Helen's Home World: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Wordless Wednesday or close enough.

Miss you already, Dad.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Ceilidh's Candle

To mark the anniversary of the passing of my crazy Ceilidh girl.

Friday, May 13, 2011

I'll Be Missing You!

Every step I take
Every move I make
Every single day
Every time I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinking of the day
When you went away
What a life to take
What a bond to break
I'll be missing you

It's kinda hard with you not around

Know you're in Heaven smilin' down

Watching us while we pray for you

Everyday I think of you

Till the day we meet again

In my heart is where I keep you friend

The first anniversary of Ceilidh's passing is fast approaching. On 26 May 2011, the anniversary of her passing, I'll be driving to the AAC Agility Regionals with Beckett. I was going to wait until closer to the anniversary to do this post but events here this week brought memories and emotions of those last days close to the surface.

This week brought the unexpected loss of two wonderful dogs from our agility community: Reisling, a seven year old doberman and Chase, a bi black Sheltie. Both dogs passed over to the Bridge on Wednesday, 11 May 2011. Riesling passed away in the Alta Vista Animal Hospital ICU where she had been since the Friday before. Chase passed away inexplicably at home while his family was away at school and work.

Chase

Riesling

Monday, May 9, 2011

Starter Games Dog of Canada

Starter Jumpers Qualifying Score

This past weekend, Beckett got the last qualifying score he needed for his title of Starter Games Dog of Canada (SGDC). It wasn't the best run we've had but it did the job. He finished the course in 22.65 seconds for second place. Another Sheltie buddy, Jasper, finished first with a time of 19.51 seconds. The time allowed for the course was a very generous 42 seconds.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Beckett tries to take me out!!

I arrived back home on Thursday evening from visiting my parents down in New Brunswick. My sister and brother-in-law picked me up at the airport. I was glad to get home to see Tucker and Beckett. I was off on Friday and I had planned to sleep in but the boys had better ideas and in any case there was the Royal wedding to watch on TV so we were up at 6am. I stayed up all night to watch Charles and Diana's wedding but I'm not as young as I once was.

After watching the wedding, I took the dogs for a walk, checked the mail that had built up for a week, finished unpacking and starting packing to head to Kingston for an agility trial. We headed out to Kingston after lunch. We went to the soccer dome to set up, watch some friends runs and went out to dinner with a couple friends before heading to my youngest sister's place.

Beckett was in four runs this weekend; a starter jumpers, a starter snooker, an advanced standard and his first Steeplechase. We only got one qualifying score in the Snooker but I was very happy with how he ran this weekend. He made all of his contacts but we have to work on weave entries at speed as I don't think he made one of them.

Starters Jumpers

Starters Snooker

With the Starters Snooker Q, Beckett now only needs one more Starters Jumpers qualifying score for his Starter Games Dog of Canada title, perhaps next weekend at Dream Fields. We were so hoping for a nice red and gold title ribbon from Morning Star but another blue and white one from Dream Fields will be nice too.

I'm not sure but I think Beckett was out to get me this weekend. He nearly took me out at the knees in the Jumpers run and then tried to give me a heart attack in Snooker. He sure is exciting to run that's for sure. :-)

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother