1st September 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have lost our magnificent boy, Simba at the age of 9½ years. We lost Kenya at the end of May and now Simba, the last of our Estrela Mountain Dogs. We are really sad that it is the end of an era for us as these two were our introduction into the world of giant breed dogs.

 

Simba especially was just exceptional. So calm and self-assured in all situations, he was totally predictable. While other owners of Estrela’s could barely take their dogs anywhere off the lead, he was an absolute dream. His confidence in his own ability and strength made him turn away from smaller dogs being aggressive towards him.

 

We shall always remember the time when a Jack Russell attacked him, snapping away and trying to bite him. He eventually bit onto and attached himself to the thick hair on Simba’s mane. Simba just turned away and trotted off, with the Jack Russell still attached! It looked like a bison being pursued by a mongoose the size difference was such! Simba knew he could very seriously hurt the smaller dog, but didn’t want to, and didn’t retaliate in anyway. The Jack Russell finally fell off and returned to his embarrassed and relieved owner!

 

This episode was repeated a few times in his life, he had nothing to prove, so he didn’t.

 

The funniest episodes would be with each litter when Simba would run away from very small puppies and hide in a corner! We think he was terrified of standing on them. To see such a giant of a dog running away from several 7 week old puppies all pursuing him was hilarious. He would eventually look at us with that look of his that would say “HELP!”.

 

As puppies within our household grew they would lick around his mouth in that typically submissive gesture, and it would drive him nuts. He would just bark at them to stop, after just a few days the puppies would soon learn he was just noise and continue to lick but faster with their tales wagging like crazy! All the dogs at Leonmoor would do it, including our boys Thunder and Finland.

 

We are still in a bit of shock that he has actually gone and are already sorely missing our boy, but are so glad for the time we had with him. We have so many great memories of a long and eventful life for one of the dog world’s true gentlemen. Rest in peace our Simba.

OLD NEWS…...

We are very sad to

announce the loss of our

magnificent Simba .

 

He was 9½ years of age.

He suffered from an attack of bloat

last week, brought on by an

abdominal tumour that had been

detected 6 months ago.

Words are hard to find for such a

huge gentleman in the dog world.

He was supremely confident with people & dogs and treated females with the utmost reverence. He was held in the greatest respect by every dog that met him. He had an aura about him that made everyone’s eyes light up when he walked in the room. He was an absolute credit to the Estrela Mountain Dog breed. He scaled over 30 Munro’s in Scotland in winter during his lifetime, and no dog looked more the part in these most grandiose of settings of the Highlands.

Everyone who has visited us at

Leonmoor all commented on our exceptional boy and most just wanted to take him home with them! The pictures on the left are how we shall remember him …. truly magnificent. We will miss our gentle giant more than words can say.

NEWER NEWS…...≥