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Ash River Kennels started in 1998
with the purchase of a great dog named, "Ash". He amazed us. He became one of us. He captured our hearts... he
still does, today. Memories of his unbridled affection,
comical antics, genuine devotion and unconditional love will live in our hearts and minds so long as we live to remember him.
As I look over his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren living here at the kennels I see him. His way of moving. An expression on their faces. The way
he tirelessly chased the ball. His eyes when they followed our movements round the room. The way he greeted us
in the driveway or met us at the door as if we'd been gone forever when we'd merely run an errand. His
shepherdly way of guarding and watching over my home and my children. His quiet way of being with the girls
and I during ordinary moments of every day. The faithful and unconditional love he always showed that
reminded me daily of the miraculous and perfect love of God for His children. Though we called him Ash, in that his merling mimicked the ashes in the bottom
of a fire, we formally, named him "Asher" ... a Hebrew word with significant meaning: "Happy
and Blessed". This is how we felt about his presence in our home; blessed. We are told that there is a River of God that flows from the Throne into the lives of His people.
It is on this precipe that Ash River got its name. We desired that what had been given us could be preserved and shared.
It has. It is. It will be still. The River flows.
So, with what began as an attempt to hold on
to a piece of him forever, we embraced a hobby that has taught us an appreciation for the individuality of each Aussie member
of our family, and given us a respect for the breed standards upheld by each registry.
Raising puppies became
a family affair, and has become a tool by which I taught my children several excellent life lessons; primarily,
being responsible for others' well-being, and respectful of life.
Through the years, we've grown. I've enjoyed
seeing my girls learn to balance their chores with homeschool as well as delight themselves in the miracle of birth
and the care of our puppies. Once enrolled in High School and now, College, they still are learning the significance of
loving and being responsible for others has... the great rewards that giving and caring holds for
anyone at any season of life. It has instilled a sense of responsibility, compassion, and kindness
in each of our hearts for those who are unable to care for themselves...those that are dependent upon us to provide for their
needs.
These are wholesome values to be learned, and I am very pleased that my love
for animals has become such a part of their lives. Most importantly, I feel I have done what I set out to
do with the help of my girls. We will always mourn the loss of our friend, and... in hindsight, gaze with warmth
and fondness upon our memories of Ash. We have preserved a fine bloodline and refined it along the way with wonderful
additions to our Aussie Family. Like a river, good things have flowed to us through him, and so as well to you.
In loving memory.
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