“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
― Will Rogers
For Love of Dogs
Perhaps the truest thing about a dog is that it reflects its owner. They have eyes only for one thing and that is to please their owners...that and of course food. How we treat them - whether with love, fear, or anger, that is what they will mirror.
The first dog I ever fell in love with was a Springer Spaniel named Susie who was my Uncle Lou's dog as a boy. The age I first recall her is when I was about four or five and I loved to brush out her long feathers on her front legs and I was fascinated that she could drink from my grandparents outdoor faucet. My Uncle served in the Army and so Susie lived with my grandparents when he was deployed and Susie followed them as they gardened and were in their home. When my Uncle returned home, she was
his dog and his hunting companion. From my Uncle, I learned that having a dog is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. From my Grandmother I learned they can break your heart, as I experienced her grief when Susie passed on.
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| Susie withy Uncles, my Mom, and my Grandparents circa 1950 |
As a young adult, my first dog was a wonderful mutt, Benny, 75 pounds worth, brindled, and white. From him I learned how to care for a dog - and how to train one - how loyal they become - and how they are our "children".
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| Tegan and Benny |
As a young mother with a one year old daughter, Buster, became my dog. And suddenly I was "potty" training two. A lab-something-something mix, he was sweet and gentle. He was my walking companion through woods and down country roads. Buster got me through some of the toughest times of my life.
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| Buster and Tegan |
It was when my daughter turned 12 that two English Springer Spaniels in a row came into our lives! Sweet, nurturing Louie and amazing Maisey, from champion field-bred (hunting) lines. Originally we had hopes to breed Maisey but her tests came in negative, so she never became a momma. Maisey broke our hearts and left us New Year's Day 2016, at the age of 13 but right up to the end, her love of humans shown through. I am sure that she is seated by my father in heaven now, as she patiently did so at the end of his life. Louie passed on after 14+ loyal years, and I'm hoping he's joined my Uncle Lou and is running through the fields of heaven.
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| Maisey and Louie |
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| Maisey and Tegan |
Which brings us up to Addie - we
added one more in the summer of 2012! With two elder dogs, it has been a wonder to have her energy and joy fill our lives. Addie, a show-bred English Springer Spaniel, has gone through all the required breeding tests and she had tested Good for her hips and Clear on her eyes when we met Cynthia and her beautiful dogs to include Eero. With nine striking pups born on June 10, 2016 , the rest is now the future!
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| Ann and Addie |
