Nursery

Phone: 1-306-525-1964
E-mail: kerhaven@accesscomm.ca
Sask. Area Director & AD Editor for Collie Club of Canada
Member of the Canadian Kennel Club
Member of Canadian Collie and Shetland Sheepdog Association
Member of Wascana Dog Obedience Club and Editor of newsletter

Ch Kerhaven's Touched by an Angel

March 19, 1998- Jan 2010

She was my "prettyLittleSierraAngeldog"
She was the pic female of her litter
She was the lovely, gentle daughter of
Ch. Valiant Leonine Star n/c
and my much loved
Kerhaven Sunnybank Silhouette
HIC, CGN, ROM

In May of 2003 Sierra who had just turned five years old, went to live with a little girl who's need for her gentle presence was even greater then mine. A nine year old child, struck with a severe staff infection. So ill that her little kidneys shut down and she required dialysis three times a week. Her heart went into Cardiac Arrhythmia..her little joints swelled and she had to be heavily sedated until the infection and other resultant problems were treated by her doctors. The road to recovery would be long, but the prognosis was great. Her kidneys, once the infection was controlled, resumed their normal function. Miraculously the child was left without any permanent damage. But there would follow several weeks while her muscles and tendons inactive for many weeks, were slowly stretched and strengthened once again. She suffered 'footdrop',which is the laymans term for plantar flexion a painful condition often brought on by prolonged bedrest, where the ankle bends in the direction of the sole of the foot. So even though she had recovered from the life threatening infection, she faced several weeks of often painful physiotherapy to regain her ability to walk without a walker. Only 2 days before she fell ill, her parents had fulfilled a wish of hers by getting for her a wonderful collie through breed rescue. Sadly due to the many weeks she was confined to hospital, the dog formed a strong bond of friendship with her older sister. Thus her parents knowing what lay ahead in the way of therapy for their little girl, and knowing how she would want the chmship of her very own dog, sent out an appeal via internet for an older collie with a strong affinity for children that was quiet by nature and would be content to be the pal of a convalescent child.

All her life Sierra had loved children. Most collies love children but some have an even stronger affection for them. Such a dog was Sierra.
I knew that as much as she loved me, and I loved her, having a child of her very own to love and protect would fulfill her in a way I never could. So arrangements were made, and on May 14, 2003 Sierra went to spend the next seven years of her life loving a little girl and watching over her as she grew into a young woman of 16 years. Cancer laid to claim Sierra, and her family, with aching hearts, sent her where she would never know any suffering.

I was told of her passing, when I phoned to ask if they could take some Birthday pics of her on her 12th birthday. They had not told me of her passing, as they had not wanted to upset me.

Below I have placed a few pictures of sweet Sierra. Now, of the seven pups, only three remain..Beau, Venus and Vinnie. Tis a pretty thought for me to think of them..sweet Sierra, beautiful Vienna, pretty little Zoey (small spirit taken too soon), poor dear Virgo (who disappeared many years ago), all romping with thier uncle Dino and their lovely mother GypsyRose.

Gypsy lass, one by one your babies are coming home to you.