The last from a legend...

Yesterday we learned of the passing of the Grand Lady of Cardigans, Mrs. Helen Bole Jones of Kennebec. For those not in our breed, it was Helen's grandmother, Roberta Holden Bole, who brought the first Cardigans into the United States in 1932. To read about Mrs. Bole, please visit click here.

I only had the opportunity to meet Helen only on a couple occasions - and I so wish I had the opportunity to meet her sooner and get to know her longer. Aside from being a wonderful woman who so loved and cherished her dogs, she was a living encyclopedia of the Cardigan. On a side note, she was a wonderful chef with such gracious hospitality!

We are blessed to have our Chloe, Kennebec Visions of Ireland, from the last litter she bred with her husband, Robert Caldwell. The picture above was taken the day before we brought Chloe home. (L-R) sister Feather, brother Finnegan & our Chloe, at 12 weeks of age.

Feather, aka CH Kennebec Tickle My Fancy, did some wonderful winning - including 1st 12-15 Puppy Sweeps & 2nd Open Bitch at the 2008 Nationals.

Rest in peace dear Helen. Your legacy will continue and you will never be forgotten!

Magnet at 6 Months

I am very happy with how our little man is growing up!

He now has his own webpage.

Christmas edition of getting to know your friends!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire post and paste onto your blog. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Tis the season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? bags please

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It's much easier with all the critters.

3. When do you put up the tree? When we get around to it... though it will be this week as we are having an open house with the realtor next Sunday.

4. When do you take the tree down? When we get around to it...

5. Do you like eggnog? LOVE it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Breyer horses.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Now that I am unemployed, most will get my homemade chocolates.

8. Easiest person to buy for? ???

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Prefer mail but this year it will be email...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? does it matter? That is not the reason for the season.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life & the original Grinch

13. When do you start shopping? ???

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? plead the 5th...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Cookies - and I now have time to bake some!

16. Lights on the tree? White

17. Favorite Christmas song? I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas... and Leonard gave me a stuffed one last year too!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Local travel - we will go to my sister's.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? neither... our tree came with lights and hollyberry decorations - very earthy - we leave it as is.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? we've done both

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I hate going to the store when it's crowded.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? snowmen & old fashioned santas

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? my stuffing

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have everything I need or want

25. Who is most likely to respond to this? Lots of my blogger buddies.

Under the big lights!

Luther was only shown in the line up (and he was not fond of the spotlight - but hey it was only his 3rd time in group) and briefly waiting his turn after the Bouvier.

His regular handler was in the ring with the Puli (also she also got a 4th in the Hound Group with the Wire Dachshund) so her assistant took him in the ring. Luther was not set up properly on the table (his front was too wide) but other than that I am so proud of our boy!

PS: Thank you Julie for showing me how to embed the video!

Free Kibble!

Please play Free Kibble each day to feed shelter dogs and cats!

http://www.freekibble.com/

A video clip of Jake

I found a video clip of "Big Jake" taken at the shelter he was at four months before we adopted him.

http://web.mac.com/nbell1/site/Memories/Pages/anaprilday.html

You will need the Quick Time plug in to view it. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

At that time, he was known as "Jade", which we changed to Jake as that was more manly. He was over 100 pounds when we adopted him. We were able to trim him down to a good weight of 73 pounds. Wish I could have kibble and green beans portioned for me LOL.

I am very happy he was so loved while he was there. I miss having my big dog. Just not sure that now is the right time in our lives to bring home another "sofa potato" with our house on the market. I want to be fair to the new addition and not subject him/her to a 700+ mile relocation.

The true meaning of Thanksgiving

This morning and I googled "Thanksgiving Prayers" and I came across a wonderful site:

http://www.godweb.org/thanksgivingprayers.htm

Two that I can really relate to...

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Though our mouths were full of song as the sea,
and our tongues of exultation as the multitude of its waves,
and our lips of praise as the wide-extended firmament;
though our eyes shone with light like the sun and the moon,
and our hands were spread forth like the eagles of heaven,
and our feet were swift as hinds,
we should still be unable to thank thee and bless thy name,
O Lord our G-d and G-d of our fathers,
for one thousandth or one ten thousandth part of the bounties which thou has bestowed upon our fathers and upon us.

- from the Hebrew Prayer Book

Elf Yourself

Ok, I have too much free time on my hands.

You can watch Leonard, Luther, Sabrina, Tristan & Snickers have a holiday dance.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/WrBh96N7uSPAXA67HKBL

The gales of November remember...

November is not becoming one of my favorite months. I know it is the time to count our blessings and reflect on all the good we do have. I am so thankful for the love and friendship in my life, but sometimes loosing those we love makes it difficult. The list for November is growing...

Jake (?/?/1996 - 11/2/2008) Our rescue Berner mix, whom we adopted as a senior citizen in August 2006. Rest well, sweet soul. What a gentle, kind dog you were and our house is empty without you.

Joan A. Craig (12/31/1931 - 11/4/2007) My mother-in-law and the sweetest woman who walked the earth. Taken from us suddenly one year ago - and who will forever be missed.

Philip "Red" Goldman (1/15/1927 - 11/17/1979) My beloved father, who left this earth so suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 9. I have so many wonderful memories of him. We miss you Dad!

Mildred "Mickey" G. Flender (3/19/1916 - 11/19/2008) We are so thankful that Mickey is at peace. Leonard & I brought Thanksgiving dinner to her for the last 4 years and last year she was so bad that we actually prayed that we would not be having Thanksgiving with her in 2008... And our prayers were answered. Her beloved niece, Dorrie, said it perfectly... she wanted to wait to see Bush leave office.

Mickey has taught me the most wonderful lesson - that death can be a blessing. When her coffin was lowered into the ground and we took our turns throwing dirt onto it - I knew she was not there - that she was in heaven, young again and free.

The makings of a specials career...

I have been asked to start a blog, and with the start of Luther's specials career, now is as good as a time as any!

Luther has teamed up with handler Barbara Waldkirch. In just 2 weekends out, he has won:

11/15/08 Best of Breed - Chesapeake Kennel Club Of Maryland, Inc. - Judge: Mrs. Sulie Greendale-Paveza

11/21/08 Best of Breed (and pulled in the Group) - Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers Association - Judge: Mr. Lawrence C. Terricone

And... a drum roll please... TODAY

11/22/08 Best of Breed - Kennel Club Of Philadelphia, Inc. - Judge: Mrs. Helene Nathanson

He will be on television on Thanksgiving Day! We are still on cloud nine!! Tune into NBC to watch the National Dog Show after the Macy's Parade!!!