Some Big News

The first Big News is about Sparkler Kiri…

Alison set her sights on a Bronze Grand Championship for Kiri and after a pandemic delay, this goal was achieved.

This is a significant accomplishment, one that took dedication from her humans — and a lovely dog, of course. Kiri’s points were all owner-handled — also a big deal. Congratulations Team Kiri and thank you, Alison, for your commitment to demonstrating that a smart working dog can also be a beautiful show dog. WELL DONE!

#proudbreedermoment

Guess where I am…

Pozy and Capella are here with me…

This is my brother, Peter, in the middle of a tea party…

Peter, who lives in the Bay Area, met me in Boise. My niece, age just barely 15, will be spending two weeks with me in Montana. Her name is Rosemary — like my mom. I have lots of Happy Camper adventures planned!

How is this related to more Big News? The hint is in this photo…

The Little Family is MOVING into their very first house. It is a red hot housing market in Boise and so some parental support was needed — I am here to sign, sign, sign with them today at the closing.

That family has spent the pandemic in about 600 square feet — their upstairs master bedroom had to be turned into a work-from-home office space. I cannot even imagine how they have done it. The new house will feel like a mansion. They will have a yard at last. Daisy will be going home in two weeks — Bethany will get her dog back. She cries just imagining it…

Happiness will be overflowing in Boise today — your good wishes for their new home are so appreciated.

iBirthday Girls

iPup Ava has had an adventuresome year! Kathy sends us this report:

“Ava has had a full year. Admittedly she has not done any obedience showing. She earned one Utility leg, but then Jack retired two years ago and we moved to Arizona. We have been on the go ever since. This year we have spent time in San Diego, Wickenburg (our home). Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and Overland Park, Kansas. It’s a good thing Ava is a wonderful traveler. I don’t know where home is most of the time any more. Ava is truly my heart dog though, and I find that wherever Ava is I am home.

LOVE those socks!

She is a lover and snuggler, and whenever she can she is curled on as much of my lap as she can squeeze onto.

At Christmas we were in San Diego where she met a motion activated Yoda (Grandson’s Christmas present). It caused her to jump a time or two, but she found it very entertaining.

She is beautiful and loves the early mornings in the desert.

We have a beautiful dog park that she and Zimmer enjoy when no one else is around.

Most of all she is healthy, happy and a most adored member of our family.

Ava and Sparkler Zimmer

Happy birthday to all those iPups. We are also remembering Scarlett and George gone much too soon. May the rest of these pups have many more birthdays.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA!

Thank you, Kathy and Jack. I sure miss seeing all of them on my trips to Salt Lake City but what a grand life they are having. Family reunion — Arizona in February??

And now Sparkle!

So many traits identified in the iPup Birthday Reports are the same for Sparkle: loving, devoted, very cuddly, smart — and most of all: exuberant. About everything!

Knock on wood, Sparkle remains healthy and busy and happy and is always ready for action. At the Specialty, she earned her Rally Novice title (all legs at National Specialties :) and the Advanced Novice Draft Dog title…

I have purchased the digital from ClickingtoCapture but the non-watermarked image has not arrived yet.

Sparkle became a grandma! THE BEST!!!!

I am so grateful that Sparkle is here and healthy and EIGHT! I am sure she speaks for her iSibs when she says…

Please have a GREAT day — even if you not eight.

More of the iBirthday

Today we catch up with newly eight-years-young Kidd and Tristan.

We start with Kidd — Marti reports:

“Kidd is doing great and I am thrilled he has made it to 8.

“wanna play?”

A year ago he had surgery on his spine and it was not successful. The neurologist thought I would be lucky if he made it a year. His prognosis is slow paralysis. In March shortly after we moved to Colorado I thought he was done, he was clearly in pain and struggling. Our new vet adjusted his medications and we did about 4 sessions of laser treatments and he improved. He has been slowly improving since then. He went to the Specialty and walked in the parade.

At home he spends his days following me around the property, playing for short stints with me or the girls and resting. He enjoys watching the chickens and the sheep.

Helping in the garden

He is stronger and more mobile now than he was two months ago. It makes my heart sing to watch him run. He will chase the fox off the property and caught a young bunny.

That moment when Kidd realized he wasn’t in southern California anymore…

His muscles are starting to return. He will never fully recover but watching him run and enjoy his days is the best! I have no idea what the future holds for him but we treasure every single day.”

Thank you, Marti! Kidd and the rest of Marti’s Berners must feel like they have arrived in paradise — all that space! Yay!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDD!

Alison sends along a photo that captures everything you need to know about iPup Tristan…

…and shares:

“Life is calling! May we go play NOW please? (PS The fence post is 5'4" tall.)

Tristan is still thriving and striving, eagerly running in masters agility, making people laugh at his exuberant energy in obedience and power pulling in open brace draft. Still bursting forth into walks with joyous barking.

Always a boy needing games to play.

Still exponential in his attitude toward Life.

Happy 8th with love to all iPups, both here and over the Rainbow Bridge.”

Thank you, Alison, for that perfect photo and wonderful update.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!

Yes, the contrast between the two boys is hard but what they share is more important — each is loved and appreciated for who and what they are right now. THAT is what matters most.