Breeding brings me so much joy!
I included 2 videos of my day. One of the great benefits of breeding is - I get to play with puppies!
A photo of Yankee Doodle (Molly) with her new puppy mom!
Fears of breeding and the benefits of breeding.
I included 2 videos of my day. One of the great benefits of breeding is - I get to play with puppies!
My choice to become a breeder was not an easy one. I was intimidated by raising little paws and of selling them! I was concerned that I would be too attached to the pups to let them go. I wondered if I would be able to find loving people who would be prepared for the responsibilities of becoming a pet owner.
It was not a lack of experience with animals that worried me.
Read the stories below and you might agree.
It was not a lack of experience with animals that worried me.
Read the stories below and you might agree.
Intermission of short stories:
Short Story: Dirk.
INFAMOUS DIRK
I still wonder: terrorist or parrot?
My parents inherited Dirk. Our excitement lasted until we met him. His goal in life was to terrorize or destroy any life except his own. Any breathing creature was at risk if not Dirk.
His was brilliant and agile. He found inventive ways of escape. His plan of attack started with a swift flyby that made certain his wings hit your face. That flyby he took in every detail and formed a malicious plan in seconds. His execution of the plan occurred on the second flyby. It consisted of a variety of assaults. He would rip out earrings, poop on the head, bite.
Alfred Hitchcock: "The Birds!"
I think Hitchcock must have met Dirk.
My parents made a GREAT decision and found a bird lover who believed they were up to the challenge. They gave him Dirk. Poor soul, I wonder if he lived through it?
When Dirk left, the prison he created became peaceful once more and Warden Dirk has hopefully improved.
After the chaos and trauma, my father built a house in our backyard for pidgeons. I catch myself wondering if he wanted to show his 5 children that not all birds are planning your demise. Regardless, that bird house did make me a bird lover. I am not partial to parrots.
INFAMOUS DIRK
I still wonder: terrorist or parrot?
My parents inherited Dirk. Our excitement lasted until we met him. His goal in life was to terrorize or destroy any life except his own. Any breathing creature was at risk if not Dirk.
His was brilliant and agile. He found inventive ways of escape. His plan of attack started with a swift flyby that made certain his wings hit your face. That flyby he took in every detail and formed a malicious plan in seconds. His execution of the plan occurred on the second flyby. It consisted of a variety of assaults. He would rip out earrings, poop on the head, bite.
Alfred Hitchcock: "The Birds!"
I think Hitchcock must have met Dirk.
My parents made a GREAT decision and found a bird lover who believed they were up to the challenge. They gave him Dirk. Poor soul, I wonder if he lived through it?
When Dirk left, the prison he created became peaceful once more and Warden Dirk has hopefully improved.
After the chaos and trauma, my father built a house in our backyard for pidgeons. I catch myself wondering if he wanted to show his 5 children that not all birds are planning your demise. Regardless, that bird house did make me a bird lover. I am not partial to parrots.
Meet my family when we were young!
The little girl on the left is me, Holly, the boy beside me is my brother G, my sister L is in the patriotic swimsuit, our mother is the pretty lady holding a baby brother C. My father is the photographer. My eldest brother S was more than likely playing baseball at this time. I am only going with first initials for privacy sake.
My early years were spent growing up in the Black Hills. In every place I have lived, I have been surrounded by ranchers and farmers. My sister and older brother were the pet wonders! They brought home frogs, lizards, bugs and snakes(my mother was not a fan).
Short Story: I need a pet too! A 5 year old fills her own dreams.
As a young child I wanted to have a pet of my own. What can a little girl do when her family are already overrun with animals?
I grabbed an ice cream bucket and created my own worm farm! I beamed with pride. MY little pets.
I would talk to them every day, believing I was a wonderful owner.
One day, I went to my bucket and everything was gone! I ran to my mother who was making Saturday night dinner. My father and brothers were in the kitchen.
I sobbed and exclaimed, "Mom, something terrible has happened to my pets! They are all gone!" My mother was aware of my joyful ownership of worms that I had been digging out of the ground.
She put her hands on the counter and gave a "look" to dad and the boys.
A strange silence filled the room, when my brother G said, "Worms, the worms in the ice cream bucket were your pets?"
Doom!!! At that moment, I realized they all had fishing gear on.
Worm farming...I don't recommend it. In truth, I would use them to fish too; if I wasn't so proud to have my own pets.
Short Story: Macho Duck
The beauty of feathers are only feather deep.
Macho Duck is what we named him. He was attacked by our neighbor's dog. Macho made it to our backyard but it was clear he wasn't going to live without help.
In Macho's defense, he was wild, he was hurt in a violent attack. He had zero coping skills for that. Wild ducks do not appreciate their life being saved. He was angry and never did get over it.
Helping that animal meant definite pain of some kind. He has returned to the wild.
He never wrote or said thank you, typical wild critter.
I hope he lived a long time for all the trouble we went through to save him.
Nevertheless, we loved him and were happy he made it.
Short Story: L wants a pony!
Short Story: I need a pet too! A 5 year old fills her own dreams.
As a young child I wanted to have a pet of my own. What can a little girl do when her family are already overrun with animals?
I grabbed an ice cream bucket and created my own worm farm! I beamed with pride. MY little pets.
I would talk to them every day, believing I was a wonderful owner.
One day, I went to my bucket and everything was gone! I ran to my mother who was making Saturday night dinner. My father and brothers were in the kitchen.
I sobbed and exclaimed, "Mom, something terrible has happened to my pets! They are all gone!" My mother was aware of my joyful ownership of worms that I had been digging out of the ground.
She put her hands on the counter and gave a "look" to dad and the boys.
A strange silence filled the room, when my brother G said, "Worms, the worms in the ice cream bucket were your pets?"
Doom!!! At that moment, I realized they all had fishing gear on.
Worm farming...I don't recommend it. In truth, I would use them to fish too; if I wasn't so proud to have my own pets.
Short Story: Macho Duck
The beauty of feathers are only feather deep.
Macho Duck is what we named him. He was attacked by our neighbor's dog. Macho made it to our backyard but it was clear he wasn't going to live without help.
In Macho's defense, he was wild, he was hurt in a violent attack. He had zero coping skills for that. Wild ducks do not appreciate their life being saved. He was angry and never did get over it.
Helping that animal meant definite pain of some kind. He has returned to the wild.
He never wrote or said thank you, typical wild critter.
I hope he lived a long time for all the trouble we went through to save him.
Nevertheless, we loved him and were happy he made it.
Short Story: L wants a pony!
My sister, L, wanted a horse, she begged our father relentlessly.
It was a beautiful day, being a sporty family, L had a track meet..
Our father knew L had a little more to give on the high jump. He came up with a brilliant plan to give her that extra push.
It was a beautiful day, being a sporty family, L had a track meet..
Our father knew L had a little more to give on the high jump. He came up with a brilliant plan to give her that extra push.
He said, "L, If you can high jump to a height, (that I can't recall), you can get a horse but you have to help pay for it."
My sister said, "I can do that!"
Our father knew she couldn't jump that high; he also knew she would push herself and gain confidence at what she could achieve. That was his goal.
My amazing sister cleared that bar like a sail! She popped off the mat without a thought of how high she had jumped, all she could think about was, "I am getting a horse!"
She ran to our dad and beaming said, "I knew I could do it! Let's get a horse!"
I imagine at that moment, our father experienced a bizarre mix of utter horror and magnificent pride. He may have gone into shock as well.
She ran to our dad and beaming said, "I knew I could do it! Let's get a horse!"
I imagine at that moment, our father experienced a bizarre mix of utter horror and magnificent pride. He may have gone into shock as well.
I have always wondered how he broke that news to my mother? She loved horses. However, 5 children are really expensive. L, and our eldest brother S, worked to earn the money. Our parents did too and after a long wait and hard work it came time to buy a horse.
Our father went with L and S to look at some horses for sale. One gentleman had a horse for sale.
L and S were very excited but unclear how much the horse would cost.
Once they arrived at the ranchers land, he took them to see the horse for sale.
One look and our father knew, L and S were about to be heartbroken.
Hank was a beautiful horse quarter horse, 16 hands tall, great coloring and superbly trained. He could run cows like no other.
Our father prepared himself for the inevitable moment of disappointment.
It wasn't a secret that in those days we didn't have a lot of money. Our parents were known to be honest, hard workers. That work ethic was taught to all of us children. L and S were not strangers in our small town of 300 people. No one was a stranger in that town. L and S were liked for how dependable they were.
They were both taken by Hank, and Hank returned the affection right off the bat.
L and S while stroking Hank, turned to ask excitedly, " How much?"
That rancher gave nothing away, he simply said, " How much do ya got?"
They pulled out what to us was A LOT of money. Our father and the rancher knew better.
The gentleman, rancher said,"Well, look at that, you have the exact amount. He is yours."
Our father has often spoken of that kindness. The selflessness of that rancher added joy to to all our family.
Hank won at the rodeos with L on his back. L was a good rider. But we all know, Hank was unbeatable in his own right.
Our father went with L and S to look at some horses for sale. One gentleman had a horse for sale.
L and S were very excited but unclear how much the horse would cost.
Once they arrived at the ranchers land, he took them to see the horse for sale.
One look and our father knew, L and S were about to be heartbroken.
Hank was a beautiful horse quarter horse, 16 hands tall, great coloring and superbly trained. He could run cows like no other.
Our father prepared himself for the inevitable moment of disappointment.
It wasn't a secret that in those days we didn't have a lot of money. Our parents were known to be honest, hard workers. That work ethic was taught to all of us children. L and S were not strangers in our small town of 300 people. No one was a stranger in that town. L and S were liked for how dependable they were.
They were both taken by Hank, and Hank returned the affection right off the bat.
L and S while stroking Hank, turned to ask excitedly, " How much?"
That rancher gave nothing away, he simply said, " How much do ya got?"
They pulled out what to us was A LOT of money. Our father and the rancher knew better.
The gentleman, rancher said,"Well, look at that, you have the exact amount. He is yours."
Our father has often spoken of that kindness. The selflessness of that rancher added joy to to all our family.
Hank won at the rodeos with L on his back. L was a good rider. But we all know, Hank was unbeatable in his own right.
I was lucky enough to partake of L and S's accomplishments and loved Hank.
Short Story: Howling at the moon
We fostered a coyote, my sister, L, brought home. It was a baby that had been caught in a trap. We, (really, my sister) cared for our coyote until it was old enough to go to a refuge. Coyotes when cared for are elegant. Unlike the wild ones that are none too friendly and scraggly.
We had two other dogs and a cat at that same time. They all believed they were of the same pack; the pack included our cat! We worried coyote would not make it in the refuge. We had made an effort, not to tame her. She liked us regardless. The day came to release her in a refuge in Colorado. She was tagged and for a time we received updates. Coyote adjusted well and found a new pack.
My sister, L, has always been an inspiration with acts of love! I continue to look up to all my siblings including my youngest!
Short Story: Animals in my adult life, with a family of my own.
We fostered a coyote, my sister, L, brought home. It was a baby that had been caught in a trap. We, (really, my sister) cared for our coyote until it was old enough to go to a refuge. Coyotes when cared for are elegant. Unlike the wild ones that are none too friendly and scraggly.
We had two other dogs and a cat at that same time. They all believed they were of the same pack; the pack included our cat! We worried coyote would not make it in the refuge. We had made an effort, not to tame her. She liked us regardless. The day came to release her in a refuge in Colorado. She was tagged and for a time we received updates. Coyote adjusted well and found a new pack.
My sister, L, has always been an inspiration with acts of love! I continue to look up to all my siblings including my youngest!
Short Story: Animals in my adult life, with a family of my own.
As time marched on, college was my life, I had several years without a pet. I would help clean out stalls or watch some friends horses while they were gone. But I didn't have a pet of any kind.
I met Zach, and things changed quickly.
I met Zach, and things changed quickly.
Engagement pictures back in the day. Would have liked the awesome touch ups they have now! Zach, is handsome and genuinely GOOD!! I am a blessed lady.
My husband and I give all our time to our family. Our kids would probably appreciate less mom and dad time! We include them in our activities and we attend and support all of theirs.
Since the beginning of our marriage, we have had dogs. Our children have been just as involved with animals as my husband and I. Over the years, we have had several pets. Fish, bunnies, rescued birds, working dogs (hunting), hamsters, frogs, snakes, yes, EVEN AN ALLIGATOR!
If those seem odd, the revelation that my husband taught 6th grade science may help to explain our variety of animals.
If we had the land, I would have goats, chickens and horses. Alas, teacher salaries have their limits!
When it came time for us to get another pawed friend, it was hard. I loved our working dogs. Unfortunately, working dogs can only be walked by strong adults. Our dogs played well with our kids but they often would knock over our kids by accident. If there was a day we couldn't walk our working dogs, it was hard on our furry friends and hard on us. The shedding was a constant struggle.
My husband and I decided to look outside the box. We have several family members with dander allergies. We had already decided we needed a hypoallergenic dog.
After researching, we found the Maltipoo breed. I am very grateful for the hours of research we went through and very grateful for this designer breed.
Though these pups are small, their hearts and athletic nature are huge! My husband takes them in the car to run random errands. We take them with us in the mountains. When we have a sick child or a sad child our maltipoos rally around to help soothe them.
They make us laugh and bring each one of us joy.
As children, Zach, my husband, and I, had a batch of puppies. It was a wonderful memory and growing experience for us both. We wanted our children to have a similar experience.
It was then that breeding became a real thought. If I was going to do it, I had to be reputable. This blog is part of that. I want to be accountable and be transparent as to how we breed and how we treat our animals.
I love animals. I enjoy the work and the payout. Even if it is Macho Duck, who never looked back and was unhappy the entire time while getting care. My family saved him! They were selfless and I realized, serving a living thing feels wonderful!
All these experiences have stretched my learning and appreciation of animals of all kinds. I don't think anyone could tempt me to own a parrot though.
I love animals. I enjoy the work and the payout. Even if it is Macho Duck, who never looked back and was unhappy the entire time while getting care. My family saved him! They were selfless and I realized, serving a living thing feels wonderful!
All these experiences have stretched my learning and appreciation of animals of all kinds. I don't think anyone could tempt me to own a parrot though.
I love how my days go. I am still spotlighting the Valentine Puppies for our future families and for their picks. But shortly, I will focus on the fun of puppies. I love my job!!!!!
Zach never had the worries that I did. But I am the worry wort and he is the rock! My husband is my greatest supporter, in all honesty, he is as involved as I am in caring for our animals.
We are going beyond just a pet. We want to have companion dogs that are a friend to the family that chooses them.
We want to educate people or at least point to positive ways for training dogs and giving them proper care. In turn, our children have learned responsibility and how to care for innocent creatures.
It is hard to say goodbye to each of our pups. They have all been unique and though different each are loving! I have been blessed with wonderful families that have fallen in love with our pups.
I am grateful to be a breeder. I am grateful for the kindness it has taught my children. I am grateful to be able to provide a furry companion to others.
I love the sweet moments I get to have because I breed. We have several adorable moments and lots of experiences to give our family the giggles.
Breeding has added so much to our family and I hope that because we embarked on this adventure it will bless you as well!
I work from home, but my office is separate from my puppies. I enlist a baby monitor to hear them. I know when they are playing and then when they are starting to fall asleep. I keep a small area around the kennel to allow them playtime on their own, we also take them out to play with more space. When they begin to sleep, I make sure they get back into the kennel for training purposes. In this video, they escaped my attention!
