OMG BD, Freckled Edition

ZIMMER!!!!!

We have this new veteran birthday update from Kathy:

We wish all the Sparklers a very Happy Birthday and a Merry Christmas!

Zimmer is still that big goofy puppy, making us laugh and bringing us joy every day. It is a good thing he is such a great traveler and adaptable to anywhere we go.  We have spent the entire year bouncing between San Diego, Wickenburg, Kansas City, and points in-between. He loves all the grandchildren, grand dogs,  and grand cats, so he is always welcomed by everyone. He’s always ready to go, go, go.

This is his “Come on let’s go for a walk now,” stance.  

This is one of his favorite toys.  If it doesn’t squeak, he’s not much interested.  If it squeaks he loves to bring it into my lap with a push, almost always when I’m in the crucial part of a movie.  He isn’t easy to ignore.

This is the, “Look how cute I am.  Don’t you want to give me a pet?” look.

Why yes! I do want to pet him ❤️

And this is Zimmer wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year from all of us.”

Thank you to Kathy and Jack for Zimmer’s well-traveled life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZIMMER!

OMG BD Part Two

It is fitting that we feature Claire and Jordan today. For some reason, I always think Claire’s birthday is December 21 and Jordan’s human, Dianne, has reminded me more than once that the birthday is not December 21 but rather, December 20.

Dianne will no doubt be amused that I once again was thinking the Sparklers’ birthday was December 21 but because I remembered that I typically get it wrong — but could not remember which way I get it wrong — I checked Berner-Garde 😂

I wonder why I think they should have been born on December 21?! Bad information just gets stuck in our brains 🤷🏼‍♀️

Jordan had a sparkly spectacular year! Dianne shares:

“Wow, cannot believe my best girl is seven already.  Jordan continues to be healthy and active, keeping her house siblings in check. She has had another busy year earning more draft titles including her GMDD title, travelling here there and everywhere, and hiking many miles with us. 

This morning after the birthday photo was complete it was off to the beach to enjoy her # one love, water!

EPIC!!!!!

Happy birthday to all the fellow Sparklers and thinking of Tika’s people today.”

Thank you to Jordan’s amazing humans for giving her such an incredible life ❤️

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jordan!

Claire would like to register a complaint. She does not believe it is fair that Jordan got to have a real swim party and all she got was this:

She even had to break the ice to get to a tiny trickle of water.

Claire had a great year in every possible way. She is (knock on wood) healthy and happy and very active.

I took her on a walk with her ball — she LOVES to retrieve. This is what it looks like when she is “waiting” for me to throw the ball.

Yep. Think Tigger.

I wait for one split second of this before I throw it.

I love Claire’s enthusiasm about EVERYTHING we do together. This dog lives out loud — in every way.

I love her so much ❤️

When your birthday is in the Holiday Season, your headgear gets a bit complicated 🎉🎄

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Claire — whatever day that really is 😂

An OMG Birthday

This is a Big One. The Sparklers are SEVEN.

A dog exists as something unique and special — but they are also an essential element of something greater than themselves: a litter. A dog who has died never stops being part of the synergy that is a litter.

And that is our context for beginning our birthday celebration by recognizing the one who left the party early — Tika. We lost her to sepsis when she was five, and send love and memories to her humans. We remember, of course.

Eight of the nine Sparklers are here on the earth to celebrate becoming veterans. That is amazing.

And both parents of this special litter — Major and Sparkle — are alive at age ten. That is also amazing.

We will be celebrating these dogs over the next few days — thank you for joining the party 🎂

Lori sends us this update about Sparkler Ruthie:

“My best girl is now a veteran. Someone forgot to tell her - she’s all puppy. This year has had its ups and downs. Ruthie finished her Novice Scent work title like a real pro.

We also attended a 2 day tracking seminar in the spring. Unfortunately by the time it was cool enough to put what we learned into practice Ruthie was exhibiting signs of a problem in her rear leg. It turned out to be a partially torn cruciate ligament that required surgery. The surgery was done 8 weeks ago and my girl is recovering like a champ. Her attitude has been “surgery?, what surgery?”

Rehab/pt is all fun and games as far as she’s concerned but she is quite tired after a session at the rehab center. I’m hoping to resume tracking in the new year once she is 100% recovered.

We were lucky enough to have our friends join us in Maine this summer so Ruthie and her best friend Alpi could enjoy the lake together. Alpi’s kid sister joined the fun.

It doesn’t seem possible that 7 years have flown by - we have so many more adventures to share.

Happy birthday to all the Sparklers, with their signature smiles. And a special birthday wish to Tika at the rainbow bridge. You should be here.”

Yes, she should.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tika at the Bridge 🌈 and to Miss Ruthie in New York 🗽

And thank you, Lori, for making Ruthie your Best Girl ⭐️

Kay and Sue send us this fun update about Sparkler Lucas from Arizona:

“Merry Christmas to everyone and especially our dear Sparklers.

We’re happy to have our now seven-year-old Lucas with us to celebrate another holiday.

He has proved to be a great addition to our household and a wonderful mentor to his nephew, Bright Star Sage. After a busy career in the draft, obedience and rally rings, he is now enjoying his life playing with Sage and fetching a dumbbell which is his favorite game.

He has assigned himself to be the family watchdog. No delivery truck can sneak up on us without a rousing bark from Lucas. At night, he sleeps on the floor beside me and keeps me safe. He also likes to bring me presents in the form of leaves. He’ll pick up a leaf from the ground and present it to me in exchange for a smile and a pet.

😂😂😂😂😂 His mother’s son!

He has always been healthy which is a very good thing because we just couldn’t do without him. Thank you to Mary-Ann for entrusting us with our sweet Sparkler.”

Thank you so much Kay and Sue for Lucas’s wonderful life ❤️

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lucas!