The Seeds of The Future…
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln
The dogs of the past and the dogs of today will lead me to the future of Bluebonnet Mastiffs. It started with a dream and continues with hard work, planning, and collaboration with a community of like minded, passionate friends. None of the dogs that I share my home with today, those dogs who hold the promise of the future, would exist without passion, good friends, and a lot of luck - on the backs of the dogs of the past. All are here because of planned breedings with great pedigrees behind them, required health testing, skilled veterinary/repro services, and a will to continue to learn from those who have other experiences than myself.
Once a breeding is successful and puppies are whelped, the selection for perfect homes begins. Without dog shows, there would be no way to truly asses the value of breeding stock. Although I love to show my own dogs, and have immense pride when I see a dog in the ring that I bred or comes from my line, my first priority is always to ensure that each puppy ends up in the “right” home; the home where that puppy will be loved and cherished as a member of the family until their last breath. Nothing gives me more joy than a puppy who goes on to live a full life, never knowing anything but love and security, for the rest of its days.
Minnie has been a breeder’s dream! And she almost wasn’t. With the questionable start from breeding her mother, Claire, through sending her out with professional handler, Terry Smith, at the beginning of 2020 before the COVID pandemic hit, her life and subsequent countless successes almost didn’t happen. Even when she was born, it took almost a solid hour to convince her to breathe on her own.
I couldn’t possibly list all of the wins and awards Minnie has taken home without writing a novel. Highlights are: being awarded Select Bitch and Best of Breed Owner Handlerd at the National Specialty in 2018 under breeder judge, Diane Collings, at the age of only 18 mos., Multiple Best in Specialty wins, and being a true competitor during the year of 2020 when it was more challenging than ever for a bitch to gain the momentum necessary to prove her value as breeding stock against the big, mature boys that she faced week in and week out. Minnie ultimately ended the year as the #1 Mastiff in the country.
Minnie wasn’t done showing her value to the breed just because she retired from full-time showing. She came home, adjusted to a new life with me, and successfully whelped a litter of puppies. Those puppies are now growing up and maturing and showing they have a place in the ring as well as in the hearts of their families.
Although Minnie’s conformation and breed qualities could never be in question, her greatest value is in her Mastiff heart. Like any true Mastiff, she is a cherished companion. She welcomes all into our home with tolerance and patience. Yet, she takes her watchdog responsibilities seriously and alerts me to any concerns. Most importantly, she is great company. Through a difficult journey in my life, she has always been there; always quietly reassuring me; always checking in when the moments were tough. When I had the realization that, although I had lived alone for the first time in my adult life, I had never been lonely - not a single minute - it was Minnie who was at my hand, touching, comforting, reassuring me. If every puppy she produces provides that love to their family, that will be the true measure of my success as a breeder.
“Minnie” - 11/9/2016 - MBISS GCHS Lazy D-Bluebonnet’s Magic Kingdom
2020 #1 Mastiff All-Breed 2020 #1 Mastiff Breed 2020 #27 Working Dog
Birdee is one of those unexpected gifts. I wasn’t looking for another puppy. However, when friends had used Camo for a breeding and offered a puppy back, Birdee was my pick. I brought her home and have been grateful for her ever since. She was a bit of a crazy puppy but grew into a mature, sound tempered best friend. She reminds me so much of her grandmother, Mollie, and it warms my heart. She gets along with everyone but is one of those dogs that you know would be able to determine and respond to a serious threat appropriately. Of all of my Mastiffs, she is the one with the most appropriate temperament - easy going, friendly to all, but has the necessary & healthy watchdog traits. I think of her as “the enforcer” (think hockey terms) who would be the first to leap into action if I, or the pack, were truly threatened. Like Minnie, Birdee proved herself to be a loyal friend and a rock during a time in life when I needed her the most - living up to the legend that her grandma was. I often think she and her grandma communicate about anticipating what I might need.
“Birdee” - 6/22/17 - Ch Fireside Lazy D’s Hope Floats At Bluebonnet
“JJ” - 12/29/21 - CH Bluebonnet X Southport Teamwork Makesthedreamwork
JJ has been a bundle of energy and personality from her first breath. She makes a liar out of the folks who like to say Mastiffs are lazy. I always start conditioning work gradually with puppies and increase their exercise over time. It didn’t take JJ long to go from .25 mi to 1.75 mi daily. And she absolutely loves her walks through the neighborhood.
JJ is the pick puppy from a breeding done between Minnie (#1 Mastiff 2020) to Ares (#1 Mastiff 2021, 2022 & #1 in 2023 until his retirement after winning his 3rd National Specialty in a row.) She has huge shoes to fill, but she finished her CH and GCH with limited showing and has all the promise of becoming a beautiful example of a Mastiff as she matures. My eyes are constantly open at dog shows and via social media for potential stud dogs to complement the sound, balanced type that JJ brings to the table. JJ will be bred in 2024 pending the results of all her health testing after turning two years old.
“Athena” - 12/29/21 - Bluebonnet Southport’s Athena
Athena hit the ground running as a show dog and was nearly finished when she suffered an injury. While recovering, she had a complication which led to her chewing on a foot, and ultimately, an infection. She came back to me to heal and rehab, and hopefully get those last points needed for her Championship. In the meantime, Athena is loving being part of the pack and just being a dog. She thoroughly loves the company of the other girls and the token boy in the group - a Beagle named Andy.
Athena is as energetic and over the top as her sister, JJ. However, she is also capable of incredible sensitivity and sweet cuddles. As much as she loves to play, she will stop everything to get a good hug, kiss and scratch behind the ear. She can be introduced to anyone and has never met a person or a dog that she thinks is a stranger.