A New Journey.

Well, we've started on a new journey in our lives. After almost 12 years of missing our first puppy, Celtic~Raine (aka Celti), whom we loved for a solid 16 years, it was time to welcome a new little one in to our family. We have spent the last year thinking about this, research breeds, and training, and dreaming about a tiny pup to fill our arms. Celti was a Bichon Cocker, and very much more Cocker Spaniel than Bichon Frise. This time, we couldn't find a BC, so we tried to find a breed that would have a similar temperament, and a hypo~allergenic pup as well. After feeling like we'd never find just the right breeder, we stumbled on Alanna and her family. She breeds "Poochons" which are Bichons and Poodles. We fell in love and after many conversations, we started the process of becoming an adoptive family. 

Yesterday, we visited Alanna and her family to choose our puppy in person. We had paid our deposit back on May 24th, our puppy was born on July 4th, we received photos and updates over the last few weeks, chose a pup, with a back up via email and photos, and then finally got to meet in person. The family was warm and welcoming, the puppy's were truly cared for and loved, and I'm so thankful that I was able to restrain myself and only choose one puppy, and not the other 8! And we chose the little one from the photos that we fell in love with. A sweet ball of fluffy fur, with some white markings that made her even more endearing. Right from the start, I said the little spot on the top of her head is in my mind, a kiss from Celti from Heaven. That made our choice even sweeter! 

I'll do another post actually introducing our new addition once she's home and settled.

💗 Chy 💗

A Torkie ....

No he's not mine. This is just a photo I

found but the sweetest face and those

ears have won my heart. A "torkie" pup

and now I'm on the hunt for a one like this!

~ Chy

Puppy Dreaming.

Our tiny puppy, Celtic Raine (aka Celti) died in the Fall

of 2014. We had her for 16 years and it was a big loss

for all of us. At the time, I said I couldn't live through

another puppy loss. Celti brought so much joy to all of 

us and our home seemed so empty once she was gone.

For the longest time, we didn't venture into any chats

about a new puppy. But recently, in the last little while,

that has changed. Now we're thinking about a sweet

tiny pup we could nurture from puppy stage again. I

would love one just like the picture above. I'm even

looking in to pet therapy to see if I could train it to be

a staple at our hospice in time. Lots of dreaming now!

~ Chy

Puppy Treats.

 

We're taking care of Lola this Summer
while our youngest dd is off exploring.

Every night, just before bed, Lola gets

to have 2 little heart shaped turkey treats.

But we ran out so off to the store we went,

She was so excited when we got home!

~ Chy

Our Forever Puppy.

 

Celtic-Raine, aka as Celti, was born on 

October 1st, 1998  and came home to

our family on November 20th, 1998.  And

right from the start, we loved her to pieces.

We needed some laughter in our home

and a "baby" to cuddle after our little

Ciara-Rose died, so our forever baby

she became. She endured many tears

and being carried around by little ones

who needed a distraction from the grief.

Celti filled our lives with laughter and

comfort and grew into a lovely old

lady, loyal and sweet. As old as she

was, she still had lots of "puppy" in

her and we miss her antics, her snoring,

her lovey kisses and her greetings at

the door. She never complained, was

always so happy and a comfort to all.

Four years ago today, we had to say

goodbye when her body finally was

ready to stop. It was such a hard day

but also beautiful in how it was to be.

Our vet clinic was amazing with a

special room set aside for saying

goodbye. All our years of going

there, I didn't even know that it was

there. It was cosy and filled with

warmth and soft music. And I was

comforted by the love that we all

felt from the staff as we held our

puppy in our arms, one last time.

It couldn't have been better for us.

And then we were able to take her

home, to place her in the sweet box

a friend made, to carry her out to our

acreage to lay her to rest. Celti was

the first of our family to live on our

land and we are comforted with the

idea that during our build and now as

we live here, she watches over us

as our protector. A sweet little one

that brought such comfort to us all

those years ago continues to be a

rock for our family, even without her

physically being in our arms now.

Missing you, our forever puppy.

Our love, Celtic-Raine "aka Celti"

October 1st, 1998 ~ October 10th, 2013

Sad puppy ....

Hi everyone!

We had so much fun with our son's puppy. He's full grown but to us, he's such a tiny pup, a ball of fur. Very social and eager to be played with. But not yappy or whiney at all. He did get sad each day when our son went to the gym to work out. We'd keep him busy but at one point, he'd realize that his dad was gone and then he'd go stand by the gate. No crying, just standing quietly, waiting for the door to open. And then he'd be jumping around until his dad would pick him up to cuddle. So cute to see the two of them together.

Miss the little guy. 

Looking forward to our next visit!

Saying Goodbye.

Celtic-Raine, aka Celti, was born on October 1, 1998 and came to live with us, her new family, on November 20th, 1998. We needed some laughter in our home, after the death of our youngest daughter. We needed something to hold in our arms and ease the ache in our hearts. Celti became our "forever baby" and filled the needs we all had so well. She endured many tears and being carried around by little ones who needed a distraction from the grief that filled our home. Dressed up like a doll or taught to jump like a horse, the fireplace tools lodged in the couch cushions, Celti was the perfect puppy for us. She filled our lives with laughter and comfort and grew into a lovely old lady! As old as she was, she still had lots of "puppy" in her and we'll miss her antics, her snoring, her lovey kisses and her playful greetings at the front door. 

Yesterday, we said goodbye to Celti, an event we knew was coming but somehow we were all avoiding. In the end, her final moments were beautiful and pain free, cuddled in her favorite blanket, freshly bathed and ready to go. We decorated a wooden box that was to be her burial home, signed the back with all our names and filled it with notes and comfort items she'd need on her next journey. The drive out to our acreage was filled with memories and tears but it was an honor to take her there.

My dh and younger daughter, caring Celti through the trees to her final spot. It was easy to choose.

A shot, as the sun begins to set and we prepare her place on a late warm fall afternoon.

Celti is now nestled in the trees, safe and sound, watching over our land, until we get there to reside. We already miss the click clack of her nails on our wood floors. It was hard to come in the door today to silence, instead of our usual enthusiastic greeting. But we are comforted with the image of our little puppy, playfully running from cloud to cloud, free from pain and happy to be with her siblings again. 

Celti: October 1, 1998 to October 10, 2013. "Love you forever, our baby you'll be!"