About
In 2010 I adopted a puppy from a nearby country that had been hit by a car and my life was completely transformed. The damaged soul and physiology of my street dog presented me with some challenges and personal adjustments. Ever since then, the magic of my dog has given me joy and happiness every day. Willow and I are preparing for level 1 of the Companion Dog Test and are very actively involved in tracking work. At the beginning of September, 2014, I started my 3 year course as a dog trainer with Marco Zryd, focusing on “canine behavioral biology”.
Homage
“Dear Willow, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, your patience with me and for guiding me to a new project called DOGNESS, which I am so passionate about. Luckily you had this so called “antisocial disorder”, you were disobedient, aggressive and bossy, otherwise I would probably not have been diverted onto this interesting and exciting path in my life. You are my total personal hero!”
Dogs are not just our companions, they are actually our best, most loyal friends and teachers.
Willow
Origin:
Sarajevo, Bosnia. Begged in and around a supermarket for the first few months of her life.
Born:
Sometime in May 2010…her passport said “May 1”.
Temperament:
Our Duracell dog…has unbelievable stamina, inquisitive, stubborn, always up for fun…pure action.
Weight:
An athletic 29kg
Hobbies:
Romping around with big dogs, chasing cats, rolling in badger poop, swimming until she drops, harassing the mailman, guarding the house and her pack, ball-junkie, a first-class tracker who always finds her target!
Mother:
Suspected to be a lone, Bosnian livestock guarding dog.
Father:
If only we knew…
Gizmo
Origin:
Mallorca, Spain.
Born and cared for in a loving family along with seven siblings.
Born:
Sometime in April 2014…his passport also said “May 1”.
Temperament:
Yippee…let’s go!
Weight:
An amazing fighting weight of 5kg.
Hobbies:
Growling at cats, racing with big dogs, rolling in dead animals, getting on Willow’s nerves, getting up early in the morning and waking the whole pack, doing his thing.
Mother:
A pretty, white something-or-other called Consuelo, who was actually due to be neutered and managed to escape from the house one night to meet her admirer.
Father:
Suspected to be a small terrier mix with Danny de Vito’s looks and personality.
Duke
Origin:
Quebec, Canada (ear cropping is still allowed there). Comes from a huge ranch and had an unforgettable childhood. He is the victim of my brother’s divorce and he now lives with our parents on Gletscherdorf campsite in Grindelwald.
Born:
29.03. 2009 – 30.04.2020 R.I.P
Temperament:
Happy and even-tempered with a helping of unintentional boisterousness. We also call him Scooby Doo.
Weight:
43kg of concentrated Beauceron charm.
Hobbies:
Throwing his weight around, idolizing Willow, supervising the pack and putting them in their place if they misbehave, the safety of his dog-human pack is very important to him…which includes anyone who comes walking with us or is in the same room, he is crazy about balls.
Mother:
Beauceron breeding aristocracy with first-class acting skills.
Father:
Beauceron royalty in Canada.
Siblings:
One of his brothers has actually made it to Universal Studios in Hollywood.