LOST BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
Minnisota (Minnie), Cedarpaws Calypso Dream
Feb 6/2005 - Jan 2/2016
My best friend left today. She didn't want to go but the choice was no longer hers, but cancers. She fought only as Minnie could, tough and resolute to remain on this earth as long as she could for me. I vowed to never let her have a moments suffering, an unimaginable conflict of interest. Minnie taught me the true meaning of unconditional love. She forgave me immediately if I was cross with her, or impatient. She loved me as only an Aussie can,... full of vigorous butt wiggles and unbridled enthusiasm. She was my first brood bitch, and gave me some of the sweetest, loving, cherished babies anyone could ask for. Her progeny in the show ring or someone's best in show family member, live on as examples of her unwavering devotion to everything family. I know everyone who has lost a cherished dog feels they are the best dog ever to grace the planet, but she truly was. She was empathetic, boisterous, protective, a leader, intelligent, intuitive, beautiful, strong, devoted, intimidating, gentle, nurturing, relentless, and so much more. She embodied everything I ever wanted in a dog from my childhood, she was my Lassie. I know a day will not go by that I will not think of her, and I will struggle every time not to cry, no matter how much time will have passed. Her devotion to me is so overwhelming it feels undeserved. Because as a mere human I cannot reciprocate this unashamed display of love day in day out so unconditionally. It would require me to be devoid of ego, life's daily pressures, demands and challenges our canine companions dismiss as unimportant, and embrace life like a dog and live in the moment. If only it were possible. My only regrets to you my amazing Minnie, is not having the capacity to truly embrace and appreciate the everyday small gestures of love that were expressed by you every damn day. I will forever feel guilty for not being able to be present for you all the time, and having to share me with other members of the pack. You were generous of my time spent with the other dogs, and always helped to raise them up right. I wish I was capable of consistently matching your unashamed, condition free devotion to me. I will always try to honour your love, especially on those days where I feel less lovable of myself or others, I will think of you and try, I mean Aussie try. My shadow, my teacher, my friend.
Minnesota, aka Minnie, min, pop, soda, soda pop, pop a roo, roo.
Karche, MontRose Madame de la grande
June 20, 2006 - March 17, 2018
Karche was my second show Aussie from my friend Kelsey Jones of MontRose Kennels in Upstate NY. I was quite new to the breeding world and he sold me this sweet girl when she was 14 months old. Karche was quite timid and jumpy at first but soon settled into our home and became best of friends with Minnie. Karche was the complete opposite of Minnie in that she was a total princess and wanted nothing to do with chasing balls, rigorous exercise or anything that would be considered dog like behaviour. She enjoyed our country walks together and pack walks through the forest, but most of all loved to swim in our pond. she was not a typical aussie in that she was not at all pushy, needy or the in your face kinda aussie. she would lie quietly beside you or at the foot of the bed wanting only to be in your company. She was an exceptional mother and loved all puppies at Terwin, always looking forward to playing with the next brood that came along. Her sweet biddable nature and sound structure produced some of Terwin's exceptional show dogs like, Jag, Coupe, Porsche, Riot, all from one litter, not to mention her other prodginey.
Jag, Terwin's Born To Perform
Sept 26, 2009 - Aug 10, 2018
The loss of Jag was sudden and completely unexpected, he contracted an autoimmune disease (IMHA) and was lost within 48 hours of diagnosis. There was no obvious reason as to what caused his immune system to attack his red blood cells and ultimately result in his death. Jag was an incredible stud dog and pack mentor. He loved puppies and was so patient and nurturing with them. He produced numerous titled offspring with exceptional conformation and temperament. His Get can easily been seen in his kids all over Canada, the U.S. and Europe. He was the sweetest of boys and loved nothing more than to leap into the pond to swim for a tossed ball. He was a stallion in the show ring and loved to strut around with total confidence. Anyone could be on the end of the lead with him and he would show his heart out. However his favorite handler was Hannah Wood, a Junior who trained with him for his and her first dog show and finished him in one weekend in CKC, going breed over specials in all three shows with all group placements, and finish his championship with a group one. Jags show career was cut short due to a foot and shoulder injury and unfortunately we would never know how far he could have gone. Jag loved kids, he was so gentle with them despite his impressive and intimidating presence. He loved nothing more than to cuddle and be next to you. He was an incredible ambassador for the breed and could be kenneled with my other two males, Ruckus, his partner in crime, and Marlin without ever having a cross moment, even when girls were in season. His legacy lives on in his offspring with me but I will never again be able to look out at the dog park and see him poised and stoic in stature. His presence is truly missed and always will be. Minnie and Karche undoubtedly were waiting for him at the rainbow bridge and will be swimming together in some pristine pond.
Ruckus, Kirrabilli's Raisen A Ruckus
Jan 24, 2007 - Nov 26, 2020
It's the end of a era, my sweet boy Ruckus let us know he was ready to go. Ruckus is the last of my foundation dogs to cross over to the rainbow bridge. Ruckus lived a long happy life and was loved by many people, the least of those was Jill and Greg who Ruckus lived out his retirement years with. Jill was Ruckus's favorite person from the time he was a young pup, they had a natural and immediate bond. When Jill lost her chocolate lab she and I rescued, her other dog (an aussie) was lonely and lost without his companion. We tried a couple of my retired female aussie's to try to fill Hershey's spot, but none seemed to fill the bill. I suggested she give the ruckaroo a shot and it was a immediate and perfect fit. His easy going nature and sweet disposition helped everyone soothe some broken hearts. I will always be grateful to Jill and Greg for giving Ruckus such a wonderful caring home, especially in the last two years of his life while he lived with an enlarged heart and require daily meds three times a day. Ruckus leaves behind his legacy in his many progeny. He produced exceptional pups that have brought joy to all who were blessed with having a piece of his dna. He produced pups of all manner of performance from conformation, therapy, obedience, scent detection, and agility. His pups are not only beautiful but biddable with exceptional loving natures. I am blessed to have had him in my life and grateful for his pedigree in my breeding program. I am thankful to all the breeders who used him for their breed programs as well. I extend my gratitude to all those who loved him and helped bring recognition to my wonderful boy.
Gail Stevens (Ruckus's breeder) Keli Gaunt, who contacted me and was the first outside kennel to use him in her breed program and put his ASCA championship title on him in a few short weekends out and introduced him to the US dog show circuit. Others soon followed, Barb Hager, Jill ward, DiAnna Williams, Kelsey Jones, Linda Howell. I apologize if I have forgotten or left anyone out. I only have to look at my own dogs to see Ruckus in them, he will be missed and remembered fondly. Run with your girls Ruck, Minnie, Karche and your best bud Jag.