Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day marked our 5th as husband and wife.  Almost a year ago we added Juno into our family and then 8 months later came Lucy Loo. Our first Valentine's Day with our two pups was so much fun. I hope next year we will celebrate it with a baby, but for now I thank God for the friends & family in my life. I've felt more love this year than ever.  God's always changing my heart, growing it bigger and making room for more. Jon, I love you with all my heart.  Life's journey with you these past 10 years have been amazing.  I wouldn't trade our adventures together for anything.  You have seen me at my worst, wiped my tears when I was a mess, encouraged me to hold on when times are tough and that you will never leave me.  Thank you for accepting me for exactly who I am.  Just me. I am forever grateful God gave you to me! His plan is pure, His plan is perfect, His plan was me & you. I love you Jon! Happy Valentine's Day!

2-14-12

With this ring.... "Oh Juno, how'd you get in there?" 

Flowers from Jon

May 18th 2007

and inside it says...so glad you're mine...

Yankee tea light candle from my mama - thanks Ma!

A jar of chocolates I made for the hubbs

I just can't get enough of this spotted girl!

My mom made this amazing Valentine's lunch for me!

Oh, it was GOOD!

Valentine's Scarves for my spoiled girls

Today was Bentley's birthday! I saved him on Valentine's Day. Happy Birthday little man!

XOXOXOX

Happy Valentine's Day!

Juno on point

A lil Ole History

From the best authorities on the subject, it appears that the English Setter was a trained bird dog in England more than 400 years ago. Evidence points to the English Setters origins in crosses of Spanish Pointer, large Water Spaniel, and Springer Spaniel, which combined to produce a superb bird dog with a high degree of proficiency in finding and pointing game in open country. Major credit for the development of the modern setter should go to Edward Laverack, who about 1825 obtained from the Rev. A. Harrison, "Ponto" and "Old Moll," two specimens of the breed the Reverend had kept pure for over 35 years.

Over time, Laverack inbred successfully to produce beautiful representatives of the breed, and the first show for English Setter was held at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1859. As shows flourished throughout England, so did the breed’s popularity. A few years later, the first English Setters were imported to North America, including those that began the now-famous Llewellin strain recorded in the writing of Dr. William A Burette. From this strain emerged the foundation of the field-trial setter in America, "Count Noble," who is currently mounted in the Carnegie Museum at Pittsburgh. To this day, the English is one of the most popular and elegant sporting breeds, often grouped with its cousins, the Irish and Gordon Setters.

web credits:  http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_setter/history.cfm

Juno & Lucy on the hunt

dogsonthenet.com

http://www.antekshome.com/

Newest addition "Lucy"

                


Lucy was our very first A&B foster and we fell in love with her big brown eyes and her huge heart. Lucy was from a South Carolina kill shelter.  Her owner dropped her off and no longer wanted the responsibility of owning a dog.  There was no room at the shelter for her and we agreed to take her in and foster her, in hopes to adopt her out. She was covered in mats and even had chewing gum in her hair! Gross! Lucy came with some open wounds and a large scar on her inside thigh that was still healing. She was afraid of every noise.  She even tried to climb our fence, in fear, trying to escape her scary life.


                                         

Little did I know that "Little Loo" and my other rescue female, Juno would become best of friends.  Inseparable soul sisters! Juno helped Lucy over come her fears and every day we saw her become a more confident dog. When it came time to adopt her out, we couldn't deny that she was meant to stay here forever from the beginning. She has thrived here at the Sward house and is part of the family.  She is living the good life, with her big sister by her side, wagging that tail and with a smile a mile long. Lucy we love you, and we couldn't imagine letting you go!

                                      

                                                Lucy and Juno playing a game of chase


                           

Lucy Before

(below)

                                                       TENDER HEARTS

(A Tribute to Volunteers)

By Dee Clair

I greet each day inside my cage

And wait for God to write my page

I wonder if you’ll come today?

And let me feel the light of day

My whole life has been dark with pain

And those who caused it--what did they gain?

They stole my trust, my livelihood

And all because they simply could

                                          Lucy After

                                          (below)

                                

I yearn to run through scented fields

Without a cage and lock to yield

To chase a squirrel that can't be caught

To earn a love that can't be bought

But the darkest days have a light

In the quiet mornings that follow night

You come to visit every day

Without a motive, without a pay

You carried me when I was weak

Brought trust I was too pained to seek

You healed my wounds that took their toll

You rescued my slowly dying soul

And now I listen for your voice

Knowing that you're here by choice

You didn’t know me at the start

And yet I’m planted in your heart

I’m learning to accept your praise

And not avert my fearful gaze

Forgive me if I cower still

My life has been against my will

I feel that you are growing tired

Within this fight that you’ve been mired

If you can keep your doubts at bay

It would mean the world if you could stay

I can’t predict how this will end

But I know this of you, my friend

You selflessly all played your part

You saved me with your tender heart

                     

Hi, my name is Juno and before I came to A&B my future 

looked very dim and lonely. In Missouri about just over a year old I was put 

up for auction with my two brothers since we were labeled as "infertile."

I was lost and confused.

I did not understand why my owner did 

not want me. 

A good woman purchased me off the auction block, "fixed" me up

and contacted A&B for a foster home.  My temporary mama Roxane

had lots of other nice setters to play with and taught me the ropes.

I learned what it was like to live in a house for the first time.  My foster 

mom didn't think I had ever lived in one before.  I really liked it! 

Treats, friends, love...I was living the life!

Only a couple weeks after being with my foster mama, a family from Florida

really wanted me as their "furry child" I didn't know it at the time

but my life was about to change forever! After an ever so long trasport

from Iowa to Florida, thanks to some really nice volunteers

who gave me car rides and lots of love, I found my way 

into the arms of my new mom and dad.

I never have to be scared anymore.  I don't have to be passed along to 

the next, or wonder where I belong.  I've found my forever 

family and my mom says I have a LOT of people

to thank for it...  My tail wags everyday!

Special thanks to Above & Beyond English Setter Rescue 

for saving another life