Thankful
Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 8:42AM 
Woke up today to a long note on my computer from Dennis. He managed to get me up and going - he saves all old computer parts - thankfully. My software now works and the dust is gone from my computer which Dennis complained about profusely. My computer is saved for another day until I am forced to get a new one that Dennis can build. Got to save my tips but so many other things take priority. I used to build them but in my old age I have become lazy or less patient with troubleshooting. It is debatable which.
Today Treasure and her Mom is coming to visit. It is the first time she is coming here since she went to her forever home. We have gone downtown to see her. I sit here wondering how she will react. There are new faces for her and old faces that have departed. Nathan says Treasure was always his dog but in reality she was mine. Last time we saw her she 90% of the time focused on me. We will see how the day goes. I hope she spends 90% with Nathan so he can smile and brag about it. I do love him so!
Reader Comments (10)
I'm so happy you're visiting w/ Treasure and her Mom. I would love to see up-dates and photos of the retired gals from time to time. I hope you or Dennis take some photos today so we can all share in this special time. :-)
Is this Roxie?
I am so happy for you seeing Treasure today. It must be so difficult giving them up to their forever homes but I certainly understand the need. After reading that article in the wonderful latest edition of the Havanese Breed Magazine about the breeder with 80 dogs, I do understand the need to let the retired doggies have a home of their own eventually with the introduction of the new to be Moms and Dads. Have lots of fun with Treasure. I am sure she still loves you both very, very much. How could a dog not!!
Angela, I am not sure what happened to her. I do not know Liz personally. I know only about her and she wrote some historical articles for Nathan about 5 years ago. It is hard to let your older gals go. I still miss each so. But when you see them happy, it lightens my heart. I could never get in the situation Liz was in. There are 3 of us here. She was divorced, lost a daughter (died) and had a number of mounting life changing events happen to her. I can only imagine this was her trying to fill her losses. But I have found over the years that its not about you but them. Its hard for some people to 'get' that. When we let Dusty go I never thought my heart would mend but then she came to visit. I saw the journey and went wow this is what she was meant to do. This is her journey and Simone's journey. Same went for Abigail, Fiona, Cali and Treasure. Each has their own unique journey. I still miss them but I love them enough to let them go enjoy a journey of being the focus. Treasure was so happy to be here but she feels the need to control and correct. Its a lot of anxiety controlling a pack especially if they do not listen to you. Treasure is in a home she is meant to be and I still cry about the loss as she was truly my dog but I love her enough to let her go. Make no mistake, I love her so still!
Its impossible to groom 80 dogs on a daily basis or even once a week on a consistent basis. Your arm/hand wouldn't allow. In one breath I say she needed to shave them down but in another breath I say even shaving them down what kind of life did they have? My dogs sleep on my bed, play all day, have walks, go to classes, do shows and all get groomed daily with an occasional day off. They have a blast day in and day out. Its what they deserve. They are welcomed to be in my entire house not stuck in crates. Crates are useful for training, for travel but are not meant for a dog to stay in for long periods of time. Can you imagine if you were held up in a box for all day and only let out to go do your duty and minor escapes out? To me, that is cruel. If you can't make them happy then there is an irrational reason for not allowing them to have the journey they are meant to be on. You are filling YOUR needs, not theirs. To me that is so unfair.
I also know that if the younger set does not work out for the show ring I must place them. It will kill me and despite knowing in my mind, my heart will be bruised once again if it doesn't work out. But then those lucky enough will be richer for my loss. It is not about me. It is them. But none of it is easy.
I can make excuses for Liz and I can even understand the needs she was trying to fill for her but it wasn't about them with that many dogs.
We always had a soft spot for Treasure. I hope you have nice visit. Would love to see pictures of her.
You can always count on Dennis to help out, no matter what. Good for him!
Darlah please post pictures of Treasure if you capture any. I feel for you and your family when some of the dogs are re-homed. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. Knowing how you screen and evaluate the homes for each pup or dog you can feel good about the next faze of their lives. Enjoy Treasures visit. I love her.
Darlah, so very aptly put. What wonderful breeders you truly are!
Darlah, you demonstrate what a true dog lover is - willing to get your heart broken so that a dog can be in the best possible situation. It's the quality of care and not the quantity of dogs that shows the real dog lover!
Yes, Dennis is wonderful. He does so much with the dogs that people don't see. He falls so hard for them. He made sure he had Treasure time too.