Regina Helfer's Posts
Looking back to move Forward
Those of you that are dog lovers too know the impact that these animals have in our lives. You also know capturing these memories on photos keeps them in our hearts forever!
I want to share with you the life and times of our current Bernese Mountain Dog, Freeport, and our new Bernese Mountain Dog, "Mr. Cooper". Before I can bring smiles and laughter to your faces with the antics of these 2, I have to bring you back to where it all started. I thank Kodak every day for the memories that they have allowed me to capture and re-live! Remember when the 'Scan Van' was in Rochester? I have thousands of photos now on Kodak Gallery to do with as I wish.
1996 - Kunik - our first Berner - Larry and my first dog together - my first pure breed dog - my little 25 pound puppy! He came into our lives full tilt! He loved life, loved children, and loved snow! And I really think he loved us.
His picture is all over the world from tourists asking to pose with him, especially in Niagara on the Lake. His impact on the casual bystander was mystical! I remember a time when he helped a child get over his fear of large dogs. It took Kunik 30 minutes of lying down and allowing this little boy to hesitantly touch at first then crawl and finally hug him in the end. It brought tears to all who took the time to watch this miracle. He would have made a great Therapy Dog.
1999 - Geddy - our Landseer Newfoundland - a playmate for Kunik - a Father's Day gift for Larry. She was our little princess, our snuggler, a lady's lady!
She loved Kunik, loved life and loved snow, and I'm pretty sure she loved us too. She would have made another great Therapy Dog.
We lost Kunik in 2005 to cancer; we lost Geddy in 2008 to cancer - devastating on both losses. Unspeakable heartache. So much we learned from them; so much we didn't get to do - Pet Therapy was one of them.
2006 - enter Freeport.
Geddy was lost without Kunik, but I don't think a new puppy in the house was in her plans.
I can't say she loved Freeport, but she protected him and taught him well. He grew up with her his first 2 years then she was gone. I think he still looks for her when he sees another Landseer Newf!
The opportunity arose to train as a Pet Assisted Therapy Team through the Humane Society's Lollypop Farm. I jumped at the chance to do with Freeport what I should have done with Kunik and Geddy.
We passed and are now registered as a Therapy Team and a Reading Education Assistance Dog Team, where students actually read to the dogs! What a great program. The children love him!
2009 - moving into the present: On June 16th, our newest addition to our family has come into our lives - Harraseeket's Mr. Cooper! At 8 weeks old he's a puff ball! Another puppy for Father's day - go figure!
Follow along with me as I share the antics of raising Cooper with Freeport and preparing him to become another Therapy and READ dog.
If nothing else, it will make you smile, laugh, shed a tear for those we have loved before and love now, and maybe, JUST maybe, want to bring out those memories, in whatever format you have them in - photographs, digital images, videos - and remember!
Comments
Posted By: CamriAnn Salce (8/13/2009)
Comment: I am not going to be able to come to Lollypop Today. My aunt is checking to see if I can still come next week because I will not be with my dad until the weekend. I really miss Freeport and hope I can see him to saw goodby next week. Aunt pat has the form for my mom to sign and we will bring it next week if we come or if I cann't come if you send uss an address she will mail it. camri
Posted By: camriann salce (8/6/2009)
Comment: i realy enjoyed your blog i had fun learning about the dogs you had!!!! camri
Posted By: Gloria (8/1/2009)
Comment: So glad to have found your blog again, thanks to a fellow READ team member. Keep up the good work and terrific pictures. I'll look forward to adding him to my librarydog.com site!
Posted By: Kristin (7/23/2009)
Comment: HI Regina! We are looking so forward to getting the dogs together. I am sure Mr. Cooper loves his big brother, and that he is happier than ever! I am sure.
Posted By: Fran VanKouwenberg (7/13/2009)
Comment: Wow Regina! That is incredible! Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. I'll look forward to hearing more.
Posted By: Nancy Wehrung (7/8/2009)
Comment: Wonderful pictures and commentary and very heartwarming. Just brought my 5 year old Great Dane, Petey, home from the hospital yesterday. Petey is recovering from renal failue induced by a medicine precribed by a vet.
Posted By: Kathy Difulvio (7/6/2009)
Comment: Thanks for sharing your stories as they are wonderful and enjoyable. Great blog!!! I've loved hearing all about your dogs so I welcome the story of Freeport & Cooper. Thanks.
Posted By: Kathy (7/6/2009)
Comment: Regina
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper (7/6/2009)
Comment: Thank you all for your comments! Here is a quick list of how everyone got their names: Kunik's AKC name was Avi's Kunik Bisitik (interpreted: Gentle Kiss Protector) Geddy's AKC name was Ebb Tide's Geddy Duex Spot (named after a tavern in Bar Harbor!) Freeport's AKC name is Clearwater's Freeport Seeket - in memory of a Kiss (Freeport, Maine and Harraseeket Inn in Freeport) Mr. Cooper's AKC name is Avi's Harraseeket's Mr. Cooper (Harraseeket Inn in Freeport and Mr. Cooper is a 92 year old gentleman that volunteers each day at the Inn for afternoon tea!)
Posted By: Tricia Mitchell (7/3/2009)
Comment: Thank you for sharing your history and introducing us to your beautiful dogs. I noticed something familiar about your choice in names for your Berners and then saw the LL Bean in your background. Are your dogs from the area? I live in the Portland area and was just wondering. Thanks again...I'll be back!
Posted By: Gloria Laube (7/1/2009)
Comment: What an adorable puppy, and the dogs are good looking, too, of course! You are a great writer, and I look forward to hearing more about Mr. Cooper. When he is a therapy dog, perhaps he'll work with children in the Reading Education Assistance Dog program. I'd love to add him to my site, www.librarydogs.com. Goodluck, and keep enjoying every fun-filled moment. Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: Judy Audevard (7/1/2009)
Comment: I loved reading your story and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Posted By: Kimm (6/30/2009)
Comment: Thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us and letting us get a chance to watch them grow...you both are too special people with so much love -- lucky Freeport and Mr. Cooper!
Posted By: Cheryl (6/30/2009)
Comment: Thanks for sharing your story. Mr. Cooper is absolutely adorable and I am excited to hear/see more. These puppies are lucky to have you and Larry !!!
Posted By: Mary Kurtz (6/29/2009)
Comment: Thanks for including me! Great pictures, as always!
Posted By: Larry (6/29/2009)
Comment: I was saw a short phrase that said "it's just a dog"..For those of you whom haven't had the opportunity to truly love a dog as a friend, a honest member of your family. Open your heart, it will be the best thing that can happen not only to you, but in all actuality you may learn something from "just a dog"..
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper! (6/29/2009)
Comment: Thank you all for your encouraging comments! This will be a fun blog, I promise. Just back from a trip to Maine - his first official vacation outing....can't wait to share Freeport's and his experiences!
Posted By: Sharon D. (6/26/2009)
Comment: Regina - I found your article by accident this morning and am so glad I did! I love all the pictures and glad to now know the entire story. Really made me smile...thanks!
Posted By: A Dog Lover! (6/25/2009)
Comment: Great post and oh so very inspiring....talk about being lucky dogs!!
Posted By: Mary Pat (6/25/2009)
Comment: Having met Freeport and having our own Bernese Mountain Dog, Madison, I know I will enjoy your "series!" Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: Jo Ann (6/25/2009)
Comment: Regina, Great Blog! The tears started before I was even half way through reading it as I too have lost a special pet. I look forward to more stories of Freeport & Cooper.