Bravo was our main stud here at Stonehill. He was a certified therapy dog, and a very mellow boy that put his excellent, gentle temperament into his pups. Bravo was also crowned the AKC's Doggy Diva where he was featured on their Facebook page and website, and he currently has one of the most popular German shepherds on youtube, thanks to a video of him playing with his daughter, with over 3 million views on Youtube and millions more all over the web. Watch it here. You can also view more photos of Bravo at the bottom of this page.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we said goodbye to our dearest Bravo in February 2015. He had an undetected spleen tumor that ruptured. He was unable to be saved and we were devastated. He showed no signs of pain, giving obedience demonstrations just hours earlier.
Bravo's name was "Bravo" Starkhertz Von Stonehill, which means Bravo StrongHeart. This is a name he carried with him his entire life, right until his final breaths. He never showed any signs of weakness or pain, even though we know he had to feel it. He was always strong of heart, making an impression on all of us, showing us the kind of people we wish we could be.
Many of you know Bravo as the father or friend to your dog, or perhaps a training teacher, or maybe you didn't know him but you saw him in the video where he is playing with his young pup. Bravo touched so many lives during his nearly 8 years with us. He was a certified therapy dog and loved visiting those who needed his support. He was ever charming with a noble presence. He could grab the attention of any room he walked into. He was gentle as a lamb with his family and friends, but could be brave as a lion when we needed him. He was like the glue that held the entire kennel together. He taught the young dogs so much and was a friend to everyone. He was such a big piece of our Stonehill family.
He made an even bigger impact on our family. Shelly said "I counted on him for everything. He was a piece of me; I feel like I've lost my arm. I never had to wonder if he would do something, he'd always do anything I asked of him, no matter what the situation. I could just count on him. I really don't know what I will do without him. He was always there for me." We are lost without him, but find solace in knowing his legacy lives on in the spirits of the many wonderful dogs he produced. We feel so incredibly fortunate that we were able to have him in our lives, even if he had to leave us too soon.
We hurt over every loss, but somehow this hurts a little more. Rest in peace, Bravo. You will be greatly missed.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we said goodbye to our dearest Bravo in February 2015. He had an undetected spleen tumor that ruptured. He was unable to be saved and we were devastated. He showed no signs of pain, giving obedience demonstrations just hours earlier.
Bravo's name was "Bravo" Starkhertz Von Stonehill, which means Bravo StrongHeart. This is a name he carried with him his entire life, right until his final breaths. He never showed any signs of weakness or pain, even though we know he had to feel it. He was always strong of heart, making an impression on all of us, showing us the kind of people we wish we could be.
Many of you know Bravo as the father or friend to your dog, or perhaps a training teacher, or maybe you didn't know him but you saw him in the video where he is playing with his young pup. Bravo touched so many lives during his nearly 8 years with us. He was a certified therapy dog and loved visiting those who needed his support. He was ever charming with a noble presence. He could grab the attention of any room he walked into. He was gentle as a lamb with his family and friends, but could be brave as a lion when we needed him. He was like the glue that held the entire kennel together. He taught the young dogs so much and was a friend to everyone. He was such a big piece of our Stonehill family.
He made an even bigger impact on our family. Shelly said "I counted on him for everything. He was a piece of me; I feel like I've lost my arm. I never had to wonder if he would do something, he'd always do anything I asked of him, no matter what the situation. I could just count on him. I really don't know what I will do without him. He was always there for me." We are lost without him, but find solace in knowing his legacy lives on in the spirits of the many wonderful dogs he produced. We feel so incredibly fortunate that we were able to have him in our lives, even if he had to leave us too soon.
We hurt over every loss, but somehow this hurts a little more. Rest in peace, Bravo. You will be greatly missed.
