Gem was our foundation bitch and our introduction to the breed. Under Evelyn Williams' mentoring, Gem was the impetus that brought us into the world of Tollers and caused us to become active members of the US Toller club. With her passing so fresh in my mind I'm finding it difficult to write about her, but a few years ago I put down some thoughts regarding our early experiences with her that sum things up pretty well: http://lifeamongtollers.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-it-started.html.
Gem earned titles in agility, obedience, rally, conformation and field. She was a recipient of the Rusty Jones award and also earned enough titles to qualify for the NSDTRC USA's Versatility Excellent Award (VCX), as well as one of the US club's first ROM dams. Despite all this, she was often a bit of a curmudgeon, especially in her early days, and really made me work for all of those titles she earned. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in her pups, grandpups, great grandpups, and as of this year, great great grand pups as well.
Over the years Gem faced a few health issues but always managed to bounce back, outliving her siblings, Toller contemporaries and a number of her offspring as well. Based on recent symptoms of nose bleeds and some neurological abnormalities, our vet suspected we might be dealing with a tumor in her sinuses, though we opted not to perform the invasive procedure that would have confirmed this diagnosis. Her symptoms and behavior guided our decisions on when to fight and when to let go. It is very quiet around the house today with only her granddaughter June and great granddaughter Lark in residence.
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| Gem - 08/19/12 |
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| Gem - 09/19/12 |
She's beautiful, I am so very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteIt took a long time for Gem to accept me as one of the pack, and I found it a tad unsettling to have her look me up and down, as if assessing me. (George observed, "You're being judged.") Then one day, she ambled over to me and stood, allowing a scritch behind the ear. She may have worn a "We are not amused" expression on her face, but the message was clear. It really meant something to be granted "an audience" from Gem. She was a true matriarch. I loved the old girl, and I will miss her immensely. She remains a tribute to her two-legged companions on Third Street and lives on through June, Lark and all her other descendents.
ReplyDeleteGrandmama Gem was a grand old lady, always waddling out of her throne dog bed to assess my arrival at the Green house. Like David, I often felt like I was being judged by her. She gave so much to those we love: bringing Heather and George into the breed, being recognized as a ROM dam for the breed, and giving my boy his lovely ears. Gem will never be forgotten. She lives on in all of her offspring.
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