Spellbound Cabot v Peacefield, CGC, TDI

Cabot came to us when he was 8 weeks old, from Sherri Starbird of Peacefield Bernese in Maine.  Cabot taught me so much about dogs, showing, training methods, and sometimes he challenged me along the way.  He was a funny dog and he made us laugh a lot!  He made silly noises - talking to us often.  Cabot loved HIS family with utmost devotion and loyalty.  He loved people more than other animals, children in particular.  He was calm around people...often going toward the person that "doesn't like dogs" and winning them over with his charm and goofy grin.

On October 24, 2002, I took a ride to Walmart.  Cabot was in the car waiting for me.  While I was in the store, a girl asked if I knew anyone who wanted a kitten, she had a litter out in the parking lot...and one tucked in her jacket.  That happened to be Mitchell's 8th birthday, and that little kitten had a perfect "M" marking on his forehead.  He had to come home and be a birthday gift for Mitchell!  Cabot spent the entire ride home, licking and cleaning that dirty little kitten!  He knew he was going to be part of HIS family.  

Cabot was a certified Therapy Dog, and we participated in a plan modeled after R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) after I read a news story about it.  I thought that if we were going to do something it would have to be with children...and this plan fit both my goals and Cabot's ability and our love for children.  

Thanks to Cabot, I met some of my favorite people, people who are lifelong friends and mentors.  I wouldn't trade a second of it!  

We lost Cabot to complications from bloat, and a newly discovered heart murmur in October of 2007.  Scott & I were away on vacation in South Africa.  Our dog sitters had to go through the process of making a tough decision for us.  With the help of my parents and my best friend, the decision was made...he was euthanized instead of putting him through major surgery at his age and condition.  I was not there at the end to be with him, but I know he knew how much he was and still is loved.  

Cabot

Love at first bite!

C.J. with baby Cabot, SO CUTE!!!

My first Berner...

Baby Cabot in the flowers

Cabot snuggling Baby Kitty Dallas, October, 2002

He never wanted to come in from a snowstorm!

Woo Wooooo!!!

Posing for his TDI Identification Tag