Reflections Of The Way Life Used to Be

“Through the mirror of my mind
Time after time
I see reflections of you and me”

Diana Ross - Reflections lyrics

Me & my "Macc"

"Here's Looking At you Kid! - Macc always took the time to stop and smile for the camera:-)

Ok I won’t print the rest of the song lyrics because they don’t apply. But lately, as spring approaches I think of the many memories that yes, seem to be reflected in my mind. Although, with the huge dumping of snow today I feel like I should get out the Christmas decorations again. Our tracking class had to be cancelled today due to the weather, and no herding until next Sunday.

Tomorrow marks the birthday of my soulmate who passed in 2009 . A friend of mine said don’t focus on the birthdays, but celebrate your soulmate whenever you feel like it. I feel like I already do this since the  adventures with our Canaan Crew and our dream out west continues and helps remind me of our direction together. I have lost the Three Best Men in my life in too short a time. My soulmate "Larry", my beautiful father "Patrick" last May, and my dear heart Canaan boy “Maccabee”’ in Nov.There have been many rough patches, as we all have, but as my mother says " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger":-)

Today, I will take the time to reflect, and tomorrow I will do something fun to celebrate my three best guys - maybe a snow shoe hike with the Canaan Crew, since we have lots of powder in the pasture!

Larry with crew members "Macc" & "Cybelle"

Just a sweet and quiet moment with Larry and our awesome crew gal "Cybelle". Larry just Loved her  working spirit and  zestfulness toward life! 

Larry loved Ash  who was our third crew member. He did not get to spend a lot of time with her before he passed - but got to introduce her to her first "driving lessons", and watched her shine as a young dog working cattle.  Larry would be so proud of "her work ethic" in stockdog work and tracking!

My Boys! Larry and Macc - they were an amazing team in all they did!

I will miss his "smiley" face

"Reflections" from A Journal I started in October 2011:

"Weeks after you had left us, your boy Maccabee found your missing left shoe in the pasture where the accident took place. I placed it in the hall closest with the dented one that I brought home from the hospital. That night, as I fed the fire, the hall closest seemed to crackle. I watched as Macc sniffed and scratched intently at the door. My first thought was that he must be detecting those damn field mice who I had caught storing birdseed in my gum boots on occasion.  I opened the door to allow Macc to investigate. It was both a beautiful and heart wrenching spectacle as he dug and lifted out your shoes one by one. He placed them silently down beside him; chin resting gently over the tips to cover up the grass stains that you left behind. I always marveled at your big strong feet and regret that I never took the time to sketch them.”

I will miss his awesome work on stock

"Call of the Wild" - Our Maccabee

Macc escorting the coyotes off his land - he especially loved this job:-)

And some Pics of Macc's boy "Rook " in keeping with my day of "reflection"  - I am glad I kept "Rook" back as I was wanting to keep a son of Macc from a litter. Rook seems to be following in the paw prints of his sire as a great boy with lots of working potential - As I always say "many miles before we sleep", as we continue onward with the adventures ahead with me and the crew!

Macc's son "Rook" out this morning on our new dumping of snow - he and my Ash seem to be my "pointer Canaans" -when they sense a rodent beneath the snow they "point" first then go in for the kill:-) Who needs cats when I have Canaans:-)

Youngster Rook working his first cow at ll months - his daddy Macc would be proud:-) 

Just had to include this puppy pic of Macc's handsome son "Rook"

“Dogs are often what we make them: They may have their own traits and personalities, but in the end, they are "Mirrors" of our own lives – living, breathing testaments to our strengths and frustrations, our families and our pasts. They have a remarkable gift for entering our lives at particulair times and weaving themselves in. It is one of their most endearing traits, a key part of their impressive adaptability." – Jon Katz (Author)

A video In loving memory of  Maccabee