LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, June 25, 2010

Fridays are Golden

Our first dog, an English Springer Spaniel, was the best dog in the world. I knew there would never again be such a dog. We had her for 13 wonderful years. Our next dog was a really wonderful dog and I loved her dearly. But I knew I had already loved the world's best dog and that doesn't come around twice in one lifetime. I believed that and accepted it. Until...along came Ellie.

Ellie's birthday was last Monday. She was born June 21, 2003. We were so excited because there were three females in her litter. The breeder was keeping one for himself and there was only one other person ahead of us on "pick list" so we would definitely get a puppy from this litter. We got a frantic call from the breeder a few weeks after the puppies were born. It seems that one of the little females had somehow crawled under the freezer and sustained a cut on her head. They were able to stop the bleeding and took her to the veterinarian who said she had no permanent damage but that she would always have a black scar. The breeder said this was likely the puppy to be left when it came our turn to pick and that if we wanted to pass then he would move us to the top of the list for the next litter.

Both of us had arranged time off work so one of us would be home for the first six weeks. We had no interest in perfection and told the breeder that we would still want to take this puppy if she was the one remaining. He gave us a discount although we would have taken the puppy anyway.

In August we drove to pick up our puppy whom we named Dichi Sirius Eleanor Rose. Dichi is the name of the kennel and must always be the first name. Sirius is the Dog Star and her mother was named Star. Eleanor Rose was a tribute to one of my favorite women, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Here is little Ellie at the breeder's just before we started home.



Here are her six brothers saying goodbye. One key to an excellent breeder is that all puppies from a litter are so much alike. Go here to check out the kennel.


Finally, we're home and she is an exhausted little bundle.


She grabbed a leaf the instant I took the photograph.



Here she is at six months of age. She just loved soft stuffed animals and the little yellow duck was her favorite. She carried it with her everywhere. What a joy she was...so mellow and loving. And she breezed through obedience training, quick to learn and quick to respond. I already knew that I had been wrong. Sometimes you really do get the most wonderful dog in the world again.



At seven months she is looking so grown-up. Of course, her father was well on his way to his AKC Championship points when he was that age.

Now, at seven years of age, our Ellie continues to give me endless joy. She is so tolerant of the bratty little princess we brought home when Ellie was two. In short, she is the best dog in the world.


Have a wonderful weekend. Keep in mind that there are so many people who could use a little support from you. Give of yourself as much and as often as you can.


Stay safe and happy and share your joy with others.

19 comments:

Vicki Lane said...

Happy weekend to you and you wonderful girls! The puppy pictures are Awww inspiring.

How Sam Sees It said...

Does she even have a scar? She is so beautiful and noble - thank you for sharing her story with us!

Sam

Cheryl said...

So touching....Ellie is a darling and such a cute little bundle. How could you resist. It is strange how some dogs just capture our hearts and connect with us and we with them. Owning and caring for a dog is just the best. Indeed I could not live without a dog in my home......just to let you know Nella, is of course, the best dog in the world. lol

Have a wonderful weekend......

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well---Happy Birthday to Ellie!!!!! She's precious---and I can tell that she is the most wonderful dog in the world to you!!!!!

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a lovely post you shared with us today. I am happy that you have had the joy of TWO of the best dogs ever. I snickered at your reference to the bratty princess. :)
Have a nice weekend, Suz

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Happy Barkday Ellie! She is beautiful!

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Loved this post and Ellie is so beautiful! I love the personalities of Goldens and Labs too; in fact my Sadie who passed on Christmas night had that personality and was the best dog we've ever had. The next one we get will also have Golden or Lab in it but also Poodle to stop the shedding....just hope I find another dog with a big heart but not too big of body(getting older and a big dog can be hard to handle).
Enjoy your weekend.
Noreen

Folkways Note Book said...

HI -- Your Golden Ellie is beautiful! I have a male Golden that I adopted when a family member died. He is a big guy and in regards to Noreen's post, don't quibble about size. I am not a spring chicken -- I got him almost two years ago with some trepidation because of his size.

Now I realize, like you, that you can have more than one best dog in the world. His heart is as big as his size. Happy Birthday Ellie from Sal and Lil.

Jeannette StG said...

Congrats to Ellie -A beautiful dog -and soo cute as a puppy!!

KGMom said...

Oh oh oh--you give me such hope with this post. As you know, we lost our dear Tipper. True, she was not a pure bred, but you do give me hope that we may be lucky enough to find another "perfect" dog.
Ellie looks like a winner from day 1. Loved this back story on her.

Valerie Cummings said...

Oh what a wonderful story!!! Ellie is such a beauty!!! Thank you for sharing! Hugs Joey and Kealani

D.K. Wall said...

Belated Happy Birthday, Ellie. We think you sound like a wonderful dog! Really enjoyed he story and hope to meet you someday as we pass in the Pisgah area.

kks said...

wonderful story of Ellie! as you know, i too have a Dichi (Tahoe)...the breeders live about 40 miles from here...many times at the dog park i have asked, "is she/he a Dichi?"....i see many of their beautiful goldens at work..(in community practice)
happy birthday Ellie! you are a beauty!
xoxo

Rudee said...

I absolutely love the photos of her with the branch in her mouth and the one of her in the snow.

Happy Birthday to the best dog in the world.

Jayne said...

Awwww... what a sweet girl and such great memories of her growing up with you. Happy Belated Birthday Ellie!

Golden Samantha said...

What a great post! We have certainly been MIA - so sorries! This is such a gorgeous blog, and this entry just stole my heart! Those puppies are so cute (all pupppers are cute, duh!) and Ellie is obviously soooo special! Happy, happy birthday, dear Ellie!
Hugs xoxxo
Sammie and the gang

Barb said...

Happy Birthday Ellie! It's great that there are so many "Best Dogs" - many of us have had the honor of having one in our family. I'm glad she's a part of yours.

Anonymous said...

Oh what a lovely story. I thought the same thing, when Bear died in 2001. But now there is Daisy, and I think although she is difernt she is also my Heart Hound. Although I loved all my dogs so much, there is a special connection.

Twisted Fencepost said...

She looks so sweet. Sometimes it amazes me how much joy an animal can bring to our lives.