The Birthday Party Continues...

Both of today’s Birthday Bright Stars have middle names! I love it!

We start with Tobie James (fka Perseus James) who shares his life with Cheryl, her Dear Husband, and their wonderful extended family. Tobie James has a home in Oregon but also in a lovely part of Idaho, as these photos show well. Cheryl sends us this update:

“What a wonderful blessing it was to adopt one of the Bright Stars pups into our family.  We brought Tobie (fka Perseus James) home when he was 10 weeks old, 17 pounds.  Each day since has been a wonderful adventure as we fell in love with him and discovered his unique and special personality.  At one year, he is over 90 pounds and still growing.

What makes him so special?  He is incredibly affectionate and loving.  Each morning, at precisely 6 am, we wake to Tobie bounding onto our bed, snuggling, and licking our faces, letting us know it is time to get moving.  This precious boy is also gentle and genuinely sweet.  It is pure joy to watch him with our 2-year-old granddaughter. 

Tobie at 13 weeks

We hoped for an active puppy and we got one; he has unending energy.  He loves to race around our field each morning and when other dogs join him, he is super delighted. He loves to go on a long walk or hike each day, which is made longer due to his relentless need to sniff every bush and tree along the way. 

He prefers the cold weather, especially snow, and will even go into a creek or lake in freezing temperatures and emerge with icicles on his fur, totally content and happy. 

Tobie is the most intelligent dog we have ever had; he loves to sit on high ground and observe and process all that is going on.  He is also very sensitive and appears to be intuitive as he can often anticipate what I am going to do next. He is incredibly good looking which attracts attention wherever we go.  People who are driving by will even roll down their windows to comment on him.  This comes with a challenge in that everyone wants to pet him, and he tends to be hesitant with most strangers.

Tobie has bonded tightly with our family; it is truly amazing how he has integrated himself into our lives and enriched them in beautiful ways.  When he looks in our eyes, seeking validation or praise, it truly melts our hearts.  We love this big gentle puppy and look forward to what the next year holds with him.  Thank you, Mary-Ann, for choosing our family; we are exceedingly grateful.”

Thank you so much to Cheryl and her family for appreciating Tobie and giving him such a fun and interesting life — and one that includes snow! That photo in the cold pond could be Claire (his mom). HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBIE JAMES!

Dallas Nova Jr. lives in the Boise area with John, Kristine, and their K-Kids — plus 10 year-old Heidi from the H Moon litter. John’s sister lives nearby with Bright Star Atlas (fka Sun), and their mom — Cindy — is a long-time Most Dear Friend. All in the Family!

John sends us this report about Dallas Nova Jr.:

“You know your dog is extra special when they fit right into your family and they make every day that much better — it’s the little things that Dallas does that makes us laugh, think, and keeps us on our toes. I included a picture of her enjoying her birthday Bison bone in the back yard. It’s hard to tell in the picture, but she furls her lip when she is thinking or when she wants to protect that bone from said cameraman/potential bone thief.

I also included a picture of Dallas doing a ‘down’ — we have never seen such enthusiasm and speed! It is quite uncanny.

The last picture I included is of her puppy-style sit. It echoes her funny personality.

My son Kole has created a running joke in our family — he often reports to all of us that "Dallas is happy”. Maybe it’s the tongue combined with the smile… Truly she is always happy as long as we are all nearby. She loves attention (especially from kids), other dogs, and to be on the go. Her favorite visits are to see her brother Atlas or to go run around my parents' farm.

Happy Birthday to all!”

Thank you so much, John and the rest of Dallas Nova Jr.’s family, for her wonderful, integrated, and interesting life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLAS NOVA JR.!

This is Capella wishing the birthday party was in person, so to speak — she wants to play with her siblings…

Please celebrate your Sunday!

Bright Star Fauci

We continue with our Bright Star Birthday Week. Today we have an update from Fauci (fka Orion) who lives with Jack and Maria in Maryland. Jack sends us this report about Fauci:

“He is the perfect companion I hoped he would be. Although he doesn't have a canine pack at home, he has a few Berner playmates to meet up with and learn doggy manners from. Fauci has been interested in agility and carting from the start (strangely enough, these happen to be my interests too).

A summer photo

Although he is still too young for a formal repetitive training regimen, he has learned all the agility obstacles except for the dog walk at home. He is also ready for his first draft test (except for weights), but alas has to wait another year to start earning titles. He is of course doing basic obedience and got his trick dog novice title for doing his favorite tricks.

Child’s face blurred for privacy

Fauci loves flying through the woods around my trails, and with snow on the ground in Maryland again he is even happier. He is of course handsome and enjoys all the attention he gets as he carts in public places.

Fauci in January 2022

An exciting 1st year!”

Thank you so very much, Jack and Maria, for giving Fauci a life worthy of his star power.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAUCI!

Capella reminds her siblings to get their birthday crowns on and send us an update!

Happy Saturday to you.

Ready, Set... BIRTHDAYS

A year ago today, Claire looked like this…

…because inside of her were all of these little miracles…

Every litter is spectacularly and uniquely wonderful. Every puppy is cherished. This litter, however, has extra special meaning for me.

It was the third attempt to breed Claire — the previous two had been sadly unsuccessful. Her mother, Sparkle, had produced one litter and then also had a series of unsuccessful breedings. I felt like I was losing Zoey — Sparkle’s mom — all over again because there would be no descendants from that very beloved and incredible girl.

But the third time was the charm. Thanks to Claire and Team Ferguson, my wish came true and the Bright Stars arrived for their time on earth…

Today is their first birthday and we will celebrate all week.

Let’s start the party with Sage (fka Mirak), who is enjoying the sunny winter in Arizona…

Kay shares, “Our little Sage (Mirak) has done a lot of growing during his first year. It’s been interesting discovering the likes, dislikes and general character which are unique to him.

He definitely likes to eat (especially cheese) and stay close to his favorite people and brother Lucas. It became apparent fairly early on that he had ambitions to become the dominant dog in the house and that seems to be fine with Lucas. Sage is one of the most intelligent dogs I’ve had the pleasure to train and was a star in his first obedience class.

He’s also very curious about his world and particularly likes to sniff everything. His reaction to new people can sometimes be welcoming but he can be hesitant to approach with others.

Sage always happily jumps into the car to go places and does not like to be left at home. I’m happy to say he is probably one of the least destructive puppies we’ve had and is easy to live with. We look forward to see what the future brings with Sage but I’m sure it will be a blast.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAGE! And thank you, Kay and Sue, for his wonderful life and for your treasured friendship over many, many years (and litters).