February 27th 2007
Today we lost our beloved boy Berber. Our big white boy. Our first dog. With him and through him we learned everything we know about Samoyeds and working them. If it hadn’t been for Berber, we probably would never have started dogsledding.

Many memories of a very naughty, busy, but ever so sweet puppy, who turned into a lovely boy who also liked cuddling. And he loved all the dogs that came after him.

He also loved working in the team, although he had some habbits like stopping to pee. He ended up hurting a tendon and he didn’t want to run anymore. That was fine with us. Never run without fun.

We both had a special bond with Berber. He protected me from bad people and he loved his walks with Will in the weekends. And when Will was reading a paper, he slammed the paper out of his hand to make clear that he wanted his walk.

And then suddenly, within a day, this strong happy, but old male turned into a very sick dog. So fast that we could hardly believe it, but it was obvious that we had to make a decision.

Farewell lovely white big chap, we will never ever forget you. We hope you will do well at the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Make sure you will find that cloud with Ezrah and Robber waiting for you. You will not be alone. And we will never forget your big smile.

Here you can read Berber's story:

Berber was born on November 11th 1993. He is our first dog and only boy. As said before we soon realized we had to do something with him to keep him busy. So we started jogging with and took him on bikeruns. He was very happy when Chanouk came. By that time we had our first "sleddogexperience": we went to see a cartrace close to our home.

Two year later, in November 1996, I ran my first pulkrace with Berber. He was so great, that I was in tears when we crossed the finish line. Berber can be a pain in the team, but he is getting better and better. He runs lead since the 1999/2000 season. He is strong and determined to run fast.

Berber went to work with me when he was a puppy. He was a pain there too. Barking when the phone rang, running underneath the desks .... oh, well in the end he behaved and going to work was as normal as the other things in his life. As Will not always comes home at night, Berber was puzzled and waiting for him at stairs in the mornings for him to come down. Finally he understood that too and that also changed his sleepingpattern. When Will is at home, Berber sleeps in the bedroom, but when Will is not at home, Berber sleeps near the frontdoor. So be warned!!

Berber loves going to the snow. Berber also loves his "granddad" Pim. They even ran a pulkrace together and that was big fun!

Now that there are more dogs in the house, Berber stays at home during the day. To keep an eye on all the girls. But when the girls are in season he goes to stay with his Granddad.