Family Photos

Mary-Ann Sontag April 22, 2021

The Wildflowers are just about 11 months now and in the throes of puppy adolescence. Buttercup models this devilish stage perfectly…

Claire thinks precocious Capella might be getting a head start on that particularly not-fun stage…

Capella: “I have no idea what she is talking about…”

Karma: “I do.”

I so appreciate photos! This is Bright Star Zuber (Heze)…

Kay sent this great one of Bright Star Sage (Mirak)…

Here is Bright Star Dallas Nova Jr. with her great-auntie Heidi from the H Moon Litter…

Heidi is 9.5 years old and probably wonders what the heck her humans were thinking bringing home a puppy!

Moonshadow Kash lives with a border terrier who reportedly is wondering the same thing…

Who could not love that innocent face?!

If you are on Facebook or Instagram you can follow Margie Moonshadow and her Uncle Clark (Daisy’s littermate)…

#coffeewithclark #morningswithmargie #adventuresofclarkandmargie

I hope Spring has landed for you and it is wonderful!

Post-Pandemic Life

Mary-Ann Sontag April 20, 2021

I know it is still too early to think about a return to “normal life” but now that so many of us are fully vaccinated, glimmers of hope are appearing on the horizon.

Yesterday I went to campus for a grad student presentation that included five fully vaccinated humans, including me. It was the first time I have done anything official on campus in over a year.

I had to wear real shoes and real clothes. My socks had to match.

I needed all kinds of “stuff” gathered to take — and a Puppy Nanny. It is a lot of work to get all official, I must say.

For my efforts, I got a ticket — who buys a parking pass when there is a pandemic and we are working from home?! #rude

Although I was thrilled to see colleagues and students in person, I felt overwhelmed and tired when I got home — surprisingly so. That reaction reminded me that going back — whatever that looks like — is not going to be like flipping a light switch.

I suspect the challenge for many of us will be thoughtfully creating a post-pandemic life that merges what we have missed with what we have come to appreciate.

I am starting this process by considering those two things — what have I missed? What do I appreciate about life in the past year?

My hope is that the answers will allow me to create new ways of being that honors and makes meaning out of Pandemic Life.

Clark. Gone but not forgotten. A constant check on my perspective.

It cannot have been for naught. It just can’t.

Working Dogs

Mary-Ann Sontag April 18, 2021

One of the positive aspects of occasionally breeding Berners is celebrating amazing accomplishments that happen because a great dog was placed with the exact right human. Yesterday was such a day.

Tristan, one of the iPups (Fil x Zoey), completed his Utility Dog title yesterday with his supremely talented trainer/human, Alison; he also earned High Combined at the trial and his first UDX leg. [I know this is new stuff to some and so click HERE to read about AKC obedience.]

Tristan’s registered name now goes something like this: GCH CH PACH Kaibab's Invitation To The Dance VCD2 UD MXP5 MXPS MJP4 MJPB PAX XFP ANDD MDD ABNDD. Wowza.

Congratulations to Team Tristan!

Tristan is Sparkle’s littermate, and so is great-uncle to the Bright Stars. He is also closely related to the Moonshadows on both sides of their pedigree. Bright Star Zuber Heze (and Sparkler Kiri) share their lives with Tristan and his humans, Alison and Tom.

Just getting started are Moonshadows Obi Hunter and Porter Buck, who are attending a puppy class together…

I love that the brothers get to see each other!

Obi also got to visit with his canine dad, Pippin!

The Boise Area Crew is growing, and it also includes two Bright Stars. Cindy shared that a large family dinner was no big deal for Bright Stars Atlas Sun…