ALAGRIA (ALAY)

2009 - 2020

BPIG Can Ch Glasgowhill's Alagria (St John Ambulance Therapy Dog); November 20, 2009 - August 25, 2020 too soon, from Lymphoma; Alagria's sire was Can Ch. Winsmore's So Continental (Lincoln) and her dam was Dune's Sip of Champagne (Ginger) . Alagria (aka Alay) was named (by our friend and collie breeder) after the performing show of Cirque de Soileil "Alegria" (Alay's theme song now). Little did I know that when we were invited to the show with her that she would go home and name a wee new-born puppy Alagria and 3 years later, that same puppy, now an adult, would enter our lives as a new gift of JOY to help ease the pain of suddenly losing our beautiful blue merle collie Trouble. "Alegria" means Joy, happiness, merriment, cheer in Portuguese. She was all of that to us. I always referred to our then collies (Keeper, Trouble and Cloud) as "my 3 JOY's" and the fact that Alagria's name defined that, was simply amazing to me in how things transpired. Alagria before she came to us, had many accomplishments early on in her show days, earning Best Puppy in Group and becoming a Canadian Champion. She had several litters and lives on in her offspring and their show world accomplishments and pet homes in various parts of the world. After she came to live with our family, she qualified as a St John Ambulance Therapy Dog, visiting a number of venues and bringing "joy" to many. Her first joy accomplishment was easing the grief of Trouble's daughter, our Cloud, who had never been separated from her mom. Alay walked in, gently licked Cloud's face and her maternal ways lifted Cloud's pain almost immediately. Her persona would best be defined as "SWEET". Alay could be shy but also so very confident in guarding her home and property from our big wrap-around-deck. She had nick names: Sweetie-Pie, Ally OoP, Oopers, Deck Dog, Chip Dog, Sweet Pea, Muggies. In younger years she could run like the wind in our valley run egging Keeper and Cloud on. She so loved our big valley below the house where the dog run is and often would look back longingly on the way up the hill to the house as if to say "just a few more minutes please"? She was a natural on all the agility equipment at her obedience refresher training, although we never performed formally. She was the most obedient dog always listening well ( thanks to all who trained and showed her before me). Alay loved comfort. She was never happier than to be snuggled on top of or in a pile of soft pillows. She had a special trait of always crossing her paws; such a prim/proper lady. She took a while to do our stairways but when she did, we all cheered. She always took them with a sideways slant. She loved her daily afternoon siestas with my husband as he slept on the couch and she lay on the floor beneath, his hand touching her back gently as they both slept. She could go from zero to sixty in seconds if she heard my husband start up the lawn mower, tractor or golf cart running the deck in a frenzy barking non stop with Cloud accompanying close behind. She expressed her affection subtly and gently. She loved to rest on our big leather couch all spread out on it's coolness. If we were at different ends, she'd slowly move closer reaching her paw out to touch your hand and put her head near your leg or if on the floor beneath where you were sitting, she loved to lay her head on your feet. You always hated to disturb her it was so loving and tender. She'd often sleep with her head sideways resting on her paws. She was a great traveler with Cloud both all safely secured in our SUV on trips to therapy dog events and visits, out of town appointments or vacations. She was so well behaved in hotels. People always remarked on her beauty. As long as she felt secure she was happy. Her big trip was a family vacation to the Maritimes and back through New England with us and Cloud 4 years ago. Such a happy time. She walked the sand and surf on the Fundy shore. During her last month of illness, her eyes spoke volumes to me. If only dogs could talk. She knew she was loved and so did I by her, as she showed love and thanks to us in return. The thing I loved the most about Alay was her willingness (if she were human I'd say her humbleness) towards Cloud always letting be first in getting a treat, out the door, meals.....yet she was never not an equal in our hearts or home. I look at her specials spots now in our house and on the deck and know they were unique to only Alay and I will always see her in those spots that made her such a part of our home and lives for all these years. Run free sweet girl. We love you and miss you. Cheryl and Bill and "sister" Cloud (Note Puppy photo of Alay, copyrighted by breeder).