Melissa Oberle
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio
From the moment I hit the ground animals have been central in my life. In childhood my mom and dad created Norginn lovebirds, in which they raised, bred, and trained birds (lovebirds ,African Greys, an Ecalectus, and a very spoiled Umbrella Cockatoo). I vividly remember falling in love with one specific bird I had named Peek-A-Boo. I had trained him to wait and fly to me from across the room. That was probably my first “training” experience with animals.
As time progressed my mom decided to get out of the bird industry and we began working with the Mastiff Club of America. According to her, if she couldn’t have a horse, she might as well get horse-sized dogs, right? We had had an English Mastiff while I was growing up that my dad had rescued, Misty, but it wasn’t until I was about 6 that they became heavily involved in the rescue of the breed. After many years of rescuing and after the loss of our dear Misty (who honestly didn’t like me much), my mom adopted Kitty. A strong bond formed between the two, my mother and Kitty made it all the way to second place nationally in obedience, also under the Norginn name. This really sparked my interest in the possibility of showing. Years passed by and we had a litter of our own, and I began showing juniors in confirmation. I had so much fun showing but it was short lived as my father died suddenly in my pre-teen years.
Fast forward to just a few years ago, ~2018, while enjoying a holiday with some horse friends, another animal species we added to the family in the time since my father passed, we were watching a rerun of the Westminster dog show. I see this black and rust dog and quickly I’m intrigued by it’s fierce beauty, as you could guess, it was a Beauceron. I started research immediately and followed various beaucerons on Instagram. Quietly I followed these dogs, liking, sharing, screenshotting them until I decided I was ready and wanted to meet one!
Finally in 2020, I reached out on Facebook in various groups, explaining my position, and my interest in the breed. I couldn’t be more thankful that Erika Stephens answered that call and best of all we were only an hour apart.
Shortly after connecting on Facebook, I met Erika, Oath, and a young puppy Reverie and I instantly fell in love. I was asking questions left and right, loving the big goof, Oath who warmed up to me immediately and even fell asleep on my lap as we talked. As well as being blown away by puppy Reverie’s intelligence, focus on Erika, and eagerness to please.
In the year since meeting Erika, I have had many play dates and have stolen Oath for weekends to make sure I’m really prepared for bringing my own beauceron home. We have talked about pedigrees, the breed standard, what goals the breed seems well suited for, and I was one of the first to meet the sweet Miss Séance after her journey to Ohio. With a Zoology degree under my belt, and the eagerness for my next adventure in life, I finally felt it was time for my own Beauceron and Erika offered the option of being part of Des Vents, alongside assistance with finding a puppy in general.
After months of waiting, hoping, and even some heart break when litters just didn’t work out… My boy Sylas is home and our Adventure can finally begin.
