Today in 1997 a little puppy was born at the fabled A&H Sunday Kennel, a puppy who was to change my life forever. Her daddy was the 1996 Champion Twin Acres Concert Master and her mommy was A&H Sunday’s I’m No Angel. This little puppy was bought to become a show dog and she was absolutely beautiful. However, she had some very minor faults that would keep her from becoming a Champion and we found her being offered for sale shortly after our MacKenzie died.
We’ve told her story here many, many times and Niamh changed my life forever. Today, she would’ve been 16 years old… a mighty old collie if she had survived this long.
After all this time… I still miss my Niamh, I guess I always will. As the years pass I smile more now as I think of her, but there is still that broken part of my heart that I guess will never heal. However, Niamh was not about sadness or the pain of being gone. She was about life, loving and changing the world around her.
When Niamh came into my life she brought into my life new friends…. along the way because of her we made more friends. However, her death brought about the flowering of uncountable amounts of new people coming into our lives in a multitude of ways that all trace back to her death. She was and still is a blessing from God. Somehow, that incredible sweet little collie has made her impact felt in my life in everyway and almost seven years after being called home by God she is still affecting my life. How does a mere dog do that some will ask… well she like every other dog on the face of the earth are not “mere” dogs. They are the epitomy of what we should be like in our lifewalk if they are given the chance to do so and we will just take a deep breath and love them and watch their example.
So, today I say Happy Birthday my dear Niamh whose earthly remains lie under the Apple Tree and whose soul is in heaven and whose life that was walked in beauty still affects my every moment here on earth. Thank you Niamh for everything. Thank You God for blessing my life with her. I wish you hadn’t taken her so soon…. but you knew her death would lead us to rescue all the collies we have and to have helped other needy dogs and cats find homes…. I miss her God, please give her a kiss for me….
Niamh and I, my favorite shot of us together.
Niamh with Sadie. Sadie’s daddy was the Champion, The Meadows Notorious. Niamh and Sadie at first didn’t get along, but they later became good friends….. 
Niamh on her spot on the couch. Later, this became the spot of big Hallie.
A very unusual shot of Niamh, she usually always looked regal but here she is relaxing for once.
Niamh sitting pretty at a park….
Niamh sitting in a chair looking out the window. She was waiting for the mail person to arrive…. When I recently found this shot I was surprised at how much she looked like Hallie and Trevor….. then I remembered they were cousins…
We used to ask our Collies when it was potty time if Timmy was in the Well? Well, Niamh was telling us here that he was! LOL
Here is Niamh with Teddy….. She loved Teddy and he loved her. When she passed Teddy moped terribly around the house and while he likes our other collies I dont think he has ever gotten over losing her. I mention her name and he looks out the window for a long time and I can see he remembers her….
Someday we will be together again my Niamh….. you and all the other collies. Then we will romp and play in the fields of heaven…. forever….
Happy Birthday to Niamh on what would have been her 16th birthday – she is beautiful and I know how much you still miss her. It goes without saying that we love all our dogs, but there is always one who stands out, leaving a lasting impression on us, and for you, Niamh sounds like she was it.
For me, it was my beautiful Penny, a Lhasa Apso; we lost her through illness five years ago and I still miss her terribly. She was such a character, leaving her paw prints in my heart forever.
Funny. We ask ours if Timmy is in the well.
When I vocalize in prepping for singing, he runs from wherever he is and sings with me. 
LOL…. too cute…. I always wondered if we were the only ones to use the Timmy in the well. Mac used to sing with my wife also… loved to sing along to how much is that doggie in the window… hehehehe
Looks like she was a happy girl – especially when she was with you!
They are alway in your heart,.
Happy Birthday to Niamh. I know it must be a bitter sweet time Chuck but to remember and celebrate those that are held in our hearts reminds us of what we gained rather than what we lost. Wonderful pictures. I especially like the one of Niamh and Sadie.
They touch our hearts in such a way that they never really leave us. I’m sure she’s waiting for you Chuck and that reunion will be amazing.
Happy Birthday to Niamh. She will always be with you in your heart. You’ve been blessed with the love of so many wonderful collies!
What a sweet story of a special friend.
Hey Ginger, are they having a cake for Niamh? Could you save me a slice?
Hi Bongo!
No cake for Niamh…. the old guy gets a bit melancollie on this day… he misses her a lot. I dont know why after all he has got me!