I am waiting for the day when I can write about Izzy's life...hell I am waiting for the day I can think of Izzy and not end up in a puddle of tears. I was so fortunate to have her in my life. We learned so much together and had so many first as a team. Izzy was so much more than just a pet she was my family, my friend and joy. Since she has been away I feel like the shine is off the apple. I sleep a lot and have a hard time dragging myself through the day. My Dr. asked if I wanted something to help me through...but since morphine was not on the menu I declined. Once again I search for answers and ideas to hang onto to help me. I know the facts...in most cases we outlive our dogs and 15+ years is a nice long life for a dog. BUT I had it in my head she would be with me longer....the truth is, there is never a good age to lose a dog. Still those facts do not lessen the agony of loss. I have one notion I came up with that has been helping me. I am thinking of this experience like broken glass. At first it is shiny, sharp and can cut you deep every time you touch it. Over time and with a ocean of tears the sharp edges smooth and you end up with sea glass that is beautiful to the eye and hand. Avoidance of course only drags out the process. Like sea glass this transformation does not happen over night. It is a process...a slow process filled with rough water, sand, rocks, confusion and pain. The other thing I try to remember is that there is no wrong way to mourn. You just try do what feels right. So now that the show is over and the company is gone I am alone to wade through this. With the hope someday to hold sea glass instead a broken heart.

It is hard to know where to start to update everyone on the recent events around here. Do I start slow or just jump in? Most recently I was involved with the dog show in Missoula. I had two dogs entered. Charm I showed in Rally where she earned 2 legs towards her rally novice title. Pixie my red merle girl was entered in conformation which is the beauty pageant of the dog world. I relied heavily on my friends to get her ready and show her. One of my friends was traveling through and came by to help me groom and prepare Pixie. A few snips of her $200 scissors and a few stokes with her incredibly expensive fancy brush and Pixie looked amazing. I recruited another friend to actually show Pixie in the ring. Rainy did a excellent job and I had the fun of just sitting ring side watching them. Pixie won her class each day but was passed over for the higher honors.

I am heartbroken to announce the loss of my dear friend and long time companion, Izzy. We struggled with renal failure over the past couple of weeks and June 19th she was given rest. This has been one of the toughest transitions I have ever made...the full impact has not hit me yet as I had lots of distractions which forced me to hold it together. I will write more about her in a few days...for now I will still enjoy denial.

A few weeks ago I had the gang all out in the paddocks. Muzzles were on since it was one of the first days Sandy had joined the greyhound girls at playtime. When I brought them in Iris was without her muzzle. So I walked the paddock to pick it up before some dog chewed it up. I found no muzzle. I looked over the fence and saw no muzzle I even walked the paddock next door and no muzzle. It was a puzzle until I realized that her muzzle probably fell into the ditch running outside the paddock and was likely on it's way to the great Pacific Ocean. Oh well of my dogs Iris is least likely to ever have an opinion so no big loss. Last night, after 2-3 weeks the muzzle appeared hanging on the fence between me and my neighbors place. I loved the weird contrast of this lone purple muzzle hanging on this crummy barbwire fence.

A couple other things to report on. One is that Bach was returned to the adoption kennel. It was one of those cases of a really great home and a really great dog who ended up not being a really great match. That happens sometimes...something will look for ideal on paper but not in real life. Not a problem Bach will cool his heels be evaluated and start shopping for the right fit. His family will also be on the look out for the right match for them.

Our little foster boy Parker made headlines today in our little local paper. Read about our unsung hero dog at http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2009/06/16/news/news50.txt

Little Ginny packed her little bags and headed east to the Bozeman area. When she got here, based on her timid ways I thought she would be one of the last of the group to be placed but she was the very first one spoken for. Meanwhile Nutmeg, who I thought would be snapped up as soon as we got her home, is still waiting. You just never can tell. I am also so surprised Mesa who is an absolute show stopper is still waiting and Mel who is so darling and handsome....the Colin Firth of the dog world. But all we really aim for is getting the right dogs in the right home, how ever long that takes.

I am fostering Nitro Post Time (Tosha) and Ready Mix (Mix). Both are such nice dogs. Mix is so handsome and is already starting to blossom. He still hangs back a little but he is coming around. He was sad to see Ginny leave today as she was his little buddy this past week. But he was turned out for paddock time with my girls today so he has probably forgotten all about Ginny by now. Tosha is a love-bug. I bet she wishes she was little so she could fit right in some one's pocket. She loves to be right with you and will be some one's new best friend. She is always the one next to me and licking my fingers or bumping my hand for love. Her breeder called to make sure she made it alright and told me she almost couldn't let go of Tosha when it came time to load her up for the trip west. It is interesting what a difference love makes to a dog. The security and self worth that comes from being cherished really shows. Loved dogs are so much more relaxed, happy and adjust to changes so much better. Maybe love does make the world go around. It most certainly makes a greyhound's world go around....have you hugged your hound? Go give them a cookie....you know they want one or two.

All the new dogs arrived in pretty good shape. They rolled into Missoula about midnight. Despite the late hour there was 9 of us to help welcome them and give them the once over. They were surprisingly clean when they arrived but we still bathed everyone and treated them with front line. This is how we make sure we welcome only dogs to the state and not ticks or fleas!! Delivering clean dogs who won't cause a flea infestation in their foster homes makes midnight bathing parties a small price to pay. Well I am off to bed....it is late even for me.

New dogs coming this week end! They start their journey tonight and will arrive tomorrow night. To follow the time line check out http://k8nkc.com/June5-2009/
Anyone willing to come help welcome them meet us at the Concoco north of I90 at exit 101. This is the place we have been meeting the last couple of years.

Some of you may have seen on the web site that Sydney a dog who our group had spoken for crossed the rainbow bridge instead of crossing the country to her retirement. Cancer took this red headed retired mom before we could get our hands on her. But in preparation of her coming to Montana she was moved to OK and spent her last days under Teddy Palmer's care. I know it was hard on Teddy to lose her but I know that Sydney was watched carefully, touched and loved on every day. SIGH...dang dogs.