You folks are the greatest. When I got around to checking my email this evening I had 48 messages in my Inbox. 45 of them related to my Morrigan. Some were from dear friends that I cherish and hold in high esteem. Some were from friends I hadn't met yet but have read about our dogs on the group and on my blog. Phone calls? Yeah a hundred or so. They all conveyed their sorrow for the passing of Morrigan.

Sweet Catie. She made it about six syllables before her voice cracked. Iron maiden indeed. She has a heart of solid gold. Sorry Catie, I'm letting your secret out. Y'all should hear the way she speaks about "The Old Man", Mitch's father. Or listen as she speaks of Taz, Herc, Vi, Toby or dozens of others. She is a walking talking encyclopedia of mastiffdom and a Breed Treasure. Catie's life is about love and service. You should all have a friend like her.

Oh Heather. I hear you dear. I know what you are thinking. I hear your pain. Don't fear. Give Tug a hug for me. NO! Give him a lot of hugs. He has his mother's strength to share with you.

Susie who could stand before Satan himself, make him cower in fear and then sell him a lighter. I feel your strength surround me, the foundation my faith is built on. Susie told me the first time we met, "Morrigan will be the most important dog of your life." How does she do that?

And Jennifer. My conscience. Always questioning. Always curious. Endless energy. Tremendously faithful. Emotion and intellect bundled together in a most wonderful way. Soft as a cloud and hard as steel. A beautifully juxtaposed soul.

Dozens more. Folks I haven't heard from in years, and I didn't know were keeping up with our clan. Folks I know watch and hope.

And the tie that has brought this tremendously diverse group of people together, Morrigan. Her big life. Her big love for our family and our love of her.

This is her true gift to all of us. I see it. I get it. She has shown us that the true measure of a dog is not in its titles or pedigrees. I promise you, Morrigan didn't give a dman about her championship! What good are a thousand wins if you don't enjoy watching your dog's face change to contentment from a good ear scratchin'? What is a dog if not a companion first?

I know someone who thinks that he has never bred a 'great' dog. I feel sorry for him. Morrigan and I never bred one that wasn't.

Morrigan's Sons and Daughters:

Lexus
Macey
Tug
Abel
Oscar
Emma
Meg
Grendel
Boudi
Keena
Achilles
Lane
Chocolate
Lilly
Susie

and my buddy,

Trojan