TESTIMONIALS, 2011

Ron & Brenda (Gibson)

October 2011

Greetings Frieda and Branko, We just returned from the fall trip to our house in Ironbridge Ontario.  It was great.  Weather was beautiful...all sun no rain.  It was almost too warm to hunt...(70's and above).  Dogs  got real hot and ran those Canadian hares over 2 hours each hunt out. The first trip out, in the morning, Gibson was just  jumping around like a puppy.  Later that day he was out hunting with both of the other dogs and he started barking and howling while on the  trail.  It was such a joy to hear that little voice doing what God intended him to do!  Ron never did see that first hare to get a shot.  He felt so bad that he could nto kill it for all of their hard  work.  The next morning Ron took the dogs out and Gibson jumped a hare as soon as they got up into the woods.  He ran that hare and kept on the trail for again over 2.5 hours.  This time that old rascally hare did not get away.  Ron said that it was pretty neat to see Gibson sniff up the hare after the kill. His other hunting  buddies Echo and FeBe were also wanting to get in on the sniffing, but  Gibson stood over his first hare and took his time. Gibson's  heritage surely paid off. His skills are impressive.  He was just one week shy of being six months old when he ran his first hare. That is  the youngest of any dog that we have had.  We can not wait to get  another pup from you!  Have enjoyed the whole personna of Gibson. He is calm, kind, intelligent, and of course the cutest pup ever!  Ron is so looking forward to rabbit season here in the next  month or so. Am enclosing some pictures that I took of the dogs while we were there. Again thank you for  again for all of the  time you took to answer all of the questions we had about obtaining a pup from your kennel.

Samantha (Fisher)

October 2011

Hello Frieda, I'm not sure if you will remember us given the amount of people you must talk to on a daily basis with the breeding. We bought a beautiful little pup from you that is now 3 and we named him Fisher (2008 I believe). Fisher is my best friend and not a day passes that I don't tell him I love him (more like 50 times a day according to my husband,Tyler). We had to relocate to Brandon, MB for Tyler's work (we originally lived in Kenora ON) and there was a time when we cound not find a place that would allow pets ANYWHERE in Brandon. Well there was no way I was going to give up my dog! We moved to Carberry MB for about 3 months just to keep my boy. We now are living in Brandon because I managed to find a wonderful lady that allowed us to rent from her with Fisher (she is a dog owner and lover too). Anyway sorry for the long email just wanted to let you know how Fisher is and how he has touched my life in a way I could never put into words. Also I wanted to include a picture of last years jack o lantern,thought maybe you could use it on Branko's website for halloween.

Neal (Hunter)

June 2011

I was playing around snapping photos with a new lens and got a few of Hunter snuggled in a ball between my son's legs. Hunter seems to have taken up with both of them and welcomed them to the pack. Neal

Mia (Maggie)

June 2011

My family brought home Maggie 8 years ago from your location, and I just wanted to share a photo! She's doing great! Sincerely, Mia

Kelly (Royce)

May 2011

Hi Frieda, I have spoken with you in the past regarding our beagle Royce AKA Brankos Travelling Fellow.  I had sent you a photo from a few years back taken just after our last place finish at a local skijoring race, well I am happy to report that this year we didn’t come in last.  We beat a team of Siberian Huskies for 2nd to last. Royce was the talk of the race.  We rounded the home stretch and he was doing everything in his power to catch those Huskies and he got us there.  It was amazing; the crowd was chanting Beagle, Beagle (which is a little strange at a dog sled race!) I had a lady email me after the race saying that when we crossed the finish line it reminded her of “Eddie the Eagle” only this time it was “Eddie the Beagle”.  Once again this proves what hard working dogs you guys produce. My Lab Malamute cross gives up just as soon as we are away from the crowd, so poor Royce has to pull her weight and mine for 4 miles, but he still has enough go left in him to finish strong at the race.

Denise (Boz)

March 2011

Thanks so much for talking to me tonight; I really enjoyed it. I am very excited at the prospect of having a new Branko Beagle in my household. I have attached a copy of Boz's AKC tree and two pictures in case you are interested -- he had all the greats in him -- Ali-Baba, Copper Boy, Jack of All Trades, and Heli-Prop. Boz was, and still is, the #4 ranked Beagle in the North American Flyball Association. I'm looking forward to training a new Beagle and having a wonderful pet also.

Helen (Auggie)

February 2011

I know this is a very busy time for you. I just wanted to touch base. Auggie will be 2 at the end of the month. I can't believe where the time has gone. She  has had so many compliments, on how so well behaved she is. If I can advise anyone on training a beagle. I would say exercise and consistent discipline, along with a lot of mental stimulation.  They can just not get bored.  Even though their nose takes over, allowing them to use it only when you allow it.  They soon realize what and when they can do what it is they want.

I have in the last month bought a garbage can for in the kitchen, I always had it in the cupboard,  I wanted to see what she would do.  I made sure that I had a lot of stinky stuff in it, the first week. She sniffed and sniffed, when she did I would tell her no, she  did this maybe 4 or 5 times. Now she  does not even go near it, only when she drinks water. Her water bowl is  touching the garbage can. She is indeed, very well behaved.

I have heard horror stories, of beagles digging in garbage, ripping things apart.  None of that, I can leave her alone, she sits on her chair. she will still be their when I get home. It has been a pleasure seeing her become the dog I have always wanted. It has been a challenge because she has her own mind, I think I really have figured out how she thinks.

Last night we were at our agility class,  we were given homework.  This was for them to stand on different objects, with all four feet, we can only use hand signals and our body language to tell them what to do.  I got home worked with her maybe 10 minutes.  She got a bit of it.  I am home for lunch I thought lets practice.  No kidding she got it right away.  I just look at what i want her to go on, point to it say nothing. There she is standing on the book, with all feet, of course waiting for her reward. What a happy happy dog.

She has never given me a moment of me feeling she was a mistake.  She is  the very most perfect dog.  I can't love her more.  Yet she is still a dog and is treated as one,  as you told me 2 years ago, that was the very best advise you could ever give a potential beagle owner.

I will be in touch again.

Pat & Brian (Bruno)

January 2011

It has been a while since we last updated Bruno's progress. He has developed into a wonderful companion: bright, gentle, affectionate, and obedient with a little bit of the precocious nature that makes Beagles so loveable. He has truly become a member of the family and we love him. We are forwarding you some pictures of him taken a little over a week ago. The first two are of him frolicking in our yard while the third is of him relaxing soon after he came back in. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful dog. Pat & Brian