Hi! I’m Allium (Alli) Bouvier
Hi! I’m Allium, Alli for short. And this is my family. (In the dog world, they’re called hoomans.) I’m a Bouvier des Flandres, their 4th or so they tell me. She often tells me her other 3 Bouviers were imposters. I’m not sure what she means by that. I’m just me.
You may be wondering about my name because it is a bit odd. You see, his career was in agricultural education and he focused primarily on vegetable seed crops, including allium (genus of plants like onion, garlic, and shallot). The generic name Allium is the Latin word for garlic. He said if he ever had another female Bouvier, he wanted to name her Allium. She went along with it.
They drove to Oklahoma to collect me in 2019. I was 4 months old. On the way home, I asked if she would write about my adventures on her Facebook page and she said, “Sure.” So just about every week since then, I have been having a conversation with her about the perfect adventure to write about and she writes it down and posts it for me. Because, let’s face it. I’m at a disadvantage. I never learned to type.
We call it Alli’s Adventure Log, but it’s really a blog (Bouvier log). Get it?
We have so much fun with it, and frankly, I have quite a following! If she gets busy and doesn’t post my thoughts for a week or two, she hears about it!
Now, I’ve asked her if I can share my adventures with more people, and she said, “Yes!” So, we still post on Facebook, but now she also talks about me on Instagram. You can find and follow me/us at @christinelstallard. And, I also asked her to give me some space on her website and a way for people to sign up for my blogs (in case they don’t follow me on Facebook). She’s really very good to me and says she has fun writing and sharing all my adventures. We’ve had so many of them and there’s more to come. You can sign up for my blog here so you never miss an adventure. I’m told they are very entertaining.
I hope you’ll enjoy hearing about my adventures. There’s always something going on around here.
Enjoy!!
P.S. The reason I’m standing on my hind legs is because he said I wasn’t cooperating with the photographer. So…when that happens…he gets my attention by holding me up by my front legs. She always finds that amusing. I aim to please!
Who am I?
Well, I can tell you, but you might also want to know more about what a Bouvier des Flandres is before I tell you about this one.
The Bouvier des Flandres
The legacy of the Bouvier has produced many admirable qualities in this breed. The breed originated in the farming regions of Belgium (Flandres).
The Bouvier is a square, powerfully built dog, rugged and formidable in appearance. His harsh double coat protects him in all types of weather; his keen sense of smell and watchful gaze make him a most suitable farm dog. (He thrives on plenty of room to work and exercise, but he is not an “outdoor dog”; he must live with his loving people — his “flock,” his “pack”.)
He is agile, alert and intelligent, with character of great spirit and fearlessness; yet, he is serene in disposition, and has an even temperament.
Today, the Bouvier des Flandres acts as a farm dog, family friend, protector, shepherd, and guide dog for the blind or hearing impaired. His intelligence, sense of threat discrimination and keen scent qualifies many Bouviers to excel in police work, tracking and drug detection. Owning a Bouvier, like many dogs, requires patience, love, a lot of grooming, a willingness to exercise the dog and pay for regular health care, a desire to have a companion who follows you around the house keeping an eye on you, and a commitment to complete at least one set of good obedience classes.
Source: History of the Bouvier des Flandres – Origin: Belgium
Photo Credit: Amy Allmand Photography. Bouvier des Flandres model is Quiche’s Valkyrie’s Vana CGC TKN (Vana) owned by Vicki L. Shelton who graciously allowed Vana to step in for Alli.
And, moi? Allium Bouvier?
I was born in Oklahoma in March of 2019. My registered name is War Bouviator Allium Ki. Allium is because my guy hooman was some sort of an expert with alliums like garlic, shallots, and onions. Ki because the only other female canine family member they’ve had was named Kaya. He just liked the way Alli Ki rolled off the tongue, I guess.
They drove from Washington state to Oklahoma to collect me. I’m so glad they did. I’ve been a very good girl from the moment I was placed in their care. Okay. Maybe that’s a stretch. But, it’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
On the drive home, she and I talked about starting an adventure log so I could tell everyone what it’s like to be part of a family that loves Bouviers. I know they do because I’m the fourth one they have had (although she says the first three were imposters, whatever that means).
So, that’s a bit about me. I hope you enjoy my adventures in my blog (which really stands for Bouvier log). Enjoy! I usually post my blogs on Facebook, but you can sign up to get them directly in your email inbox here.
Animal Aromatherapy
Let me introduce you to my female “hooman.” I’ll let her tell you a little bit about animal aromatherapy. Take it away!
Hi, I’m Christine Stallard. Alli is our fourth Bouvier, although I’m convinced my first three were imposters according to the breed standard. Anyone familiar with the breed will understand. If you’re not, read a little bit above.
Alli is the reason I completed the Animal Aromatherapy Specialist Certification course developed and taught by a world-renowned veterinarian in Austin, TX. Janet Roark, DVM has dedicated her life to educating others about the safe and effective use of essential oils for animals and the people who own and love them! As a certified specialist, I meet with Dr. Roark and her community on a regular basis to discuss cases and to continue studying the latest research in Animal Aromatherapy.
I’ve used essential oils for years but was always a little cautious about using them on or around my pets. Not anymore. Now I’m on a mission to help others gain the confidence they need to use these amazing oils in their homes and lives and around the animals they love.
My specialties are:
Essential oil education
Using essential oils safely and effectively
Animal self-selection (yes, they will choose oils they like)
Aromatherapy with dogs (although I am trained for all animals)
Information on my Pet Consultation services may be found here.