The Hardest Part...

The hardest part of loving our dogs is the inevitability of losing them one day...of having to live with only the memories of the way they looked at us, of how it felt to run our hands through their fur, and the joy we felt at watching them do the things that they loved. 

In the early days and weeks of 2016, Thomas and I said goodbye to two of our girls...Scupper and Schooner...mother and daughter...and our family is forever changed.  During these past few months, I've tried to write something to mark their passing and honor what they meant to us. I always admire when someone can write something that beautifully captures what a loved one meant to them. But, I just can't seem to find the words. All the words that come to me just seem too weak and small. Maybe that's fitting though. Scupper and Schooner were so different from one another and each was so unlike any dog I've ever known. They were Scupper. And, Schooner. And, they meant everything to us. That really says it all. Fair winds, my girls. 

GCH* Redlion's Come Back Scupper, December 2, 2003- January 4, 2016

Redlion's Weatherdeck Schooner** WD, November 26, 2010 - January 25, 2016

Stepping Back in Time at The Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show

Every five years, the dog show world remembers a different era of dog shows by reviving the famed Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show in Somerset, New Jersey. Judges and exhibitors are encouraged to wear clothing reminiscent of the glory days of this special event. The event took place this past week on October 1st. We entered GCH** Brutus of Bloodsworth SH WD who was bred by Jane Pappler and myself and who is owned by our friend, Richard Schauber. Brutus is Richard's hunting dog and Richard is kind enough to allow me to take Brutus out to dog shows a few times a year as we are quite proud of him and think of him as a wonderful example of our dual-purpose breed. There's a great saying out there that, "Life is too short to hunt over an ugly dog." Well, Brutus is one handsome, duck dog! 

The American Chesapeake Club supported the entry at Morris and Essex this year and we had a nice entry of 30 Chesapeakes. Judge Eliot More awarded Brutus Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. Five years ago, Brutus' mother, GCH* Redlion's Come Back Scupper, was awarded Select Bitch at this same show while she carried Brutus' litter. Here's hoping that every 5 years, one of our dogs can be recognized at this very special show. 

Brutus and I playing dress-up for the show.  

There are some wonderful online resources for learning more about the history of the show and for seeing historic photos.  And, photos from the 2015 show are beginning to be shared. Below, are some links to explore. Enjoy!

 Remembering Morris & Essex Part 1 on the American Kennel Club Website. 

Remembering Morris & Essex Part 2 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 1 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 2 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 3 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Morris and Essex 2015 Photo Gallery Part 1  on the American Kennel Club Website.

As more photos from this year's event surface, I'll be sure to share more links. 

Photos of the Mother-to-Be

With Larch's due date about a week and a half off, we took the opportunity to give her one last outing today before we hunker down and wait for pups to arrive. We went out for a girl's day out with our friends Amy and Polly. Larch was thrilled to be out and we all had a lovely day in St. Michaels, Maryland.

When Larch first arrived, we visited the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and we did a fun photo shoot in the Waterfowling building. The photo below was captured by my dear friend, Sue Worrall.

And now...

We can't wait to meet the little "Guppies." ;)

We are expecting! Pregnancy confirmed by Ultrasound.

After any breeding, there is an excruciating period where we imagine and dream without any tangible evidence that our dreams might come true. Then, a day comes when you think you know that something is brewing inside. You catch a momentary glimpse of something different and it lights a fire under your hopes and dreams. And, days just like that start stacking up as you catch more glimpses, but you doubt yourself and wonder if you are letting your hopes get the best of you. Maybe not everyone does this, but I certainly do!

Last night, we confirmed by ultrasound that Larch is carrying pups! And, this wonderful news breathes life to the dreams of the small "village" that has put so much effort into coaxing these stars into alignment. 

Pups are due ~October 6th and we are now looking for a few more good homes. And, we expect that puppies might go to their new homes during the first week of December. If you have some interest in these pups, please check out the "Puppies" page on our website. Fill out our puppy questionnaire and we'll get right back to you. You can also email us at the address at the bottom of this page!

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Larch's U.S. Show Debut

Reporting in from the Penn Ridge Kennel Club Show at the Harrisburg Farm Show in Pennsylvania. Larch made her U.S. show debut this morning and was awarded Winners Bitch and Best of Winners. In addition, she was Best of Breed in the Owner-Handled series and will go back to compete this afternoon in the Owner-Handled Sporting Group.

Jessie, the sire of our upcoming litter, earned his Grand Championship today when he was awarded Best of Breed.  He is now GCH CH Chestnut Hills Windjammer JH WD. Congrats to Karen and Ron Anderson!

Larch relaxing on the front porch after her day at the dog show. 

Summer Vacation and Dogs

Larch and Scupper on a sunrise stroll on Ocracoke Island. 

Each summer we load up The Poopdeck (our mobile Weatherdeck) and head for the dunes of Ocracoke, North Carolina. We camp on the National Seashore in a tent with three sandy, perpetually wet Chesapeakes. This isn't everyone's idea of a good time, but we like to include our dogs in our vacations. After all, they are part of our family and we like to do the same things!

But, taking our dogs on the road in the summertime introduces additional work and responsibilities. We travel to a hot island that offers high temperatures, no shade, and extreme weather systems ranging from simple thunder and lightning storms to hurricanes. So, we take a lot of gear to protect the dogs in all kinds of weather and make their safety our first priority. 

We have kennels in our "Poopdeck" where we can all take shelter during storms.

And we create a shady, fenced in area for the dog's to relax in during the heat of the day. Larch's is pictured on the left and Scupper is on the right. 

We're about to wrap up our 2015 camping trip. As always, the dogs were great ambassadors for the breed and for well-behaved dogs in general. It's such a joy to have sociable, adaptable dogs that are able to load up and go wherever we go. It's bittersweet to think of packing up camp, but there is still lots of summer fun to be had at home in Maryland.

I tried to get a portrait of Larch in the evening light and she has the most serious expression on her face. 

When I released Larch from the photo shoot above, she got the zoomies and returned to her normal, goofy self. 

Our eldest dog, Eddy, isn't up to everything he was once able to do here, but he still enjoys a gentle walk in the calm, cool waters of Pamlico Sound.

Larch has only been a part of our pack for a short time as she just came from England in late May. But, she is very smitten with Thomas already. 

Scupper and Larch hiked out to South  Point with us. Though Scupper is now 11 and a half years old, she still can hike with the same stamina and enthusiasm as she did when young. It's a testament to the benefits of dog that is well put-together. Both of these girls are strong and fit and up to any adventure.

Happy summer, all...from our pack to yours! 

Welcome to Maryland, Larch!

Arnac Bay Arapahoe WD "Larch" has made the long journey from her birthplace and home in England to The Weatherdeck in Maryland. She arrived nearly four weeks ago on Memorial Day with her travel companions: breeder/owner, Chrissie Mayhew and good friend, Sue Worrall.

Their grand adventure began with a drive across England to a ferry bound for  Dublin, Ireland.

Larch on the beach in Holyhead before boarding the ferry to Dublin, Ireland. 

The next morning they boarded a plane and, like many American immigrants before her, Larch landed on the Atlantic shores of New York. As I navigated the 4 lanes of traffic that were competing for curb space to pick up their arrivals at JFK airport, I tried to spot my friends who were waiting for me. I caught a quick glance of Chrissie and Sue as they sorted their luggage and a moment later I saw Larch, all alone, in a sit-stay on the curb at JFK airport. Her head was held high and she looked like all of the other passengers who were waiting for their rides.

Waiting on the curb at JFK airport in NY.

I flagged down the orange-vested man who was directing traffic and told him that I was picking up "that dog over there." I pointed to Larch. The look on his face was priceless. She appeared to be sitting there alone as no one was holding her leash. He quickly stopped all lanes of traffic so that I could move from the far left lane to the curb on the right. As I got out of the car to greet my friends, this man who was directing traffic like a juggler juggles a million balls in the air at once, suddenly stopped what he was doing to ask Chrissie a barrage of questions. "Is this your dog," he asked with a huge smile and soft Caribbean accent. "Did you train her to do this? What kind of dog is she? Will she have puppies? When will she have puppies? I want a puppy just like that!" As we tried to quickly load up and get on our way, he asked again when she would have puppies and we told him that we didn't know for sure, but that we hoped that she would have some pups in the not-so-distant future. He just wouldn't let go of this idea of getting a dog just like this magnificent dog that he'd just met on the curb at JFK airport and finally he said, "But…I may never see you again!" It was very sweet to see how profound an impression Larch had made upon one of the first people she met after making landfall in America. 

Larch's traffic guy.

After we got on the road, our first stop was a visit with Jane Pappler at Redlion Kennels in New Jersey. Larch, Chrissie, and Sue had an opportunity to stretch their legs after their long journey. Later, we sat around Jane's table drinking wine and pouring over old dog photos. There was at least a century of collective Chesapeake experience around that table, so the conversation was rich. That's not to say that my friends are old. ;)

Gina, Jane, Larch, & Chrissie. Sue is behind the camera as usual!

Our next stop was at Ron and Karen Anderson's Chestnut Hills Kennels in Maryland. Larch got a first glimpse of her future beau, CH Chestnut Hills Windjammer JH "Jessie." This was Chrissie's first time to see him in person and now we are even more excited than before about our plans for a summer breeding.

Stay tuned for more stories and photos of Larch's first weeks in Maryland.

Why It's So Important to Stay in Touch With Your Dog's Breeder

My work in dog rescue has shown me that, for whatever reason, many people do not stay in contact with their dog's breeder after the pup goes home. They don't consider that their breeder is a resource for information or advice. Nor do they realize that their breeder has an investment in knowing how the pup that they created has turned out. Responsible breeders care deeply about the long-term well-being of each individual dog that they produce and they also feel a strong sense of stewardship of the breed itself. So, staying in touch with the owners of our pups is an important part of the work that we, as breeders, do. 

Why is lifelong communication between dog owner and breeder so important? Many breeders go to great lengths to give our pups every chance for an ideal "dog's life." We perform health tests on parents and spend time working our dogs and earning titles on them to prove that they are fine examples of their breed. We spend years studying animal husbandry, genetics, breed history, animal behavior, and so much more. We do this because we strive to have a positive impact on our breed. Our responsibility does not end when your puppy goes home. We do not turn over responsibility for the pup. Instead, we enter into a partnership with you where we now share responsibility for the well-being of your dog. Even the most capable dog owner is sometimes faced with a training or health issue that has them stumped and unable to find an effective solution. And, every breeder should monitor the health, temperament, and working ability of the dogs they are breeding to see if we are achieving our goals. We cannot determine our success by how healthy and cute our puppies are when they go home with you at eight weeks of age. We must monitor their development over time to see if we are on the right course.  Keeping lines of communication open is good for your dog and it's good for the breed. 

Before purchasing a pup, choose a breeder who plans to be a resource to you for the life of your pup. Look for the signs that tell you that the breeder is committed to your pup and the breed as a whole. Did they perform health clearances on the parents? Are they involved in their breed's AKC parent club (i.e. The American Chesapeake Club) so that they can learn from the larger breed community?  Is the breeder willing to take the dog back to resume full responsibility for the well-being of the dog when you can no longer keep it for some unforeseen reason?

The best breeders are thrilled to get your calls and your emails. We love to hear your news from the smallest achievements to the greatest. Victories in housebreaking are as epic as news that you've earned a title in your chosen event. The best breeders stand with you in your worry when you have a concern about your dog. Like you, we lose sleep when they are ill. And, we grieve with you when they are gone. We want your dog to be an integral part of your family, but we want you to remember that they began as part of our family.

So, look for a breeder who expects to be your partner. Mark them as a "favorite" in your contacts and plan to get to know them very well over the next 14+ years. Don't wait too long to contact them when you have questions. With their experience, they might put your mind at ease right away. And, if they don't know the answer to your questions, they will find someone who does. Be grateful when your breeder calls you up for no particular reason. Its a sign that they care and that their commitment to your pup is strong. And, that is how it should be!

Gina Downin, Weatherdeck Chesapeakes