Caroling Bernese
Where every dog is a teacher
These dear pups, pictured here at eight weeks, were from our first litter out of Lille, born February 14, 1997. Lovey, on the left, went to her sire's owner and was eventually sold to a pet home. Arrow, on the right, was our pride and joy and number one boy.
The hardest lessons
In November 1998, Arrow suddenly began squinting in the light. In a brief two weeks his lungs became totally filled with histiocytes and he was euthanized on December 8, 1998, at the age of 22 months. Final diagnosis after numerous pathologies, malignant, systemic histiocytosis.
Unknown to us until several months later, Lovey also died some time in December of 1998, apparently of toxic shock from a bowel obstruction. To lose both of these beautiful dogs, barely adults, in such a short time span was a hard lesson indeed.
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FOR ARROW
Some say you've gone to a star,
but for me a star is much too far.
Those things called stars are not you see
they're just the rocks thrown up by me.
Each time I shriek, it just can't be
It can't of happened, taking you from me.
Heaven would not be so unfair
as to take my little boy away up there.
No, not to a star you are,
for stars are far, far too far.
Stay close, my baby, my manly boy
I cannot live without your joy.
Run in my dreams, play in my heart
whatever you do, do not depart
Be there when I close my eyes
Comfort me during nightly cries
Sleep in your crate, or by the door
eat when you want from your bowl on the floor.
Play with your mom as you always did
Bark at the moon, there's none to forbid.
But not to a star, my love, my dear
Stars are cold and lonely I fear.
Stay just as you were, right by my side
And someday together to Heaven we'll ride.
(C. Lingley - copyrighted)
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Click hLovey and Arrow - 8 weeksere to add your text.
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They say there's a universal plan
for every woman, for every man.
I do believe there's a higher power,
but in our darkest hour it's hard to understand.
So we start to question, start to doubt;
we lose faith in what life's all about.
Why did the right road take the wrong turn?
Why did our heart break, why'd we get burned?
Just like the seasons there are reasons for the path we take.
There are no mistakes, just lessons to be learned.
(author unknown)
ClicCaroling's Pierced Arrow - 2/14/97 - 12/8/98
ClickCaroling First Love v Santera - 2/14/97 - 12/98
All rights to pictures and copy reserved. Copyright - C. Lingley 2001-2008
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The brightess star heaven can boast
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d With magnificent angel wings, reserved for only the best dogs, Lille took flight for Rainbow Bridge at 4PM, August 14, 2003. She was true to the end, telling us it was time; showing us the spot in the field she wanted as her own; happy to get in the car, putting her front feet up in the hatch waiting for a lift to the crate, and when redirected to the side door and the awaiting blanket, climbing in unaided; eating an ice-cream sandwich before we backed out the driveway, and playing the ready-steady game for cookies while we waited for the vet to come to the car with the fuel for her flight. She barked to let us know strangers were approaching, but like the lady she was, she accepted their touch and kept her eyes on her mom with complete trust.
When last seen she was cuddling her Mokey, with milkbones and chewy close by.
Good flight, our special girl. You are simply the best.
(Lille was euthanized due to apparent matastized adeno-carcinoma which was first diagnosed in December 2001.)
Santera Lillehammer, CD
12/25/93 - 8/14/03
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.Ch. Santera Nadia's Sonata
April 17, 1994 - July 8, 2005
She did everything asked of her, and more. Without complaint she endured the indignities of old age that ruled her last months. A show dog that stood on her tiptoes in anticipation of going in the ring. A champion tailwagger who made helicopter tails while lying on a table being tattooed. A brood bitch that never met a boy she didn't love. A free-whelper of three litters of pups who replicated her endearing, exuberant personality, and a courageous mom who once steadfastly nursed her babies while suffering from a nasty episode of mastitis.
She has left us a wonderful legacy in her children and grandchildren, but we doubt we'll ever know another quite like our Noddy. Our thanks to her co-owner Sandy Novocin for letting her come live with us in 1996 and to Norb Novocin whom she adored.
CH Santera Nadia's Sonata
4/17/94 - July 8, 2005
He fought his first fight on his way to us
He lost his right ear in a prenatal fuss
His suckle was weak because his mouth was not perfect
But he held tight his bottle ‘til his belly was surfeit.
He grew full size, handsome and strong
If you looked from his left you saw nothing wrong
Markings all great, back broad and sturdy
A coat long and lush, big feet, usually dirty.
The lessons he taught will stay here forever
He was brave beyond measure and very clever
His nose always running from the congenital slip
He learned to cope with the sneezing and drip
He drank like a turkey, sip, tip up the nose
And he especially enjoyed a drink from the hose.
He ran like the wind and loved to race
But lounging with sisters was his preferred pace
Six years and half was too short a span
But that’s all we got with our beloved Van.
He’s laying out back now with his mom at his feet
Rest well, our sweet boy, until again we shall meet.
Caroling's Road Warrior
1/11/99 - 7/18/05xt.
Our sweet Rhoda, who fought the good fight but lost to adeno carcinoma, was the image of her mother, our first Berner Lille . Rhoda had a good time wherever she went. She had a brief show career and held her own, but her favorite sport was hanging around her yard and catching treats over the fence. She was a great mom to her one small litter, the only girl we've had that carried her babies around in her mouth.
Thank you, Ro, for your devotion and life's lessons.
Caroling's Taking The Hi Road
1/11/99 - 9/3/05
Caroling's Octave Above (Stretch)
4/20/97 - 12/16/05
Stretch proved the old saw of be careful what you name your dog. He was a big pup and "stretched" into a big, tall, long adult. He was our number one houseboy, sticking to us like glue, making us smile with his antics, greeting visitors and demonstrating Berner traits to prospective puppy owners. He left us after an almost year-long bout with bone cancer. A courageous boy who never lost his good nature or his ability to make us smile.
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Ch. Caroling's Southern Cousin
'Alabama'
August 13, 2001 - March 15, 2008
Our sweetest boy, Alabama, left us suddenly on the Ides of March after a brief illness. There is a large black hole in our pack and hearts. He had a good day on Friday, finally eating, albeit hand fed treats, playing with his new Wubba, retrieving his toss toy for his dad (his favorite game), and standing on his tippy-toes to flirt with his girlfriend du jour.
Bama finished his Championship with all points from the Bred By Exhibitor class. He sired one litter of pups. We hope through them to have many glimpses of our beloved boy long into the future.
He has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see--
but this I know, although the road ascends
and passes from my sight,
that there will be no night;
that You will take him gently by the hand
and lead him on along the road of life that never ends,
and he will find it is not death but dawn.
I do not doubt that You are there as here,
and You will hold him dear.
(from The Traveler, by James Dillet Freeman)
Caroling Out Of The Woods
August 9, 1998 - June 2, 2008
Chip was our miracle pup, pulled back from the brink of death when he had emergency surgery for an intussussception at ten weeks of age. He found his wonderful family after full recovery at five months, and spent an idyllic life with his beloved folks for almost seven years. Dubbed Sipowitz, he had many adventures with his Golden Retriever housemate, Marley. Sadly, when almost seven Chip began displaying symptoms of degenerative myelopathy which caused him to have embarrassing accidents in the house. When a new human baby arrived that summer, reluctantly Chip's owners realized that they were not able to keep him cleaned up and comfortable, so made the agonizing decision to return him to us to live out his final days. That was almost two years ago. Although eventually losing his ability to walk, Chip never seemed phased by the indignities of his progressing disease. He loved to eat right till the end. He was the epitome of courage and fortitude. Caring for his every need was a privilege. We will miss him so.
Caroling's Road To Love "Angel"
January 11, 1999 - November 29, 2008
What to say about Angel. A diminutive Berner with a giant spirit and attitude. Never comfortable with strangers which made it easy to selfishly keep her with us as a pup, a decision not regretted for a moment. A superb heeler with flying sits that made the best obedience trainers sit up and take notice. Loved agility and had glue on her feet when it came to the obstacles; soared over, under and in between as long as mom was keeping up with her. She made us laugh with her antics -- a scatter rug was one of her favorite toys to tear into, shake and roll into a knot. She claimed our bed when we weren't in the room -- it will be awhile before I'll replace the mattress cover with the big hole in the center that she designed. She was good at squeezing under fences but when she got on the other side, she was dismayed that she was fenced out and would raise a ruckus until we rescued her. She gave us almost ten years, but we wanted more. She hid her illness until her last few days, and even then we were surprised that the end had come.
Rest well, little girl. We're missing you.
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CH Caroling In The Treetop (Lark)
August 9, 1998 - June 16, 2009
Lark was our first homebred champion, all points from the Bred By Exhibitor class. She was dam of three Caroling champions, mother of 13 pups, all surviving save one, at ages 8, 6 & 5. Lark loved everyone and loved to go to shows where she could meet new friends. She was a loving mom and especially fond of her granddaughter, Hannah. At 10 years, 10 months, she interacted daily with her great grandchildren as she surveyed her domain from her bed in the kitchen.
We will always remember our Larky Bird and are grateful for the full life she shared with us. Lark was euthanized due to the effects of advanced degenerative myelopathy. Her last gift to the breed was donation of spinal tissue to Dr. Joan Coates' DM research at the Univ of MO.
Thank you, dear old girl, for all your gifts.
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