The Passing of an Oracle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle

An oracle is a person or agency considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinion; aninfallible authority, usually spiritual in nature. It may also be a revealed prediction or precognitionof the future, from deities, that is spoken through another object or life-form (e.g.: augury andauspice).

As a breeder you look for qualities in your foundation stock.  You need your primary or core group to have a quality that supercedes expectations. You need them to be undefinable and immeasurable.  Then you carefully weave these qualities throughout your lineages.  You keep a few for the future, but you hope today will not pass too quickly.

Last night as we drifted off we both had the same feeling.  We felt it was Dash’s last night.  His life had been a good one.  Recently, he had been prancing and dancing and doing well.  Last last evening, however, he was nauseous and it was evident he didn’t feel well.  By bedtime he was acting odd.  He was not suffering but he came to us for special attention.  The look he had on his face was one that said “Goodbye” and at the same time “Hold me” and “Help me feel better.”  We both lavished him with special attention and then he wanted to get in his crate.  Normally he sleeps on his orthopedic bed near us but last night he crawled into his crate and settled.  Shortly thereafter he passed without a whimper or evidence of pain.

This morning our hearts know both sadness and pain…………that feeling of loss that many of you know all too well.  He was 12 years old.  The good news for us is that he was doing well until the end.  Then the end came quickly and seemingly painlessly.  The sad news is our lives will never be the same.  Yes, we have other Weims but we cannot replace Dash.  It will be difficult to share Dash’s passing with our extended family.  Everyone and especially the grandchildren adored him.  He will live on here at OwyheeStar in our hearts as well as in his offspring.  He will be missed by many………..

He was awesome in the water.  He taught Dusty and Zee to Swim.  Last week he went swimming in the pond. We are glad he was able to take one last swim before departing here.

Above:   He is retrieving a dummy.  Right:  He and Dusty water retrieve together.

We will never forget Dash the puppy.  We will never forget how he loved the whelping process and the tiny pups. He always watched vigilantly over the young pups. On one occasion Dash even came to find us to save a pup’s life.

Did we say he loved the water?  He could swim at Lake Owyhee until Cliff’s arm could no longer toss the dummy.  Then we bought a rocket launcher.  We still had to limit the number of retrieves.  He could go on forever!  We will never forget how he swam with ease, power, and grace.  We will never forget his love towards us.  We will never forget how he changed our lives.