BOWEN

Bowen de l’Ile Romande

16th of April 2008 – 23rd of October 2020

Captured by Joiel’s Palace

Some dogs accompany us through life. Others change our lives forever. For me, Bowen was both.

Bowen was my first own dog. With him, a lifelong wish came true for me: to finally be allowed to have a dog of my own. For Andreas, too, Bowen was his first dog. Although he meant an incredible amount to us both, Bowen was always a little mummy’s boy.

For me, Bowen was the perfect family dog. He had a very special, creative character and was up for anything, as long as he was convinced of it himself. With his charming manner he made us laugh again and again. Bowen and I were heart and soul. He was exactly the dog I would wish for every first-time dog owner.

My original dream of taking part in REDOG with Bowen never came true. Instead, we discovered the world of dog shows together. Bowen grew into a very successful show dog and was, in his day, among the most successful Barbets in the show ring. And believe me, he knew full well that he was something special.

But Bowen was so much more than a successful show dog. He was trained as a therapy dog and, with his special nature, was able to help an incredible number of people. That was his very own talent. He always seemed to sense who was not feeling well. Without anyone having to say a word, he would get up, walk over to that person and simply lie down beside them. As if he had known exactly who needed a little closeness, comfort, or simply someone who was there.

He did not need grand gestures. His closeness alone could achieve so much. And that is exactly what made him such a very special dog. He gave people comfort without expecting anything in return, and touched hearts without ever being able to know it.

Above all, though, Bowen opened up the world of the Barbet to me. Since he moved in with us on 11 July 2008, I have learned an incredible amount about this breed, its particularities and its unique character. Bowen is the reason why I have taken this cheerful, funny, friendly and lovable breed so much to heart.

And ultimately he is also the reason why Barbets are a firm part of our lives today, and why at some point we decided to breed this wonderful breed ourselves. When I look today at what has grown out of our shared story, I realize how much this one dog has set in motion in my life.

I was allowed to experience so many beautiful moments with Bowen. Moments that made me laugh, that shaped me, and that will always have a special place in my heart. He was my first own dog, my soul dog, my companion and the beginning of so much of what makes up my life today.

Today, six years after we had to say goodbye to him, he is still missed. But when I think of Bowen, I do not want to think only of the farewell. I want to remember all the love, his unmistakable character, his mischief, his special gift for understanding people, and all the happiness he gave us.

Thank you, Bowen, for being my first own dog. Thank you for showing me the world of the Barbet. Thank you for all the wonderful moments and for helping so many people.

You changed our lives in a way that you yourself would probably never have understood. And perhaps that is the loveliest thing about you: you were simply yourself, and that was more than enough.

Health Tests

†Bowen died of cancer on 23 October 2020.

Working Tests

Bowen passed the therapy dog examination and worked in several institutions.

Show results of BOWEN

Bowen’s show results will be added soon.

Photos of Bowen