Happy Saturday Everyone!

Today’s post is about what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend. I am thankful for 13 years with this wonderful dog I call my soulmate. I will start out with a video I labeled “My Soulmate”.

Second is a poem my friend sent me that sums our relationship up nicely.

A TIME TO REMEMBER —————— They come into our lives for such a short time a time we wouldn’t trade not even for a dime Then before you know it the years have flown by and then all of the sudden we’re saying good-bye

It wasn’t that long ago we said our good-byes we held on to you tight as you closed your eyes Your spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove into God’s loving arm’s; in heaven above

Over the days we’ve shed many tears but the memories we have will live on for years We feel your presence and we know that your near you’re keeping us safe and calming our fear

We think about memories from years past when you were young and strong and ran so fast we remember all the great times that we all had how you always made us happy never made us mad

They were the best and happiest years we had we’ll always look back on them and never be sad We look forward to the time we’ll be together again and we thank the Lord for such a great friend

Now you run and play up in Heaven above cradled in God’s arms covered with his love Playing by the Bridge waiting for the day we come down thru the meadow to the bridge to stay

The love that you showed us we’ll never forget because to us you’re one very special pet You’re like a star in the dark of night always watching over us with the Lord’s light

So now we take time to remember our best friend who will always be with us even to the end We’ll always remember you the way you were one big lovable huggable pile of fur

John Quealy

Now what I am thankful for:

1. I am thankful for our foundation stud HRCH Sand Spring Norm Of Caroway MH. Norman was the one to start Sand Spring Chesapeakes. Without him we would not be where we are today!

2. I am thankful for all the firsts we had with Norman.

He was our first Chesapeake to run AKC & UKC hunt tests. I am thankful for being able to do his first training when he was young and to handle him in all 5 AKC Junior Hunter tests to receive his JH title at 10 months of age.

He was our first Chesapeake that we sent to a trainer for advance hunt test training. Through this training we became friends with a really nice family so we are more than just clients we are like family.

He was our first Chesapeake to go on to receive his AKC Senior Hunter title, his Master Hunter title and his UKC Finished title.

He was our first Chesapeake that taught us how to run hunt tests and how to hunt with the best.

He was our first Chesapeake that we bred and got HRCH Sand Spring Hurricane Nellie SH “Nellie”.

He was the reason for our hobby bird farm.

He is the reason his picture is on the Chesapeake breed profile page on Westminster Kennel Club website.

3. I am thankful for all the friends we have made because of Norman. He had a way about him that made people fall in love with him and strike up a conversation with us which lead to some really nice friendships.

4. I am thankful because of him we have his son Gambler (who has some pretty big paws to fill) and his daughter Nellie who produced Glory who is a part of our family.

5. I am thankful for Norman being a clown and showing us that life isn’t all about being serious.

6. I am thankful for the many things he has taught me about life, living and loving!

7. I am thankful for so many other things that I could go on and on about.

I really have a lot of blessings to count and to be thankful for with this furball I call “My Soulmate”.

The out pour of love still comes in. This week I got a surprise letter from heaven with some warm socks and the most beautiful bracelet ever.

The bracelet is my favorite colors which are now my new theme colors for Sand Spring Chesapeakes with a beautiful Chesapeake pendent. This bracelet is to remember Norman’s legacy and all that we have created in the Sand Spring line. The socks are a inside joke as I said no one would lay in Norman’s spot in bed which is on my feet because they thought he was hiding in the bathroom and would come out anytime and raaah them so the socks are to keep my feet warm until Norman’s great-grandaughter takes his place.

I can not thank my friend Amy enough for all the thought that went into “my letter from heaven” and for the thoughtful gifts of love. I have the best friends, the best support system and much love to guide me during my difficult times. Thank you all and much love back!

Last but not least on this last day of Movember. Norman want’s to share in the Men’s Health Awareness month along with Prostrate Cancer Awareness…

Did you know that male intact dogs can get prostrate and testicular cancer? They can! Norman had a enlarged prostrate that was giving him grief so we had to have him neutered when he was 11 yrs old. Luckily we had prior seamen saved on him so his baby making days can still happen even know he is gone. So if you have a male intact dog you should do monthly testicle checks on them to and make sure their isn’t any abnormalities.   If they are having urinary issues when older it might be because of prostatitis, so get them in and have that checked.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

This week a owner who bought one of Norman’s puppy’s from his last litter (Gambler’s sister) shared this video on Facebook. I love this video and never tire from watching it. Every word is so true! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Going along with this video is my favorite poem about dogs. This also says it all!

Just A Dog 

From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “That’s a lot of money for just a dog,” They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog.” Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog,” and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought  about  by  “Just a dog.” In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think its “Just a dog,” you will probably understand phrases like “Just a friend,” “Just a sunrise,” or “Just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a man or woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “Just a dog,” smile, because they “Just Don’t Understand.”

*Author Unknown

Yesterday I hung up the memorial I made of Norman. It’s a picture of him I had taken back in fall of 2012 with my dad’s old 20 gauge model 12 shotgun. This was my first pheasant gun. I had took Norman’s paw print when he was still alive and then colored it brown with a small cattail. This is hanging above my bed so he can look down on me while I sleep.

I got this beautiful keepsake which can be a ornament from Harmony Pet Care. I took this picture of Norman earlier in the year at Harmony, they have the best background there so I always get some pictures when I take the dogs with me to work. They picked out the perfect picture for his memorial ornament. Thank you Harmony!

Thank you all for the beautiful cards you send John and I. We are blessed to have such a great group of friends.

The picture of the chessie in the middle is Norman’s granddaughter Savannah.

The most thoughtful gift was from a fellow blogger that I have never met and just recently started doing the See Beautiful Blog Hop. The blog hop is held the second Friday of each month. It is all about seeing beautiful and sharing it with others. When Norman passed it happened to be the week of the See Beautiful hop. Lydia from See Beautiful emailed me and asked for my address as she wanted to send me a little of See Beautiful so I can look at it and see the beauty in Norman and hopefully make me smile during this sad time. This week I got the package and it was a See Beautiful bracelet that is just beautiful, it came with a note and a card with See beautiful words on along with a description of what the card was made of. The card is recycled paper with forget me not’s in it so I am to rip up the card plant it and watch beauty bloom on day. What a sheer act of kindness. You fellow bloggers are the best and I can’t thank Lydia and you all enough. Just the smallest gestures mean so much to people. When you think all it was nothing, it really was something big.

Hope you all have a great Saturday!

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