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Hooch
(Wildwood's Who-Dunnit Hooch)
July 17, 1999 - March 15, 2007
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Hooch was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on December 12, 2006. After a very brave and stoic battle with his cancer, we said our final goodbye's and thank-you's to the sweetest dog in the world, here at our home - March 15, 2007. "We love you and we'll be together forever at the Rainbow Bridge! Wait for us, my boy."
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Hooch's Story...
Hooch was born July 17th, 1999 in British Columbia, Canada.
His sire is Lejonland's Moving On and his dam is Lady Alexandra of Lionslair.
I came to fall in love with the Leonberger
breed during my work on a film adaptation of "Call
of the Wild" starring Rutger Hauer. I'd been admiring the various Leo's used in the film throughout my work, but I'd not yet met one in person. After the completion of the
film I was invited to attend the cast and crew screening, and I was spellbound. I saw this MASSIVE dog lapping up the attention of
every admirer in the lobby, swarmed by kids, and literally FILLING the isle beside his family
throughout the duration of the screening. I was in love with his size,
disposition and gentle nature. What an impressive dog to play the character of "Buck"!
Upon returning home from Montreal, I told my partner (now
husband) that the next breed we should look into should be the "Leonberger".
It was a year or two after this time that I seriously began to search. As
technology via the internet would have it, I fell in love with a particular stud who lived in
Sweden. Upon a few long distance phone conversations with his owners in
Sweden, and investigations on the costs of importing a puppy from Sweden to
Canada, we learned that Bagheera had a son at stud in British Columbia! As
this was a far more affordable option for us, we contacted his owners and
learned that a litter was to be born out of Hector, son of Bagheera.
Countless pictures and temperament descriptions were exchanged between the
breeder and I, and Peter and I eventually decided upon the puppy named Hooch.
At eight weeks of age, our beautiful 24 lb Leo puppy named
Hooch arrived at Pearson International Airport! We were SO excited about
this, and baby Hooch was more than we could have dreamed of.
Hooch grew into a living teddy bear, but a bear nonetheless! Living
with a Leo presents a unique set of challenges! For example; having to
constantly step over a dog who is the size of a full grown man lying on your floor
all the times. When you least expect it, you step backwards and "whoops"!
I could probably write a novel about Hooch. I regret I'd not taken more pictures. In Hooch's Gallery I've
tried to portray his growth and development as chronologically accurate as
possible. Hooch enjoyed his dog's life in the country, romping
through our woods and stream, and playing in the pond in the summer time.
He kept a protective watch over Sarge, Carter
and baby Cadence too. When it was time for a good sleep, there's nothing he loved
better than jumping up onto our bed and reclining with all four paws in the air, anticipating his imminent belly-rubs. |
