Quincy Jones Rodgers

Quincy was born the only male to Jade Nicole on January 21st, 1996. He was the last puppy born and we really wondered if she was going to have a male or not. But he finally made it into the world. He was a wonderful boy, so gentle, kind and loving. Of course he was supposed to be a daddy's boy but I kind of took him over. He was my protector to the fullest. No one was allowed to get anywhere near the house or even within a block of the house. I can remember that there was a truck that drove by the house every day at the same time and yes Quincy would have to bark and scare the truck away every day and I thanked him every day for making the truck go away and protecting me. With every litter of pups we had Quincy would tolerate those little ones just as if he were their father, letting them climb on him and chew on him, but when he had enough he would jump on the highest piece of furniture to get away from them. He loved to go and visit grandma who lived in Valparaiso, IN because she had a fenced in yard and he could run and play and of course grandma loved him too. He was the largest Bedlington that I had ever seen and the gentlest also. Quincy we really miss you but we knew that you were in so much pain. If you could have only talked and told us that you hurt and what all was going on inside you. Even with the kidney and liver problems, you were a trooper up to the end, loving, giving and yourself. Now you are with Nikki, Chelsea, Kiwi and I am sure that you are all having a good time together. We love you big guy, and you will always be a big part of our lives.
Love, Mom, Dad and Joshua

On Your Own Terms

I remember the night you were born
How I stewed and fretted
Thinking that you might never come
That I might have to wait until the next time

First come one of your sisters
Then your other sister was born (then two more sisters were born)
I don't remember who was first
I just knew I didn't have my boy

It seemed like forever, and
As I was frustrated with your mother
For not giving me a boy, you finally came
On your own terms and in your own time.

But that is how you lived your life
On your own terms and in your own time.
Oh you learned some cute tricks
But you taxed your mother's patience
For it was on your own terms And in your own time

We showered you with love
And snuggled and held you tight
And you returned our love
On your own terms and in your own time

You were oversized for your breed
And that scared some potential buyers of
Your siblings that were to come later
But you handled their apprehensions
On your own terms and in your own time

Often we called you our Gentle Giant
For as big as your were, when you
Came and jumped on our laps, yes
You were a "lap dog" you were ever so gentle
But it was always
On your own terms and in your own time.

Mom taught you to be here protector
And you learned your job too well, for
Protectors must have loud voices and yours
Would resonate throughout the house
You protected on your own terms
And in your own time

And when the family grew
As we keep a brother or a sister
From this litter and that litter
You handled it well not showing any jealousy
You took it all in stride
On your own terms and in your own time.

And when the time came for you to go home
To again see your mother Nikki and cousin Chelsea
You again were a gentle giant for you showed us how much you loved us
But left us on your own terms and in your own time.

By Dennis Rodgers

Nancy Rodgers