 24, 2000 - Jan. 6, 2014, 1:15 p.m.
Sire: Ch. Sél. NESCAFE des Pierrailles (France * grey, born black * HD clear, CSNB clear * Champion Germany (VDH), Selected France and Italy)
Dam: Sél. ÖJch. LOULOU dite YAZOO des Cèdres de la Montagne Noire, CGC (Import from France * black * HD 1/0 * CSNB clear * Austrian Junior Champion, Pre-Selected USA, Selected Slovakia, USA and Italy, breeding confirmation France, Austria, Slovakia, USA and Italy * Winners Bitch USA 2000)

Frizzy was the firstborn of my F Litter. He and his sister Femme Fatale were lighter in color than the others at birth, so I assumed Frizzy would turn grey. This led me to decide soon after his birth that I might keep him, and I even added "gris" to his name. Frizzy remained lighter than the others, but he was black-stained and (unfortunately) not grey. Only when I completely shaved his coat at the age of eight did he look just like my grey female, Oh-Lala, with his fur entirely gray.

The deciding factor in my keeping him, however, was that after an operation at four months old, I couldn't be sure he would have problems in the future: while playing with his two brothers, Ferre and Fendi, he had swallowed three stones that unfortunately wouldn't pass on their own, requiring surgery to open his stomach. Fortunately, Frizzy suffered no lasting negative effects from this procedure.

Frizzy was a very funny, spirited, sociable, proud, and affectionate male dog. There were never any problems between him and the other male dogs in the house: he always accepted the older dogs' rank in the pack, and the smaller breeds were his friends, not competition. He was a patient and wonderful friend to all the puppies born here, and he was especially delightful with the litter of my Yorkie, Gizmo.

Once Frizzy was used for stud service once: I bred him with my Oh-Lala, but unfortunately, she aborted the pregnancy, and my dream of a Yazoo grandchild from an interesting pairing was dashed. Frizzy's sperm was tested and found to be fine, so it wasn't his fault. I had several requests to breed with him, but I declined because, firstly, I preferred line breeding with my Briards, secondly, I would certainly never pair a dog from a grey line with a fawn, and thirdly, because I valued quality over quantity.

On January 6, 2014, at the age of 13 years and 14 days, I had to say goodbye to Frizzy. After he survived stomach and intestinal surgery at the end of May 2013 (he had eaten a stuffed animal) and fully recovered within 10 days, he began suffering from arthritis in the fall of 2013. The arthritis in his right elbow became so severe that I decided if his quality of life was no longer possible, I would have to open my arms and let him go. With this farewell, the "Yazoo book" closed forever for me. I thank Frizzy for the unconditional love he showed me throughout his life. And above all, I thank him for always being a loving friend and companion to everyone in this house—even the youngest.

With Frizzy, the very last direct descendant of Yazoo crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Like all those who have ever left me, he will never be forgotten and will always live on in my heart, even though a part of myself has gone ......

Frizzy's special success: