AnamCara Gordon Setters - About AnamCara

My kennel name "AnamCara" is a Gaelic word meaning "soul friend". I've had many types of dogs through the years, but the Gordon makes it's home in my heart and my soul. They are my soul friends.

Many years ago, when I was 19 years old, and newly moved to my own place, a special Springer Spaniel named Lucy came into my life. She was that special soul in all of our lives who creates the lifelong love and need for canine companionship. She was my constant companion throughout my young adult years, and the first part of my marriage. Another Springer who shared my life was called Major. He was "everyone's" dog, and we often went to the park so he could romp with the children. Lucy and I would sit and watch while he wallowed in the middle of a group of children, all trying to pet him at once. Major passed quietly one night in his sleep, just two years before Lucy. We always had family dogs growing up, but they were always devoted to my mother, so Lucy was my first 'heart dog', and she lived to the ripe old age of 15 before her heart finally gave out. I still mourn her loss.

My first Gordon, Reo, came along in 1992. He was a big male with uncanny intelligence. He was loyal only to me until the day I lost him. That dog forever stamped the "Gordon heart and soul" upon my own. I could no sooner live without my Gordons than any other necessity of life.

Although Reo was a very different and unique personality, he was also a 'heart dog', with 4 years between he and Lucy. Reo thought I walked on water, and I just knew he could too, if he wanted to! I saw him through his Show Championship, his NAVHDA Prize I, and all his Hunting Titles. He was my first learning experience with hunting competitions. I nearly lost him to bloat at the age of 6, but he lived through that as well. In the show ring, he moved like the wind, but he prefered the field, where birds abound. Most of all he just prefered being with me.

My second Gordon, Mona (1993 - 2005), was a sweet thing who loved only humans. She was to be a show dog, but detested the show ring and lost all her enthusiasm at shows. Though she never showed aggression outside my home, other animals were just not welcome in her "space". She was a wonderful companion, with her huge expressive eyes and bright color, and sweet personality, but was uncommonly jealous of puppies and refused to share my affections with my other dogs. It soon became very clear that she was unhappy with this, so she went to live with a dear friend in Florida, where she could be the only dog in the household and lived out her old age as a spoiled pet in the warmth of the Florida sunshine. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, but passed to the bridge of old age, in spite of it.

In 2001, another Gordon came into my life, who I firmly believe was Lucy's soul revisited. So uncanny were the similarities between the two dogs, that I found myself looking back at her soulful brown eyes and wondering if God did indeed send Lucy back to me. This girl, named Maggie Mae, aka Mags, Sweetness, Magpie, Mag-nificent, and all manner of other names suited to her sweet personality, was with me just 5 short years.

In June of 2006, Maggie was taken prematurely from me, suffering a massive coronary. Maggie took part of my heart with me that morning. She always hugged me when I was sad, and bounced with joy when I was excited. She let me sleep in, and went everywhere with me. I still miss her snuffles and kisses in my ear before retiring for the night, and her "smiles" when I'd ask, "Are you my girl?". I still find myself teary-eyed when I find a tissue or paper towel lying about where she might find it and hide it for later consumption. Maggie was a Gordon through and through, and though we tried several time to breed her, it was not to be. She was a happy soul, with the most accepting of temperaments. She displayed unerring acceptance for all other humans and animals, cats included. In the field, she was a hunting machine, and in the show ring, she wanted only to please me. I loved her like no other before her and I am sad, but thankful, for the 5 years I had with her.

In September of 2006, a new little girl has joined the clan. She is sired by a wonderful dog, whose granddam was Maggie's dam. This little one is called Jade, and her dam is Maggie's litter sister. She has the same family resemblance as Maggie, but an entirely different personality, as is to be expected. Though she cannot replace Maggie, it has gladdened my heart to have her here so soon after losing Maggie. She already displays the same willingness to please and intelligence to learn anything I ask of her.

In my sadness in losing the dogs of my heart, and others I have had, I am comforted in knowing I will see them again one day. Some of you may question this belief, and that is your prerogative. But I know in my heart that dogs will always sit at the right hand of God, and He gives them to us out of His love. They are gifts from Him, to be loved and cherished as such. I believe the soul of a human being lives forever. The soul of a dog can do no less. To Lucy, Major, Reo, Mona, and Maggie, how I miss you. You will live forever in my heart.

As of February 2007, we currently make our home near Tallahassee, FL.