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Frisco

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Our Sweet Hunter
Hunter might be the main reason James and I are in this business. Back in 1996, we finally found the dog of our dreams. After 3 years of studying and trying to decide what type of dog would be best for our family, we found Hunter at the Pet Parade off of Austin Bluffs in Colorado Springs. We were walking into the store where we knew that new litters of puppies would be. We had been there dozens of times before. Upon entering the store, a lady had a litter of great pyrenees/lab mixed pups inside a grocery buggy. James and I noticed the cart and made a mental note of one without knowing the other was doing the same. Once inside the building, we walked around and looked at each litter, kids in tow, ages 3 and 4. Finally, we arrived at the litter we saw being carried in inside a grocery buggy. There were several to choose from and we carefully examined each and every one for temperament and disposition. Most were pure black and resemble the look of a Newfie, a couple were pure white resembling a white lab. All were sweet, but none stood out to us more than the white one with brown spots, a little girl, who eventually was named Hunter. Our son, Canaan, gave her the name while we were driving home in the car because he thought she might make a great hunting dog. She was the perfect addition to our family. It was only later that James and I both confessed to seeing Hunter in the cart and deciding that she was the dog for us. There was something about this puppy that we had not felt with the many, MANY pups we had looked at before that day!

Hunter’s  puppy-ness continued for 2 whole years, as most labs do. Chewing and chewing and chewing some more. She was obedient and kind and most people didn’t understand how such a young dog could be so mellow. When it came to being sweet, Hunter’s personality was far beyond any dog we’d ever met. She let the kids jump all over her, lay on top of her and loved sleeping in our bed. The great pyrenees part of Hunter took her job seriously and protected our home from harm. Hunter loves to camp, hike, romp in snow, go for walks and car rides, chase squirrels, lie in the sun and be with people. She was a great ‘mama’ to Kippee, who we adopted when Hunter was 2 years old. Again, her patience with Kippee went beyond anything we could have imagined.

Hunter was Canaan’s ‘show and tell’ in pre-school, James running running partner up on Mt. Herman, Shawnee’s best friend and Nancy’s pride and joy.

On January 23, 2009, Hunter celebrates her 13th birthday. There isn’t a dog alive that can compare to the sweet, loving, kind and faithful dog our Hunter has been for our family. We celebrate this day with her, thanking God for such a wonderful gift that we got for our first family pet. Hunter has seen many of our cats come and go, loving on each one of them as if they were her own. She continues to be the ‘mama’ to our baby, Kippee (who is now 10 years old) and enjoys our dog lodge business because she just enjoys everything about life! She gladly gives up her bed for another who wants to lay on it, misses a thrown treat and allows another to eat it and passively allows others to rush through the door while she brings up the rear as if she is the big sister to all of them. Hunter loves to play in the field with the rest of the pack, sniffing, rolling, and just sunbathing. She sleeps more now than she ever has, but still raises her stiff self up whenever we call her name. She eats less now, but doesn’t fight the medicine or vitamins we give to help her stay strong. She wants to get out the front door of our house and run over to our old house, just a block away. When she does get out, we find her sitting on the porch of that familiar house as if to say, “I remember being young here.” But, we have never seen her more happy or more healthy than we have since we’ve moved into our new home and this new business.

Hunter, we love you and wish you the happiest birthday ever! All your dog friends celebrate with you and always remember that you are the best dog ever! Thank you for being ours!

BIRTHDAY #14

On January 23, 2010, we celebrated Hunter’s fourteen birthday with a splash! Literally! Paws N Tails Hydrotherapy Pool hosted the party. Hunter invited 10 of her closest friends and their humans and, of course, her sisters, Sig & Kippee.  All enjoyed swimming and playing while Hunter opted to sit back and relax while soaking in the fun on the water proof birthday throne. She loved being the center of attention with cake, balloons, treats, birthday hats, gifts and 10 wet dogs (not to mention humans!) at the end of the party. This was a day to remember and I think Hunter knows how special she is. She has to be! She’s our girl! We love you, Hunter!

Hunter's friend, Jack, loves to swim.	The Birthday Girl
The party is over and I had fun!
Everyone has fun at the pool!	Hunter's little sis, Sigee!

December 10, 2010. Just about a month shy of 15 yrs. old, Hunter crosses over the rainbow. She told us it was time; no pain, no fear, just a tumor on her spleen, she looked at us with her wise brown eyes and said, "It's okay. You are ready to live without me". Just as she came into this world, sweet, quiet and never a complaint, she leaves. We love you Hunter. You are in our hearts forever. May the lessons you taught us about being loyal and loving, be something we cherish forever. Until we meet again.