Dec 1, 2008

It's Written in the Stars

Thank you very much to everyone who left comments on our holiday card post!

Now, the moment you have all been waiting for.

The winner is...


The mystery constellations were...

Canis Major and Orion

Due to the great response that this post received, Addie decided to pick a few extra consolation prize winners as well. And the consolation prize winners are:

Sweepy
Aki
The Army of Four
River


Santa Paws will be on her way with your holiday prizes!

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History Behind the Stars 
Some of you may know that we lost our dear K-8 (pronounced Kate) in March. She was 12 years old; a Border Collie/American Bulldog mix. After she passed, I wanted something to always remind me of her. I searched around the internet for the perfect item or memorial for our K-8. Nothing seemed good enough.

Then it hit me. Several years ago my husband had a star named after me within the Orion constellation. Out of the blue I remembered the Canis Major constellation and did some research.
 "As the cold of northern winter descends, Orion's two hunting dogs bound over evening's eastern horizon, enthusiastically chasing their master across the sky as he perpetually hunts his prey. On successive nights rising ever earlier, they are with us until spring returns flowers and green grass. The Dogs, Canis Major (the Larger Dog) and Canis Minor (the Smaller), could not be more different, the Big Dog loaded with bright blue and white stars and host to numerous star clusters, the little one sparsely populated." (by Jim Kaler)
This was the answer I was looking for. I had a star named after K-8 in Canis Major.
"Canis Major is very easy to find during the months of November through March. First locate Orion the Hunter, and imagine a straight line through his belt. Follow the line to the southeast, and you will see Sirius perched right below it. Sirius is the nose of the dog. His body stretches to the southeast, and his front leg is to the west of Sirius." (by Windows to the Universe)
So when you take a look at the night sky, please say hello to K-8. She would love to meet you.
 

37 comments:

  1. Hello Addie
    Just got your message. Thanks for the invite ... but I was too late for the holiday drawing.
    Woof! Woof!
    SugarTheGoldenRetriever

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  2. OH! OH! OH!

    Sweet Addie, you are the most wonderful paws of them all - the akitas THANK YOU from the bottom of their wooofy hearts for this honour!

    *many many tail wags sent your way*

    Momma will send you an email :-)

    PS: K-8, we see you winking at us when we look up at the night sky...

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  3. What a great contest! Those are my two favorite constellations (and the most recognizable ones, I think). Congrats to the winners.

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  4. Wow, that is a great story behind the stars! Thank you for sharing them! I love the idea of naming stars after our loved ones....We'll be sure to be on the look out for the Canis Majot constellation to say Hi to K-8. =)

    Scottie

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  5. Hi, Addie!
    Congratulations to the winners!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  6. Hi guys, Thanks for our Christmas card we think it is gr-8!!
    -Luke and Liesel

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  7. That's awesome that you'd look to the stars for inspiration. I have done the exact same thing. My "kennel" name is Astraean, "Of the Star Maiden" which refers to Celeste "heavenly body." More on that in my recent post "Meet Celeste."

    Dublin (Dublin Rex) is Gaelic for "black pool" which refers to the great black pool of the sky upon which the stars shine. You can't have brilliant stars without the deep black background. Rex is also a constellation.

    Mercury (Astraean Mercury Rising) is named after the planet and the Greek God.

    And Gemma (Astraean A Star Cut Gem) is named after a constellation. And just like the stars within a constellation are designated the alpha, beta, gamma... she was the third female born (gamma -> gemma) so it was a small leap to get her name.

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  8. oh wow! oh wow! we won something! hahahaha.. we never won anything in our entire puppy life! wooofffy!

    hehe... by some spirit of good luck, you have to come over to our bloggie too addie cos we have a surprise for you..

    your mum really loves k-8. i bet we would love her too if we had met before.

    stars are indeed one of this world's unfathomable mysteries and yet they seem to have this mesmerizing/ healing effect over us. we are glad the stars are always smiling upon you.

    a little secret.. capturing stars (in the camera) is one of our newest passion's. we hope we can find a good picture with k-8 beaming in it.

    drooly kisses,

    Aki

    another pee-ees.

    have you seen the stars last night? or was it morning in your area.. the sky had a smiley face, with the moon as a curbed mouth. hope you got to see it.

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  9. Oh wow that is such a sweet idea! We'll be sure to say hi to her when we look in the sky!!!

    Erin, Bubbles and Texas

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  10. thats a nice story your mum wrote about K-8. I am getting to go out now. we will look up and say Hi to her.
    Thank you for your beautiful card and chewies. Joe brought it today.
    He said "Morgan got a letter". So we opened it up and admired the picture of you and Zoe. I sniffed and sniffed it. Now I feel like I know you better.
    Your Pal Morgan

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  11. K-8 was absolutely beautiful. What smart and bright eyes!

    I always love your posts very much. Never stop writting, Addie!

    Pipa

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  12. What a wonderful idea to remember K-8. We had a clear night in Thunder Bay and I actually took the time to look at the stars last night. Thank you for that.
    Congrats to all the winners.
    Love Ruby & her mom

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  13. Addie & Zoe!
    Thank you so much for the lovely card.
    I like the paw print....
    I posted a small package yesterday for you.
    I hope it gets through customs ok..
    XX
    Dina

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  14. Khongrats to the lukhky winners!

    AND wooing of lukhky, I was furtunate enough to get your fabulous khard and STUFF yesterday - it made it safely to Pawsylvania! TANK WOO!

    Hmmmmmm - I bet watching the stars is part of what I do when I sit out at night under my trees or in my yard!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  15. That is such a beautiful story!

    Congrats to the winners! We got Orion right but Canis Major stumped us!

    Your Pals,
    Sen-Chan, Tom and Tama-Chan

    PS: The verification word says KIESSES!

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  16. Congrats to all winners !
    Yeap ! I can't wait to see what our Santa Addie & family give us ! BOL !! K-8 looks so gorgeous !

    xoxo ,
    CODY

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  17. Addie! Your never going to believe this! My Mommy forgot to add you to my snuggle buddies list & I wasn't able to visit you! I'm so sorry it's been so long! You are on my list now & I'll never miss a post(well not never but I will try to come over as often as I can!) I got your Christmas card & the pressies & Mommy was so happy she teared up(while I enjoyed the goodness of that treat!) Thank you Addie & Zoe!
    Hugs & Snugs
    Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle

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  18. addie, nice to meet you!
    you have some beautiful pictures yourself. come visit my blog sometime. Dr. dre

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  19. What a wonderful way to remember K-8. She is gorgeous and I am sure she's a much-loved member of your family during her time here.
    Now you have got me thinking... when I miscarried our first child in June this year, I was thinking of ways on how he will always be with me. I may explore this option. Thanks for sharing it.

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  20. Oh wow, what a lovely story! We sure would be looking up and say hi to K-8.

    Congrats to the winners! That's a great contest!

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  21. Ahhh, what a sweet story! K-8 was beautiful...I love the pictures! :) I will definitely look up and say hello.

    Kisses,
    Nala

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  22. Your contests are so fun, Addie :) Big congrats to your winners!

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  23. hi dear Addie!!!!
    Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww, that is a great story behind the stars! Thank you for sharing them!
    Congrats to the winner!!!
    Addie you're a great dog with a great family!!!!
    We love you and hope to meet you one these day!!!!!
    lots of love dear friend!!!!!!!

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  24. Conrats to your winners Addie.

    Aww.. that is such a lovely tribute to K-8. She was a really beautiful girl, i shall remember her when i look at the stars now.

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  25. BOL ! You have a great week too dear Addie !!

    xoxo ,
    Your BFF Four Musketeers

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  26. oh ya ! & Addie ! You're one of the first three lucky winner , are you willing to play the pay it forward campaign ? Look at our blog for info and tell us :D

    xoxo ,
    Four Musketeers

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  27. Hi Addie!
    Thanks for sharing that story with us! I love learning new things. And I will definitely look for K-8 next time I am out at night!
    Love Clover xo

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  28. We will definately keep an eye out for K-8!

    (((hugs))
    Oskar, Schatzi & Xena

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  29. Woof! Addie
    I've awarded you with the "I Love Your Blog" award. Check my blog. Thanks for being my friend.
    Woof! Woof! Sugar

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  30. What a great story behind the stars. We will look for K-8 at night!

    We received your card today. Thank you so much!

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  31. That is such a great idea to have a star named after K-8. We will have to say hello to her next time we go star gazing.
    -Tibby

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  32. Congratulations to the winners! It was a great contest & I had fun participating. K-8 was a really gorgeous girl! Look more like a BC.

    Butt wiggles,
    Solid Gold Dancer

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  33. Hi Addie! I'm glad you like the bone.

    Cool contest. I knew that one was orion but couldn't guess the other! I thinkyour card is really cool!

    Barklove,
    Rusty

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  34. I could have sworn one of us left a comment! Sorry! We are thrilled and honored to be winners of a consolation prize! Thank roo!
    Tail wags,
    Storm

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