Gone But Not Forgotten
This page is dedicated our Labs that have passed away or retired to another family.
Lil Buck A Roo "Buck"
Buck was our first Lab. I bought him for Toby as a birthday present when we were living in Beaumont, Texas. He was a whopping $100. That was 1992. Buck would grow to be a great hunter. He also grew a great big ridge down his back. Our vet was kind to call it a cowlick but as he aged and we learned more about the breed we knew he must have some Ridgeback in his family tree. I did breed Buck several times. On the coast Buck was so popular a retriever that people wanted to breed to him. Wow. If I knew then what I know now... Buck had NO health clearances, no pedigree, and his conformation.. what conformation?? But we learned a lot from Buck and he was a great loyal friend. Buck was so sweet to humans and dogs alike. When we would have a litter of pups Buck would graciously allow them to gang up on him, tackle him, and bite him all over even in his later years. Buck died peacefully at our home from old age in 2004.
Betsy's Best Bet "Betsy"
Talk about a retriever! This girl was a ball retrieving fanatic! She was so sweet and loving but I think if she could talk she would have told us that she loved retrieving more than anything. I called Betsy my "mini me". She had a ton of attitude and a mind of her own. She was fun and very spunky. When we bought Betsy we talked about the possibility of getting in to breeding. We did breed her a couple of times and she made some nice family companions. Betsy died in 2005 from kidney failure.
Gustavus' Pop and Go by Mandigo, J.H "Breezy"
Breezy was our pick puppy from our first "responsible/ researched breeding" between BebeXDeuce from 2004. From the start we knew Breezy was special. By now we had done extensive research on breeding "correctly" and met a mentor or two. We knew we wanted to start really being active with our dogs in competition of some sort. Since we love the outdoors and Toby loves to hunt it just made since to get started in hunt test. Toby spent so much time training Breezy that I would refer to her as his mistress. They had a strong bond that is for sure. Breezy got her Junior Hunter title and we were thrilled that she was going to be one of our foundation bitches. Unfortunately her life like Betsy's, was cut short due to kidney failure. She died in 2006.
Queen Bonnie of the Bluff, C.G.C "Bonnie"
We bought Bonnie (and her 1/2 sister Bebe) when I was 8 months pregnant with Tesa in 2002. Bonnie grew in to a really big girl. Her size did not prevent her from having a retrieving drive that is for sure. She could hunt with the best of them. Bonnie had 2 sweet litters. We retired her after the last one for a few reasons. #1 she had 12 puppies and that was just too much stress on her. #2 Bonnie had some conformation flaws and we knew we wanted to really start breeding UP- using only high quality bitches with correct conformation and exemplary pedigrees. She joined the Irwin family in China Spring, Texas in 2005. She is the center of attention.
Willow Bend's Hunter "Hunter"
I bought Hunter from a lady in New York after I saw his ad posted on an internet site. His pedigree was very nice containing all show champion dogs and some working dogs as well. I was especially impressed that he had a lot of Millmar influence. I bought him and fell in love. He was a big ol teddy bear. The boy was huge but was so gentle and loving. Hunter had 1 litter wth our Betsy. I had to retire him however due to his extreme lack of interest in girls after that litter. He had the great loving temperament, he had the correct conformation, he was just lacking breeding drive. He has been living with the Rollo family in Memphis for 5 years.
Tealwood's Glass Slipper "Brynley"
When I saw Brynley's pedigree I knew I had to have her. Her sire is BISS Am CH. Hyspire's Slim Shady, J.H and her grandsire is BISS AM, CAN. CH Clarion's Bad As I Wanna Be, MH, CD, WC, CGC, WCX. Brynley was the "class clown" here. She would go out of her way to act silly to get a response from either humans or other dogs. She was a hoot! I chose to place Brynley (retire her) when she did not pass her CERF exam. She is doing wonderful with her new Longhorn family in Austin.
Steel Shot Bebe C.G.C, A.A.T "Bebe"
Bebe. What a girl. Bebe was the first girl we owned who had it all. Good looks AND natural ability. Bebe has been the best mom ever. She actually loves being pregnant. She has always looked her best when she was expecting. Bebe produced many multi purpose pups. I have decided to place her with the Sullivan family in San Antonio. Bebe will be reunited with one of her puppies and live out the rest of her life with a super loving family.
Bebe and her new family (above)
Tealwood's Take Me Downtown, J.H "Bella"
Bella was the one I adored more than any other. That is a hard thing to admit, but true none the less. Bella brought love into my home every day. I bought her at 6 months of age from a show breeder. She was just a hair too short for the conformation world. She arrived and earned a junior hunter title quickly. She was perfect. She did have correct conformation she had great attitude and style. She had a fancy show pedigree (which did include many working dogs too) she had a great retrieving drive. More than anything though she was my pet. We did try to breed her. The 1st breeding was with a show CH- Master Hunter black male, Digs. That breeding only resulted in one live pup. The next litter with Boscoe, resulted in only 2 live pups. My heart broke and still aches due to her premature death from a heart embolism she had fall 08. She did not suffer, but I did. I know Bella loved me just as much as I loved her. I got that from her. I felt it. I know that someday I will see her again. After all if heaven is so glorious, and I believe it is, animals must be there.
