Brody

A friend, her twins and myself along with my three kids, crammed car seats into my minivan and took a ride to Pumpkin Hill Sugarhouse in Gorham along with some very cooperative weather. We chose this sugarhouse because of the resident Saint Bernards who are sometimes called upon to pull the maple sugar sleigh. Both Brody and Snickers are rescue dogs from Saint Bernard Rescue. There is a group of dedicated breed rescuers for just about any breed your heart may desire. Rare breeds may take some time to acquire, but with patience just about anything is possible.

How can you visit with Saint Bernards and not think of the movie Beethoven. Of course any time movies feature dogs, the demand for the “breed flavor of the month” increases, and it is usually not a good thing for the breed at all. Unsavory types start breeding and weaken gene pools, and people always manage to get in way over their heads despite the best efforts of press and public relations who try to dissuade folks. Many dogs are dumped after the puppy breath fades, and the kids find a new favorite movie.
Movies such as: Beethoven (Saint Bernards), 101 and 102 Dalmatians, Babe (Border Collies), and Lassie (Collies) have never done a breed good. Even our president's choice of dogs affect dog and puppy sales, and in turn owner surrenders.

One of my all time favorite movie lines is spoken by Charles Grodin (the Dad) in Beethoven, when his family is trying very hard to convince him to keep the puppy they found.
He says:

"We’re people people. We’re gold fish people, we’re ant farm people.
We’re not dog people!"
St. Bernards are lovely dogs with sweet temperaments, but oy! the hair, the drool and the dirt.
And the moral of this blog:
If you see a dog in a movie or on TV, do not get one just like it!
The dogs of Pumpkin Hill are well loved and owned by true St Bernard lovers. Meeting them, petting them and watching them lazily soaking up the early spring sun would make anyone fall in love and want one, but if you are thinking of adding a dog to your family please do your research people!

We left with a jug of syrup-a birthday present for my husband from the kids. It will be hard for the rest of us to leave it alone!

Kids check where sap comes from

Kids with Brody and Snickers in the foreground