Five Decades of Canine Companions
Every Dog Taught Us Something
I have had many different breeds throughout my lifetime, both purbreds and many rescues. Some were challenges, some were easy; all wonderfully unique, and dearly loved.
After a lifetime with dogs of all shapes and sizes, my most important lesson is this: understanding breed differences is the key to compatibiltiy. There is a perfect canine companion for every person, but success lies in matching their innate traits to your daily life.
My goal is to reduce the number of 'unwanted' dogs in shelters, by hopefully helping people make a more informed choice about the breed of dog they adopt.
I hope this website helps you find the dog that fits your life, your family, and your heart.
The Foundation: Learning from Every Dog
My dog journey began with Brandy & Sergeant; two lab mixes that entered our home as strays.
Olivia-Jean
Purebred Basset Hound • Loveable Ollie & lessons in scent hound independence
Rufus
Great Dane mix rescue • Gentle giant introduction
Tia Maria
Purebred Chesapeake Bay Retriever • A gift that kept on giving
The Rescue Era: Lessons in Patience and Adaptation
The Sled Team
Duncan • Lab mix • 'Failed' Foster
Jethro • Great Pyrenees • SPCA
Casey • Shepherd/Husky • What difference can one more make?
Mollie
Bull Terrier/Cattle Dog/Lab? • SPCA • Our "holy terror" teacher
Gina
The Mastiff that wasn't • Rescued pup
When Personalities Emerge: Beyond First Impressions
We met a sweet, demure pup at the SPCA. She completely transformed once she felt the grass beneath her feet! She was our "holy terror" teacher; a fearless, ferocious, bear-chasing, bush dog, and watchdog extraordinaire! We earned a PhD in dog ownership with our inimitable Mollie! In a word, she was "game". A whole lot of dog in a little package.
Genetics creates deeply ingrained approaches to life that training can guide, but never erase.
Our low energy Basset Hound, Olivia-Jean ("Ollie"), would become a single-minded scent detective the moment her nose caught a trail - all obedience training vanished when those deep-rooted hunting instincts took over.
When Jethro (Pyr) and Casey (Shepherd/Husky) saw their sled harnesses, they would dance with excitement. Duncan (Lab mix), however, would always find something more interesting elsewhere. Dog sledding was not his favorite sport! He was so clever that he learned that if he slowed his pace just a little, he could let his traces go slack, leaving the other two dogs to do the pulling. (Eventually, I just unhooked him, and let him run "with" us). When he hit the water, different story; he owned the waves. The world was his; where every fiber of his being knew exactly what to do.
You can't fight genetics - You cannot expect a scent hound to ignore their noses; a terrier will never be a "couch potato"; a dog who was bred to think and work independently (livestock guardians) will never be obedience stars. The key is respecting the dog nature gave you, then building from there.
The Turning Point: When Rescue Wasn't the Answer
Difficult Decisions
After two heartbreaking adoption failures, we learned that rescue isn't always the right answer for every family situation. The safety of our children had to come first.
Finding Our Match: The Newfoundland Journey
Our Checklist for a Family Dog
Large but gentle • Predictable temperament • Lower energy • Bomb-proof with children
This led us to the Newfoundland and a 20 year journey breeding these magnificent dogs. While I still believe in rescue, I learned that predictable traits matter for families with specific needs.
Foundation Newf
The "Rosie Project"
Ike
European import • A dog of a lifetime
Luna
Fostered & rehomed
Rescue & Relinquisment
Difficult Decisions
I had found quite a few of my dogs through shelter situations. I was so heartbroken for these poor dogs, and was often judgemental of the people who gave up their dogs.
As a breeder, part of my contract when purchasing a dog from me, was that the dog would be returned to me, if the owner were no longer able to care for their dog. Sadly, I did have a number of dogs returned to me, but it was never because the owners were terrible people. Their beloved pets were relinquished due to a variety of reasons, the most common being a devastating divorce. Some were returned due to a death in the family, loss of home, or sadly, sometimes not enough training and the dog overwhelming them.
Every owner whose dog I fostered until finding a new home, were devastated over the loss of their dog. I learned very early to be grateful that I had not found myself in their situation.
Our Philosophy: There's a Dog for Every Season of Life
Some seasons call for an energetic rescue who keeps you on your toes. Others demand the predictable temperament of a well-bred purebred.
Why Pick Your Pooch Exists
I created this resource to provide the honest, balanced guidance I wish I'd had through all these years of dog ownership.