A Special Boy

"I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?" ~ Sir Walter Scott

My mother lost her beloved Mathias Sunday evening. He was playing in her back yard with her CCI puppy in training and Zeus, her German Shepherd puppy. One of the dogs ran into Mathias, Mathias went down, seized and died. He was a vibrant, healthy dog and an integral part of my mother's life.

But Mathias was a special dog in more ways than even she knows. Mom started competing with Mathias in agility and other dog sports when he came home from CCI to be her dog. By then, I had Oscar and was starting to compete in conformation. Finally, my mother and I had something very much in common that we could talk about with ease--and usually be on the same wavelength. This was a really big deal in my life and I will always be grateful to Mathias for this special gift. So, thank you, Mathias, and many blessings on your journey.

I explained it to St. Peter,

I'd rather stay here

Outside the pearly gate.

I won't be a nuisance,

I won't even bark,

I'll be very patient and wait,

I'll be here, chewing on a celestial bone,

No matter how long you may be.

I'd miss you so much, if I went in alone,

It wouldn't be heaven for me.

~Unknown Author

Mirra Takes on the Bred-By Class

And wins!

She earned first place both Saturday and Sunday at the Newnan show last weekend. She didn't get Winner's Bitch, but her aunt, Caledonia's Pursuit of Perfection aka Lexus, did, so we didn't mind too much. Lexus is Oscar's littermate and a beautiful girl of a completely different build from Chocolate. Lexus is well-muscled and svelte, versus Chocolate's heavier build. Lexus should have finished eons ago, but when she was out before, was always competing against either her mother or one of her littermates and seemed cursed to Reserve every time. These days, after two litters, she would smoke her sisters, I think. But then, she's always been a favorite of mine.

Mirra competed today in the Brierfield show and won Winner's Bitch and Best of Opposite. I would normally be jumping up and down in excitement, but we were the only girls showing, so no points! Ugh! The rain seemed to scare everyone away.