In Memory of Those Who Have
Passed over the Rainbow Bridge

PENNY
CH. WATERBABIES PENNYLANE EIRE CD RN CGC
1/3/2000 - 3/26/2010

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes.

Our eyes are filled with tears. We were shocked when our Penny left us early Friday morning, 3/26/2010. She had an upset stomach for a couple of days but seemed to be recovering. Suddenly on Thursday night she 'crashed', unable to stand and had trouble breathing. We rushed her to the emergency vet who put her on IV and antibiotics overnight. Sadly she passed away the next morning. Subsequent testing revealed that she died of heart failure. We are missing her desperately.
Penny was born in Canada, sired by John (Ch. Eire's Beatles Reunion TP) and whelped by a lovely girl everybody called Canadian Kate (Finnibone's Lindholme Gemma). We weren't planning on taking a pup from the litter but as soon as we saw her we couldn't resist!!
Penny completed her championship quite easily, getting a major at her very first show at 6 months, going Best of Breed over a special. The judge at that show said "You're going to have fun with this pup!" and he was right! She and her buddy Emmylou traded points throughout the summer and both completed their titles before snow fell. At Penny's final entry in the show ring she earned a Reserve Best in Specialty Show in her birth country at the 2003 Canadian National.
Penny had a bit more trouble with her CD. In between breed and obedience she had a terrible experience being lost for two days in the wilds of Southern New Jersey while in the care of someone else, hit by a car and finally found laying in a soybean field by us and one of our other dogs. Although she recovered physically, because of this experience she developed a full-blown case of separation anxiety. So competitive obedience recalls and long sits and downs were sheer torture for her ….but she did them! However, Rally was fun and she earned her Rally Novice title handily placing in the rosettes twice.
Penny had three litters, the L, N and O Eire pups. She passed her beautiful looks and sweet temperament to all her offspring which include Mod (Eire's Lady Madonna), Neala (Eire's No More Lonely Nights), Jack (Ch. Eire's North Coast Captain Jack), Nial (Eire's Niall of the Nine), Moira (Eire's Lass of Ballinmeen CD RN), Dhani (Eire's Octopus's Garden), Taran (Eire's Northern Lights), Roady (Eire's Long and Winding Road) and Marley (Eire's Nestle's Sweetheart). Live long and prosper, young pups, and keep your mother's memory alive!
Penny was a big part of our life, going everywhere we went and keeping us all in line with her stern golden brown gaze. She loved to ride in the van, visit with the neighbor's kids, curl up next to us on the blue chair to watch TV, sleep at the end of the bed and go for walks at the lake park. Her comforting presence and loving look will be with us forever.

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ABBEY

CH. JESSE ROO OF SPANCILHILL CGC TP
3/29/95 - 9/23/2003
(Bracken of Mistywaters x. Ringlet of Spancilhill)

Abbey was born in County Clare, Ireland and came to the United States as a 12 week old pup. She was imported by Ivy Ainsworth of Farmingdale, NY from Gerry O'Sullivan of Spancilhill kennels. We bought her as a 2 year old after Ivy moved to MN and Abbey wasn't happy with the lifestyle change from a farm to a condo w/ no yard.

Abbey possessed a wonderfully sociable temperament and unsurpassed joy of living. Her tail was always wagging. She was a big girl for the breed at the time but had the judges wrapped around her finger when they saw that great tail wag and her beautiful movement.
She loved to track and dig for gophers and other underground varmits. She had great eyesight and could spot a flock of turkey fields away. She was very strong and even enjoyed a bit of cart training. She loved people and enjoyed visits even to the vet where she would slap her big front feet on the counter and bark a hello.

Abbey had two litters of 6 pups total (bred to Ch. Eire's Beatles Reunion TP and Ch. Eire's Bond'james Ernesthill CD JH CGC). 4 of those pups earned their Championships - Ch. Eire's Every Little Thing (Joni), Ch. Eire's Eight Days a Week (Sarah), Ch. Eire's Echo (Danny) and Ch. Eire's Guitar Gently Weeping CD RN CGC (George) earning her the IWSCA Top Producer title. Her children and grandchildren continue to delight with their lovely temperaments and wagging tails.

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Ch. Eire’s Guitar Gently Weeps CD CGC
11/08/00 – 6/12/07

- At the end of the end

It’s the start of a journey

To a much better place

And a much better place

Would have to be special

No reason to cry

No need to be sad

-Paul McCartney (Memory Almost Full)

Our dear companion and all around nice Irish guy recently passed away. George succumbed to lymphoma almost two months to the day he was diagnosed. During those two months he lived life doing everything he loved – swimming and eating and riding shotgun in the van. He even swam in our orchard pond the last day he was with us. He retrieved a bit slower but still with the grace and charm that marked his wonderful life. That night he quietly passed away.

Six plus years ago George was the only surviving pup out of a litter of 5. His mother Abbey quit pushing after the first pup and ended up needing a Caesarian. All the pups were alive afterwards but began to die one by one. That week was a time of quiet desperation and grief for us all. As I sat in the whelping box crying, next to the upset mother, holding the second to last pup as it died, the deeply touching song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by George Harrison, about loss and memories, came on the radio. It seemed so appropriate in this sad situation. Thus George was named.

Our George never missed a beat and grew into a wonderful dog. We were very proud of him. He was a handsome, big boy with the long loping stride of a hunter and the easygoing, sweet temperament so valued in IWS. George was the most honest, even tempered IWS male we have ever met. He got along with everybody, including other intact males in the house or yard, and would walk away from any fight (smart). He had a loving, happy personality and was not a pushy dog unless there was a tennis ball game afoot. Then he wanted to be in the forefront of the action! He had a quiet sense of humor and enjoyed the occasional cuddle and/or tummy rub. He was crazy about bumpers, tennis balls and ducks.

George sired four litters in his short lifetime. His offspring have accomplished championships, obedience titles and are boon companions to their folks. Best of all his children inherited his happy temperament and nice sturdy body. His last litter was born a few weeks before he died and consisted of one puppy – a handsome male that looks just like his father. It is bittersweet to look forward to this pup growing up to follow in his father’s big pawprints.

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MEGAN

Ch. Eire’s Can’t Buy Me Luv CD
7/25/97 – 5/31/06

Anybody who has met me in the last 8+ years has also met my ‘shadow’ Megan. Ever since she was a pup she went everywhere I went. She loved to ride in the van and had her own special spot between the two front seats. She was reliable on or off lead and always willing to meet new people. Her petite size and sweet attitude charmed many.
Megan was the first to announce visitors at the door. She had a very loud voice! Although she was the smallest dog in the house she was the boss, putting even the biggest boys in their proper place and making sure all the dogs knew to ‘make way’ for the top dog! That attitude extended to the best nap spot next to me on the comfy chair. She would curl up on her side and place her head on my heart, heaving a deep sigh of contentment.
That is where she belonged. Megan was the dog of my ‘heart’, my boon companion on many adventures and the sweet repose of my affection.
Although Megan loved attention, she didn’t love the ring. Yet she cheerfully completed her Championship and Obedience titles for me. She was happiest organizing things at home, navigating in the van or meeting new people. However, before she became ill, she and I had taken a Rally class and really enjoyed it. I’m sure she could’ve whizzed through RN and RA.

A few years ago she went with us to find Penny, who was lost in NJ, and Megan discovered her - injured, curled up in a soybean field. Megan contracted lyme disease on that trip and I have felt it compromised her immune system permanently.
One of her many gifts to me would be a tennis ball. When she felt I was upset, or needed comforting and/or cheering up, she would find a tennis ball and present it to me as the very best thing. Perhaps she felt I needed a good game of tennis ball tag to cheer me up.
Early in April, when I noticed Megan’s lymph nodes were swollen, she presented me with a tennis ball. She was officially diagnosed with lymphoma. She had a couple of decent months where she went swimming in the new pond and travelling everywhere with us. Early this last week I was presented with another tennis ball. Immediately afterwards she began to decline rapidly. She died at home. She had been quiet most of the day but in the evening became restless. She got up, fell down and couldn't get up again. I picked her up and put her on the big chair, wrapped in a blanket. I could tell she was leaving and wanted to stay by her side. I held her and told her it was time to go, not to fight it. And that I loved her always. Then she died.

I can’t believe my little buddy is gone.
She is buried out back next to Bonny, up the hill a bit from Woody. The silver maples shade their final resting place, close to quacking of ducks on the pond.

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BONNY

Ch. Eire's Bring Back My Bonny CD
7/4/94 - 5/27/06
(Ch. Artemon's Artie x Ch. Poole's Ide Wilnbris Hi Hope CD JH CGC TDI)

Bonny was a sweet, unassuming girl who loved to fetch, swim, sleep on a stack of pillows and go for van rides. She was a wonderful show dog, loving the ring and impressing the judges with her beautiful gliding movement. When showing her, I said that she was my reward for the more difficult dogs I've shown. She could be a bit of an airhead so sometimes we jokingly called her "Blondie".
Bonny had one puppy, Gracie (Ch. Eire's Don't Pass Me By). She was grandma to 9, 3 of which are champions. Her granddaughter Lucy (Ch. Eire's High in the Sky) is very much like her in looks and personality. I'm sure Bonny's influence will be felt in generations to come of Waterdogs Farm puppies.
In her senior years she was mostly companion to Woody and daytime sleep supervisor for Billy. Even tho she showed no overt signs of grieving, I'm sure Woody's recent passing affected her health and happiness.
Bonny was buried out in the orchard by the pond near Woody. Daffodils and iris will be planted. We hope to get a dogwood bush or two to mark that site as well.

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Woody
Pictured on his 12th birthday.

Ch. Eire's All Gotta Cheer CD JH CGC
(Am/Can Ch. Castlehill's Go Quadrifolio CD JH CGC TDI x Ch. Poole's Ide Wilnbris Hi Hope CD JH CGC TDI)
SN051271/07 Born 3/06/93 Died May 12, 2006

Woody was, for a long time, our main Eire official door greeter, biscuit
radar nose, van shotgun rider and social butterfly.

He was from our first Eire litter, born to our Lucky and Maggie. He finished
his Ch. in grand style going WD at the 1994 Utah Specialty supported entry.
Earning his CD quickly, he then went on to earn his JH with panache and
style. Woody loved obedience and hunting, really anything that had to do
with attention and food.

He also loved power-napping and his daily van ride. He could locate a
biscuit so well hidden nobody else even knows it is there. In June, 2005 he
visited the Stockton shows and helped George solidify his sit stays while
waiting for the picnic to begin. He was ill for about a year and finally
died of multiple health problems after turning 12. The picture is Woody
having a good time on his 12th Birthday in March.

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Cady

Ch. Eire's Amanda Go Cadence CD JH CGC
(Am/Can Ch. Castlehill's Go Quadrifolio CD JH CGC TDI x Ch. Poole's Ide Wilnbris Hi Hope CD JH WC CGC TDI)
SN 051271/01  OFA Fair CERF, Thyroid
Born 3/06/93 died 2002

Cady arrived in our first Eire litter, born to our first IWS, Lucky and Maggie. I used to say of her father, "I've never loved a dog as much as I love this dog" but when Cady was born I amended it to "until I met Cady, who I love just as much." Cady was an opinionated rabble-rouser, queen of the pack, sweet companion. She finished her Ch., CD and JH in grand style meanwhile having 2 very nice litters. Two of her daughters went on to earn their Chs, and one daughter, Megan, (who I also love just as much) earned her CD and is studying to take on Rally obedience. Cady left us way too young and we still miss her to this day.

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LUCKY

Am/Can CH. Castlehill's Go Quadrifolio CD JH CGC TDI TP

Am CH,Can CH,CD,JH,CGC/TDI
OFA /Good,CERF
Born 10/27/88-Died 1998

Lucky was our first IWS.
When my very old cocker-mix dog "Sunshine" died, we wanted to get a purebred dog that matched our interests and inclinations. I liked spaniels and Billy wanted something Irish. We both wanted a dog we could try showing in breed. We saw an IWS at a local show and fell in love. Subsequently, we got on the waiting list for a male from the Liza/Jake litter. When this 1988 litter was born there was only one surviving male and he was ours!!
Lucky was a wonderful, outgoing dog. He put up with our well-meaning but totally novice ways at the shows and finished his AKC Championship at 14 months, his Canadian Championship soon after. His good looks and outgoing ways caught the eye of a handler friend and she offered to do a bit of local specialing with him. They made a good team and earned numerous Group placements in the US and Canada. He earned his CD quickly, again despite the total neophyte at the other end of the leash. We took him to a trainer, Penny Connover, to be trained and handled to his JH. He did a good job with that too in his overenthusiastic, bombastic way, loving every minute of it.
Lucky sired two litters. His first was with our Maggie (Ch. Poole's Ide Wilnbris Hi Hope CD JH CGC TDI). There were many lovely pups out of that litter including two All-Arounders. His Son Woody is still alive and with us at 12 1/2 years. His 2nd litter was with Ch. Beaufield's Fame and Fortune (Fortune) and also produced many very nice IWS. These two litters earned him the title of Top Producer awarded by the IWSCA. We have frozen some of his sperm and hope to breed back to him again one day.
Lucky was a wonderful dog who left us way too early. I still miss him and feel his loving presence laughing over my shoulder when I am working with one of his particularily active descendants.

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Ch. Eire's Beatles Reunion TP

July 4, 1994 - August 11, 2009

(Ch. Castlehill's Artemon Artie x Am/Can. Ch. Poole's Ide Wilnbris Hi Hope CD JH CGC TDI)

We bid farewell to the 15 year old patriarch of our Eire IWS clan last Friday, August 11, 2009.

He was in good health through most of his life, never on medication, good appetite and always interested in life. He suffered a stroke on Thursday night and went quickly.
John was born in our home as a part of the 2nd Eire Litter. He lived with us all his life and contributed to Eire history by producing two excellent litters who inherited his hardy health and good looks.
John loved to swim and retrieve ducks and bumpers. In his older years his best fun was a long van ride with a chance to stop for a hot dog at the local convenience store.
He is buried out back near his sister Bonny and niece Megan, in a lovely copse of trees near the frog pond. We planted blooming Tiger Lilies on his grave.
We will miss John as our sturdy reminder of times past and present enjoyed. The house is quiet now without his bark announcing mealtimes.

The picture is of John with his sister Molly celebrating their 13th birthday. Molly died last year soon after they had celebrated their 14th birthday.