Hi Reader,
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It is with a heavy heart that I write to you this week. Our beloved 9-year-old Maremma, Olaf, died Tuesday night. Many of you who have followed our journey for a while know that Olaf was my first Maremma โ "the dog who started it all" and changed my life forever.
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Olaf came to us as a five-month-old puppy when we first bought our farm. He joined our six Nigerian Dwarf goats and eleven horses, and from day one, he settled in beautifully with them. As I wrote in my blog years ago, "It didn't take me long to realize these dogs are extraordinary. Think about it: a dog that would lay down its life to protect an animal of another species is truly incredible. Awe-inspiring."
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What made Olaf special wasn't just his exceptional guardian abilitiesโthough they wereโbut how he transformed our entire family's relationship with dogs. He even won over my husband, who famously "hated dogs" before Olaf showed him what these magnificent animals are capable of. That's the kind of impact Olaf hadโchanging hearts and minds, one person at a time.
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With his lifelong partner Genevieve, Olaf produced four remarkable litters that became the foundation of Prancing Pony Farm's breeding program. (He sired two more litters with Carina.) Though he retired from breeding a few years ago, he continued his important work mentoring younger dogs and showing them what it means to be an excellent guardian. He also taught me more about LGDs than any human ever could.
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Olaf's legacy lives on here on our farm with his daughters, Polar and ET, and his grandson, Titus. His impact even carries over to our dogs that aren't related to him because we would never have the breeding program we have today without him. We owe so much to that amazing dog and will never forget him.
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For those who don't know Olaf's story, I've linked a blog post about how he came into our lives and why he was so special. In it, you'll find the story of how a childhood dream of farm life, six Nigerian Dwarf goats, and one fluffy Maremma puppy led to Prancing Pony Farm becoming what it is today.
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Olaf, the Dog Who Started It All
Read the story of the Maremma that changed my life and the lives of so many of my clients forever.
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Olaf's Legacy Lives On
As we move forward, we remain committed to the standards Olaf helped establish โ exceptional working ability, proper early socialization with livestock and humans, comprehensive health testing, and dogs that excel as livestock guardians and beloved companions. Olaf's legacy reminds us why we do what we do and why the source of your livestock guardian dog is the most important decision you can make and determines whether the experience will be a blessing or a curse. Olaf was truly a blessing.
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Thank you for being part of our community and sharing our joys and sorrows. Your support means everything, especially during times like these.
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Now go hug your sweet dogs,
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Kim
"A good dog never dies. He always stays. He walks beside you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near. His head is within our hand in his old way." โ Mary Carolyn Davies
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