Ch. Mapbella Ciarghrian Pagaille, CGN, CD, HIC, RNMCL, RAMCL, RXMCL, TT, TDI


May 2004 - September 2011

Ciaran, warmed his way into my heart, and life has never been the same. He introduced me to CKC conformation, CKC obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility, St. Johns' Ambulance Therapy Dogs, sheep herding, and titles earned for being “Good Neighbours”! We spent many happy years training and competing in these various sports. The only limitations were health concerns, which sadly took their tolls. Ciaran was diagnosed with cardiac failure at the tender age of 7. Being a Belgian, though, this sweetheart wasn’t done with teaching me new things. Instead of training halls, our home and hearts became the foundation of his life-lessons. Ciaran, diagnosed and given 6 months to live, made us grateful for each and every day beyond that original diagnosis. We packed in memory after memory, picture after picture, video after video. We hugged, we cried, we dreaded the inevitable, and we revelled in each and every face wash he gave us. We rejoiced in every stolen milestone - another fall, another Christmas, his 8th birthday, another summer.....Not willing to part too early, Ciaran gave us another year and a half to soak up every memory we could, God bless him! Not a day goes by that we aren’t reminded of everything he gave us. He has left behind very big paws to fill - which, by the way, are permanently imprinted in the new cement in the barn!

Bernadette Beirnes

Ciaran was really a big boy with a heart of gold which he took from his sire, Sunkiss. He was a gentle soul who represented the breed well. Ciaran was ready to do anything to please his owners and he was always such a gentleman. I had the privilege to show Ciaran in the conformation ring and put his Canadian championship title on him. He was easy to show and moved gracefully.

Though he was always happy to see me, he certainly was happiest with his family. Jon and Bernadette did such an amazing job in caring for him. Even when they found out that he had a very serious heart condition, their love for him never wavered. They stayed by his side and made life for him as comfortable as possible. Ciaran was accompanied by his humans ‘til the very last day.

Although he might be gone physically, his spirit remains in all of our hearts. Ciaran touched many lives and in doing so, enriched each one. Now he is able to join his dam and they can run free without any pain. “Can’t wait to see you again Ciaran. One day soon our turn will finally be here.”