who has taken him to the top. Quinn is a great dog!!!  I did not post this in a very

timely manner. My apologies to Quinn and LuAnn. 

Lu Ann comments:

Very proud of Quinn (Rattlebridge Harle-Quinn Man CD, RE, OA, AXJ, NAP, NJP, THD),

who earned his BN title this weekend. Quinn is almost 11 years old and still loves strutting his stuff!

And a photo of Cyber finishing his Championship:

Since I handled Cyber and finished Cyber’s Championship

from the bred by exhibitor class, Cyber and I have been

invited to show in the Eukanuba World Classic Dog Show

in Orlando, Florida in December.

It is never, ever easy to lose one of our beloved Cavaliers, or any pet for that matter.  Colleen was a wonderful older Cavalier who found a wonderful family to love her as much as I loved her. My late husband Al (oh, I hate that word “late” in this context) have always believed that every Cavalier deserves its own pillow and there are just not enough pillows to go around at our home. Al and I have always tried to do what we felt was best for our dogs which often meant their own special pillow in their own special homes.

There is a certain joy in adopting an older Cavalier or an older dog of another breed. The shelters are full of older dogs who need one more chance for a life well lived.  Dr. Mark Harris of Annehurst Vet Hospital in Westerville, Ohio, just sent the Annehurst rescue team to Missouri to bring back twenty six rescued dogs and cats from the flood waters.  The clinic needs to place them before the team can head to Joplin to help with the homeless pets there. The clinics number is 614 882 4728. Ask for Leslie if you wish to make a donation or to offer to share your home with a special pet. Tell her that I sent you.

I am not sharing the following email to feature Rattlebridge or myself but to point out the joy in adopting and sharing your life with an mature dog. There are many other breeders who care as much as I do and would be willing to fill your lives with joy. M

From one of our Rattlebridge Extended Families:

Dear Meredith, I am writing this to you today with very sad news. We lost our little doggie, Colleen, very unexpectedly to heart failure very early Saturday morning. She was under cardiology treatment for 2 years, but I still didn’t know this would come so soon. She was almost 12. She was the absolute light of our life and I am thanking you for that. You knew Colleen needed a home like ours when Rich came to visit you that day. When he brought her home in the car to surprise me, I had no idea she would mean the world to me. That little dog, with her big heart and huge eyes, filled a space in my heart that was left empty by the loss of my parents. Unfortunately, we both have experienced terrible losses in our lives.

We have always called Colleen the perfect dog, she never left messes, she never left our laps. Colleen was the snuggliest dog I have ever had and i am missing her terribly right now. Our home is so quiet and my lap is empty. I miss hearing her snorts and snores coming from the other room. I miss her climbing on my lab while i was reading letting me know she was the important one at the moment and needed some scratches. I miss her climbing on the back of our sofa, watching us leave through the window and controlling the neighborhood from her spot. I can’t stop crying for her and I know she wouldn’t want me to be so sad. I just want her back. I want to watch her chase butterflies through the yard and snuggle my face once more. So thank you for giving us such joy with Colleen. We loved her so much, that now we are feeling the loss. I have attached two photos of her for you. The one of her looking out the window, that was her favorite spot watching the birds in the fountain. That was taken the day she passed. She looked happy, not sick.

Once again, Meredith, Thank you for filling our hearts with joy. Colleen was so special to us. I just want you to know how much you mean to us, because it is through you that we get to experience something so special. I just want you to know that. Thank you!

There is so much heartache in breeding dogs, but so much joy also.  A few weeks ago, I lost Ch. Rattlebridge Arch Rival to congestive heart failure. Archie finished his championship at ten months and shortly after our cardiologist, Dr. Linda Lehmkuhl found a click in his heart which was not there as a puppy.  Further testing revealed that Archie had the beginning of mitral valve disease.  He was a beautiful Cavalier that could have had a career as a show dog, but we never bred him and had him neutered so that there would be no accidents with our girls.  He lived a good life though not into his teens like most of our dogs.   He was one of my husband’s very favorites, but Archie loved me with his soul.  I picture Al scooping Archie up at the Rainbow bridge with Al’s Katie, Sammy, and Tia wagging their tails. 

Ch. Rattlebridge Arch Rival at ten months.  He had such a sweet face!!!

I would like to introduce Rattlebridge Cyber Dawn who went to his first shows a few weeks ago to lovely wins in the three shows in which he was entered.  I have not shown a dog in three years; I have never been a great or even decent handler on some days, but handled my untrained boy very bravely as I was almost gimping around the ring with a sprained ankle on one leg and fifteen stitches in the other.  Oh, the will to win against all odds!!!   Anyway, Cyber took winners dog and then best of breed over champions all three days even garnering a Group IV.  Not bad for a 13 month old puppy that had never been to a show and was in my own unique style “ half assed trained.”  Now I am giving away my total ineptness on filling out forms online when I tell you that I had registered Cyber online and thought it went through, then entered him with his litter number which a couple of my doggy friends told me I could do.  NOT!!!  He was not registered as I must have hit a glitch on the online registering process and his three majors were taken away.  Oh, well,  we will just have to start over and have more fun and he is so much fun to show with his effervescent attitude!  His brother Rattlebridge The Dawnald who like his siblings was co bred and co owned by my friend and partner in crime, Sherri Meyer, and his sister, the wicked Rattlebridge Dawnatella lives with me; she chewed up a rosary tonight and could get me in real trouble with the Blessed Mother just before Christmas.  She, in the true sense if the word, is a little bitch and gets away with it due to her beauty and adorability (my newest coined word—don’t you love it?). She and her brother, The Dawnald, already have points toward their championship.

                                                                                                                                                                   Rattlebridge Cyber Dawn

AND NOW TO THE NEWEST EXTENDED FAMILY COLLAGES:

Tilt changed the lives of Tami and Jeff Byroads, now my dear friends, and started them on the road to showing Cavaliers.  Tilt enjoyed a wonderful life with the Byroads.  He was very sensitive and we swore he saw spirits, but only good spirits like that of Tami’s beloved father when he passed.  We all loved Tilt.  I join in the sorrow of my “other family.”  Good night, dear Tilt. Until the Rainbow Bridge.  Give my Al a kiss from me!

Rattlebridge Tilt A Whirl

In Loving Memory

"TILT"

June 6th 1998 – October 20, 2010

You came to us from 3,000 miles away as a little 4 month old and stole our
hearts as you felt they were yours to keep. You quickly became the head of
the house, protector of your queen, and so "aggressively cute" that the
desire to have more Cavaliers soon after became not only a reality, but part
of our lives.

You passed the baton on to Ace and he promised you that although he could
never fill your paws, he will always protect your queen. Your best friend
Winnie, will miss you the most of the pack, as you taught her how to take
care of her "king". You showed Kahnrad that his princess is his to protect
and he said he will always remember that when she returns from college.
Party Sue, your Rattlebridge counterpart, whom you always let snuggle up to
you at night, will willingly go to snuggle with Ace as you have wished for
her to do. She thanks you from the bottom of her heart for all you have
taught her about how to get the food made quickly and earlier each morning.
You have kept little Cash in line and tried your best to teach him manners
and how to get in line for the succession order and to obey Ace as the new
"head of house".

Tilt, it was only fitting that you were with us as a pet – never seeing the
show ring until the beautiful age of 10 ½ years old, where you competed your
first and only time in the Veterans ring and won Best Veteran in Specialty.
As if you felt you needed to do one last thing to prove to us just how
special of a boy you are. We cherish that moment as we do all the others
over the years you have given us. Thanks for being the best "car rider",
"river dog", the best eater, and the best Tilt A Whirl ever. 
           

Our little "ghost buster" as we nicknamed you, never hesitated
to tell us our deceased loved ones were certainly nearby. As you grew more
accustomed to seeing these spirits, we were at ease to know that because of
you, we were able to say "I love you and goodbye" one last time. So now is
your time sweet boy, for us to say " I love you and goodbye". You leave us
only physically as we know you will stay around us as you never feel that
your job is done.

WE AWAIT YOUR RETURN,

Your loving family

Jeff, Tami & Karlie

And now a story to touch hearts . . . I cry every time I read it.  We know that Tilt, well loved, will be waiting for his family. All of our beloveds were waiting for Al and will be waiting for me standing beside my Al wagging and wiggling with joy.

AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident (written September 2001)

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of
activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be
made quickly. And, they were. 

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really
have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in
hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about
the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were
abused. Who are they to wait for?

   
We don’t talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they
arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your
very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.   
Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific
persons to volunteer for special assignment.. An eager, curious crowd
surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be. 
They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000
loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as
all pups do, felt the humans’ pain deep in their own hearts. Without
hearing more, there was a clamoring among them – "May I have one to
comfort?" "I’ll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses
forever."   

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One
cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I
would be very comforting for a child ’cause I’m soft and squishy and I
always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to
meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to
greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs
volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. 

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped
forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love." 
Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to
the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share – each
tail wagging an American Flag.

I am taking over Al’s chores which he wisely prohibited me from doing, but I have conquered the zero turn John Deere after zigzagging across the yard.  I have been shown how to run the big snow blower that we bought last year when Al had the bright idea of finally getting one; I had told him we needed one for two years, but no—it had to be his idea!  The weed whacker is impossible.  Al bought it for my birthday last year; it was not the one I wanted but I did not want to hurt his feelings so it just hangs in the garage. We have a big generator that keeps appliances and lights going, but it is just a big red blob in the garage to me.  I have no idea how to run it; I remember Al making many trips to get gas, diesel, or kerosene (how would I know!) to run it, but will really need it if we get the paralyzing snow and ice storm we got two years ago. 

So many things to worry about, but nothing compares to the hole in my daily life.  Al and my favorite television show was “House.” He watched it and “NCIS” religiously and the reruns ad nauseum.  I tried to watch the premiers of House and NCIS this week and could not do it for I would have no one with whom to chat about the programs. A
l least I am no longer subjected to a daily dose of  “Judge Judy.” It seems as if all the threads of al life together tattered.  Oh, well, enough of my musings. 

I am excited about a few of  last year’s puppies that are all about a year old.  I think they are all very pleasing to the eye with wonderful personalities, but have no idea if I will get them into the show ring as I must be careful with finances now.  I am so attached to them that I would have great difficulty putting them in show homes at this point.  If I can I may try to show them this fall, but even showing them depends on what condition my orthopedics are in at the time.  Pictures will be posted later but their names are the blenheim boy Rattlebridge Over the Hump (Humphrey); the tri girl Rattlebridge Tantalize;  the darling five month old blenheim girl Rattlebridge Sarandon (Suzie); the blenheim boy Rattlebridge Cyber Dawn and his brother and sister that live with my friend and co breeder Sherri Meyer:  Rattlebridge The Dawnald and Rattlebridge Dawnatella. Quite a crew and we will see how all shakes down as they grow up. We have not bred for awhile but now have two litters, mostly boys; of tricolors.  I do so want a good tricolor boy—one that would gaze at me like my beloved Bandi did. 

Later . . .

I am off to up state New York tomorrow to judge two shows.  I will be visiting with several friends

who are coming to the show to see me with their Rattlebridge dogs. I can’t wait to see them.

I will also be glad to see fellow judges and dog show friends.  I have not been to dog shows

on a regular basis due to Al’ health.  Our friend Angie  who helps with our dogs and our friend

Sara who has two of my dogs who live with her, both hopefully pregnant:  Rattlebridge

Bounce in Her Step (daughter of my Bounce from frozen semen) and Rattlebridge

Mary Cassata (daughter of my Renoir from frozen semen).  I am happy to be having summer puppies,

but I will tell you this: if Senate Bill 95 passes, I will not probably be breeding dogs at least in Ohio.

Our Governor Strickland made a pact with the devil with HSUS and the Farm Bureau in an attempt

to keep HSUS from getting enough signatures to get their version of our newly passed farm bill on the

November ballot.  Part of the deal was that Strickland will back SB95 which is being pushed by the

animal rights zealots in Ohio and is being fought by sane people who do not want government control

with the ridiculous requirements in the bill for animal care.  I totally agree we need to fight the

substandard breeders, mostly the Amish, in our state. The standard of care can be inhumane to

downright cruel.

As soon as I begin writing about legislation and animal rights, I lose track of my original subject.  So—as

soon as I land in Columbus from New York on Monday Angie will meet me at the airport with another

packed suitcase so I can repack and take off to Las Vegas to catch up with two of my friends from the

last school that I served as principal who are attending a kindergarten convention.  I should not be going;

I don’t want to leave Al but he is covered and money is tight which has never stopped me to Al’s worry

perpetual worry.

I simply need to get away. Al has not bounced back from his latest chemo; I am worried sick.  He has stayed

bed for the last three weeks with no energy. After he was home after his last chemo which consists of a

cocktail infused directly into his liver through the femoral artery, he had a huge reaction to the antibiotic

Cipro causing him to go into scary hallucinations and dementia which got worse by the day until I hauled him

kicking and screaming into the emergency room. They admitted him and kept him for four days as Cipro can

cause dementia in the elderly. Of course I was the bad guy because I would not turn the televisions and radio

off because they were off when he insisted they were blaring.  His mind is back to normal.

I just wrote an article for “The Royal Spaniels” magazine about priorities changing; I did not expect any feedback

from Cavalier people and got none.  I feature it below. It talks about how we all get so caught up in the dog show

game, myself leading the pack, that we do not always pay attention to the human side of life. I have known dog

people who have taken a second mortgage out on their house or robbed their children’s’ college funds

order to finance a dog’s career to attempt to get to the coveted number in competition Cavalier in the country.  I

know how proud one can be of a dog that does that well; we have had three number one in competition Cavaliers in this

country and one in Canada. Was it sweet, yes, but oh so fleeting. As I say below, at the end of the day it is the dogs

that count, not the wins.

HAVING MY SAY: WHEN PRIORITIES CHANGE

Meredith Johnson-Snyder

Rattlebridge Cavaliers

In the last six months since Al has come out of remission and into aggressive liver cancer, my world and priorities have tilted. I find myself unable to wrap my once driven head around much of anything; I just cannot get myself together to finish articles, to keep up the good fight against anti breeding legislation, or to even embark on my spring planting frenzy. My energy level has pummeled, my goals have gone on vacation, and the normal activity of keeping up in the Cavalier and dog worlds has diminished. Facing cancer in one’s spouse takes center stage and normalcy goes on a back burner. My priorities have definitely changed and for the better right now.

Breeding, raising, and showing dogs can become a passion for those who do it with the right intention to improve the breed or at least to do no harm.

“Doing dogs” can become an obsession, an addiction, and a way of life. I am as guilty as anyone for missing family birthdays, sports events, awards ceremonies, graduations and weddings if one collided with a big specialty or judging assignment. My brothers, sister, and stepchildren and their families have never understood that they really needed to ask about my judging schedule or nationals in order to be graced with my presence; after all a judging contract is usually signed a at least a year in advance!!! The judging panel for a specialty or national may be made in heaven for one’s certain dog. Chasing the next BIS or National BISS can become the “holy grail” and the priority.

I have known those who did not make mortgage or car payment in order to pay entries, a handler to take a dog out, and/or advertising for said dog’s campaign. I have seen dogs become more of a priority than children. Thank God I have never gone quite that far probably because I never had children! I admit that priorities became pretty twisted when dog show weekends took top billing all too often in my life.

How absurd it all is, but then I am not alone in the dog world for having skewed priorities. When I asked a judge friend once what his religion was, he replied “the church of dog shows.” How many Sunday Masses or Holy Days of Obligation did I miss going to shows, whelping litters, or just begging off. Balancing my career and my dog show adventures was always a challenge and I retired earlier than I should have in order to be free to pursue my dream of showing and judging without the restrictions of a full time job—a job I would now love to do again if I wasn’t too damned old to do more than act as a substitute principal!

Why am I going on about all this? I am going on about “all this” because my priorities have drastically changed with age and with my husband’s cancer. I just wish I had had the good sense to change my priorities before nieces and nephews and step grandchildren had grown up without me realizing it, before so much money was spent on “doing dogs” and not enough saved or given to charities, before I had spent so much time away from Al who always supported me in my dog activities even when emitting terribly long sighs when doing the check book!

Was the drive to have beautiful champions, best in show dogs, performance and therapy dogs, and Register of Merits worth it? Yes, in a way, as dreams were fulfilled, goals met, and friendships made. It is wonderful to be able to look back at the journey of fulfilling dreams of wonderful Cavaliers. When I go back in my mind’s eye, the memories of my dogs will keep me softly even if all the ribbons and trophies will not keep me warm. However, all of those memories include Al who was my rock, my balance, my “curmudgeon” driving me crazy with his down to earth attitude when I just wanted to fly and he would be so damned cautionary that I would accuse him of always trying to put a damper on things. He should have put much more of a damper on me!!!

There comes a time in one’s life when the “footloose and fancy free” mentality of the young or middle aged comes into perspective. I think of my friend Anne Thaeder who rather put her life on hold to be her mother’s companion and then caretaker; she did so with joy and love. I hope that I am doing the same with my Al as gracefully as Annie and so many others finding themselves in the same situation do. My husband increasingly needs me in the “ups and downs” of chemo and if not total remission then just as much quality time as chemo and the Lord give to us. I have never been a very patient person, but am now learning patience. I have never really had to deny myself what I wished to do as an adult; Lord knows Al never denied me. Now he comes first in everything and I want to spend all my time with him. Suddenly “doing dogs” is not so important. Although still breeding a bit and enjoying looking at the show puppies grow up with our lawn as their show ring, I find that I am in no hurry to take them out; maybe they will be shown someday, maybe not, as their trotting around at home is as wonderful to me as their trotting around a ring. Even though missing the National this year did give me pause as I have a puppy that would have been competitive, there will be other nationals and other UK shows rather than this year’s wonderful one at Blenheim Palace. For one so once immersed in the dog show world as I, I have changed my priorities by the grace of God. Please say a prayer for my Al; he has been probably the only man in the world to put up with me. At this point he shakes his head with an empathetic yes!

“The Rainbow Bridge” is well known to almost all dog people; its sentiment gets us through the day and night when we lose one of beloved companions. 

As much as I believe in heaven as my very finite mind can understand it, I really would be lost there, if I get there at all, basking in God’s light without my beloveds by my feet, in my lap, and on my face and around my neck where my Wendy, Colby’s mother, has placed herself for all these years.  I can only imagine the pain that Colby’s family, the Kopacks   are feeling on losing him when I am still facing losing Wendy who is now 12 and 1/2 and as demanding as ever! Looking at Colby, I can see his mother as all of her children bear such a strong resemblance to her. In honor of Colby, another Rattlebridge Cavalier who brought so much love into his home, and to his family who loved him in return. Thank you Paul and Lorraine for giving him such a wonderful home:

The Rainbow Bridge 

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an
animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and
our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill
and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed
are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams
of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for
one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to
be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager
body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the
green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been
spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling
together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together

Author unknown