Accomplishments

Find out more about Hudson on his page on this site!

April 2006

Hi Karen:

Hope all is going well for you. We are great. We are so happy with Stella. As Jack said a few minutes ago when he decided to take a nap and Stella just walked into her crate, “we’ve got a keeper”. . . let me tell you more about our girl. She is really growing, weighing in at 25 lbs. She got her rabies shot (without other shots) Thursday and the vet said she is not fat, just big. Her personality is wonderful. She is sweet, but spunky, and definitely not submissive. She plays with the three other family labs and seems to know enough to leave 12 year old Grandpa Huey alone. Actually, he likes her a lot. She is doing well in puppy class having mastered sit, and doing really well on recall. So far, she likes to hold the lead in her mouth and walk herself, but we are working on that. She continues to respond well to very gentle corrections and positive rewards. Does it sound like I’m crazy about her? I am. She travels well and went to the local elementary school one day and did very well with the kids. Oh, did I mention she is pretty much house broken. I am sure you must get tired of all the ravings of the new Moms and Dads, but I just had to let you know how great she is. . . we always think about you guys and are thankful that we found Marshy Hope. We will bring her by to see you soon.

Take good care,

Linda Bergen

(Vida x Gus pup)

November 2005

Sorry I haven't written sooner, but I have been very busy! My new family loves me very much! When I left you and my mommy I was very shy and I cried in the car. But Finley put me on her lap and petted me the entire way home so I felt much safer! There was a big, black dog here when I arrived! Her name is Midnight. She was a bit frightened of me--but I didn't let that stop me! I jumped all over her and wrestled and raced and now she is about the best friend a puppy could have! Every night she gets in my crate and tries to sleep with me, but my new mommy thinks it is important that I learn to sleep by myself. I usually go to bed at 10pm and my mommy has to wake me up at about 6:30am. I am never in a hurry to come out of my crate as it is warm and fuzzy in there! I must look very cute and cuddly because mommy always gives me a belly rub! In the morning I like to play with Midnight, eat my breakfast and run around the house at break-neck speed...after which I usually need to go to the bathroom really badly!! For a few hours in the morning I am in my crate with my favorite stuffed toy, named Bob. At lunch time, mommy comes home and brings me and Midnight outside where we run and play and go for walks on our leashes. I am doing very well on my leash as mommy says I am very smart! In the summer Midnight and I could swim every day in the pool! My favorite thing to do is to walk down the steps into the pool, ease myself in very gently, then take 1 or 2 laps around the pool. Sometimes I would sneak down to the pool when mommy wasn't looking! Midnight can jump in off the side all by herself!! I liked to jump in, but only on to Midnight's back...luckily, she never minded! I finished my first session of puppy class...and although I am very smart, mommy is taking me back again, just because school is so much fun! I can sit, lay down, wait and I am doing very well learning not to jump on all the neat and exciting people who come in the front door! I am still learning coming-when-called...I know my name, but sometimes the world is just so interesting I cannot tear myself away from it! My new backyard is all fenced in so I have lots of room to run and play...I like to dig and I have a place in the yard that is all mine for digging! Well, I just wanted to check in with you to say I am doing very well. I am feeling great--the VET said that I weigh 42lbs! Mommy says I am going to be a very big boy because my paws are the size of dinner plates! (whatever those are) Anyway, my new family THANKS YOU SO VERY MUCH for letting me live with them! Hope all my brothers and sisters are as happy as me! Love Captain

Shelby x Mason son from June 2005 litter

Hi Karen,

Derry rules the house and thinks she rules the world. In all seriousness, she is absolutely amazing. We have not had a single toilet accident in the house. On the second day she was home, she started telling us when she wanted to go outside to go to the bathroom. On average, we are getting up with her only once per night, and sometimes that is early in the morning. On her fourth day, we took her to the Tred Avon river, and it took no time for her to demonstrate that she is born for water. After quickly surveying the situation, she walked in an swam out into water that was about three feet deep, then promptly turned around and came back (full of pride in herself). I am happy to say the she has totally adapted to her new home. It's dawned on her that competition with siblings is not nearly as fun as being the queen with two human slaves at your beck and call. To say that she is a "high energy" dog would be an understatement. I still can't figure out how just eleven or twelve pounds can produce so much havoc is so little time. Week one has been primarily about getting her acclimated and comfortable in her new home, and we have spent so much time laughing at her amazing antics that we haven't been as strict as we probably need to be. She still needs to understand that I'm the new alpha dog on the block. We will be working on that this week. While Derry is high-spirited, she is exactly what we wanted -- a highly intelligent, independent, and outrageously funny dog. We will be eternally grateful -- and at the current rate Derry is challenging me, eternity may not be too far away. George McHenry, 8/5/05

I just thought I would send you this photo, which was taken today. You have produced a lab that can swim out and retrieve a tennis ball at just eight weeks and six days old. Amazing!

Dear Karen,

Don't be fooled by the angelic photo of this very calm puppy resting quietly on her parent's bed! She is just storing up more energy to restart her engines for another round of Derry mischief. Actually though, in all honesty, she is the most wonderful dog in the world and we love her dearly, especially when she is sleeping!! Once more, seriously, she is high energy, but she is very smart and she keeps us laughing. She is so amazing in that sometimes she can be an absolute devil at home but when we take her out in public to a restaurant or outdoor event, she is always, and I means always, the perfect dog. She has made a lot of friends and admirers. She gets tons of compliments on her beautiful face. We have given your name to a lot of people. She even went to our daughter's wedding reception and was the perfect guest. I just gave her a bath and she made a total mess in the bathroom and I am just as wet as she is. Tomorrow morning she goes to the vet to be spayed. It will be strange for her to be gone overnight and I know we will be lonely. As you can see from the picture, she now sleeps on our bed. Karen, she was so easy to house train and she was great in the crate. She will sleep in the one downstairs now on her own, and she rides in the car in one. Now that she is bigger I am taking her more to the barn and when I ride, I put her in the crate and she just sits there and watches until I finish. She loves the horse and likes to lick his face. I am very careful so that she doesn't get near his feet, and he senses that he should also be careful around her. He seems to really like her also. I'll get some pictures of them together and send them. I know this is a rambling e-mail but I wanted to let you know a little of what life is like with her. I have planned to write you for a long time and apologize for the delay. She is so special and we love and cherish her. As soon as she gets over her surgery (which for her will probably be an hour or so since she is so tough), we want to bring her over for a visit. We'll be in touch to see when it is convenient. Are you and Fred going to be around during the holidays? Please give Mama Shelby a big hug for us and tell her that we have taking really good care of her baby. Lots of love and thank you again for such a wonderful puppy. Margaret McHenry, December 2005

Karen,

We decided to name the puppy Macy and she is
everything we could have asked for and more. The first night was
bad-I felt so sorry for her going from all those puppies to us--but
she has done really well and is getting up once in the night to go
out and last night she slept through. (fingers crossed) We think she
is absolutely brilliant! She cocks her head when we talk to her, has
learned her name, and has not had an accident in 2 days. She eats in
her crate, but is stubborn about staying in it with the door
closed--so we're working on that . . . She is absolutely beautiful.
The kids have taught her to chase little and big balls. We got her
a pool and the other dogs look at her like she is nuts! She is also
good about being on her back. We hold her like a baby! And she sleeps
belly side up! Can you tell we are completely in love? We believe you
trained her to love blowing air! Her favorite place to sleep is on
top of the AC vent, and when she's in the car she wants the vent
blowing on her! She has quite a personality! This has been such a
wonderful experience I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful
dog. . . We can't look at her without thinking of you and your beautiful dogs.

Thank Again Deb Kors,8/6/05

Hi Karen,

Regarding how things are going with Zoe: she's terrific! She's extremely intelligent and responsive, and is adapting well to our house and routine. She even responds well to being walked around the yard on a lead, much better than other puppies of similar age I've had in the past. She is gradually learning that it's not OK to mouth the humans with her teeth in the same way she would her litter mates. Sometimes she needs a firm but gentle tap on the chin in addition to a "No!" to get her to cease and desist, but she's getting progressively better with this. But as I said, she is a wonderful puppy, and all three of us are thrilled to have her. She is obviously the product of careful breeding and excellent early care and rearing, and we thank you very much for that. . .

Thanks again for all you've done!

Ron Shur, 8/7/05

Thanks, Karen. I’m so excited I can barely see straight. JJ will indeed be coming to a loving home.

I was very impressed by your operation – your knowledge and care, the robust health of all your dogs, the socialization you provide, and the pristine cleanliness of your most impressive facility. Too bad you can’t be cloned so that every pup has that early advantage and happy set of circumstances.

When convenient to you, I would like to visit another time or two before pick up. I’ll be in touch to make sure the scheduling works for you.

I can’t wait for mid-August to get here!

Ellan Wharton, July 2005

Karen,

Thanks so much. Jessie is unbelievable! You weren't kidding when you said she was smart. She has not had an accident in the house yet! She always wants to go outside. We are having lots of fun with her and she keeps us on our toes. She seems to be enjoying exploring her new environment. We have been crating her when we leave and she is alone for about 4hrs at at pop. She doesn't like the cage for the 1st 20 minutes or so but then quiets down. She has made it thru the night from around 11:00PM until 6:00AM without having to go out. She seems to have a very short attention span and is distracted easily. She won't play with the same toy for more than a few minutes. Anyway, we are in Love with her already and look forward to providing her a wonderful fun filled life. We will send you some pictures soon and will certainly keep in touch with you. Thanks again for providing us with a wonderful addition to our family, we will take great care of her.

Rich Linus, August 2005

Hello there Karen...

I just wanted to check in and say hello and that
Raymond is doing very well! He seems to be getting
acquainted with his new dogs. Of course, as you
predicted, he did not like the confinement of the
crate... but he seems to be getting used to it. Of
course the first night and day were long whining and
barking hours! Like a child he finally put himself to
sleep. He does seem more resigned to it at this
point... somewhat. Fortunately... for the most
part... he is peeing only on the grass. There have a
few exceptions, but with puppies that is to be
expected, right?!

He didn't eat much the first day...thanks for the
warning... but today he ate very well.

The guys in the house have fallen completely in love
with him. There is a 92 year old friar [one of my
Franciscan brothers] in the house who I thought was
about to cry when I put him in his arms. He just
loves dogs. With his loud [because he's deaf and
thinks no one can hear him] voice asked me if he could
hold him. It was wonderful to see!

Thank you again for all you have done in your care for
your dogs.

Enjoy!
Francis

Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM
Holy Name College

June 2005 - Karen is accepted by the AKC to be an

Canine Good Citizen Evaluator - test score of 100%!

Evaluator ID #15833

April 9, 2005 - Guinness, Stevie, and Vida earned their Canine Good Citizen Award and were certified to be members of the Therapy Dog International Program - 2 wonderful accomplishments for each dog in one spectacular day!