Happy Birthday, DeltaBluez Tess

Happy Birthday to a grand ole dog. She turns twelve today, although you wouldn't know it. She has taught me so much over the years and has been my best friend.

She came to us as a scared puppy, hours from death. We bought her for a $100 to save her from being shot. Little did we know, we would embark on a new journey. A fun journey, filled with joy and laughter and pride, love and growth. Of healing.

I remember when we got her that I said that I wanted a puppy with papers. She had none. I thought a papered puppy would make me a top Open Handler. She showed me that I need to take off my prejudiced glasses and see the little diamond in front of me. She made me a top Open handler and got her paper on merit.  She has the biggest heart and will do anything for me. She loves us unconditionally.

She has left her mark in the trialing community, with her pups as top Open dogs, with her grandpups as top Open dogs. In sheep and cattle venues. Last year, she qualified for the Finals with her pups and grandpups.  She went as the official dog blogger at the Finals.

Working Lambs in 2009

At 11 years old. See the intensity in her eyes.

Look of love.

The last time she went through a gate as an Open dog...her last Open run.

Watching runs in retirement.

My lapwarmer at trials.

Snow dog.

Here is a poem that I wrote for her. I published it last year.

The Last Dance

Sometimes you lead

And sometimes I do

We dance

In the afternoon rays of sun

Or the misty morning fog

We dance

Country western, of course

“Save a horse, ride a Cowboy”

We dance

For many years we do

The dance before the run

We dance

Our steps are in sync

Our minds as one

We dance

We laugh and cry

As we spin around and around

We dance

Tradition, it has become

Fast or slow, we just go

We dance

People look at us and laugh

Point fingers and smirk

We dance

We come off the field in victory

They don’t smirk anymore

We dance

Together your paws and my hands

Are joined in love and laughter

We dance

But now, we dance one last dance

Your eyes are dim and I cry

We dance

Our last dance together

You won a quilt with honors

We dance

Now we dance together in our dreams

Partners on and off the field

We dance

I love how you have led the dance

Proud and strong you carried me

We dance

I will miss our dance

And you by my side

We dance

Farewell my friend

I will miss our steps

We dance

No one else will dance with me

It’s our traditional, our bond of love

We dance

Happy Birthday and may you have many more. We love you dearly.