Gem's10thBirthday

Gemma
Mae
is
TEN!

April 17, 2007

"So where's my *@!*# cake?"

Gemma turns ten years old today. Where have the years gone?

Gem is my first golden-- indeed, my first dog.
I fell in love with her huge ears and lovely big eyes from the moment I saw her at 6 weeks old. From the day we brought her home she was by turns independent, inquisitive, loving, mischievous, and quick to learn.
I still remember having to tether her to her crate next to her bed and let her sleep next to my pillow as she was miserably unhappy sleeping in the crate.
I also recall her once looking at me straight in the eye as she jumped up on my favorite chaise lounge in the living room, squatted, and peed a river.
And although I did not of course punish her (it was my fault!),
she never again had an accident in the house from the age of 14 weeks on.
That must have been her last pee statement!

Gemma's 1st day with us.....

"Golly, Mum-- not so tight!!"

Since we brought her home, Germma has lived a blessed and fun-filled life.
She has never had to be alone more than 6 hours in her ten years!
While I was teaching and advising at the University, she stayed with my in-laws who had their own GR, Clancy (who was amazingly tolerant of Gemma -- even when leaping for a frisbee with puppy Gem attached to his tail!!).
My in-laws still adore her to this day, and she them.
Gemma has also been fortunate to have gone on many wonderful trips to "Faraway" as well as almost daily off-lead hikes and romps
and hike-filled road trips into Oregon and Washington and Canada.
She has enjoyed many golden gatherings and gained many friends over the years
and has demonstrated a special ability to calm and charm the elderly.
More therapy visits as well as lots of naps are in her future.

Gem has also enjoyed good health-- despite being stricken with ehrlichiosis at age 4 and being left with some arthritic changes to her spine,
and a dangerously high fever from an infection a few years ago.

But she can still zoom through the woods like a puppy, retrieve blue balls in the pond until we stop her because WE are exhausted from throwing them, and bark at me insistently when she wants to go out into the yard to do her business or take a walk.

waiting for us to catch up on the trail

Gem is an imp, and smart,
but plays dumb when it suits her.

If she were human,
she would be the lead actress in the film "Legally Blonde."

Gem with our friend Sara visiting from Surrey, England)

Ten is a special birthday for another reason: her sire Arsey died at 8.5 of hemangiosarcoma (as have so many of our beloved golden companions),
and so we now appreciate more than ever that every hour and day is a gift.

hanging out with Gemma and Finn on the deck at Faraway.

Everyone who knows her loves Gemma--

My sister-in-law Karen with Gem, both smiling!

But one of the best things about Gemma is how she has embraced her little brother Finn.
They really love each other and play all the time-- what a golden team!

on the deck... ...in the sunroom

and snoozing together!

and always, always... she swallows us with her eyes.

10th Birthday HAIKU

Cloud white, deep night black
Your golden years still glowing
Illuminate our way

-April 17, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Girly-Girl, HRH Princess Gemma, Missy Mae, our Gemma!
You are an invaluable gift...
you will *always* be our precious Gem.

--Your mum Suzanne, dad Ted, bro Foo Foo Finnegan, & Jasper Cat

Gemma at 11 weeks, all ears,
determined to get up on the chair
(my very favorite puppy pic -- check out those ears!)

GO HOME!