Welcome Java! Thank You, Aalders!

It's Christmas again and just like when I was a child, I couldn't sleep hardly at all last night because I was so excited about picking our puppy out of the litter. Today Jimmy and I drove up past Salisbury, MD, to Barren Creek and selected a female puppy out of the litter by Barren Creeks Amazing Maizie and our boy, Shedhorn's Montana Luther. There were 5 males and 3 females in the litter. Jimmy and I wanted a girl. Choosing just one was the problem. This was one tough duty and who knows how we made our choice. Actually, Jimmy did. We had a toy with us and two of the females wanted it. (So we eliminated one female--not that there was anything wrong with her!) I couldn't tell which of the two I liked the best so Jimmy picked one. Some scientific method!!!

David and his gorgeous wife, Deborah, are terrific animal lovers. Deborah has ponies and horses and teaches riding lessons. Her "riding girls" have thoroughly socialized these puppies since they were born. Deborah said we needed a family photo so we took pictures lots of pictures--of the people, people with dogs and Java (that's our new puppy's name) plus a family photo with Luther, Maizie and Java together. It's easier to control people blinking their eyes than dogs blinking their eyes! Try it sometime. Anyway, David has done such an outstanding job with his dog, Maizie, and deserves a blue ribbon for such outstanding care raising these puppies. It truly is a beautiful litter. All the pups are happy and growing like weeds. David will be able to watch most of the puppies being raised and trained by family and friends. David's father, Don, has selected his male puppy and named him Newt. It's the gift that keeps giving. We will all look forward to seeing these puppies mature, hunt and perform in Hunt tests. I'm looking forward to seeing the puppies and meeting their handlers at upcoming events. God Speed and Good Luck to you all.

Last week Jim Elam emailed me and said he needed a brochure for an upcoming show next weekend. I had already designed a logo with a young black lab bursting through the water but he said he'd rather have a chocolate lab. In fact, he likes Luther's head and wanted me to use him. So literally, back to the digital drawing board. Here is the finished logo. Luther in all his finery. I hope Jim likes it. The brochures for Lake Country Retrievers should be ready on Friday. It's been a labor of love!

2013 Christmas Photos

The iPhone has spoiled me a bit. I haven't been using the Nikon as often as usual. I just finally downloaded my photos from the holidays and I just had to share these two photos of Luther. The first wasn't staged. I had finished putting up the tree and he layed down right next to it. How could you miss a photo op like that! The front porch photo was taken so I'd know how I put up the decorations for next year. Luther was there and I just told him to "Sit". And he did.

Happy Birthday Newt II

Okay, I've met my match! Don Aalders is as excited about his new puppy as I am about ours. Don got the gun on me though and is celebrating tonight with a "Happy Birthday Newt II" cake. I'm so sincerely happy for him. Hey Don, I might not have a cake, but I do have a half gallon of delicious Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream....YUM!

It's a boy....6 of them AND a girl....3 of them

Maizie had her puppies this afternoon....NINE of them! David Aalders called around dinner time to say Maizie started delivering the first puppy about 12:45 and continued to have them all through the afternoon. Maizie and all the pups are doing fine. All nine pups are little chocolate wonders. Even as newborns their coats are glistening.

Don Aalders must be beside himself. He wanted to be there when the pups were born and he is in Virginia visiting his son. He has had his reservation in for a male puppy that he's already named "Newt"! I know Jimmy and I are so excited and hope to drive over to the Eastern Shore soon to have a peek at the little darlings. In seven weeks we are looking forward to bringing one of the females home to live with us.

I told Luther he was now a Daddy Dog. He did give me a look of amazement but I doubt he comprehended what I was talking about (although he does understand more than you realize). I hope the litter got the best features that both dogs had to offer. One of the reasons I'm so excited is that both dogs are exceptional. Their dispositions are exactly what you'd want in a dog--kind, loyal, intelligent, perceptive, fast learners, etc.--true lab qualities. Both have their Master titles and are outstanding athletes in the hunt field. These should be some wonderful talented dogs that I pray go to kind and loving homes. I can honestly say that having Luther has been a highlight in this household and having one of his pups--and Maizie's--is going to be icing on the cake!

Bless your heart, Maizie. I hope you get a decent nights rest. You've got 9 little pups to care for and that's more than a full-time job.

#1 House Dog

It's the truth! Here is what the text says...

Luther is about as good a dog as you could ever dream of having in the house.. He never gets into anything. He leaves things alone on tables and on the floor. His food and treats are within reach and although he is keenly aware what they are, he never touches them or is a pest. Lauren taught him not to enter the kitchen area so he’s never behind the island where there’s a hot oven or sharp knives.
Say “Bed” and he goes straight to his dog bed and lies down with a sheepish face. At mealtime, he might hang around for a falling crumb but he doesn’t beg. He was crated every night until he was just over 3 years old and I think that really helped him know how to manage his energy appropriately. He does sit at the window in the office and watch “his neighborhood.” If anyone strange is around, he lets you know it. And he thinks everyone at the front door has come just to see him. But he will behave himself and sit and wait for them to come in. Occasionally, Luther will bring me a shoe. Usually it means he wants to go walking--Hint: my tennis shoe. He hasn’t chewed up anything since he was a teething pup. He’s just comfortable being here with us. I think we’ve been spoiled. It’s a good life!

2014 Christmas eCard

Merry Christmas from Luther, Bonnie & Jimmy! This year has been a remarkable year and I must take this opportunity to acknowledge two excellent professional trainers, Jim Elam who has trained Luther since he was 15 months old and has been there for us with his wisdom and talent, and Brad Slaybaugh who took us under his wing to train with him daily through the summer and into the fall. Brad had his work cutout with me and was so good at explaining to me what I was doing wrong handling (like flailing my arms). It is because of Jim and Brad that Luther earned his AKC Master Hunter title this fall! Luther and I bonded through all of this in a most unique way--so special.

Luther is going to be a DADDY for the first time in early January. Luther was bred with Maizie and these pups are going to be very special. David said Maizie is so "heavy with pups" she looks like a pot-bellied pig!!! Jimmy and I hopefully will select a female from the litter. David's dad, Don, wants a male. Both of these dogs are exceptional--their personalities, talents and pedigrees. I can't wait. Maize is smaller, about 55 pounds where Luther is 75 pounds and all bone and muscle! Both are chocolate but Maizie is a little darker like Hershey's syrup. I'll post some photos as soon as I have some.

Today is Christmas! I hope Santa was good to you. The new year is right around the corner. We wish you the best of everything for the new year! Let all pray that 2014 has excellent health and prosperity for all of us.

Bonnie, Jimmy and of course, Luther!