Joy!!

What a joy-full year it’s been.  Like anyone’s life, there’s up’s and down’s but it seems that the joys, as they should, always add up to the events remembered.  Given that this is my ‘dog-blog’, I celebrate the joys that each of us can find through the simple of pleasures of being owned by a dog.

It’s hard to actually remember all the great times I’ve had with the dogs this year but here’s a shot at some of the highlights:

– the lovely Bentley completed his American championship title with one more major win at a specialty, making him officially, Am. Can. Ch. SureShot Flying Spur TT.  He also sired a very promising litter that we look forward with anticipation to their activities in the future.  Thanks forever to Dianna Ellis of Bluewin Gordons, his co-owner, for making all these events possible.

– Over a year ago, another lovely litter was produced by Mira (Can Ch. FCC Ch. SureShot Chosen One, CD, CGN) who I co-own with a very dear friend Keith O’Flaherty.  That litter produced Skye who, as just a youngster, has several group placements and puppy group wins this year as well as two new titles.  She’s now Ch. Vanoras SureShot Highland Skye, CGN.  Her brother Kole also picked up his CGN this year, making him Vanoras SureShot Coal Town Boy, CGN.

– There’s been a ton of new agility titles for the girls this year but I guess the history-making one was Echo’s Excellent Standard title in CKC making her the first Gordon to get that award.  The list of new accomplishments for each of them is extensive and is seen through all the new titles they got that are included in their official names:

– Echo, Ch. Sureshot Caisteal Sassenach, AGXS, AGIJS, ADC, S-NAC, S-NJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, TG-O, S-WV-N, HP-N, TN-N, OAC, Nov Vers.

– Ticket, Ch. Drumdaroch Sure’s Hot, AgNS, AgNJS, S-NAC, S-NJC, O-OJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, O-WV-N, S-TN-N, HP-N, O-TN-O, OAC, SGDC, Nov Vers

– Tatum, Ch. SureShot Paper Moon, AgNS, AgNJS, S-TN-N, O-TN-O, S, S-NAC, O-NCC, O-TG-N, S-NJC, HP-N, WV-N, OJC, Nov Vers

Each of them owns a special place in my heart with their unique personalities and ability to make me smile.

The start of the year saw the loss of my ‘heart-dog’, Erin (Ch. Rokeena Downunder Delite, AgN, AgNS, AgIJS, NCC, O-NJC-V, TG-N-V, OAC, VADC, VSGDC).  The loss of a dog that really was a once-in-a-lifetime, still weighs heavily at times but, this season, it seems so much better to celebrate the 10 years I shared and learned with her: the many activities we pursued together, and, yes, the Joy with which she embraced life and the Joy she gave to me as a result.

So, no matter your hobby or occupation of choice.  Whatever paths you take on your road.  Whatever interests capture your spirit….

MAY YOU ALWAYS FIND YOUR JOY