GRACIE'S COMING OUT PARTY.

[auntie c]

The Newcastle Poodle Community has just endured the hardest year.
A year ago our eldest dame, LILY had an unusually hard seizure, followed by a bloat on Anzac Day 2006, then was euthaniased a few weeks after.
A year ago 3 of our elder boys, Norman, Hennessy and my beautiful Maxwell all went to the bridge within 6 weeks of one another.... all tragically and unexpectedly..

As life goes on, we have all aquired the next generation for our pack. Lily's parents, Nancy and Barbara received a new Black Baby Girl early January 2007. She has been kept in quarantine until 2 weeks ago. 
It was decided that we have a celebration to mark the end of our tragic year and the bright future that lay  ahead..

As invitations were printed, photographer & caterers booked and a cake ordered, everyone was awaiting the faithful day, April 1st.. APRIL FOOLS DAY!

The morning was glorious, all our babies were preened and best behaviours installed.

As we had all gathered at ZSA ZSA's (7yr black standard) a required hushed was announced...
A lone bag piper walked into the ominous crowd of awaiting Poodles playing Amazing Grace. All present Poodles were in total awe of this, Harry ( 3.5 white standard) walked right up to the piper in total enquistry. 
Not one bark was heard...
The piper then greeted Grace with a big kiss and hug and wished her well on HER special day.
He then handed over e to the Celebrant in attendance and then made his exit to a raucous applause.
The celebrant went about her business, reading a beautiful verse, blessing her and bringing forth her appointed dogfather, WILLY (13yr cream standard). 2 Godmothers were sworn to an oath and grace was presented with a silver necklace with her Newcastle Poodle Club tag, duly engraved.
Then all that were present were asked to present Grace with a Wish, one by one we each read out our wish and placed it in a bundle that was wrapped in gold-gilt tissue paper and given to Grace as a keepsake.
The last wish presented was the wish of LOVE LOVE LOVE, and this ofcourse bought everyone into song.....

Lunch was then served, Dog Food was presented and ofcourse then the cake cutting, which was intently overseen by the Dogfather himself, Willy.

We all lovingly remembered our babies awaiting us all at the bridge and the tiresome journey they had taken to get there.

All 16 dogs present were beautifully behaved, the day had been hailed a huge success and we all now are looking forward to the future that we and our babies deserve.....

following is a list of those present....

Barbara & Nancy owned by Woody Cooper, Apricot Mini (rescue) and Grace, black standard
Terry & Paula owned by Zsa Zsa, black standard
Brian & Carlene owned by Harry and Pearl, both rescues
Liisa owned by Willy, 13 year cream standard
Robyn & Rosie owned by Kelly, black standard (rescue)
Terri owned by Stanley, apricot standard
Georgia & Susan owned by Shah, chocolate standard
Noreen, owned by Ralph, black mini (rescue)
Madeline, owned by Jasper & Frankie, 2 chocolate minis
Chris & Cindy owned by Pascal, red toy, Nicci, white toy (rescue), Lily black min (rescue)
Ellen & Sue owned by snuffy, Bichon (yes we know, a ring in)

If anyone would like a copy of the ceremony or pics, please email me privately

carlene
harry who and pearl the girl
australia

[auntie c]

GRACE’S COMING OUT CELEBRATION CEREMONY
1 APRIL 2007

Hello Everyone and welcome to Grace’s Coming Out Party, the Poodle Event of the Season.  I am Denise Lindus Hughes and I am a celebrant.

Nancy and Barbara are both relieved and delighted that Grace has arrived safely into the world, and into their loving arms, where she belongs.

Their hearts really are full of Grace

It is impossible to talk about Grace without mentioning Lily.
Everyone who knows Nancy and Barbara knows that before there was Grace, there was Lily.  In fact even if you didn’t know them, there was a good chance you knew Lil. 
She was a poodle about town and a founding member of the Newcastle Poodle Club.  And rather than getting into too much detail about the connection between Lil and Grace, I’d like to read a poem that says it all.


 







Nancy and Barbara wish you all to share in their joy.  Today is all about Grace.

We meet here today to gather in friendship and celebration and to take part in a simple ceremony of puppy naming and puppy welcoming.  So let us begin with the puppy naming.

Little black poodle puppy, today we name you Grace.
And in so doing invoke in you and for you all the meanings of that name:
     Dignity, poise, charm and beauty.
     Seemingly effortless elegance.
     Divine love freely bestowed.
     The state of being spiritually protected.
You are a spiritual gift and may your life be a prayer of thanksgiving.

(At this point sprinkle with water using Yarrow stalks, while speaking the words:)
I NAME YOU GRACE…
       AMAZING GRACE…
               DR. GRACE WHO, TIME LORD.

May you become one of those poodles who make the world a better and happier place.

Now we call on the 2 elders of the Newcastle Poodle Pack to come forward with their people.  Willy Jaakkonen and Liisa.  Zsa Zsa Bratski and Paula.
And can we form a circle around this little scene.

I ask Liisa and Paula to speak on behalf of Willy and Zsa Zsa.

Zsa Zsa Bratski, are you willing to become Grace’s poodle dog mother?
Willy Jaakkonen are you willing to become Grace’s poodle dog father?
1.   Are you both willing to accept the responsibilities of mentor and guardian for Grace?
2.   Will you both make her feel loved and cherished?
3.   Will you give her your time and share your poodle wisdom with her?
4.   Will you encourage in her a sense of wonder and belief in herself?
5.   Will you encourage in her a sense of respect and tolerance for others?
6.   Will you protect her if she is in danger and lead her to safety?
7.   Will you stay close to Grace to the best of your ability, in body while you live, and in Spirit when it is your time to go to Rainbow Bridge?
8.   Will you formally welcome her into the Newcastle Poodle Club?

Paula and Liisa will you please put this necklace round Grace’s Neck.

(As that is happening Denise says:)
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE NEWCASTLE POODLE CLUB.

NOW THE WISHES.  Let each guest speak their own wishes.

In Closing, Let us be aware that the lives of all these beautiful dogs and their people are interrelated.  Let us be aware that this gathering serves to strengthen the bonds of friendship you all obviously have for each other.

[Michael]

Here's some pics....I think there are a lot of spoiled pooches in Newcastle....if our other dogs see these pics, we're all in trouble....because ours will be demanding such royal treatment!

[auntie c]

thank you so  much michael for posting the pics for all to see.....

i do really appreciate that you are stretched for time.

carlene
harry who and pearl the girl
australia

[zpoodle]

Wonderful pictures...........Thanks for sharing!!

Looks like a grand time was had by all...............now mine want a Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mindy
Zorcon Poodles
Toys and Standards
Visit us at:
http://members.tripod.com/zpoodle/index.html

[auntie c]

stay tuned we just got another baby,
10 week cream standard girl... she is syndicated and we have all voted. she is to be known as EVA, sister to zsa zsa, pearl and grace bratski....
we found her in our local (bloody) pet shop!

carlene
harry who & pearl the girl
australia

[zefi]

fantastic photos. now i wish i lived in newcastle!!!

[Helen]

Wow, what neat pictures!!  I wish I could have brought our boys.  And that's exciting news about Eva!

Helen

[auntie c]

you are more than welcome, (everyone) will let you know about the next one!

carlene
harry who and pearl the girl
australia