June 14, 2008

Keepsake's Rowan Berry, WC ("RoRo") earned her Working Certificate title at the Dallas-Fort Worth Labrador Retriever Club test.  Way to go trainer, handler and co-owner Cheri Bates!!

March 29 and March 30, 2008

Keepsake's Rowan Berry ("RoRo") earned two qualifying legs toward her AKC Junior Hunter title.  Huge congratulations to co-owner, trainer and handler Cheri Bates.  You go girls!!

3/29/08 - Shreveport-Bossier Retriever Club

3/30/08 - Shreveport-Bossier Retriever Club

February 22, 2008

Ch Cygnet Moonstone ("Luna")  I said hello as I cradled newborn Luna in my hands eight and a half years ago and said goodbye as I cradled her in arms this very sad day.  She will always hold very special place in my heart.  Sleep peacefully, my beautiful girl …

The Bustle in a House

The bustle in a house

The morning after death

Is solemnest of industries

Enacted upon earth –

The sweeping up the heart,

And putting love away

We shall not want to use again

Until eternity.

Emily Dickenson

Fall 2007

At age six, Cygnet Paighton JH WC earned her fourth and final qualifying leg to finish her Junior Hunter title.  Trainer and friend Cheri Bates prepared Paighton to run and me to handle - Cheri made us both look good!!  Thanks are not enough - it was a real thrill to team up with Paighton on this last test. 

9/1/07 - Greater Pittsburgh Labrador Retriever Club

Spring 2007

Paighton earned three qualifying legs toward her Junior Hunter title this Spring.  Big thanks to trainer/handler Cheri Bates!!  She qualified:

5/6/07 - Heart of Texas Retriever Club

5/13/07 - Tulsa Retriever Club

6/3/07 - Jawhawk Retriever Club

She'll be cooling off this summer and then heading out to earn that last leg in the fall!

November 2006

A big congratulations to Cygnet BearPaw Lolita Velocé, CD WC  on earning her companion dog title!  Way to go Lolee and owner/trainer Susan Malone!!

September 2, 2006

We are delighted to welcome a new family member - Keepsake's Rowan Berry ("Rowan").  Rowan is a yellow Labrador Retriever with coat color at the fox-red* end of the color range.  She quickly settled into the household and enthusiastically explored her new home.  As demonstrated in the picture to the left, she is already an accomplished duck retriever!  Thanks so much to Judy McCormick (Keepsake Labradors) for letting Rowan come to Texas.

*  AKC breed standard - "yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog".

July 14, 2006

Another deeply sad day.  Ch Feather Downs Crescent Moon (Skylar) slipped quietly away this Friday morning.  Skylar captured my heart over thirteen years ago and never let go.  We share a bond that will not be broken by time or space.  Sleep gently my sweet girl....

July 1, 2006

Sadly, Feather Downs Bronwyn left us peacefully on Saturday morning, July 1st.  She was a dear companion and deeply loved.  I will always be grateful to Rhiannon Houchins for sending her to me nearly twelve years ago. 

It is a comfort to be surrounded by her half-siblings, children and grandchildren.  A little bit of Bronwyn sparkles in each of them.

May 21, 2006

Cygnet Paighton, WC (left) and her daughter Cygnet BearPaw Lolita Velocé, WC "Lolee" (right) each earned their working certificate titles.  Way to go girls!  Congratulations to Lolee's handler/owner/ trainer Susan Malone!  And thanks to photographer Carrie Eberhardt!