Yellow Ribbon

A woman in New York recommended a breeder in Canada who had  a litter of puppies, 7 weeks old. They are all sold, except for a male and female she wants to keep. But she read my sad note on the briard list and decided she could sell me the female. I am "not ready." 

Thinking in New Directions, Almost

After I posted my sad note on the briard listserv, briard lovers (briarders) from all over the world responded with condolence notes. They told me they cried along with me when they read about my Mimi, because it brought back the losses of their first briards, special dogs they will never forget. And they all urged me to get a puppy. 

First, Losing Mimi

As is often the case for us dog lovers, getting my puppy came out of sadness and loss. On May 3, 2011, my tawny briard, Mimi, left me. She was 20 days short of 14 years old.