After a lifetime of love, they now wait for us just across the Rainbow Bridge
To read the story of the Silver Harness and the Rainbow Bridge for Siberians poem, click on the links below:
"The Silver Harness" by Andre DeMerchant
"North of the Rainbow Bridge" by MakWa4Me
"The Silver Harness" by Andre DeMerchant
"North of the Rainbow Bridge" by MakWa4Me
Fuzzys Sylvia "Sylvia"
July 24, 2006 - September 2, 2015
The first sighthound of any breed I had ever owned, I met Sylvia when she was almost 8 years old, after her retirement from racing and breeding. I sadly only got to love her for a little over a year before she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and kidney failure. Although I kept her comfortable for as long as possible she was in enough pain that I decided to have her euthanized only a couple of weeks after her diagnosis. Even in that short time, she introduced me to an entirely different style of dog than I was used to and took a piece of my heart (and of her friend Roxy's) with her when she passed.
I don't know when, but after getting to love my Sylvie-Bug I definitely plan to have other sighthounds in my life someday.
July 24, 2006 - September 2, 2015
The first sighthound of any breed I had ever owned, I met Sylvia when she was almost 8 years old, after her retirement from racing and breeding. I sadly only got to love her for a little over a year before she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and kidney failure. Although I kept her comfortable for as long as possible she was in enough pain that I decided to have her euthanized only a couple of weeks after her diagnosis. Even in that short time, she introduced me to an entirely different style of dog than I was used to and took a piece of my heart (and of her friend Roxy's) with her when she passed.
I don't know when, but after getting to love my Sylvie-Bug I definitely plan to have other sighthounds in my life someday.
Hudspeth's Rocks My World CGC "Roxy"
January 3, 2006 - September 10, 2018
Reigning matriarch over all the dogs in the house and nursemaid/teacher to Kodi as he grew. My life will never be the same for having known you, Roxer-Boxer, and I don't feel like anything I write here would be enough to describe exactly how much you meant to me. I am so grateful to have been given such a long, happy time together, and honored to have called you my friend. Until we meet again.
January 3, 2006 - September 10, 2018
Reigning matriarch over all the dogs in the house and nursemaid/teacher to Kodi as he grew. My life will never be the same for having known you, Roxer-Boxer, and I don't feel like anything I write here would be enough to describe exactly how much you meant to me. I am so grateful to have been given such a long, happy time together, and honored to have called you my friend. Until we meet again.
"Kai"
2008-2019
Kai (aka "My Kai-Kai") was my very first Siberian Husky and the one who hooked me on the breed. My family had always had Boxers, who I also loved (see Roxy below) but in 2008 I became interested - read: obsessed - with wolves and primitive-looking dog breeds like Siberians, Malamutes, and Laikas. After a couple of years of research and devouring every book I could on these breeds, I came to appreciate how amazing Siberian Huskies were. I realized I wanted a Siberian in my life, not just because of their looks or as a stepping-stone on the way to a wolfdog, but because of their unique heritage - their hardiness, adaptability, grace, athleticism, mischievous and fun-loving nature, and independence. I decided they were the breed for me.
After months and months of begging my parents for a Siberian, I got 10-month-old Kai from one of their coworkers who was moving away and could no longer keep him.
I fell in love with him immediately. He was the typical Siberian: energetic, friendly but very independent, loved chasing our cat Tux (although thankfully he never actually hurt him), enjoyed digging holes in the yard, would chew the furniture if left alone in the house too long, and would bolt out of the door if given the opportunity. He had been raised outside for the first ten months of his life and so was used to climbing the fence and disappearing for days while his owner was at work, and he also needed to be housebroken since he had never had a specific "potty area." It took a few weeks, but he learned what we wanted of him fairly quickly (although with a few noisy protests any time he thought our rules were unfair). He and I bonded very closely, and he slept on my bed along with Roxy every night until I left for college in 2012.
Sadly, when I left to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2012, freshman students were required to live in the dorms and I was unable to take Kai with me. My mother was working long days at her job and with Kai unable to be trusted alone in the house all day like the Boxers, he was spending too much time in his crate for either of our liking. So, although it broke my heart, I elected to rehome him with a family friend in November of 2012 so that he could get the attention and exercise he deserved. Thankfully he fit in with that family even better than he had with me (they had a very energetic 11-year-old boy who had been looking for an outdoorsy dog to play with) and that is where he lived out the rest of his life.
Kai was a pet dog from an unknown backyard breeder (I never actually learned his registered name, although I was told he did have AKC papers). However, he was a wonderful dog, and I loved and missed him enough that as soon as my senior year of university came around, I knew exactly what kind of pup I was going to get after graduation.
That pup was Kodi, aka Echoing Wind's Kruizin Kodiak Moment.
The rest, as they say, is history.
2008-2019
Kai (aka "My Kai-Kai") was my very first Siberian Husky and the one who hooked me on the breed. My family had always had Boxers, who I also loved (see Roxy below) but in 2008 I became interested - read: obsessed - with wolves and primitive-looking dog breeds like Siberians, Malamutes, and Laikas. After a couple of years of research and devouring every book I could on these breeds, I came to appreciate how amazing Siberian Huskies were. I realized I wanted a Siberian in my life, not just because of their looks or as a stepping-stone on the way to a wolfdog, but because of their unique heritage - their hardiness, adaptability, grace, athleticism, mischievous and fun-loving nature, and independence. I decided they were the breed for me.
After months and months of begging my parents for a Siberian, I got 10-month-old Kai from one of their coworkers who was moving away and could no longer keep him.
I fell in love with him immediately. He was the typical Siberian: energetic, friendly but very independent, loved chasing our cat Tux (although thankfully he never actually hurt him), enjoyed digging holes in the yard, would chew the furniture if left alone in the house too long, and would bolt out of the door if given the opportunity. He had been raised outside for the first ten months of his life and so was used to climbing the fence and disappearing for days while his owner was at work, and he also needed to be housebroken since he had never had a specific "potty area." It took a few weeks, but he learned what we wanted of him fairly quickly (although with a few noisy protests any time he thought our rules were unfair). He and I bonded very closely, and he slept on my bed along with Roxy every night until I left for college in 2012.
Sadly, when I left to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2012, freshman students were required to live in the dorms and I was unable to take Kai with me. My mother was working long days at her job and with Kai unable to be trusted alone in the house all day like the Boxers, he was spending too much time in his crate for either of our liking. So, although it broke my heart, I elected to rehome him with a family friend in November of 2012 so that he could get the attention and exercise he deserved. Thankfully he fit in with that family even better than he had with me (they had a very energetic 11-year-old boy who had been looking for an outdoorsy dog to play with) and that is where he lived out the rest of his life.
Kai was a pet dog from an unknown backyard breeder (I never actually learned his registered name, although I was told he did have AKC papers). However, he was a wonderful dog, and I loved and missed him enough that as soon as my senior year of university came around, I knew exactly what kind of pup I was going to get after graduation.
That pup was Kodi, aka Echoing Wind's Kruizin Kodiak Moment.
The rest, as they say, is history.
UKC BPIS Rys N Hy New Horizons At Kodivaro SSH SOR A+ OD-JP3 "Zara"
June 14, 2022 - October 18, 2022
10/18/2022 - 18 weeks old. Just 126 days. So short a time you walked this earth, and even shorter a time with me. In the 50 days we had together, we made memories that will last forever. I loved you immediately, fiercely; from day one you left such a mark on my heart that I never wanted to imagine life without you. Now my worst nightmare has come true.
Less than 48 hours after your symptoms began, parvo stole you away from me and sent you over the Rainbow Bridge. I wasn't ready. You were showing improvement, and I had hope that you would recover, but your little body just couldn't keep up the fight any longer.
My heart is shattered. I know you'll be okay now, but it will be a long time before I am.
Take care of her until I get there, Roxer-Boxer, and make sure she knows how much she was loved.
Rest easy, Zara-Rara. It will be some time before I can see you again, but you will always be in my heart. Kodi and Zorro miss you already. If you get a chance, pop down and see us when you can. I love you.
10/24/2022 - One week ago today was the last time I held Zara. It was 4:30am, just like now, and I was passing her over to the vet who would try to save her life. I didn't know it would be the last time then, but less than a day later she crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join those who came before her, and my world got a little darker.
Zara's name had several meanings: in Hebrew, it was another form of the name Sara(h), meaning "princess." In Arabic, it also meant, "radiance," "a flower," or, "to bloom." Her registered name, Rys N Hy New Horizons At Kodivaro, was also chosen accordingly, inspired by the images of rising suns and radiance her name evoked.
I always associated Zara with sunflowers, thanks to her bright and sunny personality and the sunflowers used in the 5-week puppy pictures taken by her breeder and co-owner, Alicia Renea Rys. I never saw this dog angry or sad once in her short life. Every challenge was a game, every stranger a potential new friend, and anything unfamiliar a new adventure. She was gentle, sweet, and affectionate, and one of the most purely peaceful and loving souls I will probably ever know.
While no measure of time with her would have ever been enough, I wasn't ready to let her go just yet. But her work here was done (for now) and despite the pain in my heart I'm grateful beyond measure for the time we did spend together. She has already shown herself to me since she passed, both here in the physical world and in my dreams. I know she is at peace, she holds no grudge, and she'll be waiting for me on the other side when my time comes to cross the Bifrost and join her.
(Click on top photo to be taken to Zara's page.)
June 14, 2022 - October 18, 2022
10/18/2022 - 18 weeks old. Just 126 days. So short a time you walked this earth, and even shorter a time with me. In the 50 days we had together, we made memories that will last forever. I loved you immediately, fiercely; from day one you left such a mark on my heart that I never wanted to imagine life without you. Now my worst nightmare has come true.
Less than 48 hours after your symptoms began, parvo stole you away from me and sent you over the Rainbow Bridge. I wasn't ready. You were showing improvement, and I had hope that you would recover, but your little body just couldn't keep up the fight any longer.
My heart is shattered. I know you'll be okay now, but it will be a long time before I am.
Take care of her until I get there, Roxer-Boxer, and make sure she knows how much she was loved.
Rest easy, Zara-Rara. It will be some time before I can see you again, but you will always be in my heart. Kodi and Zorro miss you already. If you get a chance, pop down and see us when you can. I love you.
10/24/2022 - One week ago today was the last time I held Zara. It was 4:30am, just like now, and I was passing her over to the vet who would try to save her life. I didn't know it would be the last time then, but less than a day later she crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join those who came before her, and my world got a little darker.
Zara's name had several meanings: in Hebrew, it was another form of the name Sara(h), meaning "princess." In Arabic, it also meant, "radiance," "a flower," or, "to bloom." Her registered name, Rys N Hy New Horizons At Kodivaro, was also chosen accordingly, inspired by the images of rising suns and radiance her name evoked.
I always associated Zara with sunflowers, thanks to her bright and sunny personality and the sunflowers used in the 5-week puppy pictures taken by her breeder and co-owner, Alicia Renea Rys. I never saw this dog angry or sad once in her short life. Every challenge was a game, every stranger a potential new friend, and anything unfamiliar a new adventure. She was gentle, sweet, and affectionate, and one of the most purely peaceful and loving souls I will probably ever know.
While no measure of time with her would have ever been enough, I wasn't ready to let her go just yet. But her work here was done (for now) and despite the pain in my heart I'm grateful beyond measure for the time we did spend together. She has already shown herself to me since she passed, both here in the physical world and in my dreams. I know she is at peace, she holds no grudge, and she'll be waiting for me on the other side when my time comes to cross the Bifrost and join her.
(Click on top photo to be taken to Zara's page.)
Thank you to Maddilynn Lee for this gorgeous piece. It captures Zara just as I always knew her: sweet, happy, radiant, and at peace with everything around her. I absolutely love it, and I'll look at it whenever I need a little sunshine.
