The First Birthday

Our Wildflowers are ONE!

Wildflowers at 20 days

Wildflowers at 20 days

What a year of puppies it has been. Lest anyone think that is normal for us, please consider the following:

  • The litter prior to the Wildflowers was born in 2016.

  • Between the Wildflowers, Bright Stars, and Moonshadows there are 29 puppies. In the 12+ years prior to the Year of Pandemic Puppies, we had a total of 24 puppies in just three litters.

Puppies are what we do occasionally, which is why we call them Limited Edition Puppies. The past year has been an aberration, prompted primarily by the pandemic.

Today we celebrate the first birthday of the first of three litters born during the strange year, grateful to them for their lives and the love they are spreading in a time when “community” is in short supply and sorely needed. The next few days will include updates from (hopefully — hint, hint) all of the Wildflowers.

We begin with Lucy Clover King…

Baby Lucy Clover King

Baby Lucy Clover King

Nearly one-year Lucy Clover King

Nearly one-year Lucy Clover King

Kevin writes:

“I can’t believe she’s only one, it feels like she’s been a part of our family forever. I stand by my statement (no offense to our prior Bernese Mountain Dog Aspen and multiple Black Labrador Retrievers that have been part of our family) that Lucy Clover King is the most intelligent dog that we have had the pleasure to raise. She is also quite possibly the sweetest, happiest and best dog we’ve had.

“She loves snow and can plow through it like crazy! This was on a hike near Grand Targhee, our local ski resort.”

“She loves snow and can plow through it like crazy! This was on a hike near Grand Targhee, our local ski resort.”

We always joked with Aspen (our first Berner) that every day is “The Best Day Ever!” because every day starts out with so much excitement! Lucy does sleep in now, typically until the kids get up for school or 7:30, whichever is later. But once she’s up, it is all excitement for the brand new day!

“Sledding with the girls is a wonderful thing!” ”

“Sledding with the girls is a wonderful thing!”

With Covid, we have had a lot of solo, close to home adventures over the last year. She’s been on many hikes, walks along our canal (our lab Sadie taught her how to swim!), local camping trips and even accompanies me on my shorter runs.

“One of the many recent dress up sessions at our home! She is incredibly patient with the girls and loves the attention.”

“One of the many recent dress up sessions at our home! She is incredibly patient with the girls and loves the attention.”

She has been very kind to allow the girls to dress her up, she loves hugs, and she loves to play with other dogs. At last week’s weigh in, she was 81.2 pounds.”

Kevin goes on to share that Lucy is rarely alone and when she is, she happily hangs out in her x-pen. They sent a video of Lucy swimming and retrieving a stick — she definitely did not get that from her mom, Water Averse Daisy, but I know her dad, Major, is a great swimmer.

I have visited Lucy and her family recently and can attest that she is a wonderful girl living her best life with a terrific family. Thank you to the King Family for everything, including the update.

A Very Happy Birthday to the Wildflowers — and a Happy Day to all of us.

Family Photos

Bright Star Zuber…

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Moonshadow Kash…

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Bright Star Sage…

Moonshadows Porter and Obi continue to take classes together…

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Thank you to all who keep me in photos!

The ten plus ten were followed by a busy end of the semester and then the Specialty — I am finally starting to feel like a break might be a real thing. Whew. Much needed — 2021 has been action-packed and some down time will be nice.

First on the agenda — playing catch up on all the undone and delayed things. Once that is done, I can begin to look forward and make some tentative plans/goals. I think Karma and Capella are already started on their strategizing…

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I moved the rehab/training space to the dining room. It is a perfect size for what is needed. I am so excited to be taking small steps towards getting Claire back to her active life.

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Please have a lovely Sunday, whatever you are doing.

Four Months

Happy Four Month Birthday to the Bright Stars!

Claire and Capella

Claire and Capella

I am so pleased with Capella. Her temperament is lovely, and it was wonderful that she got to spend an entire week meeting new people and new dogs at the Specialty. I continue to be intentional about her socialization. I want her in new places and/or meeting new people at least 3 - 4 days each week.

A new-to-Capella person and dog came to her this week — my daughter is visiting from Utah with her rescue Newfie.

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Our veterinarian, an excellent surgeon, did surgery on Nicole’s cat yesterday. It was a family affair when we picked up the cat — Capella got to meet people and get weighed (39 pounds — perfect) and Dr. Card also took a look at Claire to assess her recovery. I am pleased to share that Claire is finally cleared for rehab work to begin — yippee! More on the cool plans for that soon.

A PSA: My sister, fully vaccinated and very cautious, has Covid. A mild case but still Covid. She gave permission to share this news because it is such a great reminder that vaccinated people CAN get Covid and worse — they can unknowingly infect others.

The unvaccinated include several categories of people — some who choose to assume risk of Covid and some who have no choice at all because of age or immune status. I care about people in those groups and the health care workers who are exhausted by all of this. Therefore, I plan to keep wearing a mask in public and especially indoors, and THIS lovely article resonates with my reasons.

Please be safe and well — you matter.