In Memoriam

V TREFFEND’S INHERIT THE WIND, JH, CD, TDI

(Ch. Crossing Creek’s Homesteader, CDX, MH x Ch Von Treffend’s Summer Surprise, SH)

Loved by and Shared life with Judi Ware

"SPLASH"

5/13/89 - 10/11/04

"God looked around his garden and found an empty space,

He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arm around you and lifted you to rest,

God’s garden must be beautiful, he only takes the best.

He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.

He knew you might never get well upon this earth again.

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine"

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you never went alone,

For part of us went with you the day God called you home."

Author Unknown

Splash was gently assisted over the Rainbow Bridge on October 11, 2004, held and loved by Judi, Stephen and Cassy and assisted by Dr. Hal Blumenthal. It was the first time since that Mother’s Day 15 ½ years ago when her mother, Kelly, presented her to me that Splash was not in my loving care.

I have been blessed in my life by many "once in a lifetime" dogs, but Splash was not just my dog, she was my soulmate. She had gently broken down a wall I had built after I went through nine months of hell when my beautiful bitch, Essie, escaped from a show and disappeared. Although I ultimately got Essie back, she died just six months later from complications of injuries she received while at large. I swore then that another dog would NEVER get so close to me. But Splash would not hear it.

We did therapy work together, I watched her turn on to birds and we had a great time in obedience. Splash never did see any point in retrieving a dumbbell and I never could bring myself to force break her. Splash was a blood donor dog for the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital and during her lifetime, she donated over two gallons of blood to help other dogs in need. She was my constant companion and whenever I just wanted to have FUN with one of my dogs, she was the one I chose. She participated in many 4-H events and even actually ENJOYED being dressed up to look simply silly! There was nothing she loved more than "snow plowing" through fresh snow and I can still see her smile when she would look out the door and realize it had snowed the night before. Splash was instrumental in my marriage to Stephen - she actually was the one to propose! I knew he was the one for me when she left MY side when he called her.

For the last year or so, Splash has gone to all the shows with us and the vendors grew to look for her "shopping" for her treats. In May, she competed in Veteran’s Obedience at the GSPCA National Specialty Show where she was the oldest GSP in competition this year. In July she went with us to New England and LOVED the long walks at the campground, swimming and just hanging out with us.

Splash was bred only once to Ch Old Chimney’s Wolfgang and produced a beautiful litter, two of whom finished their championships - Ch V Treffend’s Splash of Dander (Dannie Raye) and Ch. Von Treffend’s B’Day Surprise (Jeb).

You will be missed every day of my life, my friend. Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, chase those bunnies and find those birds. Our reunion will be one of the most joyous the Bridge has ever seen!