What’s Left

Author’s Note-  A howling Hello to the EB Community!  Tux here.  In the last and only installment of Tux Tales I narrated my observations, experiences, and thoughts.  However, Daddy Ric says this time he will be the story teller because parts of his story might be too sad for me.  I wagged my nub in agreement.  Be rest assured, I shall return and one last thing- “Uncle Butch, dogs DO talk!”

Last week, I sat in our kennel and gazed upon Tux and Trinity’s seven newborn pups. I couldn’t help but ponder the journey that brought me to this moment.

In the fall of 2017, I was driving home from Montana to our home in Orange County, California. My wife had called me the night before to inform me that Camp, our 13 year-old Kooikerhondje Spaniel, was in his last days. I wanted to see him one final time to say goodbye.  On the morning after I arrived in the OC, I sat on the couch with Campy.  He rested his head on my legs while I  massaged his ear and gently petted him like so many times before.  Our lives together as a family had not been without some troubled times but overall, he was a brave, athletic, fun-loving boy who embraced retrieving with no end.  Our Shih tzus owed their lives to him, as he saved them from attacking coyotes multiple times.  

After about an hour, I decided to pick him up to take him outside.  As I neared our back door, I gently lowered him down on the floor and he immediately collapsed.  His breathing became slow and shallow.  I wrapped my arms around him and embraced him.  I placed my hand to his heart. With each, ever-slowing beat, my heartbreak increased. Slower…slower slower… and finally stop. I looked up to my family and cried , “Campy is gone!”

Overwhelmed, I sobbed uncontrollably. I’ve been through this twice before, but this time was different.  As I lay on the floor crying, my son-in-law Jeff, mercifully lifted Camp up and took him away. I was left with the kind of sorrow, heartache and emptiness that only comes from losing a source of unconditional love.  I was left to wonder “What’s left?”

A few days later, my daughter Jackie, to whom Camp belonged, came home from work and told me she wanted to talk to me. I had made up my mind, “No more dogs” - I just couldn’t go through this again. She told me that her managing partner called her into his office and told her, “Tell your dad, not to make the same mistake I did. I lost my beloved dog and waited 12 years before I decided to have another dog. It was a terrible decision, and tell your dad to find another dog soon. You all will be better for it.”

I agreed to give this advice careful consideration.  I remembered that my brother had always bought a new pup, whenever he lost his beloved Golden Retrievers. In fact, he actually started buying a pup when he saw his adult dog declining. I decided to take the advice. But I told Jackie this time, I was going to choose the dog, it was going to be a hunting dog, and it would be my dog.  She agreed.

I had some familiarity with Brittanies so I told her let’s look first at them. 

Within hours she came to me and announced, “Dad, I found only two Brittanies online that are for sale.  One’s black and white and another is black, white, and orange.”

I remember saying, “What are you talking about? – Brittanies are only orange and white.”

She replied, “These ARE Brittanies- they are French Brittanies.”

I asked her to show them to me.  I was immediately impressed.  The breeder, Bob Clayton of Auburn Kennels, was out of Washington state.  He had two males, brothers Ricky and Julian.  Ricky was a beautiful Tri-color and Julian was a roan black-and-white.  Bob and I talked a while on the phone. He patiently explained more about the breed and what his expectations were for an owner of one of his pups. I told him that we really liked the tricolor Ricky and after all, my name was Ric so that seemed appropriate. He told me he would need an answer and commitment from me in a few days. We research the breed and studied the video and photographs of both Ricky and Julian. It seemed the more I looked at Julian the more impressed I was; Julian seemed more athletic and was a strong male who exuded an aura of confidence.  I called Bob back to make a commitment, and he asked, “So you’re taking Ricky?”

I said, “No, we changed our mind. We’re going to take Julian!”

Silence ensued and he said, “You are?”  

The surprise in his voice was obvious. He said that he would keep his word, because he told me he would sell either one of them to me but added, “If you hadn’t chosen Julian, I decided last night to keep him myself.  You made an excellent choice!”

At the time I didn’t realize or could know how excellent of a choice I just made.  We renamed him Tuxedo or “Tux.”  All I knew at that time was that Tux was “what’s left.”

Tux’s training was delayed few years due to circumstances and health issues.  However, early on, I was fortunate enough to meet Butch Nelson, who corrected me and coached me in the early stages of molding Tux.  Eventually, I was able to put Tux in the hands of Butch. Almost immediately, he assured me that I had something special. I told him that my daughter Jackie wanted a pup out of Tux.  Unfortunately finding a breeding mate for Tux was quite challenging as I was quite new to the EB community.  What remained was the same old question, “What’s left?”

Butch called me one day and announced, “Ric, you need to buy a female EB if you want to have a pup.”

I was a little stunned by his advice because I never thought about having 3 EB’s.  As always, Butch was right, and we began looking for a puppy. Unfortunately, at that time breeding candidates west of the Rockies seemed not to exist.  Frustrated, I even called East Coast breeders and left a message with questions.  However, I never heard back from them.  I’m not sure why- maybe I asked too many questions.

Shortly thereafter, I found Tracey Jacobson of Ten Bar Ranch in South Dakota who told me she had a little female Tri-color available.  I had knew that Tux’s lineage was Ten Bar Ranch, which gave me some sense of confidence in buying Trinity.  And she was, of course, what’s left.

A July 4th pup, Sweet Trinity was a little firecracker. In short order I was convinced that lightning struck twice for me, as I had another phenomenal EB. 

Tux and Trinity became  high-level performers in their own right and pals for life.  Now, I sit gazing upon their offspring, and find myself in unknown territory- I don’t have to pick from what’s left. I actually own first pick. 

I’m conflicted because the “what’s left” Karma has blessed me and our family. Do I wait and keep the last remaining pup? Or, do I take the first pic and go against karma? Or, should I do both- keep the first pick AND “Whats left.”

Unlike when I bought Tux and Trinity, I’ve noticed a number of breeders in our EB community currently have puppies for sale. I empathize with new, prospective buyers particularly those that are facing a choice of “what’s left.”  However, my own experience tells them that “what’s left” will ultimately bless them with what’s best.  After all, they are Epagnuel Bretons!

Nicknamed “JP,” this sweet Orange/white female has claimed the prestigious title of “What’s Left.”

She’s a fearless, energetic girl who is the most people-responsive pup in our Tux/Trinity litter. It took our 1st Pick buyer, Jerry, 3 days to decide to take our black/white female over “JP.” He admitted to contemplating buying both pups rather than walking away from one of them.