Ch. Kandlewick Mountain's C. Bamse II

Loved by John and Jane Torma

A little boy asked the Buddha, why dogs do not live as long as people... the answer was simple.

People, my child, come to the earth and have a whole lifetime to learn compassion, empathy, loyalty, unconditional love, and self sacrifice...to become enlightened. They are given many years to learn these things. Dogs on the other hand, already come into the world possessing those qualities, so their time on earth is just long enough for us to learn from them, then they continue their journey to a higher place

Bamses breeder told me, "He wont let you not love him." Truer words were never spoken! You see, Bamse, this Bamse II, was a replacement dog. I actually saw the Bamse who was meant to be our Bamse, when he was only a day old, but I paid him no attention. I was picking up my long awaited "first Bamse" but that puppy was not meant to live long. That first little Bamse was born with hydrocephalus and no amount of medical care or loving attention could save his life. It was heartbreaking for me, and I was not even thinking about another dog after that Bamses early death, when the breeder sent me my "replacement Bamse" from that newborn "C" litter that I saw when picking up my first doomed Bamse. This Bamse was so different in every way from that first poor sick puppy, that it was hard to know they were the same breed. And my first reaction when seeing Bamse again was, no, I did not want him, I did not love him; I was still grieving and in love with that first Bamse. It was the breeder who told me when I called her with my doubts about this new Bamse that she said, "He wont let you not love him." She insisted I give him a chance, give him a week well she was so right and I could not have been more wrong. This Bamse, my second Bamse, was born to be in my life, to change my life, and to change the life of the Entlebucher breed.

Some of you may have heard of Bamse because he was the motivation, the drive, the desire, the reason for pursuing an Entlebucher specific DNA test for PRA in the breed. He was studied, examined and gave blood whenever it was needed. Yes, this beautiful, healthy, intelligent, loving dog was born with 2 copies of the PRA gene and destined to become slowly blind with PRA. Bamse faced his blindness with such grace, such dignity; he really taught all who were lucky enough to know him how one should deal with the obstacles that life gives us, with a happy wagging tail and great love, trust and patience no matter what stranger was doing what to him. Bamse never complained or felt sorry for himself, he just enjoyed his life and would cheer up others with his happy can-do attitude. So although PRA is what Bamse is most known for and as important as that is for the breed; Bamse was so very much more than just that!

Bamse was our matchmaker! Without Bamse and Angel, John and I would never have met. John lived in Detroit, with his Golden Retriever, Angel and his Australian Cattle Dog, Kiwi, and I lived in Long Beach with Bamse. We met at "Dog Camp" in New Hampshire, on the grounds of Enfield Shaker site on Mascoma Lake. Although we still disagree who was sitting under that incredibly beautiful, massive, ancient tree and who approached whom first, John was smitten with Bamse (or as he first identified him, "some kind of Swiss mix"). I still think John married me just so he could have Bamse in his life. Bamse and Angel bonded during that holiday and we later became a family.

The memories we have of Bamse are treasures. Bamse was crowned "Prom King" at that Dog Camp. Bamse was in the World Cup Soccer "Swiss Splash" parade on July 8, 1994 down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I think more people wanted to pet Bamse than the Simmental and Brown Swiss cattle that he was parading with. Bamse was the second Entlebucher to win his championship with ARBA, back at one of the early Cherry Blossom Dog Shows in Washington D.C. Bamse and I were active members of Swiss Ladies Society at Swiss Park in Whittier, California and he was always popular with the native Swiss people at the events, even when he drank a Swiss gentlemans beer while I was standing in line for raclette. Bamse loved playing Frisbee. He was one of those athletic dogs that could do the amazing leaps, twists and catches, like the "professional" Frisbee dogs on TV, while Hinsha and Sprouty "herded" him. Bamse and Angel would play tug of war with his Frisbee after John tired of throwing it. Bamse was never lacking in personality, from the delight that came over his face when we pulled out the Christmas boxes and hung his stocking and put his old beat-up but greatly loved jingle bow tie around his neck, to his love of black cherry ice cream floats, a once-a-year special birthday treat.

We were blessed to have shared Bamses life for over 15 wonderful years. Although it still was not long enough, we appreciate every second we have had this wonderful, loving, beautiful member of our family. Bamse was that special, once-in-a-lifetime dog and we are the incredibly lucky ones to have just known him. He will be forever in our hearts, greatly missed and yes, he would not let me not love him.

"Grief is the price we pay for love."-HRH Queen Elizabeth II, September 20, 2001