The Ones We Won't Forget
Varner's Lakeside Timber
"Timber"
Timber was our second Bernese Mountain Dog. We purchased him from a family in New Hampshire with the intentions of him being our stud dog. Just 3 short weeks before he turned 1yr, 2 days before Christmas, and 4 weeks after we had our 4th child, he was tragically hit on the road. The internal bleeding was too great, and we were forced to say goodbye.
He was an incredible dog, loved everyone and adored our children. He loved to follow them everywhere, protecting them. He had the widest head and loved to lean in for some scratches. He was huge and strong, but so gentle. He was serious, and always on the alert, but a complete goofball.
While everyone was awake, he never laid his head down for a nap. He was always just watching his surroundings. He sounded mean with that deep bark, but wouldn't hurt a fly.
Although he is not with us anymore, we still think of him everyday and miss him greatly. Thus, deserving a permanent place on our website.
"Ember"
Heidie's Emberance
Ember was the dog that started it all. She was our first indoor family dog, that came into our family just a few short months after my Mother went to Heaven. She filled a void we never knew we had. She gave us 3 amazing litters to pass on her legacy. All her pups are in incredible, loving homes where they are spoiled beyond belief!
Her and I were always together: doing our barn work, riding the trails, running errands, yardwork, working in the garden and the kitchen, laying at my feet after a long day. She was on the smaller side, and fit just perfectly in the passenger seat, and heavy enough to set off the seatbelt alarm.
She drove me crazy. She had the most annoying yap when she needed left out. She would smack her teeth together, but no noise would come out. She was a professional counter surfer, especially when she was in heat or pregnant. Dirty tissues out of the trash were a favorite. Sneaking up the steps to our bedroom for a nap, and wouldn't respond, causing me to frantically look for her. Or running down to the creek then having a good roll in the yard, immediately after a fresh bath.
But I wouldn't trade any of it. I know she was one of a kind, and there will never be another like her. But I would take a million more like her.
Training Accomplishments:
~4 Week Obedience (Hillary's Hound School)
~Level 1 Basics (Top Dog Pet Training)
~Level 2 Distractions (Top Dog Pet Training)
~AKC Farm Dog Certified (Blue Ridge K9 Dog Training Center)
"Sage"
Swiss Emberance and Sage
We kept Sage from Ember's very first litter, with the intention of breeding her, and continuing on Ember's bloodlines! But due to her 'less-than- impressive' OFA results, her distrust of strange people at home and at new places, we decided to fix her and keep her as our "Auntie Sage"!
Sage loved the woods, constantly being outdoors, and was very protective of our kids and property. She was skeptical of strangers, and needed time to warm up to others, only approaching on her own terms. She loved when we have puppies here, jumping into the pen whenever Ember needed a break to help care for them, and patiently waiting for them to go outside to play with them.
Unfortunately, due to progressing health problems and her worsening anxiety, we had to say goodbye.
While it was heartbreaking to say goodbye to the last of our original trio, it was comforting to know that she never left our property. She was born in our living room, and we buried her in the woods behind the house: her favorite place to be.
Training Accomplishments:
~Level 1 Basics (Top Dog Pet Training)