Haile Ann

Our crazy, sweet Haile Ann died on Wednesday, September 3.  We so wish we could have been with her when she died but the powers that be had other plans.  We know she happily herding away.

Where do you even begin with Haile?  She was a part of Rich's life for almost 16 years and a part of my life for almost 11- there is a hole in our lives now.  I'm sure everyone knows the story of how Rich picked her out but it's a funny one, so I'll retell it anyway.  Haile's parents were working ranch dogs and Rich drove down to the ranch in Sierra Vista to pick her out.  He took a look at all the puppies frolicking like puppies do but noticed one that was a tad more spunky than the rest.  And by a tad, we mean a lot!  That was Haile.  She got to go home with Rich and never stopped moving her entire life. She was a herding dog and she took her job VERY seriously.  She started with herding the furniture into place.  Once she made sure everything was going to stay put, she headed outside to try and herd the birds and the airplanes that were flying overhead.  Those were a little bit illusive for her but that didn't stop her from moving to bigger and better things.  If the airplanes wouldn't listen, maybe the thunder and lightning would.  During many thunderstorms, she went charging out the doggie door to show Mother Nature who was boss.  The storms always went away......

When she wasn't working hard, she was playing hard.  Her prized possession was her beloved nylabone frisbee.  When she wanted to play, she would drop the frisbee at your feet and look at you.  If that didn't work, she would drop the frisbee on you and look at you.  And really, how could you resist a face like that?

Haile was not much of a people dog in her younger years as she had too many things to do but, everyone who met her has a good story about her boundless energy and enthusiasm.  As she got older, she calmed down a bit and would look for people on our walks to give her a good ear rub or a pat on the back.  A nice reward for her busy life.  

The last few months it was getting harder and harder for her to get up and move but she kept going.  Her laps were shorter but she was still making sure everything was in it's place.  When she died, we are sure she was doing her laps- it was her job, you know.  Good work girl.