On the Bright Side

This is the puppy that started my succession of “Bright”…

Pat Long Photo, 2003

Pat Long Photo, 2003

Halo was named after a hiking trail in the Grand Canyon — her official name at the time of her death at nearly 11 was CH Kaibab’s Bright Angel UD TD NAP NJP NFP RE DD BDD. That photo was taken when she was a puppy, having recently earned her Tracking Dog title on her six-month birthday, which was pretty incredible.

Halo was something. She was SO smart and such a wonderful working dog. This was not surprising as she was Abra’s daughter, and Abra was brilliant. This is a photo of Halo’s parents, Abra and Zaltana (owned and adored by Terri Zimmerman).

Pat Long Photo, 2003

Pat Long Photo, 2003

Halo (Bright Angel) had Zoey (Forever Bright)…

GCH Kaibab’s Forever Bright UD TDX AXP AJP NF RN DD BDD VCD3 and so much more.

GCH Kaibab’s Forever Bright UD TDX AXP AJP NF RN DD BDD VCD3 and so much more.

Zoey. I do not have the words to describe everything she is and was. She did it all and meant the world to me.

Zoey gave us Sparkle (Incandescently Bright).

Zoey and Baby Sparkle

Zoey and Baby Sparkle

And Sparkle had Claire, who is indeed (Kaibab’s) Justifiably Bright…

Sparkle and Claire (in the back)

Sparkle and Claire (in the back)

But it is not only those who carry on the family name that shine Bright.

This is Tristan, Zoey’s son and one of the iPups…

Triatan 2020.jpg

Pandemic Life is slowing all of us down a bit (understatement alert) but Team Tristan still managed a phenomenal fall. Over the course of seven weekends, Tristan passed multiple draft tests with his new partner, Kelyn, earned many agility Qs including two QQs, and picked up two Utility legs.

Team Tristan is on fire, although the fire is now banked for the winter. Bright, indeed. Congratulations to Team Tristan.

Sparkle’s daughter, Ruthie, is shining bright this weekend.

Ruthie Rally Loot.jpg

Perfect scores in Rally — well done, Team Ruthie.

Not all Kaibab dogs compete — there are many ways for a dog’s light to shine bright. We celebrate all accomplishments — Nikko’s uncanny ability to find money on walks, Kidd’s gradual recovery from neck surgery, and Lucy Clover King’s excellent retrieving skills.

What matters is that these bright dogs have interesting lives, and interesting happens in all kinds of ways.

And speaking of bright and interesting…

Sparkle wants those candles for her next birthday!

Sparkle wants those candles for her next birthday!

Isn’t that an amazing cake? A certain girl made a special wish on her bright birthday candles and between birthday wishes and Lucky Socks, let’s all hope there will soon be more bright puppies in the world.

Everything crossed.