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beaux's story
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Beaux is the foundation of Eagle Trail Kennels—an answered prayer and the dog who started it all.
My journey with dogs didn’t begin with Beaux. I originally started with Akitas as my first breeding pair.(in my younger years) Later, when my husband and I began talking about adding another dog to our family, I knew I wanted a smaller breed. He had always loved Golden Retrievers, and they were among our first dogs together, but I was ready for something different. One day, he showed me a photo of a Boykin Spaniel, and I was immediately drawn in. At the time, I knew very little about the breed,nothing about temperament or purpose,but I knew I wanted one.
Looking back, I can see that God was already guiding that decision.
Beaux came from an exceptional hunting plantation. His lineage was strong, his structure beautiful, and his drive unmatched. From the very beginning, he was special. He slept in our bed, trained eagerly, and developed an incredible ability to retrieve—especially tennis balls. No matter where one was hidden, Beaux could find it.
As my vision for breeding began to take shape, I added another Boykin, Kenzi, to the family. Together, they were meant to be the start of my program. Around that same time, I gifted my husband an English Springer Spaniel, Lincoln, for our 20th wedding anniversary. Wanting to do things the right way, I began DNA testing all of my dogs.
The results were both enlightening and overwhelming. Beaux was genetically clear. Kenzi was a carrier for Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Lincoln, however, was affected by Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and carried a gene associated with IVDD, which is more complex than a simple carrier status. At first, I was devastated—especially realizing that Lincoln’s breeder likely had not done proper health testing. It was a hard but important lesson.
After speaking with Embark, I learned that responsible breeding can still move forward when guided by knowledge and intention. Dogs with strong temperament and structure should not automatically be removed from breeding programs, as long as careful pairing and continued health testing are prioritized. That perspective helped me push forward.
I began completing health testing, starting with cardiac and eye certifications. That’s when we discovered that Beaux did not pass his OFA eye exam. He was diagnosed with retinal folds and cataracts—both hereditary conditions. Without hesitation, I made the decision to neuter him. It was the right choice, even though it was a difficult one.
Not long after, when Beaux was just two years old, we experienced our first scare. One day after playing outside in warm weather, he came inside disoriented. He walked into his food bowl, then into a door, unable to keep his balance. We rushed him to the vet, where his elevated temperature was treated immediately.
Thankfully, he recovered and never had another episode like it.
Then came April 2025.
Beaux had just turned five years old. A few days later, he began showing signs of pain. Our veterinarian initially treated him conservatively, but within days, everything changed. One morning, Beaux woke up paralyzed from the middle of his body down. We were devastated.
Our vet quickly referred us to a specialist in Gainesville, Florida, knowing time was critical. Beaux underwent emergency surgery that same day. We were hopeful — if he retained enough deep pain sensation, there was a chance he could walk again. But recovery was far from immediate.
For three months, Beaux lived in a sling. He was incontinent and completely dependent on us. I slept on the floor beside him on a makeshift bed, along with Kenzi, so he would never feel alone. Every day, we committed to physical therapy. My husband even built a pulley system in our home so I could help support Beaux as he relearned how to stand.
There were moments of doubt—one especially dark day when I feared he might never walk again. But through it all, my faith sustained me. I was constantly reminded that Beaux’s story was not over.
Slowly, he began to improve.
Today, Beaux is about 90% of what he once was. He has a spinal walk and still experiences some incontinence, but he is active, engaged, and full of life. He chases tennis balls again, something that once felt impossible and swimming has become an incredible source of therapy and joy for him. Beaux remains the heart of our home. He communicates with his eyes in a way that is almost human. He is intelligent, resilient, and deeply intuitive. He still leads our pack with quiet authority and a gentle strength. His spirit has never wavered.
His journey has changed me.
Because of Beaux, I have committed myself even more deeply to understanding IVDD and the complexities of genetic health in breeding. I have tested my breeding dogs, their offspring, and continue to retest as I seek answers. What I’ve learned is that this is not something I cannot solve alone but it is something I am determined to contribute to.
Beaux may not be part of my breeding program, but he is its foundation in every way that matters. His life, his challenges, and his resilience continue to guide every decision I make.
- Kimberly Templin
My journey with dogs didn’t begin with Beaux. I originally started with Akitas as my first breeding pair.(in my younger years) Later, when my husband and I began talking about adding another dog to our family, I knew I wanted a smaller breed. He had always loved Golden Retrievers, and they were among our first dogs together, but I was ready for something different. One day, he showed me a photo of a Boykin Spaniel, and I was immediately drawn in. At the time, I knew very little about the breed,nothing about temperament or purpose,but I knew I wanted one.
Looking back, I can see that God was already guiding that decision.
Beaux came from an exceptional hunting plantation. His lineage was strong, his structure beautiful, and his drive unmatched. From the very beginning, he was special. He slept in our bed, trained eagerly, and developed an incredible ability to retrieve—especially tennis balls. No matter where one was hidden, Beaux could find it.
As my vision for breeding began to take shape, I added another Boykin, Kenzi, to the family. Together, they were meant to be the start of my program. Around that same time, I gifted my husband an English Springer Spaniel, Lincoln, for our 20th wedding anniversary. Wanting to do things the right way, I began DNA testing all of my dogs.
The results were both enlightening and overwhelming. Beaux was genetically clear. Kenzi was a carrier for Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Lincoln, however, was affected by Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and carried a gene associated with IVDD, which is more complex than a simple carrier status. At first, I was devastated—especially realizing that Lincoln’s breeder likely had not done proper health testing. It was a hard but important lesson.
After speaking with Embark, I learned that responsible breeding can still move forward when guided by knowledge and intention. Dogs with strong temperament and structure should not automatically be removed from breeding programs, as long as careful pairing and continued health testing are prioritized. That perspective helped me push forward.
I began completing health testing, starting with cardiac and eye certifications. That’s when we discovered that Beaux did not pass his OFA eye exam. He was diagnosed with retinal folds and cataracts—both hereditary conditions. Without hesitation, I made the decision to neuter him. It was the right choice, even though it was a difficult one.
Not long after, when Beaux was just two years old, we experienced our first scare. One day after playing outside in warm weather, he came inside disoriented. He walked into his food bowl, then into a door, unable to keep his balance. We rushed him to the vet, where his elevated temperature was treated immediately.
Thankfully, he recovered and never had another episode like it.
Then came April 2025.
Beaux had just turned five years old. A few days later, he began showing signs of pain. Our veterinarian initially treated him conservatively, but within days, everything changed. One morning, Beaux woke up paralyzed from the middle of his body down. We were devastated.
Our vet quickly referred us to a specialist in Gainesville, Florida, knowing time was critical. Beaux underwent emergency surgery that same day. We were hopeful — if he retained enough deep pain sensation, there was a chance he could walk again. But recovery was far from immediate.
For three months, Beaux lived in a sling. He was incontinent and completely dependent on us. I slept on the floor beside him on a makeshift bed, along with Kenzi, so he would never feel alone. Every day, we committed to physical therapy. My husband even built a pulley system in our home so I could help support Beaux as he relearned how to stand.
There were moments of doubt—one especially dark day when I feared he might never walk again. But through it all, my faith sustained me. I was constantly reminded that Beaux’s story was not over.
Slowly, he began to improve.
Today, Beaux is about 90% of what he once was. He has a spinal walk and still experiences some incontinence, but he is active, engaged, and full of life. He chases tennis balls again, something that once felt impossible and swimming has become an incredible source of therapy and joy for him. Beaux remains the heart of our home. He communicates with his eyes in a way that is almost human. He is intelligent, resilient, and deeply intuitive. He still leads our pack with quiet authority and a gentle strength. His spirit has never wavered.
His journey has changed me.
Because of Beaux, I have committed myself even more deeply to understanding IVDD and the complexities of genetic health in breeding. I have tested my breeding dogs, their offspring, and continue to retest as I seek answers. What I’ve learned is that this is not something I cannot solve alone but it is something I am determined to contribute to.
Beaux may not be part of my breeding program, but he is its foundation in every way that matters. His life, his challenges, and his resilience continue to guide every decision I make.
- Kimberly Templin
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