Autumn was Shad's first lab. She was "Before Jen" as Shad likes to say. She sparked the love of the breed in Shad as a companion at home and in the field. As an adult she still thought she was a lap dog when sitting around the camp fire and was a patient playmate to our two young children who were just 3 and 1 when she passed.
Shad loved Autumn so much that he just couldn't resist the thought of twice as much fun with two! So shortly after Autumn came Makenzie. Wanting to improve on the hunting desire in his next Lab though, Shad brought home Makenzie who had Field Champions in his Grandpa and Great Grandpa on his Sire's side....Can we say Driven? Makenzie was always on the go...not even Cat Tails slowed him down in the field! And when he entered the water it was about 2x the length of his body before he'd hit the water. A favorite memory of Makenzie is when we went hiking to Mertyl Lake 10mi above Cottonwood Campground in the Entiat NF. After 10mi in and 10mi out he was actually tired.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...