Savvi

Nat'l CH Golac's Sheez In The No
CDX OA OAJ CGC TDI
"Savvi"
July 28, 1998 - February 14, 2006

Savvi is one of the younger members of our family. Born July 28, 1998 to Fanci and CH Twin Oaks Westmarch Santee CDX TD MX AXJ OS, Savvi is the life of the party! At just 4 months old, she and her littermate Rio already had some bragging rights of their own. In just two outings (as we ventured into Puppy Conformation at two local matches), they collected 4 class placements and a Best of Breed! On the day before their 7 month birthday, they both passed their CGC tests with flying colors. At 18 months both passed their TDI certifications and are currently enjoying their careers as Therapy Dogs. Savvi has been an incredible addition to our competition fun. She earned her CD before her 2nd birthday, with a 5th place, a 3rd place, and a 1st place at the golden Specialty in June '00. Her CDX followed shortly, with 2 legs in July and the 3rd leg in September '00. Her agility fun has been just as successful - earning her Novice Jumpers title in May '00, with two 2nd place runs and a 3rd, her Novice Agility title also in May '00 with a 1st and a 3rd, her Open Agility title in August '00 with two 1st's, and her Open Jumpers title in September with three 2nd's. She earned her first Excellent Jumpers leg on the day following completion of her Open title with a 1st place run! Savvi finished 10th in the Nation in Open Standard Agility for the year 2000! Keep your eye on this girl - she's going to make us very proud as she works towards her Excellent Agility titles and her Obedience UD!

On Tuesday afternoon/evening (February 14, 2006), Savvi was hit by a car a killed. We had gone out for our daily walk across the field and into the woods, and Savvi, being her wonderful Savvi-self, put her nose to air and ran with the wind, as she always does. Only this time, something took her off further than normal, and as we wandered through the woods, she didn't come circling in like she usually does. I guess my calling to her must have been lost in the wind, or her heart was simply too set on that wild run that was her greatest passion. I combed the area, first on horseback, and then later, with the help of friends, by car, door to door with flyers, and finally at about 7:30 that evening, someone told my friends that they'd seen a dog that looked like her along side the road up north of our place (we'd been searching south and east, since that's the direction we'd gone walking and the area in which we always played). My friends drove up that road, and found her there, already gone.

The other dogs and I have spent the last few days with her here, loving her, remembering her lively spirit, grieving, while we thawed the ground to lay her to rest. Today she lays peacefully among the little grove of trees overlooking the horse pasture, where she loved to run after each successful agility sequence when we were training - she'd take a good run as a reward over a silly food treat any day.

Our home seems quite empty, and is so quiet without her bouncy, kissy, talky presence. We miss her so very much. Please send your prayers for her peaceful transition into the next part of her journey.

2/21/06: The dogs and I have taken a couple of short runs in the field during the last week, but this morning was the first time we walked all the way out into the woods, where we last enjoyed Savvi's lively physical presence. Deep, deep into the woods, further than I'd ever walked before (but not, I'm sure, near as far as Savvi had run happily more than once!), we found a very heavily used deer trail that ran straight north and south. I'm sure it's where Savvi headed north. Today, we all looked north, but headed south. No need to follow that trail in our goodbyes. It was a cleansing walk, very healing, and we felt Savvi with us throughout. She kept running and running and running and I heard her say, "See, Mama, now I can run and run and run and you can peacefully enjoy the walk, without worrying about me. Because now no matter how far and fast I run, I'll never again run off too far, I'll always run free, but I'll always be safe, and I'll always be with you when you walk."

I love you, dear Savvi girl, and I miss you more than words could ever express. You will be in my heart and my memories forever.

Midnights in winter, the glowing fire lights up your face in orange and gold.

I see your sweet smile shine through the darkness. It’s light is etched in my memory, so I’d know you by heart.

Mornings in April, sharing our secrets, we’d walk until the morning was gone. We were like children, laughing for hours. The joy you gave me lives on and on, 'cause I know you by heart.

I still hear your voice, on warm summer nights, whispering like the wind. You left in autumn, the leaves were turning, I walked down roads of orange and gold.

I saw your sweet smile, I heard your laughter. You’re still here beside me every day, 'cause I know you by heart, 'cause I know you by heart.

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