[ Pedigree ]

About "Toffee":

She died in the evening of a beautiful day – I hope I have as good a last day for myself when it all ends.

Monday the 12th started out as a beautiful bluebird day. It ended with tears of rain. I suddenly lost “Toffee” in the middle of the night. Her last day was a fabulous one. She played with her buddy Benjies; she ran thru the sunny fields of grass and buttercups; ate her dinner heartily and her evening biscuit; snuggled on my lap while I watched TV. Bed time she took her usual place. 20 min. later she started panting. When she did not respond to commands of her name, I knew this was something serious. Her beautiful eyes showed confusion. With supreme Chessie will, she stood up and came to the edge of the bed. I gathered her in my arms and placed her on the dog bed at the foot of the bed. Checking her, her lips were cold, her nose very cold, breathing labored and her gums were nearly white. In my heart, I knew what these signs meant. Off to a very late night run to the emergency vet with Jenn cradling her head in her lap on the way. The diagnosis was bad as I thought-internal bleeding from a likely tumor as her spleen was much enlarged. From a glorious day to having to say an unexpected “good-bye” (how could a day like this end this way). She raised her head one last time to her name and I looked into her eyes-her beautiful eyes-and said I love you and I am sorry but I have to let you go. Then a kiss to send her to the Rainbow Bridge-Bill, she is coming.

All of the dogs are “family” but Toffee was one of the more special ones. Made her Ch title with style-2 BOS wins over Specials -one at the NCCBR Specialty from the classes for 4 pts. She had the most beautiful head and eyes along with a heavy coat of waves. Her most fun was getting her dock Junior title (we had planned the Senior for 2025). She took to dock diving like a fish to water. She traveled with us-out West in 2016 on the last big family vacation. Her final trip was to Maine in 2024 where she raced around the trails in the woods and leapt off the dock. She loved to swim and snuggle. Balls, oh she loved balls of all shapes and sizes. She saw one, she picked it up. My favorite photo of her is holding her big red Kong ball.

There should have been more years as she looked like she was 7-never having lost a step; NEVER sick in her life; Dr. Aguirre would always remark on her “young eyes’ at her eye exams. Toffee was a happy dog affectionally known as the “nipper” for her “wolf kisses”. She was Benjies best friend and Buddha’s sidekick. You were so very deeply loved my Toffee. I wanted you for more years.

Offspring:

MNBISS Ch* Pond Hollow Sweet Victory SH MX MXJ and Master legs. Multiple ACC National Specialty BOB 2021 & 2022.
Ch Pond Hollow Coco Truffle MH
Ch Pond Hollow Wye River Rosie
Pond Hollow Bringing Back The Bird JH
Pond Hollow Salted Caramel RA NA BCAT

DYANE BALDWIN          4308 MANNSVILLE RD, NEWPORT PA 17074          717.582.4997          PONDHOLO@PA.NET