Friday, October 11, 2024

Hurricane Milton

Good morning, dear blog readers,

Once again the Goddess of Meterology waved her magic wand and protected our little neighborhood from major hurricane damage and tornadoes. Only a few branches and a few fences fell. No flooding from storm surge or heavy rain. Our roof is intact. Electrical power is still out--no air conditioning but the weather is fairly cool so we can open windows to catch the breeze, and of course we have several little battery-powered fans.  Not much cell phone service; Internet service has been "interrupted" for 3+ days.

The night the hurricane hit, the skies went dark and, the house was dark. I sat in the pitch darkness not able to see a thing,* and heard only the wind whooshing by. I went to bed and when I awoke a few hours later the sun was shining, and sky was blue and a cool, gentle breeze was blowing, to the accompaniment of the sound of chainsaws off in the distance. Our handyman company fixed our fence that afternoon. The fridge is still keeping food cool.

So that was my experience of the Hurricane of the Century that was supposed to make a direct hit on our area. 

*Yes, I have flashlights but I wanted to see the storm in its natural state.

Our thoughts and prayers and charitable donations will hopefully help people around the world who are experiencing destructive weather.

Kuvasz posts will be returning shortly!


Sunday, October 6, 2024

12th annual commemoration of Day of Kuvasz Loyalty

The background of this event: A KUVASZ ÉS MI ALAPITVÁNY on Facebook created the idea for a memorial day for the Kuvaszok who died in World War II. He chose September 15 for the anniversary date, and in 2013 held the first walk in Budapest to honor the brave Kuvaszok who died defending their owners' property from invading Soviet soldiers. In 2024 the commemoration was held in conjunction with the Diamond Kuvasz event.

On this day we would remember to those Kuvaszes and other breeds of dogs who sacrificed their life for those who were the most important for them, for people. 

Why September 15th?

Because around this time in the autumn of 1944 the Soviet army stepped into the area of the Karpathian basin and started the biggest known slaughter of the Kuvasz population. We at A KUVASZ ÉS MI ALAPITVÁNY in Budapest would like if this not so well-known historical fact would not sink into 
oblivion.

For those 
who do not know about this period, we would sum up what happened from the autumn in 1944, here and on our Facebook page at A KUVASZ ÉS MI ALAPITVÁNY:


DAY OF KUVASZ LOYALTY, SEPT. 15, 2017
(now Sept. 2024)
by A KUVASZ ÉS MI ALAPITVÁNY, "The Kuvasz and We" Non-Profit Foundation

In the middle of September 1944 started the marching of the Soviet army from more directions into the Karpathian basin. Crowds of people fled from their farms and left the small villages when they heard about the arrival of the front lines. Besides saving the lives of people, saving the guarding kuvaszes as well was out of the question. 
 
Most of the people hoped that the Kuvasz would hide when they heard the noise of the guns, or run away, and when the tenants got home they would return, so they might survive the passing of the army.

The people who returned days and weeks after the army left the area, saw that the dogs (other breed than kuvasz) survived the brutality of the troops. 

But coming home they had to face reality, most of the Kuvaszes lied shot down near the fence. The Kuvaszes left behind tried to save the home of their owners!!! 

The warning shots were useless, the roaring tanks, the rumbling guns did not frighten them away. When everybody ran away, they protected with loyalty what they had been entrusted to guard. Entering to the Karpathian basin, it soon spread among the foreign soldiers that the big white dogs had to be shot because they did not let anyone to enter, and could seriously injure the attacker. 

According to estimations from the autumn of 1944 to the spring of 1945 THOUSANDS OF KUVASZES GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR ACTING THE WAY THEY HAD BEEN TAUGHT BY THEIR OWNERS!
A KUVASZ ÉS MI ALAPITVÁNY Facebook Page

There are many links to go through but they're worth it!


About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)


Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Hurricane Helene

Photo taken by our pool cleaner of pool he had
serviced, not in our neighborhood.

Hi everyone, I just want to tell you that though Hurricane Helene caused major damage and destruction and death throughout the southeast US, we’re okay. I bought my house in a non-flood zone just so I wouldn’t have to evacuate with big dogs.  This time, my purchase seemed not just convenient, but like a miracle.

Even though my neighborhood is only 2 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and is only 12' above sea level, we had no flooding or storm surge.  We had a bit of rain and wind. Didn’t lose power, didn’t have to shut off the sewer system the way some places had to, due to old pipes not being built to withstand a storm of this magnitude. No road flooding. No trees downed. No houses destroyed. No deaths.

I have to watch the news, just like everyone else since I didn't see anything personally, to learn what this storm has done. Apparently due to some geological/geographic/meteorological or whatever combination, this one small neighborhood was not effected. BTW, the news media refers to my area as "Pinellas County" and "Tampa Bay".

We count our blessings and make our donations to the Red Cross and other charities to help the first responders.

Photo taken by our pool cleaner of pool he had 
serviced, not in our neighborhood.

Dog owners place the collars of their deceased dogs
 on the railing of this bridge--the "Rainbow Bridge"-- in NC. 
Unfortunately the bridge was washed away in the storm.

Our neighbor, Dave, lives only 2 miles from us but is adjacent to the water of the Gulf. The surge water came to his shoulder height (you can see the high water mark on the wall). This is a museum dedicated to preserving artifacts of the Tocabaga Indians; the glass display cases were smashed but most of the artifacts were salvaged.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Hard Dog Race 2024 coming up on Sept. 18

The annual Hard Dog Race will be held in Hungary on September 18, 2024.
Photo of Kuvasz team competitors in the 2019 Hard Dog Race.

See the FB page here: hard_dog_race_2024


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

"To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.”

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

183,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips!



No Kuvasz here, but some questions about Hungarian water essence. What is it? Is the water from Lake Balaton or a thermal spring? What makes Hungarian water so desirable? Are there no water essences from Slovakia or Romania? In any case, I'm expecting to look as beautiful as a Hungarian woman any minute now from using this!


 There have now been  183,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips! There are 7,127 posts on the blog. This blog has been seen in 105 countries around the world, in all 6 continents of the world where dogs live: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Kuvasz live in all, now including Africa, where several Kuvasz "cousins" also live. (Or 5 continents if considering that Europe and Asia are actually one continent, Eurasia.) These are amazing numbers for a blog written about a fairly obscure subject, a rare dog breed, the Kuvasz! 


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Thursday, August 15, 2024

182,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips!

Hungary in the 2024 Olympics 

The views are still coming in fast, in spite of my being on a hiatus-1,000 views in just 3 weeks! There have now been  182,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips! There are 7,126 posts on the blog. This blog has been seen in 105 countries around the world, in all 6 continents of the world where dogs live: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Kuvasz live in all, now including Africa, where several Kuvasz "cousins" also live. (Or 5 continents if considering that Europe and Asia are actually one continent, Eurasia.) These are amazing numbers for a blog written about a fairly obscure subject, a rare dog breed, the Kuvasz! 


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

181,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips!

Hungarian ceramic pitchers

 The views are still coming in fast--

1,000 views in just 3-1/2 weeks! There have now been 181,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips! There are 7,116 posts on the blog. This blog has been seen in 105 countries around the world, in all 6 continents of the world where dogs live: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Kuvasz live in all, now including Africa, where several Kuvasz "cousins" also live. (Or 5 continents if considering that Europe and Asia are actually one continent, Eurasia.) These are amazing numbers for a blog written about a fairly obscure subject, a rare dog breed, the Kuvasz! 


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Happy, dirty puppy


Andrea of Majna-menti Mákvirág Kuvasz Kennel in Germany shares this adorable photo.

 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

"To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.”

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Kuvasz puppy is named as new sports mascot--"we were looking for an animal that, like the club's philosophy, is characterized by loyalty, courage and commitment."

Kinga in Hungary shares this photo and information via  kuvaszworld.com website



In addition to the new sports equipment, managing director Judit Balog also made another important announcement.

"Paks didn't have a mascot, now it's literally born, namely a kuvas, which is Hungarian. We are a Hungarian team, so it was obvious that we were looking for an animal that, like the club's philosophy, is characterized by loyalty, courage and commitment."

The snow-white male dog is currently three months old, and the full-grown specimen can weigh fifty to sixty kilos. According to the plans, before the domestic matches, Paks fans will also be able to meet the animal, which does not yet have a name. The club will soon launch a poll and fans can choose the most suitable name.

"The Kuvasz is an ancient Hungarian shepherd dog dating back thousands of years ," said István Szabó, president of the Hungarian Kuvaszegyesület. "Unfortunately, the population has decreased to two thousand years, currently two hundred to two hundred and fifty cubs are born every year, which means that the species needs help." By the way, the Kuvas is a calm, balanced dog, contrary to negative stereotypes, it really deserves the role of a family dog, radiates elegance, and was the club's best choice."

Click here to see page: sportal.blikk.hu/labdarugas/magyar-labdarugas/  (labdarugas translates to football)


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.”

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Sunday, July 7, 2024

We are three together

Jordan in Ontario shares his photo.


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.”

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Happy 4th of July


"How old is America?
Let’s start with the simplest answer, and the one that most people are looking for when they ask the question. That is the age since independence was achieved from Great Britain following the Revolutionary War of the eighteenth century. The founding fathers sealed the declaration on 4 July 1776 and that makes the country **checks abacus** 248 years old as of today."

This photo is from Sky Elements Drones.


Tuesday, June 18, 2024

180,000 views of Kuvasz Klips!

Hungarians are famous for their horsemanship
Wow! The views are really coming in! 1,000 views in just 3 weeks! There have now been 180,000 viewings of Kuvasz Klips! There are 7,110 posts on the blog. This blog has been seen in 105 countries around the world, in all 6 continents of the world where dogs live: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Kuvasz live in all, now including Africa, where several Kuvasz "cousins" also live. (Or 5 continents if considering that Europe and Asia are actually one continent, Eurasia.) These are amazing numbers for a blog written about a fairly obscure subject, a rare dog breed, the Kuvasz! 


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Saturday, June 15, 2024

New multi-national website re: Kuvasz

Click here to see the new website:  kuvaszworld.com/en 

 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Happy 14th birthday

Claudia W. in Germany shares this photo of her Kuvasz celebrating a birthday of a ripe old age. 

"Aren’t seniors just the best? I think all the years of accumulated unconditional love make them magical " 

From Robyn in South Africa, on Kelly Redmoon’s FB page.


 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Bandit

Szántai György of Turjánvidék Őre in Hungary shares this photo of Bandit on the job.

 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Kuvasz and Komondor Club show, June 1, 2024

  
This show was held near Lake Balaton on June 1. Click here to  see photos:  Kuvasz and Komondor event


Thursday, May 30, 2024

Szilvásvárad 3xcacib Show 2024

Click here for info about the show:  Szilvásvárad 3xcacib Show 2024
 



 About the family of Livestock Guardian Dogs...

“To this day flocks are guarded in the hills of Asia, Europe and Africa* by powerful, robust dogs that are neither clumsy nor pacific. Despite the distances that separate them these breeds have much in common, and the Kuvasz is a member of this extended sheepdog family.” 

From: Dr. Buzády Tibor. 2002. Dogs of Hungary. Translated by Bernard Adams. Budapest, Hungary: Nóra Kiadó.  P. 100.

*(and now also in North America, South America and Australia)

Click here to see the Kuvasz History Klips blog!