The Beginning...

Ch. Candyland Blueberry Hill “Berry” 
Forever loved and Remembered.


“Berry” was my first Afghan Hound. He came into my life at the young age of twelve, a very special birthday present from my mom. I had no idea what owning an Afghan entailed and had only heard stories of my grandmother taking my mom to the dog shows year after year  “to see the beautiful Afghans move in the ring”. Although my mom had never owned an Afghan, she always adored them! Needless to say, I was beyond excited upon Berry’s arrival….I so desperately had always wanted my very own dog!

Berry and I bonded instantly and we quickly became best friends!

I remember my whole teenage life with him! We went through EVERYTHING together, the good, the bad, and the ugly! I am sure I couldn’t have done it without him! He was such a proud, dignified, intelligent creature!
Berry collage
 Berry also introduced me to the world of dog shows! We had few expectations, since Berry had been purchased strictly as a “pet” due to his very shy temperament as a puppy. The breeder wished us well but had made no guarantees as to his ability to show. He over came his shyness and together we were a TEAM! First we participated in junior handling and we both loved it, we had the dog show bug! Berry quickly went from junior handling to winning the hound group. No longer shy,  he was absolutely majestic in the ring! The louder people clapped the more he loved it! A true champion!
Berry was all Afghan, not only GORGEOUS, he was loyal, protective, aloof, intelligent, stubborn, and a thief! He was known to take a piece of pizza out of the box while you weren’t looking, or to slip the meat  from between the bun of a Big Mac …..oh so sneaky, he would NEVER get caught!

At the young age of 6 Berry was at a high in his show career and we were having a blast! I had no idea that would be my last summer show with him.....
Berry Showring
Berry Win
In August he had his annual vaccination and check up…. everything was “good.” Six months later he went to the vet with “lumps” on his throat and around his joints. I can remember saying “it’s like they’re growing in front of us!” The vet took 4 different samples and immediately sent them to OVC. He didn’t say much, other than that the report would be back soon and we would know more. I know my mom knew what was coming. She immediately got in touch with a holistic nutritionist who had been known to work miracles.

Three days later the Histopathology report was back... and it wasn’t good. The diagnosis was “Malignant Lymphoma”, a very aggressive cancer in his lymph nodes. He was crashing quickly right before our eyes.  Mom did everything to try to get him to eat and keep him comfortable. A week later I made the hardest decision of my life, to end his pain and suffering.

Berry Bed

Berry4berry pup[

To this day I am still devastated and miss him more than anything! Berry was my BEST Friend and he will be with me always! A DOG of a LIFETIME!

Berry had left me with lots of great memories in addition to  “The Afghan Bug”….I was hooked….no other breed would ever do! Living without an Afghan could not go on. Although I could never try to replace my Berry, 6 months following his death, I was off to Ontario to see Michelle Turner of Saradin Afghans. There, I attended dog shows with Michelle and saw a variety of Afghans. She then introduced me to Peter and Vivienne Machens of Gipsy Reg. I had never seen so many Afghans in one place in my life!  I was in HEAVEN! Then along came Mister Charming, “Amos”…he just appeared before me in the yard! He had a lasting impact on me! Needless to say ,I returned home to Newfoundland with Amos and a sweet friend for him, an adorable Whippet puppy named Oscar! Several other Afghans have since become part of our home, all with their own unique traits.

I dedicate my breeding program to “Berry”! My goal is to breed Afghans that CAN BE “a dog of a lifetime.” Beauty, Brains but above of all good HEALTH!  It is sad that our dogs don’t have our longevity, but loosing them too young is absolutely heartbreaking!