Bev Rongren

Special thanks to
Rick & Peggy Rodgers www.quadign.photoreflect.com
and everyone who took a moment to share their memories of Bev.

An interview with Bev Rongren

Bev Rongren - long time agility instructor at SPDTC, long time MAC (Minnesota Agility Club) member, agility and obedience instructor at BOTC (Bloomington Obedience Training Center), and obedience instructor at other places as well - died last night following a stroke earlier in the day. Thankfully, if she had to leave us, she was able to go quickly and, we believe, relatively painlessly. So far no arrangements have been made that I know of. Nancy Brown has Bev's dogs, and is one of her closest friends here in MN.

Bev was currently teaching several agility classes at St. Paul Dog Training Club, and had been with us for several years now. She just wrote an article about herself and her dog "history" that was published in the St. Paul Dog Training Club winter newsletter. Bev had a long history in dogs – longer than most of us know, and with many dogs the agility community has probably never even seen. She did obedience and flyball as well as agility, but agility eventually took over most of her "dog time."

Most recently, many of us knew Bev as the handler of toy and miniature poodles: Peaches - 2003 NATCH, and just 20 points away from her MACH, Tina - little black poodle recently moved into Excellent, Sprite (at the Rainbow Bridge), Sassy (Papillon) - and many others. I don't even know all her obedience dogs, which came before the agility dogs, but I do remember Bev's efforts (not successfully, unfortunately) to finish Sprite's UD when Sprite was nearly 14 years old. Another not-so-well-known fact about Bev is she bred poodles, though not very recently. Peaches is the daughter of Sprite, and several of her dogs were descendents of her breeding program.

As an instructor, Bev, with her gentle manner, was an inspiration to many; as a friend, she was loyal and dependable, someone you could always count on to teach, work at trials, provide a shoulder to cry on, take on whatever was needed, and just plain be there for all of us.

For those of you who may have had the pleasure of knowing Bev Rongren and for those of you who haven't, the agility community lost someone very special this past weekend.

Bev loved running agility with her poodles and her Papillon and she inspired all of us that we could run like that at her age!

She was the first agility person I met when I first moved to Minnesota and was looking for agility classes. She told me about Ruth Van Keuren and that was the best advice I received. She and I both recalled that story fondly a few years ago. She participated in all venues with her dogs and she did well with her dogs. For her sake I'm glad she left us the way she did, she had told me once that she wanted to go quickly and while she was still able to run her dogs because she didn't know what she would do if she couldn't do things with her dogs.

Bev was an inspiration to all of us here, including my husband Steve. She was an exhibitor who stood out at the BOTC trial, the very first AKC show that we attended. We had the fun of watching her compete with her little poodles over the next 10 years. I always thought that I want to be just like her, showing some little dog and still running the courses when I get to be her age. I'm glad she didn't suffer much and if she had to go, she went quickly. That is a blessing.

I have known Bev since 1993. I trained with and under her in both obedience and agility with both Bri and Willy. Bev and I talked on the phone at least one a month about everything and anything. We will miss her so much.

Bev has been a staple in the Agility community for as long as I can remember. I just cannot believe it. I was lucky enough to always be standing in line with her playing the "hurry up and wait game" --using each other’s bodies as shade for our little dogs -- of course, I always provided much more shade for her than she did for me... I used to tease her about that! Between her and I running multiple small dogs,we were usually the first dogs on the line in any given venue. I will really miss her encouragement and her sense of humor-- 8"&12" classes just will not be the same without her.

Chris summed it all up so wonderfully. " – I can't believe that our 95-pound, babushka-wearing, chain-smoking, gravel-voiced friend is gone. " --- That is Bev -- the tiniest little person I ever saw doing agility but , she gave it her all every time she was out there and also did not take chances with her dogs -- everyone I know has great respect for Bev -- she really is a mentor to so many of us. I had just read that SPDTC newsletter which has a wondeful photo and story about her...

I will remember Bev with great fondness and love –she accomplished so much in life! And I will never forget her mini-van - all decked out with her latest ribbons….she was a very proud woman.

I will be going to the TCOTC show and would be willing to run Peaches and or Tina if people thought that would be appropriate. I know Peaches is a bit shy,...I am sure there is someone more qualified than me to do this, but I would certainly give it my best try for Bev.

Bev was always very nice and a great asset to the score table. She worked very hard at agility or any venue of dog training. I remember teasing her when she went from a small station wagon loaded with ribbons to her current van. I told her she now had A LOT of space to fill up with ribbons - she thought that was funny - I'm sure her van was full of colorful ribbons in no time. She will be greatly missed.

Bev judged the first AKC sanctioned match that I went to (I didn't even know what a sanctioned match was at that point). It was up at A-1, and she stopped the entire match when some of the little dogs had trouble tipping the teeter. She let everyone run their dogs over it a couple of times, and then the match went on. I still have my certificate and ribbon from that day, and I have thought back many times at the encouragement that Bev gave to me and other beginners.

Bev stayed in Novice, and then Open, long enough that we became permanent running mates at 8" (usually Maggie following Lacey, and then it would be Tina's turn). "Oh, Tina!" is a phrase I will be able to conjure up for years to come as that bad little black blur zoomed around; of course lately she's been zooming around IN control.

I remember a MMBC trial at the park in Savage where the wind blew hard enough to keep the teeter from tipping with Lacey--no matter what she did. Bev turned to the Judge and said "Now what am I supposed to do?"

She got her NATCH with Peaches in the fall of 2003, along with a group of big dogs. It was a group of my heroes.

Bev helped at every trial she entered--she'd always write (on her worker form) that she would do "anything but POST scores" because she didn't want the aggravation of overly-eager exhibitors.

I can't believe that our 95-pound, babushka-wearing, chain-smoking, gravel-voiced friend is gone.

Somewhere in heaven she's being greeted, though, by Sprite, and any other dogs I didn't know about.

Sometimes when people die, we wish we had done more to…, had seen them one last time, had said something more meaningful. I do think that Bev's last weeks had many rich experiences that can make us all feel better. The interview published in the SPDTC newsletter has been mentioned. She had a chance to know she was important and to put some of her loves and concerns about the sport into print. At the SPDTC Wednesday performance class training we had been finishing a bit early. Even though Bev was perfectly willing to have us work longer, we sank into chairs and chatted with her in warm friendly ways. She was glowing in the "love" that we were all feeling and indirectly verbalizing. We were all planning the celebration for Peaches and Bev when those final 20 MACH points were earned. But I can still hear Bev's voice giving return comments, jokingly wondering if she and Peaches would live long enough. I never once thought that they wouldn't. We will miss her there as will her students in each of the many schools she taught at. At least she knew in advance how much she was loved by the agility family.

I agree with all that has been said about Bev and the memorial... I would love to know what trial was Bev's favorite. That would be a great place to remind us all of Bev and her contribution to the sport.

I have lots of memories of Bev over the years as we were both involved in obedience before agility. I had judged Bev in the obedience ring many times over the years and she had the same zest and same attitude about her obedience performance as she carried into agility. Such a petite person with such a big heart and an even bigger smile whenever she looked into the eyes of her dogs.

I remember wondering what had happened to Bev when she quit showing in obedience. What a grand surprise to see her running with her poodles in agility when I started doing agility. She still had that smile when she looked into her dog's eyes.

I will cherish my memories of her great runs at the Land O' Lakes trials in January where Peaches and Tina both put in some wonderful runs and Bev left the ring with yet another smile on her face as her eyes made contact with her dogs' eyes.

I didn't know Bev as long as most of you and was surprised at how emotional I became upon hearing the news yesterday at the trial and later reading these emails. Gradually I realized just how much I associate Bev with agility, this amazing sport I've got so passionate about in just a few years.

I volunteered at a MAC NADAC trial in summer 2001, to get a feel for trials before entering my first one. Somebody gave me the job of gate steward and I was very nervous about having everybody ready to enter the ring right on time. I was a wreck as somebody named "Bev" got closer to her turn but she was nowhere to be found! I was calling her name over and over in a panicky voice when I heard this great gravelly reply from far across the ring, "I'm COMING damnit!"

Since then I had to laugh every time I was standing around the gate and heard an inexperienced steward calling and calling for Peaches, Tina or Lacey. I bet she roared the same thing to Saint Peter on her way to the Pearly Gates. No matter what memorial is created in her memory, in my mind it will be the "I'm COMING damnit!" Award.

I remember the times Bev would run with one of those itty bitty dogs and the dog would get lost and Bev would look around and ask "Where are you?" and there the dog would be-- right behind her just where Bev couldn't see her just prancing around.

You are right, Gate Stewards learned to see where she was standing in the shade and not yell her name again, we knew she would be there in time to run. You learned because she “told” you.

Rest well, Bev …run fast in those heavenly agility trials with all those old dogs who have been waiting for you!

I also have a comment about Bev. She was one of my first puppy agility instructors with Isis (BC). She was always so patient and kind with every person that crossed her path. She was always a hard worker and volunteered at EVERY trial. She never got upset with her dogs no matter what the run looked like. She always had a smile and was happy to behanging out with her dogs. She was truly an asset to the sport ofagility and will be missed greatly.

An older woman who spent her life showing dogs was concerned whether or not there were dog shows in heaven. One evening an angel appeared to her to answer her questions. The angel told her she had good news and bad news. The woman asked for the good news first. The angel told her there were indeed dog shows in heaven. The woman was relieved and then asked for the bad news. The angel replied "you are entered next weekend".

Though I never took a class with Bev and our dogs are at the opposite end of the jump heights I did get to know her over the years. I think just about everyone had to know Bev.

I remember her from my early days in agility running with Sprite and Peanut. Then came Peaches, Lacey and Tina. I often talked and joked with her about how both Lacey and Tina gave her a run for her money.

No matter how much either of them ran around in the agility ring she always had a good sense of humor about it and a smile at the end of her run.

One year the MMBC trial was called part way thru the day because we had a torrential rainfall. Shortly after everyone left and we started packing up the sun came out and it became a beautiful afternoon. Bev stayed and helped us pack up and then sat for awhile visiting and

I bet others will say more than I ever could....BOTC trainer, then trainer at South Paws with Bonnie, and at SPDTC (and maybe more??).

Had a Wednesday Morning training group (obedience) where we all went out for lunch afterwards. Mixture of adults and some 4-H kids.

Judged Dakota County 4-H agility one year. Took an interest in the kids in Dakota County 4-H obedience and agility!

Leona Hellesvig

Bev’s dogs were her life and she gave so much in order to be able to enjoy what was most important to her. She was on a very fixed income and volunteered every chance she got in order to be able to show her dogs...she wanted that MACH so badly …I never expected this and had left a message for her last weekend to send a picture as I wanted to have a gift made for her MACH...not knowing what had just happened. She was my favorite person that I met through agility and I will greatly miss seeing her...I just never ever expected this.

Bev was one of the SPDTC Sunday Beginner class instructors--my very first exposure to Agility training. I learned a lot from her including the mysterious ways of zoooming dark poodles. We know for sure Bev was partial to our “zoomie-prone” Cosmo. We miss her and will keep her memory in our heart when we give our dark poodles a big hug.

My name is Loretta Mueller and I just recently moved to Minnesota from Missouri...I have 2 BC's Ace and Zip--we do agility, obedience and Herding, as well as therapy work.

I am sure I have seen some of you at agility trials and such. I am happy to be a member of MAC and look forward to meeting many of you.

In kind regards to Bev Rongren, I saw her run her dogs at my first trial here in Minnesota this fall....for some reason I was just amazed at her out there! :-))) I did not even know who she was, but I could tell she loved the sport and had the admiration of many....when I joined this list just a few days ago---I did not know this woman everyone was talking about was her. Until I clicked on the link to her page and saw the photos---then I put two and two together She must have been a wonderful woman! It radiated off of her :) I am glad to have gotten the chance to see her run :)

I became friends with Bev Rongren from taking classes from her at SPDTC with my dog, Drake. Our 4 p.m. Thursday group is not only a training session, but a valued social group for all of us. Most of us, instructors and students, have stuck together and supported one another for at least two years now. I just know everyone of us is going to miss Bev terribly.

A few of us have at least one worrisome dog we bring to that class. Drake is one of them. Bev, with never-ending patience and positive attitude, bolstered our faith that we could build our beloved dogs' confidence by showing them we wanted to enjoy agility with them. We learned to make sure they know we are delighted with their brave efforts. This is what she did with shy, little Peaches and “nervous nellie” Tina ... She was an outstanding example of a loving dog mom doing what she loved with her 'kids'.

Sunday, at the Golden Retriever trial, I think Drake ran his fastest time ever, and He bounced with delight at the finish line. Sadly, this was the first time we were not able to share our happiness with his friend, Bev. A friend suggested perhaps he did it for Bev, I will savor that thought and hope Bev knows how influential she was in letting so many of us be proud of every one of our dogs, no matter what.

We have known Bev since the beginning of agility in this area with USDAA. Our club Minnesota Mixed Breed Club began holding NADAC trials in 1995 and Bev was one of the first in this area to support our trials.

Although I don't have records of all of our NADAC trials anymore I do know that I don't remember any of our trials which Bev didn't attend.

When Bev retired and was on a limited income it broke her heart to pick and choose which of her dogs she could run at a trial. We did whatever we could to help make the sport more affordable for her and offered her "discounts" for helping out by doing check-in for us on Sat. morning.

A job Bev really enjoyed and it was great for us since she knew almost everyone in this area that competed. She competed at the NADAC Championships each year that they were held in Mankato, Minnesota. That location was one that allowed her to drive to and from Mankato each day of the competition since she couldn't afford hotel expenses. And in between her runs at the Championships she was willing to work wherever we needed her. Once in a while she was a pest at the score table at trials but wasn't offended if the scorer's looked up, saw her coming and said "oh, oh, here comes Bev". In fact it became kind of a joke at our trials.I last saw Bev at our Dec. 9 & 10th (2004) NADAC trial in Hastings, Minnesota.

It was a fairly nice weekend and she mentioned to me that she had left her dogs in the van for the weekend rather than crating them inside. It was getting more difficult for her to lug around all the stuff we all know is needed for a trial weekend. I'm so glad that I had a nice chat with Bev that weekend since little did I know it would be for the last time. We will all miss Bev at our trials and I will sure miss her as a friend.

Karl and I had trained with Bev for the past two years. I cannot tell you how she will be missed. Our Wednesday night agility class just doesn’t feel the same without her. As I put my thoughts together for this remembrance I scribbled down the words yellow post-it notes, Abe, and never doubted. These words represent my favorite memories of Bev.

The yellow post-it notes symbolize her dedicated efforts to make me learn a front cross. Most of my fellow agility friends know my passion for front crosses. Well, I came to class one night and Bev had yellow post-it notes all over the floor. I looked at Bev in complete bewilderment and said, “Bev what the heck are we doing tonight?” Bev pulled me aside and said, “My Dear you are going to learn to front cross tonight.” You see, Bev recognized early in my training that people have many different learning styles and mine is more visual. Her post-it notes showed me where to turn, they were a great teaching aid. With time and continued persistence I do front crosses now. I can’t say I like them, but I do them and remember Bev.

Another favorite memory is the night she tried to run my Shetland Sheepdog Abe as her “demo dog.” Bev loved a good NADAC Gambler’s course and she set one up in class for us to try. She asked me if Abe would run with her so she could demonstrate layering. I said, “Bev, Abe will run with anyone, but he maybe a bit faster then you expect.” Well, Bev ran with Abe but after the run Bev could barely speak. Bev said, “Oh my God, he’s fast - I need some oxygen.” We had a good laugh and Abe was never used as Bev’s demo dog again.

Finally, my eyes can’t help but to tear up when I look at my MACH pole. Bev wrote, “I never doubted you could do this, NEVER.” As my MACH loomed ever closer Bev’s support was never stronger. My next show was Fargo and Bev pulled me aside and said, “I know you going to get your MACH this weekend, and I want you to know I wish I was going to be there.” I said, “Bev, this MACH thing may take longer than you think.” In which Bev replied, “You’re going to get it this weekend, I know it.” Well, I did get my MACH that weekend in Fargo . Bev, never doubted that I would.