Oh there are some good things to consider about all of this. Like having our grandaughter come over on this afternoon of torrential downpours just because she wanted to hang out with us! As nearly every day at ATB is a grooming day of some sort or other, today was no exception so the first thing we did together was work on Rosie and then Pippin. Brook quickly learned about feathers, bloomers, and more as we stood on opposite sides of the grooming table brushing, clipping, etc. After this I showed her a little bit about clicker training and how easy it is to teach a young puppy with the use of it. We were quite a team as True kept a down/stay for several minutes. I slowly walked away from him as he lay in front of Brook. Each step I took that he didn't move I would click and Brook would treat. It was a lot of fun for all of us! Grampa wanted to know what would be good for lunch and no one could decide so I came up with the diplomatic approach; let's write our favorites on a piece of paper and then draw our choices blindly out of a hat! Chinese food prevailed and soon we were sitting at the dining room table sharing a Pu-Pu Platter together. Of course, the pouring rain was a good reason for turning into couch potatoes and relaxing the rest of the afternoon while watching the Cartoon Network. I cannot remember the last time I actually settled back long enough to watch cartoons, and enjoy it! There are a lot more characters now and many of the cartoons I'd never seen before so I needed to keep asking about everything. True and Piper settled into their crates right on schedule while Rose and Pippin made sure they let Brook know how special she was to them. Jack made an appearance every now and then.
John has moved the well loved and well worn whelping box out of the 'dog house' and into storage. Usually we will not have need of the pellet stove at this time of year when there are no pups but with all the rain and wind, Treasure, Molly, Scooby, and Wish appreciate it - especially when they return from an extended run. Speaking of which, it is just about time for some annual field cuts for some of them. Treasure's coat has come back in so 'funky' after her pregnancy ! Molly is currently blowing hers and this is when I am grateful for the Furminator. Scoob and Wish are so low maintainence but they both love getting up on the table - just to be closer to me and for the hands on touching that goes with basic grooming. Rosie is the one here who absolutely loves grooming the most though. After her bath, which left her smelling like a mango, she jumped up onto the table and plopped herself there in anticipation of what was to come. Her bloomers and tail needed serious attention (she'd been in heat) and I believe Rose wanted to make sure I was aware of this. Before I knew it, she rolled over onto her back, spread her legs, and went to sleep. She obviously was just trying to make my work a little easier for me in that particular area.
This past weekend was a big weekend for me. For starters, our oldest grandson celebrated his 7th birthday. He spent the day with his dad at the movies and then out for a haircut, returning home to a small family party. This is so cute...I have to share it! When he arrived back home, his dad came running into the house with instructions from Cal that he wanted to be surprised! He knew there was a party but still, he wanted the surprise. We all cracked up and happily obliged him, hiding in a corner of the living room so he could not see us when he came in. As he ran around the corner we all jumped out and in unison yelled "SURPRISE"! The joy and happiness on his face was just incredible so for some reason this meant a lot to him. Our daughter had prepared dinner for everyone there (did I say we raised an outstanding cook?) and a good time was had by all.
Our plans for Pippin's get away weekend went well. John and I delivered her to a friend of ours who was traveling to Connecticutt with his own dogs for a field trial. She stayed with them on Friday night at the trail grounds and was met by our friend Dawn on Saturday who worked with Pippin and spent a lot of time bonding more closely with her. When we arrived home from the birthday party there was a voicemail from Dawn about Pippin. I quickly called her and learned Miss Pippinator was having a sleepover at her 'fathers' house and with her half sister Bailey. She also got to know Miss Morgen (new AKC champion) much better and others in the family, canine and human. I was really happy to learn she was there. Kidnapped - but couldn't be by a better person! On Sunday, Dawn handled Pippin in the Amateur Walking Derby stake. She did have two good finds however in a Derby stake dog must establish a point for shots to be fired and this did not happen. Dawn said she ran real good once she knew what she was out there for. At the end though little stubborn pig headed Pippin would not come in for Dawn when it was time, Pippin wanted to keep it going. Not to mention the very long drive home that our friend had to make... In the end, she made it back to us safe and sound and we're thrilled she had this opportunity!
Getting close to wrapping this up and the rain seems to continue to pour even heavier than it was earlier. All of our little puppies are gone now and doing wonderful with their new owners. Have had great reports! Our 2010 program does not include any other pups in the near future, perhaps early winter we may have a repeat breeding with Treasure and Gibson though. Several of 'you' are indeed on our waiting list already. Have signed up for handling classes with True; these begin shortly. Cannot wait! Oh he is really something but then we knew he would be. I was going to mention Piper too as she did very on the grooming table tonight - especially once Rosie decided Piper needed a little 'calming' and jumped up and lay down by her. Too funny that Rosie.
On a much more serious note... let's be reminded that this is "Holy Week", the week that leads up to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. To some - this means very little beyond cutsie bunnies, eggs, chickens and baskets of candy. To others - it is the very reason for our existance. To those who belong to the Church of the E&C (Easter and Christmas) it is a reason to buy a beautiful new Easter outfit. And to those who have never ever known the agape kind of love God imparts, encountered the life changing experience of KNOWING the reality that Jesus lives, or who have never invited Him to come live inside their heart... to those... it can mean a brand new beginning, a place to begin all over again, a place - where in our heart of hearts, we come face to face with what Easter absolutely does mean. Just as we are, we can come to Him, turn to Him, cast all fear and doubt aside... and receive the gift of salvation, of forgiveness, of eternal life through Jesus Christ, all BECAUSE of the work at Calvary - and as seen in the evidence of EASTER - the Resurrection morning, when we can all say along with those at the sight of the empty tomb that day - HE IS RISEN!!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
These photos with the exception of the post card were taken during my trip to the Holy Lands
in July of 2000. I traveled to Israel that summer with one of my best friends to participate in the 2000 Milennium Believers Summit, a gathering of ministries from all over the world. We attended with @ 300 other members of Aglow International, a wonderful Christian women's ministry. While there we did visit the Garden Tomb and many places in and surrounding Jerusalem including Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and more. Oh... yes, and by the way... the tomb? When I got insided, it was empty, nothing there. 
Here we are at the Church of the Nations with the Eastern Gate behind us.
This is the view looking across to the Mount of Olives.
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