Joan Fisher
New member
This is an article recently posted in our Club Newsletter
SS Maritime Atlantiika, CDX, DDX, CGN, aka “Tiika”, helps with the Sermon!
Well, it was quite a surprise when Father Gerry Peddle approached John and me to ask if Tiika could help with the sermon for the Children’s service on January 15th. It was to be a big secret. We weren’t to tell anyone about it. Father Gerry, a retired Chaplain from the Canadian Forces, and a Newfoundlander, was the interim priest for the Anglican Church of the Resurrection. He knew Tiika from her Mascot activities with our Atlantic Voices Choir.
Tiika was already known by many members of the Church since she had given cart rides to the children at the June Church picnics and at the Church’s Fall Bazaars. But it was still a surprise when she showed up for the sermon on January 15th. Father Peddle had the children gathered around him sitting on the altar steps for his sermon. He talked about the boy Samuel being called by God and asked the children if they would answer if their names were called. Then he said, “Okay, let’s all call someone and see if she comes. I want everyone to call ‘Tiika’!” As they did, John opened the back doors of the Church and let Tiika in, telling her to go find Joan.
I called “Tiika, Come!” and up she came to the front of the Church where I was sitting with the children. She sat perfectly, right in front of Father Gerry. The children were thrilled, as were all the adults in the congregation. I told her “Down!” and she lay down in the midst of the children while Father Gerry continued with his sermon, using Tiika to demonstrate how special we all are, and how we are made for the special things we need to do. Tiika needed big paws so she could run, and swim, and rescue people, but we need hands to write, and use the computer as I am right now! Tiika had big ears and the most wonderful hearing, so she could hear us calling her from outside the doors of the Church. The children loved the sermon and were so happy that Tiika had come to visit them at Church.
January was very busy for Tiika. The day before the visit to Church she had visited two Senior’s Residences for concerts with Atlantic Voices. She and John said “Hello” to each and every senior in the audiences. Each resident got to pat and touch her. The following weekend was the Atlantic Voices big concert. Then Tiika had 400-500 people to greet as they came in to the concert. She also helped Senator Mike Duffy unveil the new logo for Atlantic Voices. Senator Duffy quipped that you should never share a stage with a dog ….. the dog gets all the attention!
Tiika is still working on Utility Dog training, and as soon as the snow melts, we’ll be back practicing our carting in preparation for the Draft Dog Trials at the Newfoundland Club of America Specialty in Carlisle, PA in May. We’re bound and determined to get that title this time. We’ll let you all know if we do!
John, Joan, and “Tiika” Fisher - Ottawa
SS Maritime Atlantiika, CDX, DDX, CGN, aka “Tiika”, helps with the Sermon!
Well, it was quite a surprise when Father Gerry Peddle approached John and me to ask if Tiika could help with the sermon for the Children’s service on January 15th. It was to be a big secret. We weren’t to tell anyone about it. Father Gerry, a retired Chaplain from the Canadian Forces, and a Newfoundlander, was the interim priest for the Anglican Church of the Resurrection. He knew Tiika from her Mascot activities with our Atlantic Voices Choir.
Tiika was already known by many members of the Church since she had given cart rides to the children at the June Church picnics and at the Church’s Fall Bazaars. But it was still a surprise when she showed up for the sermon on January 15th. Father Peddle had the children gathered around him sitting on the altar steps for his sermon. He talked about the boy Samuel being called by God and asked the children if they would answer if their names were called. Then he said, “Okay, let’s all call someone and see if she comes. I want everyone to call ‘Tiika’!” As they did, John opened the back doors of the Church and let Tiika in, telling her to go find Joan.
I called “Tiika, Come!” and up she came to the front of the Church where I was sitting with the children. She sat perfectly, right in front of Father Gerry. The children were thrilled, as were all the adults in the congregation. I told her “Down!” and she lay down in the midst of the children while Father Gerry continued with his sermon, using Tiika to demonstrate how special we all are, and how we are made for the special things we need to do. Tiika needed big paws so she could run, and swim, and rescue people, but we need hands to write, and use the computer as I am right now! Tiika had big ears and the most wonderful hearing, so she could hear us calling her from outside the doors of the Church. The children loved the sermon and were so happy that Tiika had come to visit them at Church.
January was very busy for Tiika. The day before the visit to Church she had visited two Senior’s Residences for concerts with Atlantic Voices. She and John said “Hello” to each and every senior in the audiences. Each resident got to pat and touch her. The following weekend was the Atlantic Voices big concert. Then Tiika had 400-500 people to greet as they came in to the concert. She also helped Senator Mike Duffy unveil the new logo for Atlantic Voices. Senator Duffy quipped that you should never share a stage with a dog ….. the dog gets all the attention!
Tiika is still working on Utility Dog training, and as soon as the snow melts, we’ll be back practicing our carting in preparation for the Draft Dog Trials at the Newfoundland Club of America Specialty in Carlisle, PA in May. We’re bound and determined to get that title this time. We’ll let you all know if we do!
John, Joan, and “Tiika” Fisher - Ottawa
