Linrosa Samoyeds

Odds & Ends

"Some dogs come into our lives and leave. Other dogs come into our lives and leave their footprints in our hearts and we are never the same again."

SAMOYED COLOR

SAMOYED COLOR
(Excerpt from an article in Dog World, April 1972)

When the Samoyed dogs emerged into the spotlight of modern history (circa 1900) from eons of isolation in the Arctic circle, they were a colored breed. Colors ranged all the way from an icy white to cream, through beige, to the color of an overcooked biscuit. Shades of cream and biscuit predominated.

Because there were a few excellent individual dogs of this stand-out, shimmering white, and because it was such a spectacular and unusual color, compared to the many tenor brown breeds then current, individual preference most frequently dictated a breeding scheme to attain the lightest and whitest ones possible. However, a startling fact became evident after several generations of pure white breeding, pigment degenerated; noses, lips and eye rims became tan, then pink. Eyes lightened, and if this type of breeding was continued, albinoism emerged.

It was found that the cream and biscuit-shaded dogs were necessary for the preservation, not only of pigment, but of other characteristics. The biscuit-shaded dogs invariably carried the hardest textured outer-coat with proper silver tips. The pure white/white dogs quickly suffered a softening of coat-texture, as biscuit-color receded farther and farther back in the pedigree.

Another interesting characteristic of biscuit-colored dogs was that they not only had biscuit-colored pups, but sometimes had pups of purest white with the vivid black points, eyes and harsh coat proper of the breed! As you may know, the darker eyes and the hard outer-coats were a necessity for survival in the harsh northern Arctic environment, where the glare is painful to the eyes, and a soft coat would absorb moisture, and ice-up fatally fast. So these breed features are not merely aesthetic.

What was the result of these findings on the desirability of biscuit-color? It was to specify a white, cream, biscuit or biscuit-and-white Samoyed in the Breed Standard. Today the Standard still calls for the same colors, but in the breed ring few colored dogs are seen. Either consciously or unconsciously, either knowingly or through ignorance, judges exhibit a prejudice against a color other than solid white. Today, a solid cream dog is not unusual, but the rare darker colors are disappearing. These dogs with the true burnt-biscuit color most often have that color restricted to the ear-rims, the head, or the tips of the body coat.

SAYING GOODBYE

RAINBOW BRIDGE
Author Unknown

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....

******************

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Author Unknown

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.
I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

******************

I'M RIGHT THERE, IN YOUR HEART
Author Unknown

Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The Frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.

But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.

But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

******************

I'M STILL HERE
Author Unknow

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

******************

SHE CANNOT SAY GOOD-BYE
Dedicated to a future where, in a disaster, we will not be torn apart
from our furry kin!
Copyright 2005 by Kathy Pippig Harris

It is a comfortable little place -- their home
and it is paid for, cozy, and theirs alone.
Just the two of them, therein, reside
... an older lady and the aging canine

Listening to the radio, as the storm grew
tears well in her eyes, upon hearing the news
She gazes at her friend, and he regards her, too
Reporters are saying everyone must now go.
she was to pack only what she needed from home.

She shakes her head and wonders, Didn't they know
that folks like her had no means to get away and no car of their own?
But officials called to say public transport would stop by;
they'd take her and her things, but her beloved friend could not
ride

Tears fall as thunder and lightning rent the damp air
Her friend pads over, then leans against her, there in her chair
Sensing her sadness, the old dog wags his tail
As the wind past their porch swells to a wail
he reaches up and reassuringly licks her hand
And as he as always, by her side, will stand!

She sobs at his sweet, loyal gesture, for he does not know
That on this journey, her dearest friend will not go.
They had weathered life's storms and both had grown gray
She worries as they were never long, from the other, away.

She rises slowly when she hears the knock on the door
A man takes her bags, saying, "I'm sorry, ma'am, it's now or never.
We can wait no more."

When the old dog follows her, she says "No, go inside where it's safe."
His expression is one of bewilderment and hurt, as rain pelts his face.

When she steps into the bus, she hears him whimper and cry
She cannot turn around to him.
She cannot say good-bye.
She studies the man who holds her bags, then she steps off the bus.

When she reaches her friend, she says,
"No future is as important as the gift that is us."
She bends down and, happily crying, embraces her furry soul mate.
"The worst storm ever is near, but alone, you will not have to wait."

Later, as the night explodes 'round them, and she draws him snug to her side,
he lifts his fuzzy head, stares lovingly at her, and she contentedly sighs.
For on this, their last journey, the two would be together always . .
. . . now . . . and forever.

******************

THE LOSS OF A HEART-DOG
Author Unknown

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you so softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea. You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wished I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over now ... I smile and watch you yawning, And say, "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come Home to be with me.

******************

QUOTES ABOUT DOGS

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of
his tongue.
-Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are
wonderful.
-Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever
made.
-M. Acklam

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who
are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.
- Sigmund Freud

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious
cult.
-Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three
times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have
known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
-James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can.
That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
-Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back
from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a
cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and
get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

Speak softly and own a big, mean Doberman.
-Dave Miliman

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite
you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
-Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look
that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
- Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your
pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.
-Phil Pastoret

My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am!