BEHAF - Angel's Challenge

	ANGEL'S Challenge

This challenge was started by Michaela Simmons-Lackner & her Berner "Harvey" in a post to the Berner-L mailing list. Her post read:

"Are any of you in the mood for a little bet? Yes, it involves money - but all the proceeds would go to BEHAF. So please join in!

W ell, as you know Karen Connors who recently lost her beloved Britney is "expecting" again. She proudly announced that she would call her wee one "Angel". This, I told her, is an exceptionally cute name, but didn't she think that she would be tempting fate in doing so? Surely, giving a name like this to a puppy is analogous to waving a red flag to a bull. She'll prove to her every day that she is anything but... However, I could be wrong and the little one might live up to her name. So, I suggested the following bet: if the little one would behave "angelically" for MOST of her first year I would take back everything I said AND - as a sign of my profound regret and remorse - donate $ 25.00 on her behalf to the BEHAF fund. If, on the other hand, she turns out to be the naughtiest little minx that has ever set paws over her threshold, Karen would have to pay the same amount. Karen said "You are on!! I'm backing my Angel girl !"

I know some of you think that names have meaning and you get what you call them. Others, like me, ain't quite so sure ( after all, I called mine after a 6 foot invisible rabbit!! ). So what's in a name? Is it a self-fulfilling prophesy or is it inviting trouble in Karen's case? The rules for joining are simple - all you have to do is to publicly declare whether you think that "Angel" will a) live up to her name and thus turn out to be a very easy and well behaved puppy right from the start 0R b) that she will do anything to prove her name quite wrong and be as mischievous and naughty as a Bernese puppy can be. And then you pledge some money to support your bet. Hence, if Karen's reports about her "Angel" show that she develops in line with your prediction, you pay NOTHING ( plus you are allowed the smug and satisfying feeling of being right!). If you backed the wrong horse - or the wrong puppy! - the BEHAF fund grows and grows..... Is anyone else prepared to join our bet? Any size contribution goes. Go on.. It will be fun and it's for such a good cause.

Here is "Angel's" check list:
a) does/doesn't chew things not meant to be chewed by her
b) does/doesn't whine and/or bark inconsolably when left alone briefly
c) does/doesn't toddle off with her owners belongings and hide them in
obscure places d) does/doesn't steal
e) does/doesn't destroy every lovingly planted shrub/flower in the garden f, g, h, i , j, etc, to be determined by others!
What do you think?"

And here is Karen's response:
You little stinker!!!! LOL!!! I won't be able to tell fibs cause there's a few people on the Berner-L that live right around here and know me pretty well.....and in turn, will have the honor of watchin 'me Angel' grow! Let's see, there's Valerie Young, Lynne Smith, Janet Fitch, Terri Zimmerman, Lisa Ebnet, Dorothy Turley...actually, the whole flippin BMD club.....not to worry, they'll keep me honest!! Heeheeeeeeee!! OK.....now....you give me a year to turn this beast or Angel into an Angel eh?.....it isn't like she's gotta be an Angel every day or nuttin?? Boy, I better get ahold of Tracey Ricard right away and have her pic an 'Angel' out of those four gurls!! Ha!!!! This'll be fun Michaela!!
You're a very funny GURL!! :O))
Love You! Karen

Far be it for Berner lovers to pass up on such a challenge!
So far here is the breakdown:
ANGEL: 7 votes
DEVIL: 9 votes

Want to join in? Do you think Angel will live up to her name or be devilish? You can register your vote and amount of your donation with Michaela (m.sl@which.net) and remember, make checks out to BEHAF if you are wrong (but we will accept the donations even if you are right).

Here are some of those who are meeting the challenge (and a few of their comments):

COUNT US IN!!! I'll wager $25 that Karen Connor's new puppy "Angel" will live up to her name! Britney will always live in Karen's heart and in the heart's of many of us too. "Angel" will have a guardian angel by the name of "Angelbrat" aka BooBooHead, watching over her and being that small voice in her head, telling her that she is incredibly lucky to have a wonderful Berner Mom. Britt will want her to be a perfect puppy for Karen and will guide "Angel" in that direction every day. So, place my $25 bet towards the good shining through!! In fact, I'll pay my $25 either way it turns out because BEHAF works for the good of Berners.
Joye Neff and Winston (I'm pledging $5 that "Angel" will turn out to be a "brat", just like Britt!!)

Michaela, what a great idea! I'm going with Karen, Angel is going to live up to her name! She will be the sweetest, most adorable and and well behaved Berner pup ever! I'm pledging $25 too!
Love, Jean Cheesman

You bet! Since Angel is a girl, I bet she will always be an angel, as all females are. ;-) My $25 on her true angelic self.
Bernd Günter, Germany

Michaela and Karen - add my vote to the "Devil" vote! I think the new little "angel brat" to be will keep Karen busy with all kinds of antics - and make her happier than she can dream of! Those "Devil" puppies can be very rewarding! $25 to BEHAF from Ruth Nielsen, ZenMaster Max (who was a "Big Devil" of a puppy before he reached his ZEN-NESS) and the Winter-boy, who is quite angelic by contrast.
Ruth Nielsen, Seattle, WA

I have to bet that... Angel will be one asleep, and a real Devil awake!! $25 to BEHAF if she's an actual Angel, cause I just won't believe it! And a sleeping Angel won't count!!
Pat Long, Vesta & Maggie, (Sam & Luther)
the Brat expert

Okay I am going to bet for Angel(after all I did help Karen decide on the official name) So I am putting my money where my mouth is (fingers are). $25 to BEHAF(payable on her 1st Birthday for those of you who lose!) if she isn't the angel that Karen's name implies.
Dino and the Blackcoral Berner Bunch and board member of BEHAF

I 'll join in the fun! My money goes on little "Angel" not being so angelic! I suspect she will be a typical Berner-baby, full of life and mischief. I'll donate $25 to BEHAF if I'm wrong.
Jaye Carl, Lucy and Heather

Oh what a nice idea Michaela....I'll match that $25.00. Sorry, Karen....I'm siding with Michaela on "Angel" not being such an angel.........not that she won't be a love, but I think the "Angel-brat" will be guiding her in all things naughty! Like the day you post that she's jumped up on the hood of a car, or climbed up the sheer face of a cliff...LOL
Cathi DeSantis

Re Michaela's post about Karen's new puppy. I would love to join in - my bet is on the little devil. In fact I told Karen the other day I was looking for a set of little devil horns for the Angel because I know she is going to be a handful. My suggestion for "f" on the checklist is:
f) Does/doesn't devour all the rolls of film from one of Karen's wedding "shoots" - before they are developed. I will pledge $25 - and I am close enough that I can keep an eye on what is REALLY going on in the Conner household. Not that Karen won't keep us all up to date on Angel's latest antics! (VBG)
Valerie Young Enumclaw, WA

Hi all I suppose as Angel's breeder I had best place my bet! So here's my $25 contribution to the BEHAF Angel bet. Now obviously, I will have be on the side of Angel living up to her angelic name. But if she turns out to be a going concern, I suppose I will also have to pay up since I would be partially responsible.(Hey Karen .... have you registered for puppy kindergarten yet?) So angelic or not , either way BEHAF will receive my contribution.
Tracey Ricard ricard@westworld.ca
PS. Owning both mom and dad..... I would have to say that it would be even odds that it could go either way.

M y $25 is firmly on Angel doing at least 4 out of 5 of the things on Michaela's list and atleast 10 more really silly things that none of have even considered.At least I hope so.Those sorts of stories always make for good reading. I still, however, think Angel is an appropriate name. I often hear my friends and family refer to their obviously "trying" children as their "angels". Mostly their tongues are firmly in their cheeks (and behind their gritted teeth). What's in a name? My Custer is named for a man who, in my opinion was an opinionated, wrong-headed, trouble-maker who's main claim to fame was getting himself and his men killed in an unjust battle. I wanted to name him after an Native-American (or a mountain). Still, we have an agreement here, I choose the pets and Vic chooses the names.
Jill Povey
Stafford,England

"TO LOVE ONE BERNER IS TO LOVE THEM ALL!"

ANGEL'SChallenge

ANGEL'S
Challenge