As usual, the weekend was filled with interesting experiences that will take a few days to process.
I want to begin by thanking Almighty Heidi, Expert Dog/Cat/House Sitter and Snake Wrangler Extraordinaire. Yes, there was a snake in the house — twice!
Rosebud says, “NOT ME!”
Because of Almighty Heidi, I got to hug my little grandchildren for the first time in six months.
Because of her, I had one of the best dog show days ever on Friday.
First up was Capella — she was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for two more points towards her championship.
She repeated that on Saturday — Capella is just a natural at this dog show stuff.
But the Big News was Claire. If you have followed this blog, you know some of what that dog has been through with her complicated pregnancy, multiple surgeries, and no appetite for months from the same hormone issue that resulted in her blown knees.
September 2021
Did I ever share that this 105-pound girl got down to the high-70’s because of the nausea?
All that context matters. It speaks of how far back our starting line fell — and how very hard we worked to get back.
Claire has a spot on her right side that is just not growing back fur. The vet says this sometimes happens — but does it randomly happen like this?
I noticed the heart last week and so went into obedience with Claire on Friday — for the first time in three years — feeling like maybe the Universe was reminding me that everything is going to be okay.
It was.
In the background — the High in Trial wood carved trophy that Claire’s great-great grandma, Abra, won at the 2001 National Specialty.
Claire scored a 199/200 in Novice B obedience — that is an amazing score and it earned her High in Trial. I am so proud of that dog — she has so much heart.
And BOUNCE! In spite of everything. #belikeclaire
Back to Capella. Her Superpower is about temperament.
Capella and Logan — Bright Star Atlas (fka Sun) in the background
Capella is 14-months-old — still a puppy — and yet she was the one I picked for Berkeley’s dog show debut.
When I asked Berkeley a few weeks ago if she wanted to show a dog, she was so excited and told me: “I have waited for years to be on stage.”
Berkeley is five.
When the time came for her big moment, she was a little nervous and asked me to hold her hand.
Thanks to Dear Daughter for the videos and photos.
I am reminded that hard things are a bit less hard when people who care hold our hands. Thanks to everyone who has been taking turns holding mine for these past few months.
Berkeley and I held hands, and see for yourself — it was wonderful.