I just wanted you to know that my first night away from home wasn’t has scary as I thought it would be! The car ride toCharlotte was fun – boy, there sure are a lot of big cars and trucks out there!Aunt Claire and her friend Laura said that I should stay far, far away from them!!!I’ve already had lots of new experiences – like riding in an elevator, learning how to run a Xerox machine, and typing (I’m not very good at it). Oh yeah, I found a cool new stick to drag around and after the people at the office played and loved on me I took a nice, long nap. Once we got back to Aunt Claire’s I ate dinner – thanks for sending along my favorite food – and then we went to visit neighbors. Guess what!?There’s a dog next door that looks a lot like Whiskey, only bigger!His name is Sam.He kind of scared me at first but then I realized that all the people would protect me, just like you always have. There were two other dogs visiting so we had a really good time. Later I chased around lots of balls – I ’m starting to catch on that if I bring them back the fun continues!I also have this great plastic bottle to play with that makes a really cool noise if I pounce on it hard enough. I have to admit that I had a little trouble sleeping last night.Claire let me cuddle up with her then told me a bedtime story about how much I’ll always be loved and cared for. I finally closed my eyes and had great dreams of you and Papa David, mommy, my brothers, sisters, cousins and friends at Bladen Springs.I’ll always remember and love my early puppy months - maybe I’ll come back to visit one day! Well, I have to go now. Aunt Claire says it’s time for us to set off on another adventure. If this is a dog’s life, I say bring it on - mine is off to a pretty darn good start!! Woof, Woof!
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Dearest Vickie and David, We love Tess! Seriously, Justin and I are crazy about her. She's so smart. We started taking her to obedience school and she is always the 'example' dog.
We just took her to our friend's farm in Vermont for the holiday weekend. She had her first swim. Tess is just what our little family needed and I can't thank you enough. She is the greatest gift I could ever imagine. I wanted to share my photo album with you....as I'll be updating her photos as she grows big. Hope all is well with you and your family.
Best, Karin Penn
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Sorry it's been awhile! Orion is doing wonderfully! We love him! He is all up to date on his shots and at his appt. on the 8th he was 26 lbs! I did have to get ointment for his eyes but he's OK.
Everywhere we go everywhere talks about how gorgeous he is and his humongous paws! He loves the lake and swimming. We even took him out in the canoe and he jumped in--- oh my goodness! I had to help him back in but he swam around the canoe and loved that.
I have a wading pool in the backyard he jumps in daily. He loves fetch with tennis balls too. He is so smart... should I stop praising him now?
He is an awesome dog and I thank you all for all your wonderful help and tips you gave us.
We truly have the dog of our dreams thanks to you all.
Thank you so much, Bridey & Drew Koch
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Dear Vickie and David,
It’s been over a month since we brought Missy home, and during that time we have come to understand what Vickie quietly tried to tell us during the puppy pick – that we had chosen a "very confident" puppy. What a handful Missy is! She has energy, enthusiasm, personality, and definitely confidence to spare. When she runs into an adult dog, no matter the size, she gives one token bow of submission and then pounces directly on its head. When we took her out in the kayak, she immediately leapt out of the boat and into the Intracoastal. Clearly she missed the memo about being the almost-runt of the litter, either that or she is trying to make up for it with a surplus of moxie and charm. Even David, who was pretty clear about not wanting a dog, is completely smitten. Until recently, he would carry her all over the house in the crook of his elbow. Now he still carries her, he just has to use both arms. I have been so impressed by Missy's intelligence; she already knows sit, shake, down, drop it. We are working on stay and come, both of which she obviously understands but does not consider obligatory :-)
We continue to be enormously pleased, both with Missy – who is clearly on her way to being a once-in-a-lifetime dog – and our experience with Bladen Springs Kennels. The two of you were so kind and knowledgeable and welcoming. You were so understanding and considerate of our daughter’s feelings when she had to wait an extra week to bring Missy home. Being allowed to visit the kennels as much as we were made us feel like Missy was already part of the family by the time we picked her up. And I love having such a clear picture of her parents in my head, every day I can see traits from each of them. It’s exactly what I wanted, the feeling that I really know my dog, who she is and where she came from.
We’ll send more updates soon. In the meantime, please know that Missy is doing great, she’s so loving and funny, and into everything. We are extremely happy with her and Bladen Springs Kennels. I’m attaching a picture of Missy, in the back of the truck with her best friend and favorite chew toy.
Best Wishes and Many Thanks,
Nina, David, and Hadley
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Hi David and Vickie,
I just wanted to update you on the best thing that has ever happen to me, the puppy you gave me! She is awesome! I decided to name her Ellie. If you can't remember who I am I got a female from Link and Allie's litter. Anyways, I wanted to thank you for the most perfect looking puppy ever! Anywhere I take her she is a hit. Everyone loves her and I'm always sure to inform her of the breeders I got her from! Maybe I'll get you some bussiness! LOL. Attatched are some most rececnt pictures. Thanks again!
Erin
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Hello Dave - - - Daryl and I continue to look at your website and truly enjoy all the photos of the puppies at Bladen Spring Kennels…. And YES, we have been THRILLED with the male puppy we purchased from their Oct 2008 litter.
I think our family went through every name in the Baby Book before deciding on COOPER - - and he has become Daryl's best buddy !
Cooper started Puppy Training Classes last February and did quite well for such a young pup…. Needless to say, he is now in his teenage years and loves to chew on remote controls.
Our grown children already had chocolate labs of their own - -so Cooper immediately had playmates. I have attached photos of his first beach trip taken last New Year's Day weekend when Cooper was less than 3 months old. All of his experiences with water had been WARM water and Cooper was a bit surprised to find out the ocean is COLD.
This summer he has loved the boat. We put life jackets on the dogs to make it easy for others to see them in the water and because it is easier for us to get them back in the boat.
To say labs have a six sense about their owners is definitely true. This past weekend, Daryl felt ill. Cooper climbed up in the bed with him and began licking his left side exactly where Daryl was hurting. The next day, Daryl was diagnosed with a kidney stone.
Is Cooper perfectly trained ?? NO - - but that is our fault not his - - and we love him just the way he is!
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David and Vickie,
Thank you all so much for the opportunity to own one of your finest labs! I think we got the best one from that litter! Tank has been doing great, is learning so fast and is just a joy to our family. He is 95% housebroken, has a clean bill of health and on 11/19/07 weighed 12.1 lbs. He is learning sit, stay, heel, come and even knows "Hello". He loves to hand you his right paw so Jennifer started working with him to shake "Hello" and he does it all the time now! Kramer and Spirit our inside kitties have started to come around although Kramer thinks that Tank's food is for Kramer too! I hope you all have a great and Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
John, Jennifer
Spirit, Kramer and Bladen "Tank" Dixon!
We will send more pics soon!
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Hi Vickie and David,
Just wanted to send you a few photos of Deacon whom we got from you a little over a year ago. He was one of Link and Allie's, I think. Anyway, he is doing great and we love him. He is still kind of wild, but tries really hard to contain himself. He is just so happy to see everyone when they come in. He pretty much "rules the roost" as you can probably gather from the pictures. He is great company for me and will be even more so when my kids move out into their new home, which they are starting to build next week.
Take care and I hope things are going well with you both.
Bobbi Hunter
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Bladen Springs Kennel produces top quality Chocolate, Yellow & Black Labradors!
Sorry it's been awhile! Orion is doing wonderfully! We love him! He is all up to date on his shots and at his appt. on the 8th he was 26 lbs! I did have to get ointment for his eyes but he's OK.
