Hey friends!!! I know it's been awhile since I've written about my gloriously goofy shepherd but, in my defense we have been CRAZY busy!!! There was a wedding and then another wedding and then a three week honeymoon and then and then and then.....ya, it's been just a tad bit busy in the life of the shepherd! But, I think that's the way she likes it, or at least I hope she feels that way because I doubt it's going to change anytime soon! Anyways, I figured it was time to give you an update on the Shep and give you the full rundown of the biggest day of her life....so far.....
It was August 28, 2014, late at night and Shep and I were loaded in the Lexus with Andrew and Randy heading towards my parents ranch....The Wittstock Ranch to be precise. Andrew was dropping us off not to see us again until 5pm the next day....yes, it was the night before the wedding and Shep and I, being the traditional girls that we are, didn't want to see Andrew until we were walking down the aisle to promise our lives to him! We got out of the car and Tier was completely confused as to why Andrew didn't come inside and stay with us....she kept looking at me as if to say, "Where is Dad going, he always stays with us! He KNOOOOOWS this!!! What is he doing???" That night Shep and I relaxed at the Wittstock Ranch with my family from Alaska, Washington and California and our great friend Steph....side note: BEST photographer we could have ever asked for to capture the week's events!!!!!
After much chatting and excitement, it was time to hit the hay so we would be well rested for the next big day! I slept in my old room for the last time as a Wittstock with my big ol' shepherd right next to me....although, she did get up a few times to give Steph, sleeping on the floor, some good shepherd kisses and a few force cuddles (sorry Steph)!! The last night at home was perfect, I had my best friend right next to me making sure I was safe and happy! The next morning we had one last thing to do before getting ready for the evening's events.....we needed to go for one last run together as Wittstocks!
Shep, my dad and I jumped into the car and headed downtown to run the beautiful old town of Fort Collins. The four miles I spent running with Shep and my dad were the best! I thought about everything.....about where we started and what we had become together, about the times she was a baby and I couldn't wait for her to run with me, about how much she loves Andrew and Lana, about how I couldn't have done anything in the last year and half without her by my side, about how she fills my heart with all the love and happiness I could ever ask for from a dog, about how she pulled me through losing Brear, about how she fit in her own perfect place in my heart without ever overshadowing Brear's spot, but mainly I thought about how lucky I am to have her and to get to share her with the best man I've ever met! It was the perfect start to the day and to get to share it with my dad, as well, was the icing on the cake!
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| On the way for our last run as Wittstocks! |
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| Getting ready to run! |
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| Running as Wittstocks! |
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| Shep and Grandpa! |
After our run we headed home to get ready for the big evening ahead. The entire day Tierney stayed by my side, she never wanted to leave me....I think she knew we were about to do something big and she wasn't about to get left behind! After I got my hair and makeup done by the lovely and wonderful Sydnie Chapman, it was time to head out for Berthoud and our big walk down the aisle! I loaded up my stuff and Shep and I were off to pick up my best friend Lauren....we had one more errand to run before getting to the venue! The whole way Tierney slept in the back seat content as can be, preparing for her big role!
When we arrived at the venue Shep and I headed up to the bridal suite....fortunately we had our wonderful wedding planner Emily with us because we almost ran into Andrew!!! For the next hour and a half we hung out in the bridal suite with my wonderful bridesmaids, friends, and a few family members....and Shep was in HEAVEN! I've never seen her be so calm, so content, so perfect! She lounged with her favorite aunt Melody, played with Jenna's baby, kissed Elara and Grace, and kept me calm by being her goofy self! She took her job very seriously and couldn't have been more perfect!!!
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| Couldn't have done it without her! |
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| Helping with my dress |
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| Hanging with Aunt Melody |
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| Hamming it up! |
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| My favorite girl! |
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| Sitting pretty with her bow-tie! |
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| Front and center, just where I want her! |
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| Loving all the attention! |
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| Kisses for the baby! |
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| Best friends! |
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| Perfection! |
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| Couldn't ask for more! |
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| The best! |
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| Melts my heart every time! |
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| Love her to the moon and back! |
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| Playing footsie! |
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| My running partner, dog, angel on Earth! |
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| Always by my side! |
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| The best shepherd! |
After we were good and ready, it was time for Shep's big moment! Shep left the room with her Aunt Melody so she could pass Shep off to the other ring barer....Logan! Shep and Logan got in their places to walk down the aisle and it was officially show time! Shep was perfect....she walked right by Logan and went wherever Logan went....even turning around halfway down the aisle due to Logan deciding mid walk he no longer wanted to go to the end of the aisle! She looked beautiful and after much corralling of Logan, Elara and Lana...Shep was handed off to my bridesmaid Darcy where she would wait for her next duty....
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| Relaxing with her best bud! |
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| Ready for their big moment! |
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| Preparing for job number 1! |
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| Ready! |
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| Checkin' her surroundings...all set |
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Sitting with Aunt Melody!
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| Heading down the aisle! |
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| Here we go.... |
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| Walking pretty! |
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| I'll show you where to go! |
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| Follow me Lan! |
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| This way Shep... |
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| Follow me Logan! |
The walk down the aisle couldn't have been more adorable and perfect! Logan and Elara did a great job, Elara even danced for everyone at the end of the aisle! Shep got to walk with her buddy Logan and everyone made it without any mishaps! Once Shep was down the aisle she was given to Darcy and sat patiently waiting for her next duty to arise...she couldn't have been more well behaved...I can't believe how perfect she was!!!
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| Waiting for her cue.... |
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| Perfection! |
As we went through our ceremony Shep waited patiently for her next big job....handing me my vows! Tierney was not only our ring barer, she also had the big job of carrying my vows down the aisle....and she did a perfect job! After we went through most of the ceremony it was time to say our vows that we had written to each other....I called Tierney and she stood right next to my side while I pulled the vows off her collar and then passed her back to Darcy.....
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| Getting my vows.... |
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| Job well done Tier! |
Once I had my vows Tierney's big jobs were officially complete! And, she proceeded to rest until the end of the ceremony....having such big roles is hard work for a Shepherd and she did a great job!
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| Job complete....time to relax! |
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| Ahhhhh....this is the life! |
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| Getting a new last name is hard work! |
After our vows and our first kiss we were finally pronounced husband and wife....and Tierney finally joined her sister Lana as a Pipes!!! It was the best moment of our lives thus far and we are so thankful for all that were there to help us celebrate the joining of our two families!!!
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| Wahoo....we are officially Pipes!!!! |
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| YAY!!!! |
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| Time to PARTY!!! |
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| Pipes family complete!!! |
After the ceremony it was time to party and for lots of pictures of our newly formed family....again, Shep took her duty very seriously and was great!!!
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| Family! |
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| Ahhhhh....so happy!!! |
After our individual pics we took a bunch of pics with family....
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| Picture time!!! |
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| The Colorado Pipes! |
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| She never looks at the camera! |
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| Parents, puppies, bride and groom! :) |
After the pictures were done it was time for the girls to head home with their trainer Micah. Overall the day was so wonderful and Tierney behaved better than I ever could have dreamed! And, now we are officially part of the Pipes family!
As I reflect on the past year and a half it's amazing how far the two of us have come! Our relationship started with Tierney getting me through the toughest and darkest days after I lost Brear! And, it has come full circle to us joining Andrew and Lana becoming one big happy family of five...there is a cat thrown in there, her name is Nietzsche! I think of all the things we did together just the two of us and, as great as those were, those times don't compare to what we have gotten to share as a family with Andrew, Lana and Nietzsche! We are beyond thankful to get to merge two wonderful families and can't wait for all the adventures to come!
Alright friends, it's time for us to sign off! We hope y'all have a wonderful, safe Halloween! And to everyone that joined in our big day, thank you for your love and support....it wouldn't have been the same without y'all! To that big, beautiful girl in Heaven.....I know you were looking down on me August 29, 2014, and you were by my side me every step of the way just as you've always been! I miss you so much and wish you were here to see how far we've come and how great life really is! And, most of all, thank you for the gift of Tierney....she is a blessing and I wouldn't be where I am without her love and loyalty! I love you my big, black shepherd!!
Ciao,
TiErNeY & ShAn
