Silver and Gold

As much as we celebrate new life, we celebrate our experienced lives perhaps even more. This is Maddie from the F Litter — she is 11 2/3 years old.

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Barb sent along a delightful update about all them — thank you, Barb! I love getting updates.

She shared this about Maddie: “She has her schedule and the house revolves around her.  I know she still enjoys her walks because she demands them in no uncertain terms.  She may not dance gracefully with excitement, but she sure stomps and pounces!  We go out every morning to fetch the paper, but she makes me carry it in and still demands the cookie.”

Masked! Good Job, Team!

Masked! Good Job, Team!

Miss Maddie is “…still eager for Life and all its activities, even if she sits down more.  We are relishing this time of life together.”

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Lucky and Blessed Dog. Thank you Barb — for everything.

I remember well the day I handed over littermates Zed and Maddie to Terri Z. and Barb — we met in Spokane for the fun and fluffy exchange.

Zed died just months before we lost Terri Z. I still cannot believe she is gone and that I will never again hear her voice on the phone greeting me by asking, “what are you doing?” as if she expected I was engaged in nefarious activities.

This is Zed as an adult — Terri’s last Berner. She loved her flowers and her dog.

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Zed is Daisy’s grandfather and that means Miss Maddie is about to be a great-great Aunt (in addition to a great-great Dog).

Terri would be thrilled with this breeding — I know that.

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Things are status quo here — lots to do and get ready, and Daisy remains cheerfully uncomfortable.

Timing is Everything

As many of you know, we have had a series of disappointments in the breeding department over the past 3+ years. When one breeds these dogs out of love, the loss of planned new babies with their bright futures is hard on the heart. It has been hard on mine.

When I got back from spending time in Utah with my post-surgery daughter, I had two girls in season and a pandemic looming.

We bred both girls.

We had fresh chilled semen shipped in for Claire — she did not get pregnant.

Major’s family kindly let him spend a few days at our house — as a result, Daisy is pregnant.

Daisy on May 10 with two weeks to go.

Daisy on May 10 with two weeks to go.

Very pregnant.

Our kitchen is not done. There is construction stuff throughout the house. So many things are still packed up in the boxes that fill the downstairs. I need to finish my grading. I miss my kids and my grandbabies. My friend died, leaving his wife — one of my besties — shattered. Needed medical screenings are being postponed, leaving someone dear worried and vulnerable. Older adults live in isolation. And so on.

All around me — and you — is loss and grief and chaos.

It seems like a perfect time to have a litter of puppies.

The Daily Q: Awards

I did screen shots of the family from the Awards presentation last night so that I could share with all of you.

One of the Sparklers

One of the Sparklers

Dad of the Sparklers AND Daisy’s upcoming litter

Dad of the Sparklers AND Daisy’s upcoming litter

Our Harper from the H Moon Litter

Our Harper from the H Moon Litter

An iPup — such a tough award!

An iPup — such a tough award!

Another iPup also getting that tough award!

Another iPup also getting that tough award!

iPup Tristan cleaned up!

iPup Tristan cleaned up!

Yay for Sparkler, Kiri!

Yay for Sparkler, Kiri!

Yep — more cleaning up for Tristan. Thanks to Alison for making us all look good :)

Yep — more cleaning up for Tristan. Thanks to Alison for making us all look good :)

Not sure why we used the same photo twice but yes, different award for Sparkle. Thank you to the Sparkler families for this one!

Not sure why we used the same photo twice but yes, different award for Sparkle. Thank you to the Sparkler families for this one!