Helen's Home World: July 2011

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Friday, July 15, 2011

Getting Ready for Summer Hoildays

In two weeks, I begin my summer holidays. I'm taking the month of August off but I'm sure it won't seem long enough.

The first weekend of my holiday, I'll be going camping with some friends and their dogs. I've decided only to take Beckett with me and Tucker will have a sleepover at my neighbour Julie's house.
So this weekend, we're going to begin to get ready. I'll put my utility trailer in the garage and begin to pack my camping gear. That's the nice thing about the trailer is that I can pack it up and leave it packed, then all I really need to pack in the car is food and clothes. Tonight I bought Beckett a life jacket.

Beckett sporting his new life jacket.

Last summer on our camping trip, he didn't want to go in at all; he might have had a little scare earlier in the summer when he ran into the water at Cape Jouramain, NB and found himself being lifted off his feet by the waves. I've only had one Sheltie, Gryffon who liked water and even he didn't like to swim.

Gryffon

The following weekend, I'll be driving back down to New Brunswick. While I'm there I'm going to put on a little agility demonstration at the Nursing Home where my Mum resides and Beckett and I will compete in an agility trial in Shediac River.

I get back home on the 16th and right now I have no special plans for what I'll do the rest of the month. I may do a bit more camping and I've been checking out B&Bs that allow pets. I also have some things around the house that I'd like to get done and it's always nice when you don't have to rush.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

They are waiting for us ♥ :)

Kelbren Ceilidh Everlasting - 21 Jan 2003 to 26 May 2010

Glenns Toby of Mulcroft - 4 Jan 2004 to 7 Jul 2011

Thursday, July 7, 2011

I Hate Cancer

Today, my sister and her family had to let their wonderful Westie Toby go to the bridge. They had noticed that he wasn't eating so they took him in to their vet earlier this week and found that he had a large tumour. Today, they had an ultrasound that showed that the tumour was massive and involved both the liver and spleen. So without having had any other visible symptoms, cancer has taken another dog far too early. Toby was just over 7 and a half years old, just a little older then my Ceildh was when cancer took her.

Glenns Toby of Mulcroft

Toby was a good friend to my Tucker, Ceilidh and Beckett. He always greeted you with enthusiasm and was forever ready to play. He will be missed!

Toby Taught Us

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Little Canada Day Fun and Stuff

We took a very relaxing Canada Day. Except for cleaning out the garage, I did nothing but walk the dogs and play a little at agility and Frisbee in the backyard.

You'll see Beckett doing the teeter in the video. I'm about 5 feet behind the teeter and sending him straight forward. One of the mini gambles at the Ontario Regionals was similar to this; a teeter about 10 feet from the gamble line with the jump back towards the handler and just inside the line. We've been practicing with Beckett as I have seen a teeter going straight away from the handler before so it will be a good skill to have once he gets into Masters level Gambles. It was quite hot so we didn't do a lot and once he headed for the shade rather than play Frisbee, I knew it was time to give him a break. Tucker, during all of this, was laying in the shade under the cedar bushes near the deck.

Canada Day Fun

I've seen lovely pictures of other people's gardens. I'm not much of a gardener but my Clematis do very well. This year, I put up new trellis so they had more room to grow. It still looks like I could put up an even larger trellis!!

I had shrimp and vegetables done on the BBQ with rice for supper. Later in the evening, Beckett and I went down to Krazy Kanines agility field to practice weaves and then I watched the Canada Day fireworks from Parliament Hill on TV. There wasn't many fireworks going off in my neighbourhood, so Tucker wasn't too stressed out. All in all a very nice day.

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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