Best Laid Plans

Daisy also came in season over the weekend. She will not be bred (think 101 Dalmatians, Berner-style — shudder) but this means she will also NOT be in the Helena draft test. Bummer.

When thinking about the cost of breeding a litter, I suspect most do not factor in the lost opportunity costs that come with intact/bred girls.

September has some of my favorite shows — Montana shows! — and we will not be showing. As I waited (and waited) for Claire to come in season, I missed other favorite events, hesitant to enter because I did not want to throw away entry money.

Now Daisy cannot do the one event I was hoping to do in September. Sigh. I am about to inform Sparkle that she will have to step in for this one.

Another great Sparkle shot by Galen.

This year is about breeding the next generation — I accept that. But that doesn’t mean I am thrilled about the lost opportunities.

But like all seasons of life, this one is temporary. Not fun — but temporary. And that is a hopeful thought.

It will all be worth it if the breeding is successful and Claire has a litter of bouncing baby berners in mid-November. The theme is picked out, the “nursery” planned, and now we just need those babies.

Progesterone testing starts today.

I hope you have a great day, free of blood tests!

All Kinds of Fun

What fun to have the Heintzbergers living so close to Galen and Bethany!

Not only are Cindy and Vic now Idaho residents, but so are daughter Kira and her family — this is her youngest, Aubrey, with Berkeley.

And John and his family also just moved there!!!!

Sparkle being edged out by a possessive Heidi.

And that means so did Heidi from the H Moon Litter!

Named for the original Almighty Heidi, Heidi is glorious and wonderful in all ways.

These are two photos Galen took of Sparkle at Lucky Peak State Park near Boise — you can follow Galen’s photos at instagram.com/galen_henseler

Congratulations to Team Jordan (Sparkler) on a great show weekend, including a really nice Best of Breed win! And her Uncle Tristan (iPups) earned yet another QQ (agility) — we certainly have a versatile family ❤️

Progesterone testing begins on Thursday.

A Big Birthday

Birthdays of older litters are always bittersweet. Of course we celebrate our older dogs but the day also prompts fresh grief for those we wish could still be celebrated here on earth.

These kind of days remind me of the need to acknowledge the impermanence of all things life and therefore, to treasure and appreciate what I have right now.

The people, the time, the dogs, the places, the abilities — all will change.

And so every moment is like this day, if we consider it — bittersweet.

But if sorrow is the price we pay for being alive on a spinning and changing earth with all the marvelous joys and daily miracles — well, I think we just trust that human beings were made with the capacity to feel the complicated feels and to somehow be okay with it all.

And so I grieve for that piece of my heart and soul that is Zoey because today is her birthday, and I celebrate that on that day 11 years ago an amazing litter of Berners was born. Feeling all of that is what makes me (US) human.

We begin by resting our hearts and minds — with gratitude and love — on Maya, Zed, Purna, Peaches, Homer, Faith, and Zoey. Happy Birthday at the Rainbow Bridge — I hope Terri Z has arranged for a big party.

And we celebrate that Miss Maddie means that the F Litter is so much more than a memory — she is ELEVEN today.

Barb shares: “Maddie continues to enjoy Life! Yes, she breathes like a steam engine, and her stamina isn’t what it used to be—we walk slowly now, but we’re still walking! She still dances when we go out for our daily adventures, even if it’s just sitting in the front yard and barking at the passersby. She still marches out each morning to fetch the daily paper…even if she now gets distracted halfway back and drops it for me to retrieve, while still demanding her cookie reward. And she’s still the center of our hearts and home.”

“Her new favorite activity—hanging out in the front yard and rolling in the green grass".”

“On a walk at Fort Townsend with Ken.”

“Maddie at Pippa’s Tea Shoppe. She loves going out to restaurants, particularly if she can snack under the table.”

A recent track for Maddie — just for fun!

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO MISS MADDIE!!!!