Going Home...

On June 20, 2019, another journey was completed...

You may remember that last year, Elaine and I made a Journey to Malvern Hills in England to visit friends and stay with them for nearly a week.  While there, we went to British Camp that was established for a thousand years or more and is full of history.  It has had castles, Roman battles and has been fought over by many cultures but today it is owned by the public, never to be changed with space to walk your dog’s where sheep are allowed to graze on the hills.  It also has the fur of Clancy, Abbie, and Oreo, which is always present in spirit with the Greats of history that are there.

While on top of British Camp, I was accompanied by two dogs born at the farm, Xena, a Daughter of Clancy and Molly and Jack, a Grandson of Clancy who is now living in England.   

Last year I took out of my jacket pocket a small bag that contained the hair of Clancy, Abbie, Oreo, Elaine, and myself.  The wind was fierce, heading directly North toward Clancy's birthplace in Selkirk UK.   As I took out the fur, I smelled it one last time, kissed it and released it watching it travel to distant places with the wind.  It was very bittersweet, comforting, and I felt my heart tugging again.  I watched their fur sail into the heavens while it was carried long distances.  After I was finished, I turned into the northbound wind and turn my face toward the heavens and wept like a child.

On the way home last year as I sat on the plane traveling west at 40,000 feet heading to New York, I pondered my life and the life of Clancy and Abbie.  I also took another kind of journey when we started Clancy's Dream.  I never sensed it would become what it, much less ever thought it would be possible.  The view from the window was speculation but gave me a sense of smallness in a vast world, making me feel so incompetent in a world of wonderment and how small we really are.  Before we left England, our host said, "I will visit them," and I knew Catherine and Richard did and it was just a few weeks ago.

Since we returned from Great Britain last year, Molly and Nellie, daughter of Clancy and Dutchess had crossed the Rainbow Bridge leaving big holes in the hearts of the people who loved them.

On June 20, 2019, another journey was completed when the fur of Molly and Nellie was also released in the exact spot where I did, a little over a year ago.  They are all together again.  A month or so ago Catherine made the trip to the USA to attend her daughter's college graduation, and of course, she stopped by the farm.  Before she left, I went to a secret spot and gathered the fur of Molly and Nelly that I had gathered after their death.  

I took some for the trip to England, and the rest will be buried with Elaine and me when we pass, it seems only fitting.  What is so important is where this location is, is the start of Clancy's Dream and the dogs that have passed.  British Camp is one of the tallest hills in England and faces Scotland, the birthplace of Clancy's Great grandparents, and it was important to me for him, if only in spirit to go home.  

Clancy, Abbie, and Nellie are now together near the birthplace of ancestors. British Camp is an Iron Age hill fort located at the top of Herefordshire Beacon in the Malvern Hills. The hill fort is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.   The fort is thought to have been first constructed in the 2nd century BC. A Norman castle was built on the site, and Catherine and Richard live within walking distance and visit my dogs often along with the siblings of Clancy.  Thank you...   Ken

Good Morning...

When I woke this morning, the sky was starting to lighten in the East, and a new day was beginning.  Before the sun had a chance to peak above the horizon, a light show was dancing on the clouds with its rays spreading every color of the rainbow.  

What a beautiful day it was going to be, and I knew it.  I grabbed my coffee that was set up last night along with some Almond milk and headed down the stairs.  Reaching the bottom step, I picked up my beach chair and headed to the beautiful white beach along with all my essentials that would be needed for a relaxing morning before everyone got up.  While I am an early riser when I'm on vacation, I seem to get up earlier to enjoy the day to its fullest because I don't want it to end.

Today was going to be a fun day, not only were going to rent a pontoon boat and explore miles of coastline, we were going to eat out at some local seaside restaurants.  After my morning time staring at the waves crashing on the shore, I packed up and headed to the apartment to catch up with, Brad, Angie, my Daughter-in-law and Maddie, my granddaughter.  After a great breakfast of fresh fruit and a stop at the Donut Hole, we were off. 

I counted the days off before I left in anticipation of going.  Elaine agreed to watch the dogs while I was gone, and this is something we do because I watch the dogs for her when she visits her Grandkids, and it seems to work fine.  Up until now, it has been a wonderful vacation, plenty of beach time, and places to visit.  Earlier in the week we went to an outdoor first run movie on the lawn and sat in our beach chairs.  The last few days were a blast to live, and so many things happened and much more to come, much more and...

In a split second, my eyes opened, the weight of the farm was on me again, and I was home.  I had traveled back in time to my vacation, sitting on the beach and watching the world pass by in my dream, and now I was living in my real world again.

dream   /drēm/

Noun. A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

As I stirred in bed, as always, JoJo came to say Good Morning by burying her snout in my underarm and Whiskey licked my ear.  Both are constant companions in my bed and have always been.  It is enjoyable to reach out in the middle of the night and feel their presence.  As I lay in bed, pondering what the day is going to bring, I'm reminded that the grass had not been cut for 10 days after constant rain.  Storm clean-up needs to be picked up from the torrent of rain we have had, and weeds needed to pull.  One thing about being on vacation, you're not continually thinking about the things that need to be done, but it is a reality when you come back home and always will be.  

Until again and I walk the sands of the ocean and sit pondering my life looking into the vastness of this paradise again, but now someone needs to clean the dog poop up off the driveway…  Ken

If you have...

... ever sat down in your favorite chair just to relax and a dog was in your lap within seconds or if you ever felt like a human dog bed that moves from spot to spot, only for them!  Then you have a Border Collie!

If you have ever sat the remote for the TV down while you were seated and the dogs hear the noise it makes, and they know they are going outside, and they run to the door!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever picked up your shoes, and it started a frenzy of dogs scrambling for the door, and while you were trying to tie your shoes, five tongues were washing your face while four others were turning circles at the door because it was time to play!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever tried to write on your computer or laptop, and a cold nose pushes your hand up off the keyboard over a million times, and you learn to type with one hand just so you can rub their head!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever turned off the TV for bed, and the dogs wake up from your lap or dog bed and beat you to the bed, and you shake your head and wonder where you are going to sleep!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever been woken from a deep sleep with a tongue trying to clean your nose whether you needed it or not!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever had a snack and been surrounded by several dogs, wanting their share with you!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever gone up or down a set of stairs and been nearly knocked down by a pack of eager dogs trying to win the race!  Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever been down in the dumps with the world against you and you feel no one cares about you, and you needed someone to talk to and hear your problems without passing judgment, and your dog is there!   Then you own a Border Collie.

If you have ever had looked into the eyes of your dog and seen their soul along with love, compassion and, kindness and noticed that all is good in the world and it just can't get any better!   Then you own a Border Collie.

If you ever owned a farm and had a dog that lived to work and you couldn't make it without the dog because they were the most valuable item on the farm!  Then you owned a Border Collie.

If you have ever been loved by a dog without any questions and with ALL of their heart, but your world falls to pieces when you had to say good-bye.  You lost your will to live because you can't cope.  And everything in your house and yard brings back memories of the dog you lost.  If you can answer yes, then you owned a Border Collie, and you had a relationship like never before, and chances are you never will again because you owned the best, a Border Collie.   Ken...