Explorer B'Elana v Eagleheart

U-CD Explorer BElana v Eagleheart CGC, HCT-s, RS-O, GS-E, JS-E, O-ECC, EAC, EJC, O-TG-E, S-TN-E, O-WV-E, TDIA, CD, RE, AX, AXJ, NF, NJP.

With a sad heart, Pat & I would like to share that Bayla ran ahead to the rainbow bridge, for the biggest distance agility-gamble shes ever completed! About 1 month ago Bay was diagnosed with Anaplasmosis & Lymes Nephritis. She already had a compromised immune system, making the 2 tick borne diseases an even greater challenge. She fought tough and hard with spirit and courage yet, complications proved too much for her to overcome.

We are devastated right now. She was my once-in-a-lifetime best companion, friend, teammate & doggie soulmate. We packed so many adventures, so many memories and so many experiences into her 9 short yrs. Everywhere we traveled we looked up Entle families and made many new friends. Bayla was a wonderful breed ambassador meeting new prospective owners and educating them on Entle traits/quirks. We had so many grand adventures- one of the most surprising & rewarding for me was her aptitude for therapy work. Shes always been so intense, energetic & crazy (over-the-top really). I never imagined she could touch so many people and make quiet magic they way she did through therapy work. She was incredibly athletic, talented & versatile excelling at every sport we tried. I was the weakest link in our agility team. I could never think, move or get [the right] commands out fast enough? She was so forgiving of my mistakes and we accomplished many dreams & goals together. She was always eager & willing to work, retrieve, explore, tug, play & of course EAT! She had an amazing zest for life and taught me so much! I was lucky to have her in my life!

But even when she was a puppy, I always had the feeling she was too good to be true. I had a feeling she would not live to a ripe or respectable old age. I almost lost her when she was 4. She beat the odds then & we took advantage by living & experiencing our relationship to the fullest. She turned 9 in Nov. I felt blessed with 5 more yrs than I thought wed have, but I still wanted more! They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest? Bayla was in many ways larger than life & burned pretty hot?

My deepest apologies to closer friends who are reading this as a mass email. I honestly would have liked to tell you personally, in private. But I couldnt handle it. I thought it best to break this news once rather than trying to deal with it piecemeal. I know Bayla will always be with me but that part doesnt feel like it will survive losing her... the part of my heart she took with her has to be greater. I cherish every moment & wouldnt change a thing.. but friends, this sucks!

Hubby Pat is very talented & was kind enough to put together a video tribute of our memories to commemorate Baylas life- please watch & enjoy! You may cry but you will also laugh! Be warned it is a large file (for those w/ dial up). I chose the photos and song: Its the Climb, because our relationship has always been about the journey- the climb. We love & miss you Bayla!

http://webpages.charter.net/mack9/BaylaTribute.wmv

Joyce, Pat & Ryka