Ch. Pembroke Direct Hit November 17, 1999-December 13,2009

Today is a very sad day around here. Josh lost his first dog and best friend today. Derek was born here in 1999. We really liked him as a puppy and kept him. Josh & Derek bonded when Josh came to visit in the summer of 2000. Josh told me that Derek was his favorite of our dogs. The next year, when Josh came to live here, he asked me if he could have Derek as his very own dog. Of course, the answer was yes, as Derek's furry little heart already belonged to Josh. For the last 8 years, he has been completely Josh's. He has slept on his bed and sometimes I'll look out the window and see them playing in the yard or just standing there, with Derek's front paws on Josh's chest while Josh rubs his ears. Derek was a sweet, kind dog, who only ever wanted his hugs and loves--and his dinner! We will miss him greatly around here and I am so, so sad for Josh. I remember what it was like to lose my first dog--it's a hard thing, but I also know he'll always carry the things he learned from Derek and the love and responsibility Derek taught him.

Ch. Pembroke The Patriot Sept 8, 2001-Oct. 2, 2009

Just over 8 years ago, this precious little puppy was born at my house. James, who was 12 at the time, fell in love with this puppy and wanted him for his own. I believe there's no better way to teach a child responsibility and unconditional love than for him to have a dog of his own. So this sweet little baby became James'. And the puppy became Gibson, with the registered name of Pembroke The Patriot. Of course, he was more often heard to be called Gibs or Gibbers. Gibbers had this huge love of life. Everything was a huge adventure to him. Every day was greeted with a great enthusiasm and happiness. As long as he got a hug every morning and his hips scratched, he was a happy kid. Gibs loved everyone, but James was his world. He loved his kid every day of his life and they grew up together. Gibson was a smooth, sable headed white collie, which is fairly unusual. James wanted the challenge of showing him though. James finished Gibson's championship completely on his own & he & Gibbers did very well in the Junior Showmanship ring together, earning several Best Junior Handler awards together. But most of all, they were best friends, which is what a dog should be.

So while we've spent the last couple of days working through the worst part of owning dogs--having them leave us too soon--I find myself so grateful that I get to have them in my life & that we had the last 8 years with Gibson. I hope that those of us who lived with him can take some of that love and zest of life that he always showed and exhibit some of it ourselves...how much better of a world would this be if the humans in it could love as purely as dogs do?

So rest in peace, sweet Gibson. We love you very much and you and your sweet, happy spirit will be much missed around here!

The Chair

We have a rule in our house regarding our dogs and the furniture. We love our dogs & love having them in the house. But we realize that just because we love our dogs, doesn't mean that everyone that visits our home does. Because of that, and because of the fact that we don't like hair on our clothes, we have a strict rule. No dogs on the furniture! They are allowed on the beds, if they are invited. And they're really good about the rule. However, don't we all know that there is an exception to every rule? There is at our house too! The exception to that rule is the chair. The girls love this chair & we somehow have just let them have it. I wonder if it's because they're so darn cute in it!

Corrie

Miranda

Is it June or January??????

I spent the day today in Blackfoot & at one point this morning, I very seriously considered turning myself into Blackfoot South, because I decided I had to be nuts! This is the weekend of the annual Blackfoot dog shows. For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE dog shows!! I love it more when I'm showing my own dogs, but that was not to be this year. We simply didn't have anyone ready & the costs were a bit prohibitive at this point. So we figured that the next best thing would be to go & work at the dog shows! We still get to go every day. We still get to see all of our friends & the beautiful dogs. And the best part is...we get paid to do it! So, we all volunteered to work in the rings all four days.

And then we woke up this morning. Now, you have to understand that Idaho has apparently decided not to have summer this year. The weather thus far this week has been much more appropriate for January than June. It has been cold. It has been rainy. It has even snowed. This morning was no exception. It was about 38 degrees when I got out of bed this morning. But, freezing or no, we had promised to go work. By the way, did I mention that the Blackfoot shows are outside? You know, because it's June, and in Idaho, June is very warm! So, I bundled up in my warmest pants, a sweater, a sweatshirt, thick socks, warm sneakers, and with a blanket in tow.

Let me tell you...I was completely and totally unprepared for just how cold it was!!! The way the ring was set up, I was facing the 30 mile an hour wind all morning. It was miserably cold & I forgot my gloves at home. Within an hour, I could no longer feel my face. My fingers were not moveable & I was pretty sure that if I tried to move my toes in my shoes, they would fall right off! We saw some rain, we saw a little bit of snow, and then miraculously, after lunch, we saw the sun! The wind died down, the air warmed up, and the sun came out! By the time we were almost finished & Groups started, it was actually pretty decent outside. It was probably in the high 50's, low 60's, and I even got brave enough to take off my sweatshirt. I was still glad that I had a sweater on underneath though.

However, crazy girl that I am, I am already looking forward to going back tomorrow! The weatherman is promising it will be better weather tomorrow, so let's hope he's right!

Please note the people in their winter coats in this photo! How crazy is it that just about everyone I saw was in their winter coats in June! And that poor lady that was wearing her blanket around her like a skirt! It was insane.

Josh gave me this line about how he didn't need a blanket because he was a man & mean didn't get cold. I did, however, notice that he was awfully quick to steal my blanket when I wasn't using it. Believe me, I gave him a hard time about being seen in public wrapped up in a pink blanket.

Dog show people totally pamper their dogs! These are a few of my friends, Larry, Beep & Lorie, with the star of the show...the dog, of course.

This is more like a dog show on a June afternoon should look like. The sun is out, people are sitting with friends, enjoying watching the dogs. This was taken this afternoon, after it warmed up.

One of the things that I love the most about the dog shows are the terrific friends I have in that world. For the most part, these are people I have known half my life. Unless, of course, we get into the collie people that have known me since I was about 6! But I love going to shows, because I know I'm going to see great friends that I only get to see at dog shows! In alot of cases, these people are more like extended family & the dog shows are like our family reunions. Above is a wonderful family friend, Andy with his Doberman Pincher. In addition to being one of the top handlers in the country, And is about one of the best people I have ever been privileged to know. He is always willing to help someone when they are in need & both he & his wife are just terrific people. Below is another good family friend, Beep, with his gorgeous Akita.

54 Blessings ~ Week 6

Ok, so I'm a day late again! I've already mentioned that I am a dog person. This week, I am thankful for the critters in my life. Our dogs are a big part of our life & a part of our family. I am thankful for the unconditional love they give. No matter what happened in my day, no matter if it was a good day or a bad day, no matter if I have people mad at me at work or at home, I can always count on a joyful welcome when I get home from the dogs. They're never mad at me, they're never rude to me, and they're hardly every inconsiderate of me--only when there's food involved for them! Beyond that, having the dogs helped so much when James & Josh came to live with us! The dogs gave them someone who cared about them. Both of them got their own dog, which gave them someone to take care of & gave each of them instant best friends. On the way to the MTC with James, we asked him if there was anything he didn't have with him. He said yeah, the only thing I'm missing is my dog....I wish Gibson could come with me. I love that James has this best buddy that he's had for 6 years & that he missed Gibs being able to go with him. In the picture above, you see me hiding behind my book & under one of my mom's gorgeous quilts, with Hannah stretched out on my legs. I couldn't get the red eye out, for some reason.

The hard part of having dogs is that they don't get to stay with us long enough & it always breaks my heart when one of our dogs dies. But I don't think I'd ever be able to to live without the sweet soul & spirit of a dog.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I didn't really pay attention to the weather outside until I got a phone call this morning. It was our neighbor, letting us know that church had been cancelled because of the snow. So I decided to brave the elements & see what was up out there. This is for sure the most snow we've gotten this year. So...I took photos!

This is out our front door. The house that you can barely see is about 1/4 mile down the road. Usually, we can see the house that's another mile across the fields with no problems.

This photo is out our back door, looking through our back yard.

This is looking out the back door in the other direction.

I made the dogs go outside with me. Corrie is in the rear, Hannah in front. They were less than enthused about being out in the snow.

Corrie, now standing in the front, is Hannah's grandmother. Corrie is not always sure that Hannah needs to be around, but tolerates her for the most part.

Of course, everyone was much happier once we came back in the house. Corrie will now spend the rest of her day on the bed, which is where she believes she belongs at all times.

(Like the fun pillowcases? My mom made those for all of us for Valentines day one year. Mine have cute dancing frogs on a black background with a bright pink border.)

One of My Loves...

I am a huge dog lover. My family has had collies for as long as I can remember. I can't imagine not having a dog in my house. I love all dogs, but my heart belongs to collies. All collies, but mine in particular. Have you ever had a dog that was just kind of your "heart" dog? You know what I mean--the dog who sometimes, you would just rather be with than most people you know? I've been fortunate enough to have a few dogs like that in my life. Two of them have now left me, at the age of 12 and 13, and the third I am still lucky enough to have in my life, my home, and most often, lounging on my bed!

So, not only do I love & adore my dogs, but I also participate in shows with them. I've been lucky enough to have some dogs with very good success in the show ring. I love participating in that world with them, but if I was never able to go to another dog show, I would still love to have my dogs. Here are a couple of my "heart" dogs...This gorgeous dog was Ch. Elsinore's Hot Pants, CGC. We called him Pants. Pants came into my life when I was 16 years old. I saw a photo of him when he was 12 weeks old & fell head over heels in love. I knew I HAD to have this puppy!!!! He became mine a couple of months later. This dog took me on the ride of my life. He did fantastically in the show ring, exceeding any dreams I had for him. He achieved almost every honor that he could in the show ring & gave me beautiful babies! More than that though, he was a friend. He was my protector & often my confidante when I was in high school. I loved this dog. Unfortunately, I lost him last fall at the age of 12. I cherish his kids & grandkids who live with me still & the memories they give me of Pants.




This beautiful lady was Ch. Pembroke Faux Pas. We called her Pas. Pas was born in my bathroom. She was my dog from the day she was born. As you can see from her official name, Pas also finished her championship, and did a fantastic job in the show ring. More than anything else, though, Pas was my buddy. I must have been about 15 when she was born. Pas never had any doubt about her place in life & in our home. She was fully sure that she was the center of the family & the center of our hearts. She wasn't too far off! As she got older, she got more charming, but hers was an obstinate, stubborn charm! Every member of our family loved her, as well as just about everyone who ever met her...she had a way of wiggling her way into hearts. This has been a tough year--we lost Pas a couple of months ago at the age of 13. Like Pants, her memory lives on here through her kids & grandkids.

I mean, how can you not love this face? As a Pants daughter & a Pas granddaughter, Brooke ensures that the legacy lives on & continues at my house....