A Very Big Birthday (Updated)

Today is a very special birthday — here is Harper resting up for it…

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Her niece, Daisy, sleeps just like that — with a paw next to her face. But that is an aside — today Harper B for BIG BIRTHDAY and her sister, Heidi Heidi, are ten!

Before we launch into the birthday celebration photos (later), an old birthday like this one requires we begin by acknowledging those who arrived together as the H Moon Litter and lived well-loved lives — but who did not get to stay long enough to celebrate ten: Mesa, Lainey, Zeke, Holden, and Auggie.

We rest our hearts and minds on each of them and the humans who may especially feel their absence today. Birthdays can seem like salt in the cracks of a broken heart, no matter how well-healed.

And we must also acknowledge that Terri Z is not here to send her H Moon grandpuppies their annual birthday card…

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…or make them new tags…

Terri Z owned Zed, the father of the H Moon Litter, and her untimely death means that her birthday love for these dogs, here and gone, arrives by something other than a card now.

So much sadness and loss needs a chance to settle before we can turn to the joy that is indeed also a big part of this day — and of life.

To be continued…

(Later)

Harper B for Bring It On is healthy and happy at ten. Her birthday wish? Go for a walk — just us…

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The lump removed from her foot a few weeks back? Not Cancer — how often does that happen in a Berner?! Harper B for Blessed…

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You would just never know she is ten — reminding all of us that age is just a number. It doesn’t define us.

So put on your crown and live your Harper B for Best Life.

Happy Birthday to Harper B!

We also celebrate Heidi Heidi!

Her litter name was Heidi, after my Dear Friend who helped with the whelping (and is still traumatized by it — LOL) but to avoid confusion with Heidi the human, I called her Heidi Heidi. She kept her name when she went to her family.

I note that the Junior Heintzbergers are really good name sports since they also have Bright Star Dallas Nova Jr. Thank you, Dear Jr. Heintzbergers, for keeping those meaningful middle names!

We get this report about the latest girl to be double digits…

We are very excited to celebrate #10 with Heidi! She remains to be her happy, caring self who never met a stranger. Heidi spent her birthday weekend at Kai’s baseball game, running around my parents farm with the other dogs, and eating popcorn — all of her favorite things!

Many people comment that she has very little (if any) gray hairs and that she doesn’t look to be 10… Despite some expected stiffness and issues with IBD, Heidi continues to be rather healthy and loves to be surrounded by her human brothers. Dallas likes Heidi, but Heidi doesn’t have much tolerance for her exuberant puppy antics…”

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A perfect birthday for Heidi.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI HEIDI!

A First

Miss Maddie from the F Litter has joined an exclusive club in the world of Bernese Mountain Dogs — she is THIRTEEN today.

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As I look at that photo, I remember the day I met Barb and Terri Z in Spokane to deliver their F Litter puppies. These dogs hold our memories and connect us to those who are here and to those have left.

Maddie continues to enjoy her wonderful, amazing life with Barb and Ken and I suspect birthday celebration photos are forthcoming. In the meantime, HAPPIEST LUCKY 13th, Maddie.

Big Birthday

Today we celebrate — but first we remember: Holden, Zeke, Lainey, and Mesa.

And Terri Z. who owned the dad of the H Moon Litter and who never forgot their birthday.

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Loved, remembered and missed — all of them.

Let’s spread this birthday over a couple of days — we will start with Heidi Heidi. John sends us this update:

Wishing a VERY happy birthday to the entire H litter - whether here with us or across the rainbow bridge…

We are celebrating today with Heidi’s favorite activity - hanging out with her family!  We have errands to run and the rain has cleared so it’s a perfect day.  Heidi loves going anywhere in the car, her favorite place to nap.  Yesterday she spent the afternoon at my parents farm running around with the other dogs… she is still energetic and has very little, if no, gray hair!   

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Recently, Heidi’s collar tag broke off so I went to her file and pulled a new one out from the baggie full of tags sent by Terri Z.  We are thinking of her on this special day as well.

Thank you, John :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Heidi!