Helen's Home World: February 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Transformation Tuesday

I saw this on FaceBook last week, people posting pictures of their dogs as puppies and then as adults. At the time I didn't have a chance to look for pictures so I thought I would do a blog post.

My first Sheltie Starpath's Glenmohr Duffy

My first bi-black Dierenvriend's Nicky's Shadow, I called him Gryffon

My first agility dog, Dierenvriend's Mattie's Tucker

My first female Kelbren's Ceilidh Everlasting

My agility super star, Triadic's Glenciarn Beckett

And last but not least, Triadic's Keltic Livinonthedge

Monday, February 13, 2017

A few friends and I went downtown on Saturday evening. It's Winterlude here in Ottawa, the mid-winter festival and at Confederation Park they always have ice sculptures. We went to the mall first and had a bite to eat in the food court, first time I had been in it since they renovated over two years ago now. Then after eating we walked over to Confederation Park; it's a short walk, only about 5 minutes from the mall.

We had a wonderful evening, not too cold for a Canadian winter. It's also our nation's 150th anniversary of Confederation so some of the sculptures were along that theme.

Obviously the first sculpture is a Canada 150 sculpture reminiscent of our flag. The second sculpture has a map of Canada on it. That might be a little hard to see but it's there. The third sculpture is of the Vimy Memorial. That battle in WWI was the one that defined us as a country separate from the United Kingdom.

These sculptures were in the park but they also have an ice sculpture competition and those sculptures are located in what they call the Crystal Garden.

Surfer

Mermaid

Peacock

Inuit fisherman

Twin faces

It's pretty amazing to see what they can carve out of ice. The contestants come from all around the world. It's funny to see that many of the carvers come from countries that we would consider to be warm, no even hot countries. Just how do they get into ice carving?

Dream Weaver

Magical Dancer

Thor

Carousel

Go to the link below to see all the ice sculptures that we saw.

Ice Sculptures - Winterlude 2017

After standing in line to see all the sculptures, our feet did start to get cold so we decided to head back home, some us by car and others, myself included by bus. It was an inexpensive short evening out but it did get us out of the house and gave us a chance to catch up with each other. There will be other events here in Ottawa for the 150th that we plan to attend. Hopefully a few others that couldn't make it this time will be able to join us.

If you haven't been to Ottawa, summer is a wonderful time to visit but so is February with Winterlude. There's the ice sculputres, skating on the canal, a snow maze and castle, dog sled rides in Jacques Cartier park. Not to mention taffy pulls and, of course, one has to have beaver tails.

Confederation Park

Rideau Canal Skateway

Ottawa at night

Confederation Park and the canal

Thursday, February 2, 2017

New Additions

No, I did not get another puppy but I've been thinking about one so who knows maybe next year.

Last year 2016 brought a number of new additions to the family; three of my nieces each welcomed their first child in 2016.

First on the scene was Thexan David born 12 July 2016. Quite an unusual first name, apparently the name of a prince in Star Wars.

Next to make her debut was Emma Rhian who was born 31 Aug 2016, she was in a bit of a rush to arrive being born two weeks before her due date.

Last to arrive was Haig Arthur born 23 Dec 2016. Haig should have been a January 2017 baby but he was in such a rush to catch up to his cousins that he also arrived a few weeks early.

Not too many photos of Haig Arthur yet but his family did have a lovely photo shoot and you can see those photos at Dawn of Destiny Photography.

It's pretty wonderful to see the family growing and the next generation arriving. My nieces are all now young women; it seems like just yesterday they were the little children.

A picture of all the new moms when they were little.

More great grandchildren for my mother although she will likely never have the chance to really get to know these new members of the family.

And new cousins for the first of that generation, Adrian Robert.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Wordless Wednesday

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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