Blackwater's Diamond Rio, "Rio," a Belgian Sheepdog, beloved companion, and best friend, died on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Boulder Creek. He was fourteen years old. All who knew him know that he was a very brave and loyal and, yet, a very gentle and loving soul. He was a credit to his breed.
Rio was born in Stockbridge, Michigan at Blackwater Farms, in the kennel belonging to Dr. Linda Fung, a well-known breeder of champion Belgian Sheepdogs (Groenendaels) and Tervurens. At first, he seemed destined for the show ring--coming from a long line of champions--but he was disqualified on a technicality, and Dr. Fung decided to put him up for adoption. And so, in January 1998, at the age of thirteen months, he was placed aboard a plane bound for California and a new life.
Rio's new family included Des, Mr. Bill (Des's father), Misty (a German Shepherd/Lab mix), and friends Mary and Jude Pipes. Misty took over his early training, and schooled him in the lore of the Desmond dogs--an unbroken line extending back to 1978. Among other things, he had to learn to ride in the car (got a little queasy at first), how to go in and out the pet door (the real trick was to wait outside and "ambush" whoever came out next), and, of course, to play "catch" with Des.
Rio made it clear from the start that this last activity was something he wanted no part of. He did not "fetch!"
He even went so far as to let it be known that he considered it beneath him--an insult to his dignity as a member of the Belgian aristocracy--a pastime engaged in only by the more vulgar breeds, such as the "retriever." When Des threw the ball he would run out, turn around, and watch it land at his feet. Then, he would go running around in very large circles, looking up at the sky, and barking. Des finally concluded that what Rio was doing was barking at birds. This was later confirmed by Dr. Fung, who said that his mother did the same thing. "In the blood," it is to be supposed. Des later concluded that Rio, being a sheepdog, was, actually, trying to "herd" the birds. After all, there were no sheep in the yard. What's a good sheepdog to do?
Rio lived a long and happy life in Santa Cruz County with his family, eventually moving from Santa Cruz to Ben Lomond and, finally, Boulder Creek. Among his favorite things to do--besides "herding" birds--were going for walks, running at the soccer field in the evenings, going to the park, and meeting other dogs. But, his favorite thing of all was just being with Des wherever he was. He loved Des with all his heart. Belgians are known for their devotion to their special person, and this was especially true of Rio.
When Misty died, Des got another dog, a thirteen-month-old female Australian Kelpie named "Tasha." Rio was still young enough that he and Tasha spent many happy hours playing and rough-housing together. Eventually, they became inseparable canine soulmates, who were always together. They went through some hard times with Des-- even living with him in his van for a couple of years--and they will always have a special place together in his heart.
Tasha died unexpectedly when Rio was twelve. Des knew by then that he and Rio had to make the most of the time they had left together. He got another female Kelpie named "Tazi," to be with Rio in his "golden years." She was very loving and would "wash" Rio's face and paws for him. She made him laugh a lot, too, with the mischief she got into.
Rio had a special smile that touched your heart and made you feel warm inside. He was still smiling that smile on his last day. Somewhere, he is smiling still.
He was survived by his family, Des and Tazi, and friends, Jude and Piggy, Dave, Leann, Michael, and Bear.
Rio was born in Stockbridge, Michigan at Blackwater Farms, in the kennel belonging to Dr. Linda Fung, a well-known breeder of champion Belgian Sheepdogs (Groenendaels) and Tervurens. At first, he seemed destined for the show ring--coming from a long line of champions--but he was disqualified on a technicality, and Dr. Fung decided to put him up for adoption. And so, in January 1998, at the age of thirteen months, he was placed aboard a plane bound for California and a new life.
Rio's new family included Des, Mr. Bill (Des's father), Misty (a German Shepherd/Lab mix), and friends Mary and Jude Pipes. Misty took over his early training, and schooled him in the lore of the Desmond dogs--an unbroken line extending back to 1978. Among other things, he had to learn to ride in the car (got a little queasy at first), how to go in and out the pet door (the real trick was to wait outside and "ambush" whoever came out next), and, of course, to play "catch" with Des.
Rio made it clear from the start that this last activity was something he wanted no part of. He did not "fetch!"
He even went so far as to let it be known that he considered it beneath him--an insult to his dignity as a member of the Belgian aristocracy--a pastime engaged in only by the more vulgar breeds, such as the "retriever." When Des threw the ball he would run out, turn around, and watch it land at his feet. Then, he would go running around in very large circles, looking up at the sky, and barking. Des finally concluded that what Rio was doing was barking at birds. This was later confirmed by Dr. Fung, who said that his mother did the same thing. "In the blood," it is to be supposed. Des later concluded that Rio, being a sheepdog, was, actually, trying to "herd" the birds. After all, there were no sheep in the yard. What's a good sheepdog to do?
Rio lived a long and happy life in Santa Cruz County with his family, eventually moving from Santa Cruz to Ben Lomond and, finally, Boulder Creek. Among his favorite things to do--besides "herding" birds--were going for walks, running at the soccer field in the evenings, going to the park, and meeting other dogs. But, his favorite thing of all was just being with Des wherever he was. He loved Des with all his heart. Belgians are known for their devotion to their special person, and this was especially true of Rio.
When Misty died, Des got another dog, a thirteen-month-old female Australian Kelpie named "Tasha." Rio was still young enough that he and Tasha spent many happy hours playing and rough-housing together. Eventually, they became inseparable canine soulmates, who were always together. They went through some hard times with Des-- even living with him in his van for a couple of years--and they will always have a special place together in his heart.
Tasha died unexpectedly when Rio was twelve. Des knew by then that he and Rio had to make the most of the time they had left together. He got another female Kelpie named "Tazi," to be with Rio in his "golden years." She was very loving and would "wash" Rio's face and paws for him. She made him laugh a lot, too, with the mischief she got into.
Rio had a special smile that touched your heart and made you feel warm inside. He was still smiling that smile on his last day. Somewhere, he is smiling still.
He was survived by his family, Des and Tazi, and friends, Jude and Piggy, Dave, Leann, Michael, and Bear.
Blackwater's Diamond Rio, "Rio," a Belgian Sheepdog, beloved companion, and best friend, died on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Boulder Creek. He was fourteen years old. All who knew him know that he was a very brave and loyal and, yet, a very gentle and loving soul. He was a credit to his breed.
Rio was born in Stockbridge, Michigan at Blackwater Farms, in the kennel belonging to Dr. Linda Fung, a well-known breeder of champion Belgian Sheepdogs (Groenendaels) and Tervurens. At first, he seemed destined for the show ring--coming from a long line of champions--but he was disqualified on a technicality, and Dr. Fung decided to put him up for adoption. And so, in January 1998, at the age of thirteen months, he was placed aboard a plane bound for California and a new life.
Rio's new family included Des, Mr. Bill (Des's father), Misty (a German Shepherd/Lab mix), and friends Mary and Jude Pipes. Misty took over his early training, and schooled him in the lore of the Desmond dogs--an unbroken line extending back to 1978. Among other things, he had to learn to ride in the car (got a little queasy at first), how to go in and out the pet door (the real trick was to wait outside and "ambush" whoever came out next), and, of course, to play "catch" with Des.
Rio made it clear from the start that this last activity was something he wanted no part of. He did not "fetch!"
He even went so far as to let it be known that he considered it beneath him--an insult to his dignity as a member of the Belgian aristocracy--a pastime engaged in only by the more vulgar breeds, such as the "retriever." When Des threw the ball he would run out, turn around, and watch it land at his feet. Then, he would go running around in very large circles, looking up at the sky, and barking. Des finally concluded that what Rio was doing was barking at birds. This was later confirmed by Dr. Fung, who said that his mother did the same thing. "In the blood," it is to be supposed. Des later concluded that Rio, being a sheepdog, was, actually, trying to "herd" the birds. After all, there were no sheep in the yard. What's a good sheepdog to do?
Rio lived a long and happy life in Santa Cruz County with his family, eventually moving from Santa Cruz to Ben Lomond and, finally, Boulder Creek. Among his favorite things to do--besides "herding" birds--were going for walks, running at the soccer field in the evenings, going to the park, and meeting other dogs. But, his favorite thing of all was just being with Des wherever he was. He loved Des with all his heart. Belgians are known for their devotion to their special person, and this was especially true of Rio.
When Misty died, Des got another dog, a thirteen-month-old female Australian Kelpie named "Tasha." Rio was still young enough that he and Tasha spent many happy hours playing and rough-housing together. Eventually, they became inseparable canine soulmates, who were always together. They went through some hard times with Des-- even living with him in his van for a couple of years--and they will always have a special place together in his heart.
Tasha died unexpectedly when Rio was twelve. Des knew by then that he and Rio had to make the most of the time they had left together. He got another female Kelpie named "Tazi," to be with Rio in his "golden years." She was very loving and would "wash" Rio's face and paws for him. She made him laugh a lot, too, with the mischief she got into.
Rio had a special smile that touched your heart and made you feel warm inside. He was still smiling that smile on his last day. Somewhere, he is smiling still.
He was survived by his family, Des and Tazi, and friends, Jude and Piggy, Dave, Leann, Michael, and Bear.
Rio was born in Stockbridge, Michigan at Blackwater Farms, in the kennel belonging to Dr. Linda Fung, a well-known breeder of champion Belgian Sheepdogs (Groenendaels) and Tervurens. At first, he seemed destined for the show ring--coming from a long line of champions--but he was disqualified on a technicality, and Dr. Fung decided to put him up for adoption. And so, in January 1998, at the age of thirteen months, he was placed aboard a plane bound for California and a new life.
Rio's new family included Des, Mr. Bill (Des's father), Misty (a German Shepherd/Lab mix), and friends Mary and Jude Pipes. Misty took over his early training, and schooled him in the lore of the Desmond dogs--an unbroken line extending back to 1978. Among other things, he had to learn to ride in the car (got a little queasy at first), how to go in and out the pet door (the real trick was to wait outside and "ambush" whoever came out next), and, of course, to play "catch" with Des.
Rio made it clear from the start that this last activity was something he wanted no part of. He did not "fetch!"
He even went so far as to let it be known that he considered it beneath him--an insult to his dignity as a member of the Belgian aristocracy--a pastime engaged in only by the more vulgar breeds, such as the "retriever." When Des threw the ball he would run out, turn around, and watch it land at his feet. Then, he would go running around in very large circles, looking up at the sky, and barking. Des finally concluded that what Rio was doing was barking at birds. This was later confirmed by Dr. Fung, who said that his mother did the same thing. "In the blood," it is to be supposed. Des later concluded that Rio, being a sheepdog, was, actually, trying to "herd" the birds. After all, there were no sheep in the yard. What's a good sheepdog to do?
Rio lived a long and happy life in Santa Cruz County with his family, eventually moving from Santa Cruz to Ben Lomond and, finally, Boulder Creek. Among his favorite things to do--besides "herding" birds--were going for walks, running at the soccer field in the evenings, going to the park, and meeting other dogs. But, his favorite thing of all was just being with Des wherever he was. He loved Des with all his heart. Belgians are known for their devotion to their special person, and this was especially true of Rio.
When Misty died, Des got another dog, a thirteen-month-old female Australian Kelpie named "Tasha." Rio was still young enough that he and Tasha spent many happy hours playing and rough-housing together. Eventually, they became inseparable canine soulmates, who were always together. They went through some hard times with Des-- even living with him in his van for a couple of years--and they will always have a special place together in his heart.
Tasha died unexpectedly when Rio was twelve. Des knew by then that he and Rio had to make the most of the time they had left together. He got another female Kelpie named "Tazi," to be with Rio in his "golden years." She was very loving and would "wash" Rio's face and paws for him. She made him laugh a lot, too, with the mischief she got into.
Rio had a special smile that touched your heart and made you feel warm inside. He was still smiling that smile on his last day. Somewhere, he is smiling still.
He was survived by his family, Des and Tazi, and friends, Jude and Piggy, Dave, Leann, Michael, and Bear.
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