Dallas in Idaho: Another Bright Star B-day

Mary-Ann Sontag January 25, 2024

John took time from his busy (and AMAZINGLY GOOD) bagel bakery (Freedom Bagels) and life with three busy, active boys to send us an update for Bright Star Dallas Nova Jr’s b-d:

“Happy Birthday to the Bright Stars!

Dallas has decided that being a puppy is so much fun — a sincere reminder to all of us that growing up isn’t always necessary. She loves to play in her new yard and even upgraded to life with a doggy door (we ALL love the new dog door)!

Winter showed up recently and we all have been enjoying the snow — Dallas perhaps the most. She loves to run around and play chase with the family in the powder — she thinks hiding her face makes her completely hidden to all.

She continues to take her role very seriously as our family companion and does not appreciate when we run errands without her.

Her built in alarm reminds when breakfast and dinner have been missed by more than 30 seconds. Our boys have many friends over these days and Dallas loves all the attention.”

Thank you John (and Kristine and K-Kids!). I know well that Dallas enjoys her happy life in the Boise area where she also has extended family — human and canine — to love her ❤️ Lucky Girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dallas!

Bright Star McCovey's Excellent Year

Mary-Ann Sontag January 24, 2024

This is another birthday update from a Bright Star who lives in an amazing place — in McCovey’s case, it is the Sierras.

The Sierras is one of my favorite places and I have albums of Sierra backpacking photos ❤️ Therefore, I love these photos for all kinds of reasons and am sharing each and every one Valerie sent along with her update:

“This was a huge year for our big guy! It started with a record-breaking winter, and followed with the arrival of his human baby brother who he simply adores. It was love at first sight for those two.

As Winter gave way to an incredible Spring and Summer, we enjoyed a reprieve from wildfire smoke, allowing us to make the most of the great outdoors. McCovey absolutely loves the water, and not even the dead of winter can stop him from taking a dip.

McCovey continues to be the center of attention wherever we go. Whether it's a local farmer's market or a hiking trail, he steals the show with his infectious energy and charming personality.

But it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies -- we had a few months after the baby was born where he wouldn't let dogs approach us on walks. His protective nature kicked into gear, and in an off-leash community with a newborn in hand and snow on the ground, this was very hard to navigate.

Luckily there is abundant open space here, so we just had to find the places we could adventure safely and freely for a few months. As James has gotten bigger, McCovey has relaxed completely back into his dog-loving self and we're able to socialize again on the busier trails. It's a relief for all involved.

He also made a big jump in stature this summer. He was previously petite for a male Berner at 85-87 lbs, but this summer he grew both in height and weight, and now sits at an impressive and athletic 105 lbs. His face looks like Claire, but his build really reminds me of Ferguson these days.

We're off to Bend, Oregon this weekend and I'm looking forward to exploring a new place with my 3 boys. They have the snow we're lacking, so we're off to chase it!

Here's to many more years with our big lap dogs!”

I agree — we want to be celebrating these birthdays for the next decade PLUS!

Thank you, Valerie, for the update and beautiful photos.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY McCovey!!! 🎉

Bright Star Birthday Continues

Mary-Ann Sontag January 23, 2024

Today we catch up on Tobie, whose adventures in 2023 were pretty amazing! Cheryl sends us this Bright Star Birthday Update:

“This past year for Tobie has been a year full of new adventures exploring new places and special moments with “his people” while at their homes in Oregon and Sun Valley, Idaho. He has become a great traveler and companion: this year we travelled over 4000 miles in a motor home to visit Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper in British Columbia. Greeting all the other campers, along with a herd of elk, and going for short hikes was heaven for Tobie.

Tobie loves to hike and does incredible off leash on hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho and the Oregon Cascades. He loves the water, but only wading till the water reaches his tummy. He has gone swimming a few times but only when he misjudged how deep the water was.

Tobie is incredibly affectionate and loves to cuddle. When someone talks to him, especially when telling him how awesome he is, he is beyond contentment. He is definitely a mountain dog; he loves the mountains and the cooler climate. When it snows, he will lay on it for hours at a time.

At home, his job is to stay close to his mom (me) or position himself on one of our higher berms outside, or a picnic table, and survey our property looking for any threats. His bark is “big” and effective at letting the world know he is on duty. Little does anyone know that he is not a threat; he wouldn’t hurt a flea.

When going for walks, he loves to prance along beside me, constantly looking up at me with a goofy smile on his face. Wherever we go, almost every person we encounter tells us how “gorgeous” or “good-looking” he is. Tobie has captured our hearts and with each year our love for him grows. He is a wonderful blessing to our lives, and we are grateful to Mary-Anne for this amazing addition to our family.”