Fairoaks Summer Storm CDX

Chloe

Fairoaks Akeeno X Fairoaks Fin Rizell

Words can't adequately express what Chloe meant to us, particularly to Mike. She was our first Aussie and the one who started us down a path that led to a serious passion. This photo was taken on our last full day together, which of course Chloe spent at Mike's side. When exploratory surgery showed no real hope for saving her from cancer, Mike made the decision to let her go peacefully. He said later that in her version of heaven, Chloe would be in his truck, guarding it against all strangers. I said no ... in Chloe's heaven, she will be with you. That's all.

Ch. Trailmasters Diamond Rio

Rio

Ch. Butterfield's Poncho Via X Trailmasters Ultra Xtravaganza

Rio was my first show dog and my first champion. He was 4 years old when he came to live with us, but that didn't affect his bond with me. He never really understood the point of showing but accepted it because I asked him to. We muddled through and he finally finished when he was 7 years old -- in spite of my handling rather than because of it. He would have died defending me, and that's something I'll never forget. We said goodbye to him on a Sunday afternoon when he told me it was time. I still sometimes expect to see him around the house.

Jadecreek Scotch Bonnet

Bonnie

Ch. Lil'Creek's Sure Shot X Timberwood's Dreamsicle

Bonnie was the littlest of the litter, the one I was going to place in a pet home. But we decided to keep her and she grew into a beautiful girl. Bonnie was just 3 years old when I lost her. A girl asked to walk her at a dog show and I relented --  it didn't occur to me that she would let Bonnie off lead in an area with a low fence. Bonnie jumped the fence and was gone, lost in the St. Louis metro area. After an extensive two-day search that involved both area newspapers and TV stations, her body was found along the interstate. I am forever grateful to everyone who helped in the search for Bonnie.

Ridgeview's Storm Warning

 Stormy

We lost our sweet, wonderful Stormy to renal failure shortly before her 14th birthday. She was my demo dog for obedience classes and the protector of any animal she thought needed her guardianship. She could put the goats back in their pen without guidance and would lie next to their fence when in the yard. I believe she thought they were her goats, not ours. A gentler soul never walked the earth.

Timberwoods Dreamsicle

Jade

I don't think there could be a more beautiful dog than Jade, but she disliked showing and was retired needing just 1 point to finish her AKC championship. She passed away suddenly -- but thankfully, peacefully -- when she was 11 years old. Our vet is not sure what happened, but we are grateful that Jade lived a happy and healthy life without a long decline. She was here one evening and gone the next morning. It seems we never have enough time with our beloved dogs.

Int. Ch. Imagineer's Cedar of Stormhill

Cedar

The photo shows our Cedar in her prime, but she almost made it to 15 years old. When she was diagnosed with nasal cancer in March 2010, we were told not to expect more than a few months. She defied the odds and lived over a year longer. We made the choice to let her go peacefully when she no longer wanted her food. She was a happy, silly girl.