thank you, chipina…and paul
She goes home next week, and I will be in Utah all week, and not present for the hand off. I could get all sentimental here, but I'm trying to save critical typing for work-related functions. Instead, I offer my photographic tribute to a very fine dog that I wish we would have been smart enough to have bred while she was here. Imagine those puppies!
I'm guessing, though…it would have had to have been an immaculate birth, but who knows…Chippie really is THAT good.
Thanks, Tim and Ann. Please don't be alarmed to find me loitering in your yard.
I'm relatively harmless.
We love you, Chippie. You're a very good dog.
aw, Chippy ... what a sweetheart! I actually got a little tear in my eye.
That song is hil-ar-i-ous!
-shell
Posted by: Shelley | June 20, 2007 at 09:41 AM
oh my gosh.....that was so sweet!
My advice...MOVE. don't tell anyone. just get up and move to another city and live in Chip-happiness forever.
oh chippy, we will all miss you!
Posted by: Cathy Walters | June 20, 2007 at 09:53 AM
nothing like a little cry before 8am. very nicely done, Cathy. I have really enjoyed all the chip posts. I have a dog who might possibly be her sister in a former life. wish I could breed my sweetie, too. :-)
Posted by: janis | June 20, 2007 at 09:55 AM
What a sweet tribute! Aaawww, no more Chippy posts. Promise you will visit her and sneak pictures of her. ;)
Posted by: Laura Reaux | June 20, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Normally you make me laugh. Today there´s a tear in my eye. Nicely done tribute!!
Posted by: Helle | June 20, 2007 at 10:14 AM
oh my god that song.
perfect.
now, repeat after me-to chip:
hi
hi
hi
hi
iloveyou
hi
youaresosweet
hi
hi
hi
Posted by: tara | June 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Like it or not Cathy, you are definately a "closet Dog mom!"
What a beautiful tribute to Chip the Dog.
I think you need to get you one and I would gladly help you....no kidding!! I live in No. Cal and would come to you in Minnesota to help you find your dog or at the very least, point you in the direction of some good rescue organizations......please at least give it some consideration...they are the BEST therapy. Not only would a dog be good for you (and your family) but from what I can see they would be very lucky to have you too!
thanks for sharing your heartfelt tribute to Chip.
Posted by: Stacie | June 20, 2007 at 10:51 AM
beyond words sweet......
Posted by: Suzelle | June 20, 2007 at 11:51 AM
why don't they just do the right thing and give Chip to you! :) I guess somehow under my breath I am hoping so! Thanks for sharing. Hmm maybe they will read the blog and then do the right thing!!!
Posted by: Cynthia | June 20, 2007 at 12:05 PM
***sniff, sniff*** awwww, Chippie is a very lucky dog. Two families love him very much. Well done, Cathy.
Posted by: Kelly Jo | June 20, 2007 at 12:07 PM
awww... too cute.
remember though, chip won't REALLY be gone, not for a long time. you'll be finding fur EVERYWHERE for many, many months to come.
hee hee...
Posted by: Stacey | June 20, 2007 at 12:08 PM
We "share" our dog with the neighbor down the street. There is no way that Chip isn't going to need to come back to you for many visits, right? Our dog just showed up, 9 years ago, when I did NOT want a dog. They soo get under your skin and into your heart, eh?
Posted by: Madeline R | June 20, 2007 at 01:42 PM
oh, what a great tribute to this adopted member of your family...I used to roll my eyes at those people who refered to their animals as "fur babies"......until I got my dog. No I totally get it. (I still refuse to call her my fur baby. On principal. but I understand the sentiment now.)
Posted by: Jennifer W | June 20, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Geez, Cathy, I'm in tears! I'm a blubbering mess! Chip, don't go!!! :-(
Posted by: Janet | June 20, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Awww, I got a little choked up watching that wonderful tribute to Chip! You know that your family is going to go thru doggie withdrawals after she is gone. Could there be your very own "Chip" in the near future? Hope so! You are a good mom!
Posted by: Kim | June 20, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Awww, I got a little choked up watching that wonderful tribute to Chip! You know that your family is going to go thru doggie withdrawals after she is gone. Could there be your very own "Chip" in the near future? Hope so! You are a good mom!
Posted by: Kim | June 20, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Ok, well now I feel like a complete dork because your movie made me cry :oP
I'm just a dog lovin' fool & I can only imagine how hard it's going to be to say goodbye - probably a good thing you're going to Utah.
Farewell Chippie, we'll miss you here in Blogland :o)
Posted by: Candice | June 20, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Tears... No warning... no fair...
Sherry
Posted by: sherryg | June 20, 2007 at 02:31 PM
It's not right that I am so moved by a dog I will never meet.
But then again, I am a total sucker.
Posted by: suetreiber | June 20, 2007 at 02:44 PM
What a wonderful tribute to Chip! I think that hand-off is going to be tough. I bet you are very glad you won't be there. Beautiful pictures and I'm sure beautiful memories for your family. Thanks for sharing them!
Posted by: Linda from KS | June 20, 2007 at 02:49 PM
awww, come on...and I am unanimous in this, quit strumming my weepy chords!
Posted by: nicola | June 20, 2007 at 03:47 PM
oh I am gonna miss Chip too! I loved when she was your 'guest blogger'!!
Dogs totally make a home in your heart!
Posted by: Denise | June 20, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Loved it!!!! You did a really nice job on this!!
Posted by: michele | June 20, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Well that is so not fair. I'm sitting here at 8.45am Melbourne time a blubbering mess. Not only have I just watched Chip's tribute with that beautiful song in the background but I had just played the guy singing opera in the last post. Wow I wasn't expecting to be so emotional so when it happens like this its a huge surprise & a little overwhelming. That is such a lovely tribute to Chip I'm sure you're all going to miss her terribly and she you. She certainly looks like she's have a fine time at your place and gotta a lot of love in the bargain.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Leeanne x
Posted by: Leeanne | June 20, 2007 at 05:46 PM
No fair making me cry!
Chip, what a good dog. Mike and Molly have enjoyed reading about your adventures over my shoulder as I scritch their ears.
I dare say we are all made better people by loving a creature that needs us.
Posted by: Katy | June 20, 2007 at 06:21 PM
What a sweet tribute. I think it's time to get one of your own. We brought home our first dog (puppy) two months ago. Well worth it!! What are you waiting for?
Karen
Posted by: KarenC | June 20, 2007 at 06:24 PM
hello??!! tissue warning needed! I just bawled all over my keyboard.
Cathy, well done. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend.
Posted by: Julie | June 20, 2007 at 07:33 PM
darn you, CZ! Go put a kleenex warning at the top of this post! i'm sitting here bawling with my own golden love beside me wondering what on earth is going on!!!
Posted by: april | June 20, 2007 at 07:48 PM
HEY! A WARNING WOULD'VE BEEN NICE! I'm sitting here bawling like a baby... you'da thought that Chippie died or something and here she's just gonna be so happy to see her family again, and she's gonna be so torn to leave you. Can you IMAGINE the confusion that the poor dog is going to endure?!? What has she been THINKING all this time?!? Well, clearly she has been very happy and very loved. And may I say that seeing a sleeping dog is just about as precious as watching a sleeping baby. :) Give lil' Chippie a kiss and a hug goodbye from us. Tell her to write once in a while; we'd like to hear from her! :-D
Posted by: Melissa | June 20, 2007 at 08:15 PM
what a LUCKY LUCKY doggie to have found you guys....sounds like fate to me!
Posted by: kel | June 20, 2007 at 08:16 PM
Nice. Sweet. Good thing you won't be home the day Chippie leaves. Sad. Next time warn us to get a tissue. What kind of software made that sweet tribute?
Posted by: JenniB | June 20, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Wow! That was wonderful! Chip's primary family is so lucky to have had her with such a good and loving family. And now they have lots of photos and blog posts to treasure as well.
Ditto on JenniB's question above. I'm able to make slideshows on my Apple, but how did you post it? Very cool.
Good luck with the transition!
- Lee
Posted by: Lee | June 20, 2007 at 08:45 PM
what a sweet tribute....
Posted by: Hillary Heidelberg | June 20, 2007 at 09:44 PM
I can't seem to open the farewell to Chip! What program was it created in?
Posted by: Amy Patrick | June 20, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Uh oh. Sniffling here. So nice. The Chipster is going to miss you something awful. The kids looked like they had a great time with her, too. Oh so sad she is going. Think of all the great dogs out there that need such a loving family...! Both of my last two dogs were rescues and they really are the greatest (hint hint)! Super job on the production. You're so multi-talented!
Posted by: Karen K | June 21, 2007 at 12:02 AM
You need to get a dog! I got my first dog at age 53 and it was the best thing I ever got (husband of 40 1/2 years isn't too bad either)...unconditional love every moment, every day!
Posted by: Judy in Carefree | June 21, 2007 at 01:12 AM
Simply perfect.
Posted by: Lynne | June 21, 2007 at 01:14 AM
That was a little heart wrenching this morning, only as I have a golden too and can just sooo visualize him in every single picture. I think you may need a Chip replacement ;) .
Posted by: Hannah | June 21, 2007 at 07:15 AM
sniff, sniff ...
sob, sob ... SOBBING...
aww...chippie ... i will
miss her posts!! cool movie!
is there a dog in your future??
Posted by: Joanne Smith (spagirl) | June 21, 2007 at 08:55 AM
she's a gorgeous lady, and it was a very touching tribute! i esp love the second to last one of you and her together... what a blessing that you guys have been able to watch her while her parents have been out of town... i can see why you've all grown so attached. i'm sure she's loved every minute of her stay. you'll have to be sure to update us with new chippie photos every so often. do you think there will be an addition to the Z family soon? ;o)
Posted by: jes | June 21, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Simply amazing and oh how it pulled on the heartstrings as well!!. Would love for you to share how you did this.. ie software etc...... you are so gifted and talented and such a joy.........The world is a better place because of you .....
Posted by: Lisa | June 21, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Wow! Now that I am bawling. Just show Chippie's owners this and they will never be able to take her. They will know she HAS to live with you! They can have visitation, but she definitely belongs with you. I'll be thinking of you Cath!
Vicki
Posted by: Vicki Harvey | June 21, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Cathy, I am boo-hooing. Chippie looks so much like my Emily. That white face. My baby girl is 13 years old and we don't know how much longer she will be with us. Your video makes me want to go home and snuggle her.
Lori
Posted by: Lori Hudson | June 21, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Aw - that was a supercute video - kind of sad too though. Chippie is adorable.
Posted by: Krystyn | June 21, 2007 at 01:59 PM
I had dogs my whole life growing up. My dog passed away when I was 18 and I swore.. never another one. My son has asked for a dog a few times (he is 3.. he also asks for pancakes for dinner and spiderman web to shoot out of his chubby fingers).. so no is pretty easy.
But CHIP! awww CHIP.. Has me thinking we should buy a house.. and a dog.
Posted by: Lanne | June 21, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Hey Girl,
Long time no talky. Hey Finally got myself a microphone for my computer. Remember back in the day when you use to do, they were like podcasts with the girls????
What software did you use to make it. Remember it would have a the sycodelic designs yada yada yada. Anyway thanks if you can help girly. Bye
Posted by: callie smith | June 22, 2007 at 01:17 AM
You are too much, girlfriend! ;)
Posted by: Lisa | June 22, 2007 at 07:33 AM
www.ragom.org
This is what you need to check into. It is a recue dog site in Minnesota for golden retrievers. Maybe you can find your very own Chip.
P.S. I loved the farewll you made for Chip...it reminded me of our dog Daisy, who died in March. Even though she was a bichon frise, she was loved just as much as Chip.
Posted by: Joan, Izzy's mom | June 22, 2007 at 09:36 AM
OMG - I am in tears AND I JUST PUT MAKEUP ON FGOR THE DAY. What a sweet sweet ode to da dawg. We just got a golden for christmas for the kids (have had them for years)...took us 5 years to get over the loss of our last one before Santa could bring us this one. I am already hard in LOVE.
Posted by: Shannon | June 22, 2007 at 12:30 PM
class footage, i bet steven spielberg is crapping himself. ;)
love that pic of you hugging him at the end. sweet
Posted by: kirsty | June 22, 2007 at 07:31 PM