In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory....

Take a look at the page below to see some orphans that need a loving home!

Last updated 6/10/07

"The dog, in life the firmest friend, the first to welcome, foremost to defend."
-Lord Byron

In Loving Memory of Cody - The First and The BEST of THE BEST!

Cody: May 26, 1990 - July 2005

Cody, do you remember? Do you remember the day when we met? When you left your home, your family and friends and I made you a promise? A promise that we would explore the world together. I was just starting off in the world, too you see, leaving my home and parents too. I was going off to college and needed a protector and a friend. You were that friend. The one I could ALWAYS count on. You didn't care where we went as long as you could go. And we did go didn't we? Always off doing something together. Remember sneaking into hotels because dogs weren't allowed? Remember hiking BLM land in Colorado. Remember exploring the mountains and streams? Remember the coyotes, the porcupines, and the beaver? Remember sleeping out in 30 degree weather and me making you sleep under the covers because I was freezing! Remember chasing the horses? Remember T.J. the cat you always liked to carry around? Remember how ya'll would always curl up together? Remember all the roommates I had in Auburn and all the dog friends that you played with? Remember the long nights studying? Remember when I brought home a second dog and you were so jealous until I told you it was a "girl" -- Remember all the puppies! You sure did love her but I think you just "put up" with the puppies. Remember weekends at Mom and Dad's? Remember all the tricks I made you learn? Remember me making you do ALL of your tricks just so I could "show you off". You were SO smart. Remember me making you balance things on your nose? Remember getting things out the the refrigerator? And answering the phone? Remember how good you were and how hard you tried at anything I ask? You were always at my side sharing my triumphs and disappointments. You were always there for me and didn't care how tough the road was. We were together a very long time and we were good together...... Remember how I said I would miss you but I wouldn't cry when it was time to say GoodBye just so you wouldn't be sad. I am sorry I let you down on that one ol' friend. I did try....but I think you knew it was time to go and that everything would be okay. And time has healed some of the pain but You will be forever in my heart. Rest well my good and loyal friend. You have earned it.

So....

I still remember the day we met and I said you were the one.

Your life touched mine and brought a smile to my face. But as the summer breeze leaves longing in its wake so did your passing leave me wishing for more of the same joy that you brought to my life.

I could have held on a little tighter, I know, but we both knew it was time for you to go.

I wanted to smile, cause I wanted you to remember me happily. I wanted to laugh so you wouldn't hear me cry. You would always worry when I cried and would come to lick my face. You always said it would be okay and you were usually right.

So kiss me once for all the good-times we shared, ol' boy, and kiss me twice for goodbye. You can't help that you have gotten tired. You spent your life looking out for me and now it is my time to sacrifice for you. I will try to bow out gracefully, cause that is how I want you to remember me.

So even as it killed me I tried to smile so you could find the courage and laugh so you wouldn't see me hurtin'. I gently kissed you as a tear escaped ......And I let you go....

'Til we meet again, My friend.

In loving memory of Bear Tate

The Lord provides us with many gifts throughout our lives. Bear happens to have been one of our best gifts. He was our buddy and pal, so very loyal. The largest lap dog I’ve ever seen. He would play chase for as long as you wanted, always happy to go for the bone. His most favorite game was ‘chase the Bear with the bone’. He loved to talk to you and would sing on request, some of the most beautiful music a dog lover could hear. His constant love and presence was a blessing to our family. We, including his sister Tana, miss him very much.

He came to us a little bit by accident. I brought the girls to meet your litter of puppies and pick a female puppy for my husband, David, for his birthday. We chose a female because his previous GSD was a female. You agreed to keep her until his birthday.

I was talking to David a week or so before his birthday and I had asked him, “If you had another dog, would you want a boy or a girl?” His reply was, “a boy of course.” We called you back and asked if we could come visit you again. There was one little boy dog left so we said we would take him, but we decided couldn’t leave Tana either. On David’s birthday we drove home with 2 beautiful puppies in their hot pink and royal blue collars. Bear grew up to be a very handsome, loving boy. He was very protective of his little girls. He herded them around the back yard like his little sheep. Kelly wasn’t allowed to stray far from us. He would push or pull her back up the hill if he felt like she was too far from us. He loved our company! I can’t imagine what our lives would have been like without our special friend.

Thank you,

Ann, David, Holly and Kelly Tate

In Loving Memory of Tango Gant

Tango: March 1999-June 30, 2005

Loyal protector and friend. A more willing and courageous dog you will never meet. I know that he is still missed and always will be. He holds a special place in the heart of all of those who he touched.

Last updated 3/1/07

In Loving Memory of Gretchen - Part of the beginning......

Gretchen -- Gretchen was the first bitch we acquired. She was 14 months when we purchased her. She impressed us with her style and grace. She has a self confident and easy manner. Her hips were x-rayed at 14 months and were beautiful. She was later OFA certified when she was old enough and received a rating of "good." She has now become our foundation bitch. She averages about 85lbs with no excess fat. She is definitely the "Alpha" female. Her mothering instincts are excellent and typical litter size averages ~10-12 pups. She raised her last litter in the end of 2003.

In Loving Memory of Santa Rio

Santa Rio -- Rio is one of our most attractive females. She is the daughter of our female "Gretchen," and her sire is Taco. She is the full sister to Tango. (later breeding) The father was imported from Belgium with a Schutzhund III title at age two. He has three World Schutzhund champions in his first (three) generations, and has a proven record of consistently throwing good, solid working pups.

Rio, too, has inherited a working drive with a robust constitution. She has a beautiful head with well-set ears and a lively expression. She is excellent with children, has a solid temperament and gun sureness. She has been radiographed and will receive OFA certification in December 2003. She will be starting her protection training and service dog work in 2003.

In Loving Memory of Shawnee

Shawnee -- Shawnee is a daughter of Gretchen. She is not one of our prettiest females but she is put together nicely and always has beautiful pups. In fact "Logan" is one of hers. She is a black and tan female with a nice head set and good body. She has a steady temperament and is enjoyable to be with.