A Leaving

This is the really hard part of being a breeder.

Eileen Blass photo.

I am sorry to share that Holden Squeaker from the H Moon Litter had to leave this earth and his beloved human.

Holden Squeaker arrived much like his granddaughter, Pozy Clarkia — lifeless. We did not give up on him that day and when he finally squeaked — we celebrated and cried and named him Squeaker.

Toby took over when he was eight weeks old, and a Great Love was ignited.

Those Great Loves carry with them the seeds of shattering and yet we love anyway because they are worth every tear, every ripping shard from the shattering.

Holden Squeaker was such a dog for Toby.

I celebrate that Holden was so very loved — even as I physically wince thinking about what his loss means to Toby. A gut punch followed by a series of sucker punches, landing with cruel efficiency.

A great dog has left us.

Great Love endures.

Playdate

Pozy, Sparkle, and I headed off to Lincoln, Montana. Fun Fact: Lincoln was the home of the Unabomber.

Unlike about 500 other people, we were not in Lincoln for a softball tournament. I could say a lot about THAT but I will spare you and get straight to the cute photos…

We met up with Chase (Larkspur) and his family — including Major, the father of the Wildflowers. Although the softball tournament was a wee bit terrifying and mind-blowing (understatement alert), it did mean there were children romping around and puppies are children-magnets.

Therefore, the puppies had an excellent socialization experience.

How cute is Chase?!

Chase and Pozy played and played — they clearly remembered each other. It was SO much fun to watch them.

And now Pozy and I are off for yet another adventure — this puppy socializing is a serious endeavor!

Have a Super Sunday!

The Adventures of Pozy Clarkia

Pozy Clarkia had a busy morning yesterday. Our first stop was to visit a pug and his three dear humans…

Pozy made herself right at home.

From there we went to campus to meet up with Team Sadie for tracking practice and a socialization adventure. Because we live in the country — and there is a pandemic — extra effort is required to ensure a well-socialized puppy.

The University of Montana Marching Band showed up to help us!

That was pretty darn awesome and the puppies were not at all bothered by the noise or the fancy footwork of the band members.

We visited the Clark Fork River that runs alongside the campus. Sadie is ten months old now — what a difference those months makes!

The busy wooden foot/bike/whatever bridge over the river provided all manner of experiences.

Pozy and Sadie are related. Pozy’s grandfather (Prince) is Sadie’s great-grandfather. I think that makes them first cousins, once removed? Or something along those lines…

Pozy has yet to meet a stranger. I love this about her.

I like my dogs to ignore other dogs when we are out and about, and so I am teaching Pozy that the presence of another dog passing by when we are on-leash means it is time to pay attention to me and get a series of cookies. Missoula is a dog-friendly town and so she was able to practice this quite a bit — Pozy is very food motivated and so other dogs are no competition for a tiny piece of cheese!

It was a fun and productive morning — we will do doing this regularly. It was also apparently exhausting…

Good thing Pozy rested up because she has more adventures today!

Please enjoy your weekend — and stay safe.