Nicker Barker Farm TM       

In Memoriam

Changing of the Guard

Nicker Barker’s Saratoga Gold (Sara)

6/7/95-11/14/07

As Irving Townsend said, “Those who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.  Yet we would still live no other way.” 

After a very brief bout with a debilitating infection, our beautiful Sara has left her worldly home at Nicker Barker Farm to join her mother, Mitty and best friends Chase and Duckie.  Sara was the self-appointed queen of our farm, well-respected by all of her peers and adult friends.  She knew the rules (having written most of them) and enforced them with a regal pose and few spoken words. 

One of her most endearing traits was her love of play, whether with another dog, her human buddies, or by herself.  Her tricks bespoke a high degree of intelligence, from lying on her back, lifting a tennis ball with her forepaws and playing catch by herself, to her daily song and dance with Genny, her dearest friend and First Lieutenant.  Much to our chagrin, her skill at rabbit hunting was unparalleled.  She was also a wonderful cuddler and happily made any bed or sofa in a home her own.   

Sara was the favorite of many, and cherished by the residents and caretakers of Nicker Barker Farm.  We are grateful to the friends who visited her before her final journey.  For all of the love given by her and to her, we will be always thankful.

In closing, we wanted to share a lovely poem found at the Rainbow Bridge;

I lost a special friend today
the kind you can't replace, 
and looking at her empty bed
I still can see her face. 

I know she's in a special place 
our Lord has for such friends, 
Where meadows, fields & flowers 
help make them strong and whole again.

I know she's watching over me
She'll be with me when I cry,
So with one more kiss on her beloved head
I told my friend goodbye.

Nicker Barker’s Frog Chaser (Chase)

12/20/96-10/31/07

After a very brief bout with an aggressive tumor, our beloved Chase chose Halloween eve to personally chase away any trespassing ghosts from Nicker Barker Farm and the residents he so loved.  His ever-present smile, warm eyes, huggable head, tail wag, and loving personality will be so sorely missed by all who knew him.

 Chase was a very special boy, and everyone who visited our farm immediately fell under his spell.  He was the official greeter, would trot out to get appreciative pats from the adults and give each child a warm kiss on the face.  We only had to watch that his enthusiastic tail did not dislodge the footing of visiting toddlers.  Chase loved to fish, approving of each catch, but wary of catfish.  Watching TV in bed was his favorite evening activity, and he was alert to any villains, especially lions, tigers, bears and pigs who had the audacity to wander into the bedroom.  His first (and only) hunting experience had him retrieve a resident duck, and on command he proudly released his prize to see it fly away unharmed.  Chase started a pursuit of his championship rating, but reached a mutual agreement with his family that the inevitable limelight and recognition was not worth the time away from his home and friends.  Instead, he chose to rule the kennel, fathering some select litters, and serving as a mentor to the other residents.

 Chase has gone on to join those who went before him.  He will surely be greeted in that life as he was in this, as a loving, devoted and trustworthy companion.  Most certainly he will be missed by all his friends in this life; however, we can all be warmed by the memories of Chase, truly beautiful in so many ways.