Happy Birthday: Claire

Nine tiny puppies in tiny pussy hats. Sparkler Puppy Activists protesting that it was acceptable to brag about sexually assaulting women.

That is how we roll.

We continue the Sparkler Birthday Week with Claire…

As you know, I made a choice to breed Claire — again. It was the third time. She did not get pregnant in the first two attempts. SO disappointing but undaunted, I changed things up and tried again.

I have had my eye on a young male since Kris O. put him on my radar last year. The way she described his working ability and attitude were exactly what I thought of his father when I watched him in Novice A obedience at the Monterey Specialty. I loved him! His son turned two in July and with his health clearances done, I got serious about him for Claire.

Two things have happened as we waited for Claire to come in season. First, I got to know his people — as represented to me by Kris, they are terrific. Dogs gift us with new friends.

The second thing that happened as we waited is that the dog starting showing a bit and in just four months, he hit #1 Berner in all-breed points. How is that for a sign from the Universe that one has made a good decision?!

Without further ado and on the occasion of her fourth birthday, Claire has a special announcement to share…

Words cannot capture how much this means to me.

ClAIRe

Happy Birthday Claire!

Unfortunately, Claire has terrible morning (aka all-day) sickness and so her special birthday dinner will likely just be more goldfish crackers. We hope her siblings will enjoy something a bit more festive on their special day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARKLERS!

Birthday Week: Jordan

Jordan was always one seriously clever puppy…

And so I guess a supremely clever update from Team Jordan is no surprise!

“While we are in the middle of a

demic and are under

we can still enjoy the great outdoors

and celebrate an amazing litter of puppies on their fourth birthday.

Happy birthday fellow Sparklers, love Jordan.

Thank you, Team Jordan — and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Clever Girl.

Birthday Week: Abbie and Zimmer

This was Baby Belle…

…who is now Abbie, and we have this report from her:

“I couldn’t be loving my pandemic life more!!!

More family, more snuggles, more treats, more stories, more yoga and more walks than I have ever had in my whole life.

I truly think pandemics were made for puppies.

Enjoying the simple things in life has always been my forte, so making the most out of pandemic life has really been my true talent.

Wishing the other sparklers a happy birthday and hoping they are are enjoying their extra family time as much as I am!”

Thank you, Team Abbie! I love the positive spin :) Happy Birthday Abbie!

This is a photo of Abbie with her littermate, Zimmer…

Zimmer lives with the grandparents of Abbie’s adorable human child. Let’s keep it in the family and hear from Team Zimmer today as well…

“Hi Gang,

It’s Zimmer here. I have to think where I am because over the past two years I am not in any one place very long. Right now I am in San Diego, but my home is Wickenburg, Arizona, and I also travel a lot to Kansas City. It makes formal training very difficult, but my mom does micro training sessions, and I try very hard. She tells me all the time what a good boy I am.

I have a very full, active life doing what I do best, loving my family and spreading my “be happy” attitude around wherever I am. My mom says I am the best therapy dog ever. Whenever she is down I can always cheer her up.

I complained to my mom about my ear foozles in my pictures this morning, but she says she hasn’t had her hair cut in ten months and looks worse than I do. I tried to get her to post her hairdo pictures, but she refused and said she would scare people. By the way I don’t have a goatee, that’s just my beautiful chest hair.

When I am in Arizona, sometimes my mom lets me chase the roadrunners and rabbits out of the yard. I never try to catch them, I just like to see them scatter. When I am in San Diego I get to play with the grandkids. My favorite game is tag in the big backyard. When I am in Kansas City, I get to play in the snow sometimes. My favorite time there is playing with my sister Abbie. It seems that I am so busy, I hardly have time to relax. Only when my mom and dad do online yoga do I get to lie down and watch everyone else work.

Yesterday the hot air balloons almost landed in our backyard. I got to bark at that a bit with Ava. It was exciting.

I’m hoping the Grinch doesn’t steal Christmas from anyone this year. He is really trying hard, but I will work just as hard to keep him away from my house. I hope all you other Sparklers do the same for your families.

We have all had a very difficult year for many reasons, so I am happy to spread my holiday cheer around to everyone. Just before we left Wickenburg my mom snapped this picture of the sunrise.

WOW

We think it is the universe sending out its love and hope to all of us. That is what I wish all of you this holiday season and throughout the coming New Year!”

Thank you so much, Team Zimmer — a Love Note from the Universe is just what we all need. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZIMMER.