Where did Twenty Years go?

In two days my only child turns twenty. 

She has grown into an intelligent, caring and responsible young adult. She is passionate and caring. She loves dogs (especially German Shepherd Dogs). She is a talented artist.

It seems so fast. Twenty years ago on a cloudy and humid day, she came into our lives and I can't imagine life without her. She has done many things with me. I took her from a very young age to O'Neill Regional Park and she has "volunteered" with me from that first day. "Volunteered" because when she was very young, well, she rode on my back and just smiled at everyone. 

Acorn Day at O'Neill Regional Park October 1997, I was a Ranger Reserve and I made her a matching Uniform.

For her first birthday, a Ranger at O'Neill, Sara Girard (yep, she's where part of why Sara is Sara) took this picture and wrote a special article.

Sara and our dog Romeo (we adopted him when they both were about four years old) were very close.

 

So, last November when we had to say good-bye to our nineteen year old dog, it was especially difficult for her. 

Hard to believe they are the same kid and dog!

We joined Girl Scouts, discovered Geocaching and lots and lots of time in Nature together. We shared Geocaching with Dad/Husband and spent many hours in Lake Tahoe, another love of Sara's searching for hidden containers.

Once, while we were Geocaching in Tahoe near the place we often stayed, A thunder storm rolled overhead. We decided to end the hike and get back indoors. She's holding a Travel Bug - a special item sometimes found in larger Geocache containers - The travel bug is a stuffed skunk we found in 2006 and she is named Sammy the Skunk. Sara fell in love with her so we asked the owner if she could adopt Sammy, thankfully Tommy Trojan said yes but made Sara promise to always take care of her. 

Twenty years has gone so fast but, also slow at times. Happy Birthday, Sara! I love you more than you can know.  

 

   

ROMEO: Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Australian Shepard - Boxer -

SO I ordered a DNA test from PetCo for Romeo our "Beagle-Whippet" per the Mission Viejo Shelter. All were listed in the "in-the-mix" category meaning he is a Full-Blooded Mutt. But, we knew that, and I knew there was NO Beagle there. Boxer??? Sure he always seemed to especially like them at the dog parks and Boxer owners say their dogs KNOW other boxers from other dogs (??) But he looks nothing like a boxer. And that Australian Shepard thing... lots of people have guessed that about Romeo - but WHERE is the LONG fur???? He didn't get the fur!!!

Staffordshire Bull Terrier... I can see the hind quarters - strong and similar to the Whippet and Greyhound - built for speed and running - yes - that I can agree with - 100% but, his legs and feet... Romeo's feet are sleek and slender and he has longish toes like the whippet and greyhound. He is not so stocky - barrel chest - yes - always I saw that - THAT for sure - but wow - maybe we'll go with the extend version - it can tag nearly 100 breeds - maybe.

Saw something about the Staffordshire that they particularly like children - again lots of dogs do - and Romeo has always tended towards them - "asking" for pets from them first....


From the Westminster Kennel Club: The first impression of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is that of strength, intelligence and tenacity. The alert stance, big smile and wagging tail with which he welcomes all human visitors confirm the breed standard's call to show its "...affection for its friends and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability." Although originally bred for the pit many years ago, the Staffordshire is best known today as a foremost all-purpose family dog with a steady and dependable nature, outstanding athletic ability in the performance sports of agility and flyball, and the intelligence to be successful in the obedience ring.

Read the "NAture of the Beast" on the SBTCA site - and even if it is "in the mix" much of the description of that breed fits Romeo - so again - maybe - DNA doesn't lie on CSI...