09/26/2026
Beloved Spike passed last week and we are heartbroken.
My deepest condolences to his lovely owner Bridgette Verdon,her sister Patty,John and The Kups Family.
Spike lived a lifetime of love with his family and all who knew and adored him.
His origin story always made me cry and I would play it like a film in my mind.
The old man who took ill unexpectedly and in duress asked the policeman at the scene to take Spike for safety but alas could not care for him properly and as the best stories go ended up in the hands and home of his forever owner Bridgette,a lifelong Bullmastiff owner and virtuoso who loved him into fruition, giving him the greatest life ever.
Spike was intelligent,handsome and had an elegance that made him a standout among his breed and all breeds.
He was stately and discerning but for me he was a dream dog.
Large in stature,even larger in heart with the conformation,drive and desire to learn,grow and please.
He was tolerant and kind and what legendary dogs are made of in this world.
I was extremely fortunate to become his trainer and through our work and over time we forged a relationship that lasted many years.
No matter how I felt when I woke up in the morning if I knew I was going to see him and work with him, there was a skip in my step and a song in my heart.
He always brought me joy.
Spike changed my life by making me a better trainer and in part a better human but the icing on the cake has been cultivating a very special friendship with The Verdon family.
 I owe them so much and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their boy with me for all of these years.✨🙏♥️

This week I’ve looked back on how life presented me with the Amazing Murphy Doodle and the lovely Smock~ Oakley family and if it wasn’t for them I would never have met Spike and his incredible family.
I think we’re going to be heartbroken for a long time.
Thank you beloved Spike.
I will miss you.💔♥️
I know my boy Roman was at the root of all of this and helped in orchestrating the process of healing my heart. 
Thank you Roman.
You keep an eye on my boy Spike now.
I’m counting on it.🙏♥️


