Beyond this shore

and the farther shore.

Beyond the beyond,

where there is no beginning

and no end.

Without fear, go.
 

 

Below are the dogs we've lost over the years. Many of them are buried under the big cottonwood tree out by the creek. They are all buried in our hearts.

Rose vom Enztal

b. 1 August 1997 - died 14 January 2001
She was the best dog I've ever had. Rosie was beautiful, bold, cocky, strong, intense, smart, tough and completely self-satisfied. She was killed by a car at the beginning of what was to be a winter training trip around the west, so we could hit the trial fields with a bang come spring. Our training was reaching a level I've never reached before with a dog. Her loss has devastated me, and working the other dogs pales in comparison. Rosie deserved to be remembered for her outstanding life, not her untimely death. Oh Rosie!, why have I lost you? There was so much for us to do together.

ASCA CH Woodstock's Maggie Mae SchH1 CD

26 November 1985 - 27 November 2000
Maggie was the love of my life, a giddy cheerleader who could never tolerate unhappiness. There's a special something that few dogs have; difficult to describe but unmistakable when present. Maybe it's a sense of self, an intensity. A dog's sense that they're the cosmic centre. Whatever it is, Maggie had it. Maggie went beyond just a week ago, and I miss her so much. I love you Maggie.

Ryker vom Polarstern SchH3 FH CD TD

22 October 1986 - 29 November 2000
"Sovereignty" is the best word to describe Ryker. Possessing dignity, intelligence, character and strength, with just the right amount of silliness thrown in. Ryker represents the ideal GSD temperament. A natural tracker who was always V or SG, his protection work derived from a delight for the fight - the tougher the better. He was, unfortunately, handicapped by a handler who was a total novice in obedience. At 14 he's still the quiet alpha of the house. Confident and never needing to display his power, he can still cause Ivan or Hawk to fawn and grin like a puppy.

ASCA CH Cheshire's Shady Lady CD TD

05 November 1981 - 03 November 1994
Stoic Sinner was possibly the most loyal dog I'll ever own. She was dignified, reserved, quiet, watchful, protective to the death, unobtrusive, silly when the mood struck, but never silly around strangers. She only had a few people she considered friends, but once chosen, you were never forgotten. Sinner was far too serious to enjoy Schutzhund, but her natural suspicion made her an excellent personal protection dog. Sinner left this world in the fall of 1994 the same way she lived: quietly and without fanfare.

Junkyard Jake

? - February 1986
Ain't never been a dog like Jake! Beer drinker, demolition derby mascot, entomologist, tropical fish lover, clown and free spirit. No doubt drinking and fighting and grinning his snaggle-toothed grin somewhere by the Bridge... Rescued from the Sacramento pound because he had that irrepressible confidence that his luck was gonna change. And it did. Good old Jake.

Logan of Cheshire CD TD, Std Ducks, Sheep

17 August 1977 - 15 August 1989
"If I knew then what I know now..." Logan was my once-in-a-lifetime dog. My first dog, I cringe to think of all the mistakes I made with him. Although he took my stupidity in training personally and let me know when I overstepped my authority, he was a joy to own and mentally capable of doing anything he was asked. He excelled in Schutzhund, herding, obedience and frisbee. He delivered parts to mechanics by name in an auto-repair shop and helped push in disabled cars. Unfortunately he was another dog betrayed by an unsound body, and was never able to achieve his potential. He's buried under the tallest cottonwood along the creek out back, where he can watch over us all.

Reyna

1975 - 1991
Reyna, a sheltie cross, was Warren's first dog. She was a fanatic retriever and especially liked you to throw rocks at the water: she loved the splash. She never got training in any formal sense, but was a sweet and devoted companion to us and then to Warren's parents for 16 years.