Cassie and Her People
About me and my family
Hi, my name is Cassie and I live in Vancouver, British Columbia.
I am a twelve year old Bichon Frise . Some people say that I am really just
an adorable, little white dog but I prefer to regard myself as a kid in a dog suit!!
Some days this suit takes many forms.
When I was six weeks old ,my people-to-be, Malvene drove out
to see me. She thought that
she was just driving, for two hours in Friday rush hour traffic, to "look at the puppies"
in Chillawack but I was so cute she just had to bring me home. We have been pals ever since.
Murray joined us many years ago and now I have two people to cater to my ever need.
A couple of years ago we were joined by a bichon puppy, Phoebe. She was very busy initially
and a lot of work for Malvene and Murray but she has settled down and now is a pretty good pal too.
My home turf
I use to live on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Oh What a life... On sunny days I luxuriated on
my balcony watching mere mortals below as they trudge up and down the street.
I was disturbed by the occasional loud car stero but I really loved it when the fire engines passed
by and I could join in with a few well choosen howls. Several times a day Malvene would take me out
for long walks. There are numerous parks in the area and I really enjoyed meeting up with my park
pals.
Now I live in a house with two balconies and a yard. I love stretching out on the cool grass. There is so
much more room to run and places to dig. (I am not suppose to be digging, could that be our little secret?)
My job before retirement
Yep, I had a job for a couple of years, puppy sitting Jasper.
Jasper is a
Coton de Tulear. (Another little white dog who knows he is special).
His person, Chris, is a nurse. They got a new puppy so now he does his own puppy sitting.
I retired too, from my weekly volunteer work, where I use to visit at a Senior's Care Facility.
There,these lovely people would tell me how truly wonderful and gorgeous I am, plus give me pats and
treats. It was dog heaven. I volunteered through a group called B.C. Pets and Friends.
My friends
Every where I go I make friends. I think it is because of my happy tail. I have lots
of other people friends and my four footed pals in the park are always anxious to play.
My family reunion
The Bichon Bash was my family reunion for a few years. It was held in the summer in Centenial Park White Rock.
Family can be a bit much on occasion, especially two hundred of them. I am sure glad it was only
once a year. Look at the outfits that got worn!!!
Where I have travelled
I have been to Lacombe Alberta, Portland Orgeon and Salt Spring Island. I like travelling
because it usually means lots of special time with my people and wonderful new smells.
I love being in the car. In Alberta, we stay on a farm. I am quite a brave
dog but cows and horses are sooo big. In Portland, I got a Queen size bed all to myself plus
great leftovers from a wonderful German restaurant. However, I like Salt Spring Island
best! I stay with Jack and Jan. They are two more of my people friends and spoil my family
and I royally. Ahh - the absolute peace, lazy mornings, great food, cozy fireplaces, flower beds
to leap, a pond with real ducks and the occasional deer to chase.
Great food
The stuff in my bowl is ok but I really prefer anything that my people leave on their plates.
CHOCOLATE!! I actually climb, on chairs, across tables, enduring the wrath of my people, just to
sniff an empty chocolate wrapper.(Chocolate is like poison to dogs but they sure do not know
that.)
My favourite web sites
Selling Vancouver Homes
(This is the hand that feeds me)
B.C. Pets and Friends
Feed back for Cassie
Thanks for visiting my web site. Lick Lick.......
ARG! Cartoon Animation Studio
- thousands of original animated GIFs
Please take a moment to 'paws' and reflect on this web site. Perhaps you have ideas you
would like to share, improvements to suggest, and or questions to ask. Your comments and
feedback would be most appreciated. Come back soon!
Feedback on Cassie's web page
(I have my very own web page because Malvene did an introduction to web
design course. Cool eh, whoops I mean 'woof'.
Glossary of terms
-
Bichon Frise
-
The Bichon is descended from the Barbet or Water-Spaniel, from which came the name "Barbichon,"
later contracted to "Bichon" and originated in the Mediterranean area. Appreciated for their
dispositions, the dogs traveled much through antiquity. Frequently offered as items of barter,
they were transported by sailors from continent to continent. The dogs found early success in
Spain and it is generally felt that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Islands.
In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited
with returning them to the Continent, where they became great favorites with Italian nobility,
and were often cut "lion style." The "Bichon" made its appearance in France under Francis I, the
patron of the Renaissance (1515-1547). However, its greatest success was in the court of Henry
III
(1574-1589), where it was pampered, perfumed, and beribboned. The breed also enjoyed considerable
success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school often
included them in their works. One finds such a dog in several of the paintings of Goya.
When the aristocracy lost their heads, the fate of this aristocratic dog took a new turn.
In the late 1800s, it became the "common dog," running the streets, accompanying the organ
grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs. At the end of
World War I, a few fanciers recognized the potential of the dogs and in France four breeders
began establishing their lines through controlled breeding programs.
- Coton de Tulear
- The Coton du Tulear is a relative to the Bichon-type dogs and the Italian Bolognese.
There are a couple of theories about its arrival in Madagascar: arriving with French troops, or
from a shipwreck off of the island. It dates back to the 1600's. However, it wasn't until the
latter part of this century, in the 70's and 80's that it really became known in Europe and
North America. It was used mainly as a companion dog in the Tulear region of Madagascar.
- Malvene
- Malvene is my main person. She looks after me in the best of fashions and in
her 'spare time' sells Real Estate. See how wonderful she is at
Selling Vancouver Homes
