STARS IN THE SKY
The following are dogs from the past, who left a space that will never be filled.
CHAMPION DULWICH SAILOR AT BUXTON
Sailor was only three years old when he left us, we don't know what happened, one morning we went to look for him and found him dead, curled up as though asleep. Although an autopsy was done, nothing abnormal could be found.
During his short life he sired some excellent puppies, and also did well in the show ring. Including winning a Terrier Group.
CHAMPION BUXTON PIANO PLAYER
Glen was another who left us early in life, not through illness or death, but he decided that a 4' fence was not high enough to keep him in, and although we made it more difficult for him to get out, he still managed it. He went to a very nice home on a farm, where he could have all the space he needed.
CHAMPION BUXTON HAWKER TEMPEST
Piper was the first Airedale in South Africa, ever, to be trained for "Man Work" very basically the dog is taught to attack on command, and of course also to leave when told.
Our trainer so trusted Piper that he would allow me to send him (Piper) in to attack, (Robert was not wearing an armguard) and call him off just before he took hold, Piper would twist himself in the aire so as not to bite.
There will never be another Piper.
CHAMPION BUXTON GYPSY MAJOR
Whilst Zouga was also trained in Man Work, he never did quite achieve the same level as Piper. But what he lacked in the Manwork Department, he made up for in the Beauty ring, winning a Terrier Group and being placed in others.
BUXTON COVER DRIVE (Topsy) was diagnosed with cancer very soon after my return to South Africa, and after consultation with her vet, her owner June decided to send her to join her friends at the Rainbow Bridge.
CHAMPION BUXTON WE WILL ROCK YOU (HOLLY)
Holly left us to join her new owner Veronique when we left for England, I saw her again a year later, but she was so in love with Veronique that she barely greeted me, whilst it did hurt just a little, I was so very happy that she was in her element, being Veronique's best friend.
She never really did like the show ring, but boy did she make up for it in the whelping box, she produced some excellent puppies, she gave us Terry Stevens' "Mojo"
(Buxton Surfin' USA) my own Sara-Jane (CH. Buxton Love Over Gold) and of course "Angus" (CH: Buxton I Get Around with Kaikoura), these three were litter siblings and were part of the "Beach Boys" litter.
She also gave us "Missie" (CH Buxton Perhaps Love at Danien) and my own boy "Monty" (CH Buxton Storm In A Teacup)
She is now running with her half sister Topsy and her Mother Banjo and her daughter Missie.
My beloved Monty left us in October 2006, after an extremely short illness (5 days) although I do think he was ill for a while beforehand, as being an Airedale didn't show how ill he really was.
"Rest well my friends, until we all meet again"
If tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
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 took me by the hand,
And 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 walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you and
maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity,
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
and since each day is the same way,
There’s no longing for the past.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart
-Author unknown-
