25 June 2012

The faces of Coullah

Coullah.  Always so serious  - those piercing, amber eyes.  We joke that she never 'smiles' for the camera  - there are a couple of rare 'smiley' shots, but nothing like the tongue-wagging Zoë. 

As a little tribute to her 2nd birthday, I thought I'd share some recent photos of our youngest Blue - who definitely can mug for the camera:


Mine!!!


Portrait, please! 

Bird?? Where??

Pretty girl
The Blue that swallowed the canary???



Stay tuned for the next post:  The 2012 Picardy Picnic!!!


03 June 2012

Countdown to the Picardy Picnic!

Thanks to everyone for your RSVPs to the 2012 Blue Picardy Club of Canada's 'Picardy Picnic'.  We have close to 50 Brighthope families and about 30 Blues attending this year!!    For those interested in the breed, you're more than welcome to attend as well - where else would you get the change to meet some great people and Blues of all ages?

The 2012 picnic is bound to be great - make new friends, reconnect with others!  The BBQ will begin at noon - burgers, hotdogs and salads.  We're hoping to get the grill going on time, so please time your arrival appropriately.

Please remember to bring lawn chairs, sunscreen and anything else that will make your day at Brighthope complete.

Any questions??  Please contact zoeandcoullah@gmail.com

"See you at the picnic!!"

02 June 2012

Happy Birthday Zoë!!!


On May 25, our sweet Zoë turned 3 years old.  How time flies!  A true blue 'thanks' to our friend Vicki Duncan for letting us drive away with one of Nola's precious pups!!

Our wonderful Zoë

22 April 2012

The story of Ripley... Believe it or not!!

It's always great to receive an email from other 'Blue' families and this one from Tina S was really intriguing!  

Western Maryland This mountainous region offers a cooler climate and severe winters.  "Ripley", a resuce dog, came from about 20 miles north in the area that they call “winter County”, which is Garrett County, Maryland. 

Ripley: A handsome Blue
Ripley is one of three rescue dogs in this family.  Tina explains that they didn't know what breed of dog he was until they searched the internet. She explains, "we found all of these dogs that looked AND acted like our Ripley.  He looks and acts exactly like you describe". 
Ripley (far right) and his friends definitely won the lottery!

Now 8 years old, Tina and her family named him 'Ripley' after looking through a book of baby names!

Ripley is a clown and a typical Blue!

Like all Blues, he is glued to Tina's side at all times and so defensive in the yard! He's a complete love-bug in the house and actually gets upset when Tina doesn't have time to snuggle in the mornings!

What Blue doesn't like a nice comfy bed??



"I would love to clone him!!!! I want a whole pack of them!!!"

Tina writes that she thinks "we have Blue’s running around in our state and nobody knows what they are"!

I want to thank Tina for sharing Ripley with me and rescuing him from a life of uncertainty.  It has been a real treat.  I am so pleased that this Blue found a home that want him and love him.  It breaks my heart that one of these rare dogs was needing to be 'rescued'.  For those who have purchased one of these wonderful dogs from a breeder, please remember that puppies are never perfect.  If you find yourself doubting your decision to have a puppy, please contact your breeder!  She or he would be more than happy to help you with your new Blue.  If you decide that you don't want the puppy, contact your breeder and return your puppy.  No kind, reputable breeder would want to see their dog abandoned or mistreated.

Thanks again for sharing Tina and feel free to send more shots of handsome Ripley for future posts!!

Keep those Blues coming!  Forward your Blue story and pictures to: zoeandcoullah@gmail.com

21 April 2012

Happy Anniversary Coullah!!


"we have a 10-month old female available for an approved home....."

These are the words that I read on the Brighthope Kennels website.  Kypros and I discussed it that very night and I contacted Vicki.  "Sure, come on up and see Coullah..."  And so it began.  We knew (and I'm pretty sure Vicki did too!) that Coullah would be coming home with us in a matter of weeks...so there it was April 21, 2011.....

It was one year ago today that we found ourselves driving back from Brighthope Kennels with a new Blue in tow.  Coullah took to her new home right away and there hasn't been a day go by (well, maybe the day she ate the corner off the coffee table!!) that we we don't comment to each other  at what a beautiful, sweet girl she is.  Zoë has been so happy since we brought Coullah in to our home and our hearts!!  Our two girls are inseparable and quite clearly the best of friends.

April 21, 2011: Coullah's first day at home


April 21, 2012:  Our beautiful Coullah