NS abCH. Abigail Atherton, ROM, CGC
May 22, 1995 to August 11, 2006
sire: Shiloh's Sampson Zachary - dam: Lady Jessica of Zion

It’s August 11, 2006 and it’s time for me to move on. I will miss all of you, but will be with my mother, father, a sister and the true love of my life… Lobo. My eyes are dim with pain, my dignity is all but gone as movement is not really possible any longer. I will miss my human mom and dad, my sweet son Sampson and all of the friends I have made here on this earth for 11+ years. I will miss the cookies, the fresh country air, watching over my farm, and running with the wind in my fur. I will miss the cold winter days when we have our first snow and I would roll and delight in it’s freshness. I will miss the hunt, the fat slow groundhogs who tried to outwit me but never could. I will miss the soft bed at my mom’s side. I will miss my grandma Betty touching my face and telling me how beautiful I am. I will miss telling you all about my tidbits of wisdom. Most of all, I will miss the love that I earned over my lifetime. Goodbye friends. Abi signing out.

Abigail Atherton, Senior Correspondent, for Shiloh Shepherd Times

AUGUST 2005

Dear Abi:
I have heard that there are great things starting to happen with the ISSDC breeders, owners and Shilohs. Can you tell me more?
--Concerned Shiloh In PA.

Dear Concerned Shiloh.
Yes, that is correct. The ISSDC is stronger than ever, with new members daily. I have heard that there are going to be committees which need volunteers to help build the knowledge and camaraderie of the Shilohs and that will help all of us.

In this new article, we will try to keep all Shilohs abreast of news from the canine view for the ISSDC. There are Shilohs with lines being crossed that were not crossed before, there are Shiloh breeders working together to help one and another with health information and of course, there are the wonderful shows (conformation and obedience) where we can really shine.
We will be concerned with new wins, new championships, new puppies and general health observations.

Although I have been around for over 10 years, I may not know everything, but I do know who to call when I have a question.

Abigail Atherton
Senior Correspondent
for Shiloh Shepherd Times

SEPTEMBER 2005

Dear Abi, My mom is so ticked at me. I totally refuse to eat. She makes my dinners and ends up throwing them out. She says food is very expensive and she can't afford to keep this up. I don't like anything anymore. She's tried chicken, beef, liver venison, bison, but I still don't eat. She tried kibble, raw, home cooked, canned. I still don't eat. She made me scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, nope. I won't look at yogurt and I ate a wee bit of cottage cheese but didn't finish it. I'm just not hungry for any of this stuff. Could you check on any really good tasting food out there that I would really like ?
Your friend M.B in Canada.

Dear M.B. Just wait 'til you try my latest dish. A spin off on the BARF diet. Stuffed tender juicy groundhog, veggies included. My son Sam was here the other day and I thought he was looking a bit soft, so I had to show him that even at my advanced age, I can do the work. Went out and caught one myself (as you can see in the picture) , just to show the young punk. Now I'll talk to our mom and see if we can send it to you right away so you can try it. Meanwhile, start eating a little bit every day and soon your appitite will come back.

Good Luck, and if you need groundhog, just write me.

OCTOBER 2005

Dear (Grandma) Abi, Here in New Jersey, our wonderful humans seem to get strange every year around this time. Can you give me any insight as to why?
Concerned Shiloh in NJ

Dear NJ Shiloh, Well, seems that is something we are seeing all over. I guess October has a full moon all month and that seems to effect our humans badly. I understand your concerns cause, as you can see, my human got strange today when my baby boy Sam came to visit me. I keep hearing something about 'Halloween" and it must mean "Time to torture your canine and make them look silly".

NOVEMBER 2005

Dear Abi. After your enlightening article on the BARF diet a couple of months ago, I started thinking about November. What is it that our humans cook? Sure smells good. Almost as good as Punxy Phil... Concerned Shiloh (and good eater) in NY.

Dear NY Shiloh. I have noticed this tradition for this month over my years. Seems to be that our humans cook all day (and putting us all in another room), have vast amounts of food, all their relatives come and eat everything, and then they leave. Only after they leave, do we get to run the house and shop for droppings on the floors and counters. As you can see in my newest picture above, one human (Aunt Wendy) tried to trick me into thinking that stupid rubber thing would taste as good as the real thing that our humans eat. Wendy.... NOT!

DECEMBER 2005

Dear Abi. My humans are really acting strange and I knew you could tell me why. Last night, they dragged an entire tree into the house! Then they laughed, drank red stuff and put lights all over that tree. Well, I am here to tell you, when I hiked my leg up to 'mark' that tree as my own, I got quite a shock... literally. My humans were yelling and then worried about me... knocked me tail over tin cups. So Abi, exactly what is going on now? These humans are so hard to figure out. Very fuzzy Shiloh in CT

Dear Fuzzy (giggle). Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Your humans are celebrating what they call Christmas--or to be PC about it, the Holidays. The Holidays mean many things to different humans, but it seems they bring in the great outdoors and put all kinds of delicate stuff on it. Then, they tell us not to even think about touching it! Geesh... outside, we can even chew on those things. But inside, well it seems to be different.

Also, you will see the very same relatives that were there just last week will all be coming back to your house soon to eat all of your food again, and then leave. Not to mention you will be dining alone instead of sitting at the table with your humans. You may also get lucky and have some packages to unwrap with toys and goodies for you.

So Fuzzy, enjoy the Holidays and the CJ gang wishes you and yours a blessed, safe, and warm season's greetings!!

"Since Christmas is for children, here is my picture as a pup"

JANUARY 2006

Dear Abi, We had yet another party last night. Everyone got really silly and decided to play with my toys. What's up with these humans? Really concerned Shiloh in MD.

Dear concerned. Yes my dear, another holiday. This one, Auld Lang Syne, is a holiday when your humans will make promises they won't keep, invite people that will eat all of the food and leave and again, you will probably end up in another room.
It's supposed to be a time of the year when you start out fresh, enjoy your loved ones and drink bubbly stuff and act silly. But, don't worry, things will be back to normal, and all promises--"resolutions"--will be gone for another year.

PS. this is me acting silly on a New Year's Eve several years ago.

FEBRUARY 2006

Dear Abi.... I see my human dad running around, ordering things like candy and flowers for mom. Are we going to have a new baby? REALLY concerned Shiloh in FL.

Dear Sunny Shiloh! No, probably no new baby. February is the month when humans make sure that they each know how much they love each other. It's called Valentines Day. Candy is for your human dad (Grin) and the flowers will make your human momma really happy. I have heard my mom say that diamonds even make her happier... go figure, I'm with dad and the candy. The one thing you will notice is that Valentines Day is the day to show your love... You will see in this month's picture, my forever true love, Lobo.

MARCH 2006

Dear Abi...Green beer? I just don't understand my humans.
Confused Shiloh in MI

Dear Snow Dog.
I know. Humans are strange aren't they? We, as the superior species, can sit back and reflect on our humans and their silly moments.

From what I am understanding, green beer, green hats and such are part of a Saint's day. Humans have Saints too...kinda like our St Frances who protects us. The Saint that is being noted in March (with green beer) is St Patrick and that is an Irish tradition... we would have to ask the Setter's more about it I would say.

At any rate, have a great St. Paddy's Day and try to stay away from anything green. They (your humans) will be chasing you around, trying to take your picture in some silly pose, then they will post it on the internet. Geesh... Someone needs to remind them that 'WE' are Shepherds, proud, noble dogs!

APRIL 2006

Dear Abi. Even though I like the snow, I sure am happy to see sun and green stuff all around. How's it going in Pennsylvania now? -- Curious Shiloh in Canada

Dear Canadian Cousin! We love spring in PA. Days in the 60's and nights in the 40's. What more could a dog ask for? As you can see from my picture, spring means more work for me. As a farm dog, I am in charge of watching over my herd of 50+ mini horses. I heard mom say to dad, "honey, the yard needs mowed" and the next thing you know, Dad put all the mini horses in the yard for me to watch over. It's also my job to help Dad move them back to their barn every night. Whew... such is the life of a farm dog. Enjoy your spring everyone and we will see you all in May at the Brookville show! I have my appointment to have my legs waxed and my facial hair removed by my friend Michele at Springhill Grooming just so I can look my best!

MAY 2006

Dear Abi... Happy Birthday to you... happy Birthday to you! I hear you are 5 again. Love, mystery great grand baby in Canada

Hi little Mystery! Whew... 5 again my butt (no Aunt Suzy, don't go there). I turned 11 years old this month. Wow, who would have thought? I know I have maintained my girlish figure (again Aunt Suzy, leave it) and I still turn Shiloh heads where ever I go. Life has been good on the farm and has taught me many things:

• Go directly to the barn to help when Dad is trimming horse hooves.
• Stay away from anything that is black and white.
• Ground hog meat is good as a main course, it has meat and veggies all at one time. A stew so to speak.
• Momma is the one you need to find when Dad is mad at you.
• Aunt Suzy never forgets the gold fishes.
• Gray muzzles are a turn on for some males.
• Look at another Shiloh wrong and you will have a broken ear.
• Broken ears can make you look endearing.
• Your master's presence is all you really ever need... er... plus gold fishes.

Most of all, live well, smile often, love dearly and eat all the gold fishes you can get!

JUNE 2006

Dear Abi.  My human daddy just got the ugliest tie I have ever seen and he has worn it almost every day this month.  What's up with that?  Doesn't he have a mirror where he dresses?  Or does he just have really bad taste? 
Really concerned Shiloh in OH.

Dear Ohio Puppy, I've done some checking and it seems that we just had something that the humans call "Father's Day".  Now, what I know about fathers isn't really something that would earn them an entire day.  Mother's Day, well that I can certainly understand.  But "Father's Day"?  Seems a bit much to me. 

From what I have seen of Fathers, they sniff the whelping box and then walk away.  Don't even give the little ones another look.  That's what my Father Shiloh's Sampson Zackary (Zak) did.  All the real work was left to my Momma Jessie.  And... anytime I have had pups, the Fathers just seem to disappear.  Sometimes you will see them on the day our little wee ones leave home to become Special Shilohs, but even then all they do is strut around. 

Right Sam, Jaeger and Jager?
Love Momma Abi/Grandma Abi

JULY 2006

Dear Abi, I was rudely shock out of my comfy couch last night by huge bangs and bright lights. I didn't see any rain though. Can you explain this phenomenon please? Thanks! San Francisco Shiloh

Dearest CA Shiloh.
Well, if you haven't fallen into the sea yet, then I would have to say that it was the 4th of July celebration. Our humans just never cease to surprise me with their 'holidays'. They light small bombs and try to blow their hands and fingers off. To me, it seems a bit silly, but you know how humans can be.

The upside of this holiday would be all of the hot dogs and hamburgers that they cook up and can't eat. Those come directly to our dishes in the form of comfort food. Makes it so much better, don't you think? At any rate, just cover your head in case it's an earthquake... I have heard that they are something completely different and you don't want to be in one.

-Judy
CJ's Valley View Farms :: abCH. CJ's Lobo Amado De Windsong, ROM CGC/TDI