Can Ch. Karador's Classic Design (1998 ~ 2002) "Archer"
How do you repay 4 years of unconditional love, companionship, and friendship? The answer seems so simple, you can't. Yet when your truest friend, who has fought so courageously against Lymphoma says that it is time to sleep, and this is all that you can offer, you dig deep and call upon all the strength you have in you, and you let your truest friend go. On December 21, 2002, just 4 days after his 4th birthday, I said goodbye to my friend.... my "Big Man".
He was taken too soon, with so much left to do but I can't help but feel that he will always be with me and those whose lives he touched. I am comforted to know how much Archer meant to others by the response that his passing brought to me via emails and telephone calls.
Archer is what I will strive to produce in my breeding program. His massive size, his gentle temperament and his glorious sense of humor.
The Heavens have surely gained a shining star. Archer will be waiting
and watching until we meet again.
He was taken too soon, with so much left to do but I can't help but feel that he will always be with me and those whose lives he touched. I am comforted to know how much Archer meant to others by the response that his passing brought to me via emails and telephone calls.
Archer is what I will strive to produce in my breeding program. His massive size, his gentle temperament and his glorious sense of humor.
The Heavens have surely gained a shining star. Archer will be waiting
and watching until we meet again.
Valbydane's Dream Seeker (1997 ~ 2003) "Hamlet"
Now cracks a noble heart...........
Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
~William Shakespeare~
My Hamlet left this life with the same grace and dignity to which he lived. After a glorious play with Atticus and Maryn, he retired for the night, never to awaken.
It was my one wish that Hamlet leave this world on his own terms, in his own time. He gave me that wish. He was not sick or sickly. His great heart just stopped. If I would have one more wish, it would be that all who love this magnificent breed have a "Hamlet" in their lives.
In my world of black and blue....
I miss my "brown dog"
Multiple Best Puppy In Show ~ Multiple Group Winning
Multiple Group Placing Ch. Valbydane's Brazen Hussy (2004 ~ 2006)
"Brazen"
Everything Brazen did was special. From how she perched herself on the back of the couch while at home, to her tremendous successes in the show ring, nothing was too small but more importantly there was nothing too big for Brazen to try...no mountain too high, no sea too deep.
Perhaps that is why she was only able to be with us for such a short time?? She was simply to BIG for this world and was needed elsewhere to bring her own special "flare" to others. After all, how can you bottle a rainbow?? How do you catch the wind?? Time is too fleeting and you take what you can get. We so desperately and selfishly wanted her with us forever, but will always, without regret, be thankful for the time she allowed us to bask in her greatness.
She was beautiful,boisterous, badddddddd, bodacious, bold, brilliant, bouncy,
bewitching and very very.....Brazen!!!
Sleep sweetly my "Brazen Bran". I miss you everyday.
Perhaps that is why she was only able to be with us for such a short time?? She was simply to BIG for this world and was needed elsewhere to bring her own special "flare" to others. After all, how can you bottle a rainbow?? How do you catch the wind?? Time is too fleeting and you take what you can get. We so desperately and selfishly wanted her with us forever, but will always, without regret, be thankful for the time she allowed us to bask in her greatness.
She was beautiful,boisterous, badddddddd, bodacious, bold, brilliant, bouncy,
bewitching and very very.....Brazen!!!
Sleep sweetly my "Brazen Bran". I miss you everyday.
Ch. Dark Horse's Great Big Sea (2005 ~ 2010) "Sean"
Move along.....
I believe there's Something Beautiful to see
Move along.....
I believe there's Something Beautiful, Just waiting for you and me
"Something Beautiful" ~ Great Big Sea
And she was beautiful!!
How I wish, just once again I could watch her romp in a field, eat her dinner at the speed of light, sprawl on the couch leaving no room for anyone else, stare endlessly at me from point blank range, or just cuddle when I needed it most. None of this will happen again.
I miss my "Seannie Pants" and all her quirks that so frustrated me, aggravated me, made me sooooo mad!! But I won't miss her eating poop:)))) But......... she was too headstrong, too motivated, too much my girl, to not come back to me. I believe with all my heart that one day I will be sitting in my whelping box and see a twinkle in a baby's eye or a familiar mannerism, and know that she has once again come home.
I love you baby girl. I thought I would have no words for you, but once again you got the best of me.....although drenched in tears.
I believe there's Something Beautiful to see
Move along.....
I believe there's Something Beautiful, Just waiting for you and me
"Something Beautiful" ~ Great Big Sea
And she was beautiful!!
How I wish, just once again I could watch her romp in a field, eat her dinner at the speed of light, sprawl on the couch leaving no room for anyone else, stare endlessly at me from point blank range, or just cuddle when I needed it most. None of this will happen again.
I miss my "Seannie Pants" and all her quirks that so frustrated me, aggravated me, made me sooooo mad!! But I won't miss her eating poop:)))) But......... she was too headstrong, too motivated, too much my girl, to not come back to me. I believe with all my heart that one day I will be sitting in my whelping box and see a twinkle in a baby's eye or a familiar mannerism, and know that she has once again come home.
I love you baby girl. I thought I would have no words for you, but once again you got the best of me.....although drenched in tears.
Dark Horse's Tequila Mockngbyrd (2002 ~ 2011) "Atticus"
Did I love him more....I don't know?? I love all my dogs and I hope equally in their special way. But my heart shined or sank on Atticus' command. He will always hold my heart in a way that no other has, and maybe never will.
Atticus was the patriarch of the family. He was the protector, the "judge of character", the couch warmer and the "tester" of laps. He was never shown to prove his greatness, he simply was GREAT!!
He was proud, noble, regal, gentle and without regret or apology, he was the goofiest, sweetest, truest friend that anyone could ask for!!
Taking over from his father as my best friend, I couldn't even imagine life without him under foot, or leaning against me or testing my "slobber surfing" skills across the floor thanks to his head shaking after a drink!!!
He was the one that all guests wanted to take home. A true ambassador of the breed. He was my "Atti",
my "Ticcus", my "Ati-Ticus", my "Attitude".....he was and will be the love of my life.
"Sleep softly Big Man and keep the couch warm until we meet again."
Atticus was the patriarch of the family. He was the protector, the "judge of character", the couch warmer and the "tester" of laps. He was never shown to prove his greatness, he simply was GREAT!!
He was proud, noble, regal, gentle and without regret or apology, he was the goofiest, sweetest, truest friend that anyone could ask for!!
Taking over from his father as my best friend, I couldn't even imagine life without him under foot, or leaning against me or testing my "slobber surfing" skills across the floor thanks to his head shaking after a drink!!!
He was the one that all guests wanted to take home. A true ambassador of the breed. He was my "Atti",
my "Ticcus", my "Ati-Ticus", my "Attitude".....he was and will be the love of my life.
"Sleep softly Big Man and keep the couch warm until we meet again."
Gibson (1994 - 2012)
Gibson was the light of our lives. For almost 19 years, the sun rose and set on his every move. Growing up with dogs, I am sure that Gibson believed he was one. He would go to the door and ask to go out, and he would always come when he was called back in at night.
Gibson could start, carry on and finish a conversation. He would keep you warm at night (after he properly "kneaded" you) and join you for some company whether sitting on the deck on a warm sunny day, or on the couch watching a movie on a cold snowy night.
Our days are not as bright, but the stars light the night sky as they never did before.
We know he is looking down on us.
Gibson could start, carry on and finish a conversation. He would keep you warm at night (after he properly "kneaded" you) and join you for some company whether sitting on the deck on a warm sunny day, or on the couch watching a movie on a cold snowy night.
Our days are not as bright, but the stars light the night sky as they never did before.
We know he is looking down on us.
BPISS Ch. Karador's Cirque de la Mer (2002 - 2012) "Maryn"
Maryn, in old Irish means "from the sea" and keeping with the power of the sea, she was strong, capable of great waves, storms & tides, but also serene, calm, enchanting and always deserving of respect & appreciation. She was the foundation of Dark Horse.
From the moment our eyes met, Maryn and I butted heads. She was so headstrong and stubborn and did not hide that she believed (or knew) that she was your superior
Maryn was the undisputed queen of the house and deservedly so. During her life, she watched over all, both 2 legged and 4. I have no doubt that she will continue to stand guard from afar and will be waiting for us to meet again.
From the moment our eyes met, Maryn and I butted heads. She was so headstrong and stubborn and did not hide that she believed (or knew) that she was your superior
Maryn was the undisputed queen of the house and deservedly so. During her life, she watched over all, both 2 legged and 4. I have no doubt that she will continue to stand guard from afar and will be waiting for us to meet again.
"If I had words to make a day for you, I'd sing you a morning golden and new....
I would make this day last for all time....... Give you a night deep in moonshine"
I would make this day last for all time....... Give you a night deep in moonshine"
BPIS BPISS Ch. Dark Horse's Showdwn At Big Sky (2007 - 2016) "Ulrich"
Ulrich was my great joy. He was my boy. He was just great. He was successful in the show ring, but even more so in our lives. He was gentle, he was playful, he was funny, he tried so hard...even when trying was so hard. He was so strong, even at the end when I was falling apart knowing that it was time for him to go.
He meant so much to everyone, both 2 legged and 4. After Ulrich started his new journey, everyone grieved. Our house was so sad for the longest time, but in true Ulrich fashion, his memory turned tears to smiles. He will forever be in our hearts.
The bells will ring for Ulrich and I will miss him forever.
"And people, people. Can you hear the sound
From every village and every town
Let the bells ring out, Hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out
Keep them ringing, ringing"
~Showdown At Big Sky, Robbie Robertson~