Category Archives: Alice

In some ways it is hard to believe, but in another way it seems so long ago: it was 17 years ago this weekend that our first Cardigan litter was bred.  Donna Daniels (then in Seattle) and I met at Carol Delsman’s (then in Hillsboro) with Smoky and Julie.  Novices that we were, when a tie was not accomplished in short order we tried to AI – with all of the wrong equipment.  We then let the two out into the yard to play while we relaxed.   A while later, we went to call the dogs in.    ”Here Smoky, Here Julie!”   no response.  We called again, and again . . . and here came da beyootiful Jawoo, trucking across the yard, bringing Smoky with her.  Literally bringing Smoky with her, walking backwards as quickly as he could.

What a fun weekend it turned out to be, as it stretched into the next week.  One of those ice storms roared westward from the gorge.  We made a quick store run and stocked up on essentials (beer, wine, chips) and then waited it out until it was safe to drive.

Last week Tamera let me know that they had to let the last of the puppies go.   Jake, you were a good boy.  The surprise bonus puppy, the last born and last to leave us.

C-Myste Jake  04/03/96 – 01/21/13

On the 22nd it was Cenny.  The happiest little dog with the sunniest disposition, in spite of being passed from home-to-home and in spite of the physical trials he had to endure.  In the picture below, he is with Jo Campbell’s dad who provided his final home.  Cenny was one of three in a litter of six who suffered from IVDD.   You can read about his initial surgery on my earlier post: Cenwyn’s ordeal.  Almost six years later he went down again and the decision was made to let him go.

 C-Myste Baledwr N’Spiration  05/26/02 – 01/22/13

Yesterday, Grace Troup let me know that Ginger lost her battle with kidney failure.  The Troups had three from us over the years, all sadly gone now.  Ginger was a little sable girl from Julie’s third and final litter by CH Davenitch Garth o’Chaps.    Alas, I do not have a picture of her to share.  I still remember her as a little puppy crawling into Grace’s lap at a dog show and saying “I’m yours!”  Grace was just a little girl then too.

C-Myste Heart’s Afire  06/23/99 – 02/01/13

The first loss of the year was untimely and especially sad.  Mirrhi, litter sister to Hannah, escaped the yard through an unnoticed hole in the fence.  She was hit by a car and killed instantly just a block from home.    Mirrhi was a sweet and loving girl and has left a big black Mirrhi-sized hole in the hearts of Gary & Louise.

CH C-Myste Baledwr Mirrhi   01/14/06 – 01/14/13.

Our deepest sympathies go out to another member of the “family”.   Megan and Josh had to let Aussie Lacey go today.   It’s so hard to see so many young dogs become old and then pass on.