My heart dogs...

Since I am stuck in my house right now with snow still falling outside (I mean literally stuck, yes can't get out of my driveway, although could probably hike up to my parents house around the corner!)...I thought I would take some time to write a post about some of my special dogs. These are what I call my heart dogs.

Many people always ask me how I could ever part with puppies or give back dogs that I show for other people or let older dogs leave that I have grown up. It never is easy, although sometimes you are rejoiced to get a difficult dog to live with out of the house or rejoicing when that final puppy leaves from a difficult litter...but their are always those few dogs that stay forever. Those dogs are the ones that touch your heart or become a part of you.

These are my heart dogs. (in no particular order)

Ash, Aust/Am CH Ruatha Aisling CD RN, born in Australia, brindle Cardi, 12 yrs young, when we moved to Australia, I had to part with my very special Sheltie, Sky. Unfortunately his temperament was not sound enough to make the trip across the world, so we made the hard choice of placing him in a home before we left. My parents promised me to look for my own dog once we arrived in Australia. One of the first Cardigan people we met was Dorothy Hartcher of Llandwyn Cardigans. She only lived a couple towns away from us in the same area where we lived. Dorothy suggested we look at Ash, as Lisa had grown up the two sisters, but really didn't need both of them. So, Ash came home with us. Through out the years she has won many accomplishments, had several litters, and is now in full retirement laying around the house and being a grand old lady.

Sparky, Red Ryder at Real Pearl, red merle BC, 2 yrs old, imported from Hungary, yes Sparky is one heart dog of mine. When I first really became involved with the BC breed, I dreamed of having a red merle someday. A couple of years ago, I started my quest to find one. It took me a long time, at some point I almost gave up, thinking that I would just have to breed one, until I found Judit in Hungary, who just happened to have the pick red merle male available from her current litter and would love to send him to me here in the USA. So, Sparky came off the plane and to this day I love having my red merle. He always makes us laugh and is definitely the comedic relief of the household!

Haze, Ch Wildblue Silver Haze, blue BC, almost 7 yrs old, Haze was welcomed in to my household only a few years back. She needed lots of TLC and at first would only go up to my son. With some guidance, she quickly became the helper, healer, and stabilizer of the household. She welcomes everyone in, keeps those puppies in line, and is totally spoiled by my son, Evan, who has decided that Haze gets to sleep in his room now!

Conner, Can Ch Arbeitsheim Dear Connection, sable Papillon, 9 yrs young, Conner is my shadow. He came to me with some health issues, mainly mental, and said that I was the one to help him get through it all. After many years of recovering, he is totally healed and you would never recognize him as he is a totally different dog. Conner is very special to me and even though he doesn't go much of anywhere, (he still has huge crate anxieties) those who come and visit enjoy seeing Conner.

Those are my heart dogs. Many others hold a special place in my heart, but these are the ones who will stay here forever. ~Emily