February Ends

Our Hearts Are Heavy for your loss of sweet Angel, Rick and Terri.
Angel is known & loved around the world thanks to your beautiful photo of her lying in front of the Twin Towers!
I wanted to say thank you for giving us an opportunity to experience the LOVE and DEVOTION that Angel gave us.
I know you hear this everyday from owners of your dogs but it is without a doubt that she was meant to be ours
and I have never had a dog that was half human like her. I know the breed is fantastic and every Aussie has their special
personalities but Angel was a true dream. The only thing that Terri and I are guilty of is making all our dogs the replacements
for real children which we don't have. We live for our dogs and treat them better than some parents treat their real kids.
I guess we just do whatever true dog lovers do, and unless you are a dog person you cannot understand the pain that you go through
when you lose them. Its like our child died and that is a common saying among animal lovers. Right now Ellen, time has to go bye
and although we will never forget or get over Angel , time makes all things a little better to accept...We absolutely love Aussies.
Terri and I thank you for Angel and as her picture says ' she now is truly "FREE".. our sweet Angel. Best Regards, Rick and Terri Castrianni

DREAM TEAM IN DENMARK!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Bitta & Diablo on winning BEST IN SHOW 2
at the SHOW of SHOWS in Denmark ... a Invitation ONLY Show!
This is a FIRST TIME WIN for an Australian Shepherd at this prestigious show!
MILES of SMILES here! Thank you Bitta .... for doing an amazing job!

A Story Of Survival ...
Just a few months ago, Diablo became very ill. Because of a virus contracted at the World Dog Show
in Poland, Diablo suffered from extreme vomiting. The vomiting resulted in bleeding ulcers in his stomach.
Diablo lost a great deal of blood ... and was very weak ... before he was diagnosed via endoscope. Once the veterinarians
knew what they were dealing with, they were able to provide appropriate treatment. Diablo healed quickly
and has gone on to win BACK to BACK Best In Show 2s! Thank you, Bitta, for loving sweet, precious, Diablo.

Bitta, the CENTER of Diablo's universe! Diablo, the light of Bitta's life!

Ch Thornapple Silken Flame "Halle" -- MOM to Diablo -- is now in Denmark!
Halle took Best Bitch first show out!
Thank you Michelle and Bitta for making Halle a star at the tender age of 7!
Happy Birthday to Halle on March 4, 2007!

Just want to let you know that our Tucker, Thornapple Grinding Gears,”
finished his German CH-title today! Just little more than 12 month after his first CAC.
Like you know we have this time limit over here. We are soo proud. Nina took him to a
photographer for some pictures. I will forward them to you as soon I get them. Susanne
CONGRATULATIONS, SUSANNE & NINA!!!!!!!!

PRAYERS NEEDED for Miss Molly Mattson - age 13!

Fought some snow/traffic to get to Alameda East in Denver this morning for Molly's appointment.
She's a healthy girl, but the doctor thinks there is something going on with her brain, maybe even a tumor.
He took a chest x-ray and will have an MRI on Tuesday. But the good news is that she's responding to the meds that our doctor
here in Fort Collins has her on for the time being. Photo is of Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Emergency Vets on Animal Planet at Alameda East.
He was nice enough to take a moment to meet me and have his photo taken with us. Molly's doctor is from Sydney Australia
and lives near Ted's Place. He travels to Denver Mon-Thu -- wow what a drive. Please say a prayer for our Molly-girl.
Ellen - Daisy is doing excellent -- the little bugger. Joanne

March 6, 2007 - UPDATE

Hi all, Molly had an MRI/spinal tap this morning. We dropped her off at 6:30 this morning in Denver and just got home.
The MRI is normal, but we need to await the results of the spinal fluid. She is responding to her meds, which is great news, so time will tell.
We'll keep you posted. She has a bald spot on her back just like her dad. Love, Joanne

March 7, 2007 - photos and another UPDATE!

Yes, such good news about Molly. We brought the spinal fluid up with us and dropped it off at our vet's office and in turn
they sent it to Colorado State University Vet School here, so we should hear in the next day or so the results. Poor punkin.
She is responding pretty well with the meds and they will make the decision (neurologist and our vet) how to proceed
now. We got to meet all the doctors from Alameda East (Emergency Vets and E-Interns on Animal Planet) yesterday.
WOW they are all so nice. Dr. Taylor (the one with the gray mustache) was walking by and he just walked in and shook our hands
and just chatted-- gotta love Colorado and what they do there. It was amazing what we saw. This poor large dog was hit by a car,
had a broken back, had 2 surgeries one on his back with a long long incision and then bladder surgery with another incision.
You should have seen his tail wagging and how they managed to get him up with a sling on his back. I wish humans could be as resilient
as animals. Okay -- keep you posted on Molly-roo. Thank you Ellen for all your support. You are still their mom.

Molly & Daisy share a popsicle!

Daisy & Molly

Molly

Thank you Jim & Joanne Mattson for sharing your beautiful photos! Jim & Joanne are owned by Molly & Daisy!
Jim & Joanne made the big retirement move from Michigan to Colorado where they enjoy hiking in beautiful Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park!

RALPH LAUREN LATE SPRING FASHION CAMPAIGN!
Starring , Ami Romanelli's, ASCA/UKC Ch. Mandolyn Shake and Jake
CD,CGC,RN,RA,FD,FDX,FDCH-S,FDCH-G,FDCH,RS-N,JS-N,
JS-N-OP,HCT-1,DNA-VP (AKC pointed) ---- Jake for short!
Jake is daddy to our Chante kids!
Watch for Jake in Ralph Lauren ads due out soon!!!!

Just want to let you know that Darla had a terrific summer!
A highlight was taking 3rd place in the Bloomingdale, Michigan Frisbee competition.
We are ALL having a ball! Just wait til next year! Rick and Carol Savage

1 2 3 4 5 -- Evan counts his toes ... AND he counts the donations to the USASA Junior Committee!
www.usasajuniors.com
Please, help Evan learn to count! He would love to count to 10,000!
Give your $$ to support the USASA Junior Handlers!

baby toes are our favorite!

LAUREN ESCALADA is not only a photographer ... she is also an ARTIST!!!!!
Lauren shares a USASA Junior Handler logo she designed for a USASA logo contest!
Your donations contribute to the USASA Junior Handler's success in every venue!