Debby and I have spent a lot of time on the phone to each other the past week, boosting each other and commiserating with each other over our lives with dogs. Sometimes we wish we could change things but in the end we know that dogs will always be a very important part of our lives.
After a very long day that turned into a longer night waiting for puppies to arrive, a holiday season based around going to the vet - no way a little snowstorm wasn’t going to stop me! - I thought the following article was most appropriate.
A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment. One that shares this knowledge and guides those interested.
A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting! She gives up the dreams of a long luxurious cruise in favor of turning that all important show into this year’s “vacation”.
The Breeder goes without sleep in hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little wiggle or cry.
The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth, to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into a tiny helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.
A Breeder’s lap is a marvelous place where dogs of proud and noble heritage often snooze.
A Breeder’s hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a puppy’s wet nose.
A Breeder’s back and knees are usually arthritic from bending and sitting in the whelping box, but are strong enough to guide that new little pup to maturity.
A Breeder’s shoulders are often heaped with responsibility, but they’re wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations.
A Breeder’s arms are always able to wield a mop, support an armful of puppies, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer.
A Breeder’s ears are wondrous things, sometimes red (from being talked about), or strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver). Often deaf to criticism, yet always fine tuned to the whimper of an anxious puppy.
A Breeder’s brain is foggy on faces, but can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer.
A Breeder’s brain is foggy on faces, but can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer.
The Breeder’s heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting…….and it’s always in the right place! Oh, yes, there are breeders, and then, there are Breeders!!!
Author Unknown
Connor x Rosie puppies born 12-27-2007
red girl, parti boy
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