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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 10, 2015)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 10, 2015 Two Black Pearls — Gems of a Dog B lack Russian Terriers (BRT) like Luba and Sophie are often reFURRed to as Black Russian Pearls. Their breed resembles the Bouvier de Flanders, but they are a larger- newer breed resulting from purr-paw-sley breeding combi- nations of Airedale Terrier, Gi- ant Schnauzer, Newfoundland and Rottweiler plus other breeds not known outside of Russia. “After the Second World War, Joseph Stalin, the Russian lead- er, gave a mandate to the Red Army and the state-owned Red Star Kennel to develop a large multi purpose dog for the mili- tary," said Ted. “In 1957, the Kennel offered puppies for sale to private buyers and breeders. Finally, in July of 2004, the BRT was recognized by the American Kennel Club as a Working Dog. “These dogs are highly intel- ligent, love to have a job to do, and are extremely loyal to their families. BRTs are ‘people’ and guard dogs. They are constantly at your feet. These aren’t dogs you leave outside for hours. They like to sit with you, their sweet spirits crave, no, demand your attention. The most diffi - cult thing of parenting, not one but two of them, is keeping these 100-pound lap dogs off the bed. This breed snores — not just oc- casionally, but all the time and loudly! “When you are on the com- puter, they sit beside you laying their chins on the desk hoping for a scratch on the head. Ig- nore them? Don’t! A bear-size paw will hit your leg in case you didn’t notice. They are so intelligent that I am surprised they don’t communicate with other BRTs through Facebook — maybe they do and I’m not smart enough to catch them. They are problem solvers who are easily trainable, as they want to please.” Born to be working guard dogs, BRTs take their job of protecting their families seri- ously and experience anxiety when their family is out of sight. For this reason, when Ted and his wife, Jo Ann, travel, so do Luba and Sophie. “The ‘girls’ treat our car as their traveling bed. It’s ‘rump in — lights out’, whether for a trip across town, or the 12-hour drive over the Rockies to Van- couver. Out of our two dogs, Luba has traveled the furthest. NEW: Digital X-Rays (use less radiation) Implants •Teeth Whitening • Extractions Lumineers (no prep veneers as seen on TV) Cottage Grove Dental Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS 350 Washington, Cottage Grove (behind Better Bodies) G U I D E R estaurant 541.942.7934 As a puppy, she traveled from Kaliningrad, on the far west coast of Russia, to my waiting arms at the international airport in Vancouver, B.C. “Our dogs are so intuitive of Jo-Ann, and me,” said Ted. “They seem to be able to read our physical and emotional needs. Sophie weighs 115 pounds and Luba is 100 pounds. They appear very friendly, but if they think you pose a threat it is a different matter. I remem- ber an incident late one evening as we walked past a pub. Two patrons came barreling out of the door for a smoke. The dogs went ballistic. Their size alone was threatening and their deep, impressive and down-right scary bark demanded obedi- ence. The dogs settled down in seconds, but I think the patrons required a change of a certain item of clothing after their fi rst- hand experience of this breed’s protective nature. “This breed is not for every- one! They are a large powerful dog that needs to be with their people — all the time. Many people are not prepared or un- willing to expend the energy necessary for these dogs. You can’t acquire one and then be at work all day. These dogs need a job to do, to be intellectually stimulated and exercised. For those of us that offer them this, there is no better breed. They have hair not fur and it requires professional grooming every eight weeks, so count that into your budget.” “First snow of the year is al- ways fun,” said Jo Ann with a laugh. “Imagine over 200 pounds of dogs, acting like pup- pies, rolling and romping in the white powder. It is the best time to take a great photo of our black dogs, silhouetted against the snow.” “Our home is in the Canadian province of Alberta,” adds Ted, “which is over 2-1/2 times the size of Oregon, with roughly Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe” After a 12-hour car ride from Calgary, Alberta, to Bowen Island, British Columbia, these two Black Russian Pearls, Luba and Sophie, wait for a Ferry boat trip with their dad Ted. the same population (4 million). Over half of our residents live close to our two major cities, the rest of the province is sparsely populated. Our dogs love their visits to Bowen Island, with its acres of waterfront park land and milder temperatures, although a dog bred to deal with harsh Rus- sian winters does not care about Alberta’s cold winters. “Sophie and Luba love wa- ter. They inherited webbed feet from the Newfoundland and are natural and powerful swimmers. It is diffi cult keeping them out of the water in front of our Bow- Ask your sales representative about placing your restaurant ad here. en Island vacation home. Every time they look outside they see ‘water, water, every where’! “If you think these dogs look big, imagine how they appear to children! Sophie and Luba stand at eye level to most 6-year-old humans. “When toddlers approach, the dogs sit still and patiently take whatever the little ones hand out. The dogs know the children’s intentions are not mean, but cu- rious. Yes, Sophie and Luba are understanding and patient with children, just not drunks burst- ing out saloon doors at 11 p.m.” TIPS Airlines Canine Secret that pushes retrieving lost items to a whole new level: http://www. youtube.com/embed/NK-T_ t166TY?feature=player_em- bedded Share your pet tips and tales — angelscribe@msn.com. “Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook — https:// www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales Adopt Loving Pets www.PetFinder.com Humane Society for Neuter/Spay As- sistance Program, 541-942-2789 DAILY BLOODY LUNCH MARY R BAR & DINNE SIUNDAYS • 12-8PM S L A I C SPE NEW HAPPY HOUR FOOD MENU 3-7PM EL TAPATIO (541) 767-0457 Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Bob and Bonnie Welcome you to Joe’s Diner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, and Special Events Available for Special Events • Sat and Sun 4pm-8pm Open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm • Sat 7am-3pm • Sun 8am-3pm 230 E. Oregon Ave., Creswell OR • Phone: 541-895-2700 Mangiano’s Pizzeria Homemade Pizza ~ Lasagna ~ Spaghetti Everything made from scratch! TWO ONE TIME SALAD BARS & LARGE ONE TOPPING PIZZA $25.00 NEW MENU!! WE DELIVER! Starting at 5 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday open Tue-Thur 11am-8pm Friday & Saturday 11am-9pm Daily Specials 20% OFF for Active Military & Vets Tuesday Night is Senior Night 4pm-8pm 7A Salad Bar & Fun Lottery Room 2915 Row River Rd • 541-942-5432 Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-Thurs 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Fri. & Sat. “The little blue box with the food that rocks” “Th e best in American comfort food.” Burgers, Philly Cheese Steaks, Salads, Fish & Chips, Jumbo Prawns, Soups, Chicken Breast Burgers, Chicken Strip Baskets, Tots, Fries and lots more! Call ahead for ready-to-go pick-up orders Tues-Sat open till late Corner of 6th and Washington 541-968-1134 Check out our facebook page! 1590 Gateway Blvd. • Cottage Grove • 541-942-7144
