Happy Birthday Gems!

Mary-Ann Sontag June 5, 2026

Today we celebrate the rest of the Gems: the puppy formerly — and currently — known as Jasper and our only girl, Starry G (Star Garnet).

Alison and Tom send us this update on Jasper Jasper:

Happy Birthday one year old Bright, Sparkly Gem Stars!!!!

Oh my goodness! A full year on this earth and ten months with us, for our unique, teenage Gem, Jasper Jasper.

He is an explorer, learner, clown, part cat the way he uses his front paws, cuddler deluxe, and adores agility. He loves all his toys to carry, tug or chew, and cycles through them all on a regular basis.

Jasper still loves my slippers that he followed around as a puppy during our regular walks outside and now likes to follow me first thing in the morning bumping his nose to the back of the slippers. Now, as he heads outside the first time every morning he races full speed circuits of the yard and woods, then settles down to business.

He looks like a teenager trying to be an adult but not quite there - completely adorable. Evenings he is often found sprawled against our feet although in hotter weather he has found the perfect spot with his nose to an air vent.

He is an agility speed demon - I laugh out loud in every lesson at his antics and joy.

Birthday luck was with him today and he got a last minute place in an agility class. Jasper ecstasy.

I do have to be careful at class because if I leave his crate top open for better ventilation I get a Jasper-in-a-Box

So, so many thanks to you, Mary-Ann, for sending this Gem our way. We cannot image life without him.

Thank you, Alison and Tom! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASPER JASPER! 🎂

Starry G 💖 (aka Puppy).

Starry has a strange thing for pillows. She takes them from the deck furniture and just arranges them on the lawn 🤷🏼‍♀️

Starry is slightly shorter than Capella and has never gone through a leggy super model stage — she is a stout, typey girl.

Starry is easy peasy — smart, friendly, and confident.

I love that Starry gets to have life with her mom 🩷

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STARRY 🥳🩷

The Gems are ONE!

Mary-Ann Sontag June 4, 2026

As I get these updates ready to share, I am so struck by the reality that each of the Gems landed in the most magically perfect home for them.

Han Solo Sapphire is living his best life in Minnesota with his grandfather, Ferguson, his Aunt Halley, and his wonderful human family ❤️

Tricia shares,“Han is the happiest puppy. He always seems to have a literal smile on his face. And he loves to cuddle. The perfect pup-pup!

We have been stepping back into tracking training, he is so proud of himself when he reaches the end and finds the “Jackpot”. Mainly, I think, because he loves the treats. He has also started some more beginner drafting practice by wearing his harness and walking next to the big dogs. He is a natural brace partner already.

He was a joy to have on the trip out west for the Nationals. He loves car rides and meeting people. The picture of him and Starry with their New Title Ribbons is one of my favorite pictures of all time. Sooo happy ALL the Time!

He continues to grow and to be healthy. His next ECHO will be this fall.”

Thank you, Tricia and Dave, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAN SOLO SAPPHIRE! 💙🎂

Next up — Oregon Boy Tommy Topaz 💙 Jennifer writes,”I truly don’t know what to say about Tommy.

I’ve wanted another of my very own Berner boys since losing my Kaibab boy Cooper years ago. Cooper was my heart dog and although I never thought anything could fill the hole he left, I never imagined how close Tommy would come in one short year. He is so special. Genuinely a gift. I can’t imagine loving a dog more.

Without taking anything from Cooper, he’s become another heart dog. He’s the kindest most trusting puppy. He has an old soul with patience that goes on forever.

He wants to be friends with every animal he comes across and his disappointment when something doesn’t want his attention is like a physical thing.

Named after my dad, who passed away very unexpectedly almost two years ago and carrying the weight of a past Berner boy who was so perfect in my heart, Tommy has healed in such unexpected ways and as though he knows that was why he’s here.

Thank you so much, Mary-Ann, for trusting me with this beautiful boy.”

Much gratitude to Jennifer and family, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY TOPAZ 🥳💙

Perfect homes for those puppies, who both so deserve all the love they live with each and every day 🩷

Tomorrow — Jasper and Starry G 💙🩷

Birthday Overload (Updated!)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 3, 2026

We have this wonderful update about Zeus!

Penny shares: “Somehow, 6 years have passed since we saw our first photos from Mary-Ann of the most beautiful and precious puppies we had ever seen. Our sweet ‘Mallow’ with his tiny orange collar We were always so excited to see the updates and couldn’t wait to bring our little guy home. Our first family dog. We knew we were lucky, but we never could have predicted the special place our Zeus would hold in our hearts and our family.

Fast forward 6 years and Zeus has watched over the kids as Raymond and Ada went from 8 and 5 to 14 and 11. High school and 6th grade now. He took Carol under his watch when we brought her home from the hospital 3 years ago. And she has adored him from the beginning.

This picture of Zeus on the ottoman with Peanut is when he stayed next to Carol while she was very sick on the couch with a high fever.

Zeus has moved with us from Washington to Colorado and now back to our home with all of our extended family here in central Arizona. We have adapted to early morning or evening walks and basking in the AC. We now have two more pups added to the pack, Peanut and Benji (Ada’s dog). In his quiet, kind way, he remains the center of it all.

We have frequent family gatherings and Zeus greets everyone and monitors activity to ensure everyone is good. He still lays at the front door to nap on the cool tile and make sure I don’t leave without him. And he sleeps on the floor by my side of the bed. How lucky I am that he has chosen me as his person.

He is always on duty for any suspicious delivery drivers or nefarious () neighbors who are just out for exercise and walking by the house. If we go out for a swim he watches carefully, no lifeguard training needed- I’m sure he’d know what to do.

Zeus, our Mr. Congeniality, is here for it all. He is healthy and happy and loves to play and nap. Still loves to fetch, and will do anything for string cheese. We love him with all our hearts and are so grateful he is in our lives.

Thank you for choosing us, Mary-Ann!”

Much gratitude to Penny and family for Zeus’s well-loved life — and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZEUS! 🎂
Next up is Lucy Clover King 🩷 Lisa shares: “Lucy is just as amazing as always, and hasn’t slowed down a bit!