When junior Courtnay Fisher chose sophomore Courtenay Burt as her secret little sister on the Bravettes basketball team, the bond between the two reached past the usual exchanges of Winnie the Pooh lunch boxes, cartoon memorabilia, or encouraging cards and notes. Besides the friendship that was exchanged, Burt also gave Fisher a living reminder of her thanks. “A lot of the time she was really encouraging,” said Burt. “She’s always been kind of a big sister to me. She took me under her wing and has been really nice to me.” From their home, Burt’s parents Gary and Kay Burt run River Bend Labradors, where they breed prize-winning yellow Labrador retrievers. The puppies, which sell for upwards of $250, are of a lineage that includes a champion male recognized as the finest dog in North America. Kay and Gary Burt, were grateful for Fisher’s relationship as a mentor to their daughter, so they wanted to do something special for Fisher. “It was both Kay’s and my idea to give Courtnay a puppy,” said Gary Burt. “She had wanted one for a really long time.” The Burt family secretly planned with Fisher’s parents, Patty and Phil Fisher, to give Courtnay the puppy at the end of the basketball season. “She found out she was going to get the puppy at the last basketball game,” said Patty Fisher. “When they told who little sisters were, Courtenay told her ‘the rest of your present isn’t ready yet.’” Used to being the big sister who gave out the surprises to Burt, Fisher said the gift was quite a shock. “I didn’t expect to get (another dog) until I was out of college and on my own,” said Fisher. “It was a total surprise to me.” Fisher said the surprise was especially pleasing to her because she had wanted a dog for some time, but knew it was hard to keep a dog at her home, located in the country south of Kalispell. “We had been looking for a yellow lab or Brittany (Spaniel),” said Fisher. “We haven’t had good luck with dogs before. They’ve always run away or been run over (and) our neighbors have shot a couple. My mom was concerned and didn’t want another dog because she knew the heartache.” Fisher said she has special reason to make sure this puppy works out. “The Burts are planning to use my dog as a stud because their dogs will be getting older,” said Fisher. “Courtnay is providing a good home to a male that will carry on Sunny’s characteristics,” said Kay Burt. The litter of puppies, born to the Burt’s dogs Snowy and Sunny, arrived on Nov. 29. Like a god mother, Fisher was the first person Kay Burt called when the puppies were being born. “When the baby was born, Courtnay got the call,” said Patty Fisher. “After a couple of weeks, Courtnay got to pick who she wanted; the Burts were really happy with the one she picked. I think she got the pick of the litter.” Fisher has had her “pick” home for nearly a month. She named her puppy Zachariah Taylor, a name she chose because the sound of “Zach” would be easily learned by the puppy. She said he already is adjusting to become part of the Fisher family. “He knows how to sit, lay down, he knows his name and ‘no,’” said Fisher. “He bites at you when you tell him ‘no’ — he’s a smart-aleck.” Fisher said her water-loving lab even handled his inaugural bath with grace. “He had his first bath last week,” said Fisher. “The water (splashes) on his face and he bites at it.” Fisher said her entire family is enjoying the gift, and said she is very grateful to the Burts and what they have done for her. Said Fisher: “We really appreciate it; they’re great people.” |
