With an extremely heavy heart and much sadness, Brad and I helped our special baby Bala pass peacefully over The Bridge last night.  "Bala" was CH. Givens N AllStar Bala Joy, CGC - and she was just that, a "Ball of Joy" (and ball of fire!) for the years that we were lucky to have her in of our lives.  Her name "Bala" was comprised of Brad and my initials, she was to be our foundation...and she provided us with many "firsts."  Although we had shown several special Dals prior to her, Bala was our first that we loved, trained and showed from a tiny puppy through her championship.  She was our first dog to take a 5-point major, over nearly 40 other bitches under Frank Sabella, a special thrill for people that were fairly new to showing at that time.  She was the first dog that Brad put a major on, a special 4-point major that finished her championship.  She provided us with one litter, our first raised in our home.   Brad and I recounted many special memories of Bala last night...including me being drug around the ring at the Western Reserve Specialty - never knew a seven month old puppy could be SO STRONG!  She simply adored life and loved to show - would stomp her front feet and stack herself and stare through you with her nearly black eyes until you tossed her a treat.  In recent years she hadn't slowed down much - still chased unsuspecting rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels on our wooded property, but also was the best family companion dog that anyone with two young children could ask for.  Even when our now 2-year old (human) Lilly would sneak up and try to "ride" her like a horse, she remained ever patient and kind and would calmly wait for me to remove Lilly and would then give her a big slurpy kiss on her cheek to tell her it was okay with her.  Our son Logan often used Bala as a pillow, we would find them snuggled up under a blanket on the couch together.  We couldn't have asked for any better temperament. 

This was an unexpected passing, although we are never really ready for them to go.  Give all your furry kids a special hug so that they know how important they are, you never know how long you have left. 

Thank you to Marcia & Doug Givens and Carol Korupp for breeding such a special girl and letting her be a part of our lives.  She was especially loved and will never be forgotten. 

Sleep in peace sweet Baby Bala...run with your grandma Star and we will meet again someday. 

CH. Givens N AllStar Bala Joy
(1/14/2002 - 12/4/2011)

Laurel & Brad Allen (Logan & Lilly too!)
AllStar Dalmatians