Birthday Week: ZeD

Mary-Ann Sontag December 23, 2020

This perfect little Sparkler had the litter name of Dewey in honor of Carol Dewey, an influential coach and all-around great person who we admire for many reasons.

The capital D in ZeD’s name carries forward the honor.

ZeD has a wonderful life in California with very special humans and his Uncle Nikko (iPups). As you can tell from all of these birthday updates, the dogs — including ZeD — are definitely not complaining about Pandemic Life!

Tony shares:

“Has it been really 4 years already?

I’ve been working from home since March and my mom came up to stay with us since August, so the dogs and cats are used to having people around the house all the time.

That also means more time for walks that involve chasing after turkeys and rabbits, and occasional sighting of coyotes in the neighborhood.

ZeD (and Nikko too) loves to follow Grandma around because he knows she always shares whatever she eats with him.

As long as everyone is in good health, we’re not complaining.

We haven’t taken the dogs to the snow this year yet, but hopefully will soon. Happy Birthday to the Sparklers!”

Thank you so much, Team ZeD, for the wonderful birthday photos and update. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZeD!

And with that, the Sparkler Birthday Week is over for another year. So much gratitude to all of the families who provide the amazing lives each of the Sparklers is living. Lucky Dogs, indeed.

Have a spectacular day!

Birthday Week: Tika

Mary-Ann Sontag December 22, 2020

The Sparkler formerly known as Tweedy…

…and now Tika sends us this birthday report:

THANK YOU, Team Tika and the Happiest Birthday to Sweet Tika!

Birthday Week: Kiri

Mary-Ann Sontag December 21, 2020

Our Sparkler Birthday Week continues — today we hear from Kiri, who lives in New Hampshire — the Sparklers are everywhere!

“My year started with lots of agility and breed games. I made Mom happy by finishing something she calls titles. I like helping Mom to be happy.I also like all the extra treats and loving. I can wiggle/wag with the best. Then, abruptly, no shows, no trials, no classes, no car rides. Why is life so quiet, Mom? Thank goodness cuddles haven't gone away.

Once the snow melted we started going on many really long walks, all four of us, Mom, Dad, Tristan and me. I love stretching out and racing Tristan through the woods. There were lots of Spring puddles and pools for wading and flopping. I learned to behave very well on the rare occasions we met others walking on the rail trail. Usually they had dogs too and I was sorely tempted to join them for a rollicking romp. What's wrong with a friendly butt sniff?

When mud season was over we started playing agility games again in our yard. Then the rains stopped and someone seriously cranked up the heat. Thank goodness the house stayed cool and comfortable. Walks and yard excursions got shorter and shorter. Then agility classes restarted in mid July so I could see some training buddies again. All the people are huffing and puffing more than usual because they have covered their faces. Huh? Sometimes people are just plain odd, but we dogs have learned to be tolerant. Class is still fun and energizing and I am learning sooooo much.

During the summer Mom gave us home grown string beans in our meals. Yum! We even played micro obedience games for our beans.

As Fall rolled around with cooler temperatures I finally got to play at October and November agility trials, after 8 full months! Where did all the people go? They are certainly not inside cheering for me : ( Each time I ran happier and faster. More happy Mom! Then we stopped going, again. What the heck! 13 inches of snow perked life up a few days ago. I raced full speed yard circuits for the pure joy of running in the glorious fluff, then snow wrestled with my brother for a long, long time.

I made an intriguing discovery during our quiet year. I have a unique canine skill. I purr!!!!! Mom loves my purring and calls it purrdles or puppy purrs. I may not be up to feline standards but when I am content and happy I can purrdle for quite a while. I must be content and happy as my inner purrdles have blossomed.