Carry Youby Walt Zientek For Dian, Carol, Sue, and Jim... When I brought you home, I carried you.
I held you close and made a promise that day.
As I breathed in that sweet, soft, clean smell,
I promised to carry you, and keep you safe and well.
I laughed and spoke so quietly to you
I taught you your name. You showed me your heart
And I showed you mine, as I carried you that day. When I take you home, I'll carry you.
I'll hold you close, as I promised that day.
I'll breathe in that old familiar smell,
and keep my promise to keep you safe and well.
I'll cry as I speak so quietly to you.
I'll say your name. You'llshow me your heart.
And I will lose mine, when I carry you, that day. [This poem was dedicated to myself and three other people when we all lost dear Labs close to the same time. To say that I am honored is an understatement Walt's works have appeared in lab-related publications on three continents and in the book, Labrador Tales.]
In Loving memory of: Suntory's Highland Rebel (Sunny)- Gordon Setter [9 years] Our first dog after we were married!! We still think of him often. Photo coming soon
| Miette Petit D'or (Mia) - Yellow Labrador We tried so hard didn't we, Mia ![Kidney Failure 3 years] Our first litter. Daughter of Cher. Photo coming soon |  Our teacher. Cher, you brought us into this breed. You loved us, and you loved an other family who needed you more than we did. You saved them from a fire, you saved them from a burgler, and oh yes... least we forget you saved them from that possum you carried to the door. You were all about family! | Pookie, Rescue Golden Retriever. [15 years] A piece of us died with him! We still laugh at so many wonderful "Pookie Stories" Photo coming soon
| Boldcrest Blue Knight Babe (Babe) - Black Labrador. [12 years]  Our stubborn, wonderful girl. Babe, you taught us tolerance. You were a wonderful mother, and an outstanding surrogate mother for Hailey and her sister.
| Blue Knight Serenade (Sarah) [9 years] We'll miss her "songs". There is no doubt she's still singing in the canine angel choir. Sarah, because of you, we found out how fast Jason could run! Photo coming soon
|  We lost Sugar just shy of her 13th birthday. Words can not express the sadness we feel with her loss. She slept with our son as a child, and then slept with his daughter. She was a major part of our life. She will remain alive on these pages forever. She goes without Mandy, her best friend. We're sure Sugar will wait for Mandy. |  My Husband's hunting buddy.... or at least unitl she retired. Our little "Peter Pan"~She never grew up. She has left us with the most beautiful legacy...her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Goodbye silly/sweet girl. You and Sugar weren't apart for very long! ---> Mandy on right, Sugar on left. | Wingmaster's Hallelujah Lass ("Hailey") (10 1/2) (7 Points toward her Ch. and never finished.)
Hailey had hard beginnings. She was a gift to me, after I assited another breeder, who brought home three very sick puppies... Hailey one of them. They had Parvo, tested postive for cocci, Corona and worms. We took care of them here..with a LOT of help from my vet. 24hrs/day four of us sweat over them, establishing IV's as they infiltrated, giving meds, and keeping them warm and clean. We lost the boy...the girls lived. Hailey never left us. She donated blood for years to be spun down so that her high titer for parvo could be used to save the lives of other puppies with the disease. She was a wonderful mother to her four litters. She is greatly missed. Photo coming soon
|  There are no words to express this loss. He was a great friend and a great dog. He will be missed more than words can say. Adam, you live on through the legacy of your children and grandchildren. My grandchildren will always remember your gentle kisses and the use of your body as their own personal pillow. |  Always sweet, never naughty. We will miss seeing you asleep in front of the fireplace. You didn't follow Adam by long. Sleep softly, sleep warm. |  Daughter or our first AM/CAN Ch., Mother of our second home-bred Ch. Brie was a pushy girl, who always wanted it her way (whatever "it" was). She was the grand lady of the kennel. Brie, we'll miss you dearly.
|  The matriarch of our canine family for many years, and was well known for being our "fireplace dog". She always had her nest of babies (stuffed animals) in front of her as she slept soundly in her place of honor in the house. We wrote an article about her litter ( Thankful For The Labrador ) which told the story of her *two* mothers. She left wonderful footprints here. Wish will be greatly missed by family and friends. Her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren here at Blue Knight. She contributed much, and was greatly loved. Her bed by the fireplace has looked very empty following her passing. |   May 1, 2008 is our hardest day as Labrador fanciers/lovers since we started in 1980. We lost a grandmother and granddaughter within minutes of each other, crossing over together, of totally unrelated medical emergencies. A big part of our past and much of our future were gone in minutes. Shimmer stopped eating, and had an appointment to go to the vet. She didn't look good. Just prior to leaving for the vet, Cassie started vomiting, and looked very ill and bloated. She was rushed to the vet with her grandmother. She was found to have a severe gastric dilation/volvolus (Gastric Torsion), went into severe shock in route to the vet. and died as a result of this devastating gastric condition. Necropsy confirmed the condition. Neither we nor the vet have ever seen this condition in a puppy. We can't make sense of it, let alone begin to accept it. Shimmer was found to have a liver tumor, and Within minutes two very special girls left us completely in shock, dismay and sorrow. These two sweet gentle girls both died too young, but the loss of Cassie at only 5 mos. is almost more than we can bear. Cassie had gone reserve to her brother's Best Puppy award just weeks ago. Last night, she ate, was playing, and in no distress. Morning found her in shock. Gentle Shimmer must have needed to go with her granddaughter to the other side. That's the only way we can make sense of this day. May 1st will always be known as the day we lost our hearts. | Blue Knight Leap Of Faith ("Faith") 13 1/2 years
Faith was "retired" very young. She had severe bilateral Hip Dysplasia, so she was spayed and never bred. She managed, as you can see... pictured at 11 years. She was gentle, sweet, and never EVER missed an opportunity to dig a hole. Her favorite "bad girl" thing to do was tear up stuffed animals. She didn't just rip them, she murdered them. :) Faith hardly had a gray hair at 13. She loved life, and never complained about her pain. She'd manage to run around as best she could with the other old ladies in the 'pack'. Sleep sloftly, sweet girl! | |  CASEY 12 1/2 Years of age. Casey was a gift to us from a friend. He was nearly a clone of his father, Ben, who we adored. He sired many litters, to include guide dogs and two other assistance dogs. The one constant in his litters was the temperament he imparted. He kept the spot in front of our fireplace occupied at all times! He and one of our grandsons had an amazing relationship. If a photo is worth a thousand words, then these 20 or more photos should say volumes about Casey's temperament and impact on our family: CLICK HERE | 
JASMINE 8 YEARS OF AGEJasmine was a beautiful, happy, obedient, eager to please, silly girl. Cancer took her from us far too early. Jazz, you'll be missed. Your cheerful nature gave life to the kennel. The other dogs will appreciate not having their toys constantly stolen and taken away from them, but your absense will leave a void in their life too. Jasmine left us with a daughter and granddaughter neither of whom are as ball crazy as she was, but the loving temperament came through on both. | | | | | | |
==================================== "Warm summer sun, shine kindly here;
Warm southern wind, blow softly here;
Green sod above, lie light, lie light --
Goodnight, dear heart, goodnight, goodnight." Written by Mark Twain for his daughter,
Olivia Susan Clemens, who died August 18, 1896, age 24
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