AboutUs

Who Is SHANDILYN?

Shandilyn was my first American Cocker Spaniel, she is pictured with me above. after I had lost my childhood dog a Toy Poodle/Chihauhua named "Trixie" I had been given for my 5th Birthday, and her terrier mixed breed daughter Misty!!

Shandi (Lynn) was a Black & Tan, and truly had stolen my heart at just 1 day old, when I saw her for the first time. although I almost didn't take her because she was NOT "Perfect". See, I had been reading about Cockers, and researching the different colors available. I fell in love with a Black/Tan cocker puppy in one of Bart King's Cocker books. And after reading the AKC standard, I didn't want a puppy with any white on her. I had waited nearly 4 years to get my first one, and I wanted her to be "PERFECT"! Just like that puppy in that book! It now SCARES the heck, out of me to think... I ALMOST didn't get her, because at birth she had a very, very small amount of white on her toes. And, that made her not "perfect". I went to see her, this little baby who in itself was a miracle that she even was born. Her mother was a Red, and her father was Black & White. There were no Black & tans in her pedigree for 5 generations, and only on one side. When I contacted the Breeder, prior to her birth, he had stated, he highly doubted his upcoming litter would have Black & Tans, and even further he could not guarantee a female. Low and Behold they were born..a LITTER of just TWO babies...a red male, and a precious Black & Tan female...even way back then, I should have realized the power of PRAYER...as I had been praying for her to be born, although I had told the Breeder I would wait forever for the "perfect" dog.

I went to see them, at one day old. I fell in love with the father...he was bred from Champions, although he was not being shown, I was impressed by his pedigree, and all that coat! (I now know the difference between a Quality Show puppy, and a well bred "Pet quality" puppy. She was the later of the two. However, I had not wanted a puppy for showing...just a Cocker to love, and maybe have some puppies in the future, as I had stated to the Breeder.

I peered into the whelping box, there was these two newborn puppies, they were sweet, but I had expected them to look "special" after having only Mix Breed dogs and puppies throughout my childhood, I thought Cockers should look different as newborns...as they were so beautiful as adults. I stated to the Breeder...asking about the long tails they still had...he informed me they would be docked at day 3...I had thought they were born with short tails. Upon leaving, the Breeder had asked for a deposit on the pup, if I was interested. I said, I would have to think about it, as she did have a little white on her, and well...I wanted a perfect Black & Tan. He had said that I did need to let him know as soon as I could, since he had others waiting for female pups.

I got in the car, and drove back to my job...disappointed...thinking the whole way about this little bundle of black & tan hair....and lets not forget that white on her feet, and chest. Why could she not have been born "perfect"! After all, I had prayed for a long time for her to be born, the least HE could do was send me the perfect one!

(little did I know...she truly was "perfect")

She was there when my father died, she was there when I struggled thru college. She was there thru all the hard times of getting out on your own, and thru all the guys I thought I could not live without...Laughs! When I bought my first house...She was there when I met Dale, and I recall telling him early on...

Don't make me "pick" between my dog, and you...YOU will not WIN!

They were so jealous of each other!

She was there for my daughter's birth...to protect this new family member, and Carissa's many birthdays thereafter. There are so many stories to remember her...

but there will never be another Shandilyn!

By the time I reached across town, back to my job, I was thinking I was going to wait for another litter...but I had waited so long already...pondering this in my mind.

After talking with co workers about it, one dear older gentleman, Loren had stated..."If you were not born "perfect" do you think your parents would turn you away?" At that moment, I knew what to do, I called the Breeder, explaining my thoughts...and he then told me that the white usually fades out as they age...and laughed. I told him I would take her. I went to see her every week as she grew for the first 3 weeks, little did I know she had already stolen my heart, then not until she was 6 weeks, when I picked her up...She was "perfect" and just absolutely adorable!!! She became the "Queen" of our house, and our hearts. She was ruler of all dogs, and of course the couch. She hated Dale in the beginning, as she had always slept on "his" pillow before he came into my life, then she slept between us....Laughs...What I wouldn't do just to feel her flop upon our bed, sending title waves, and about bouncing us out of bed...just once more! She grew to love her "Dad", and always sat with him in the recliner...always a certain way, and he would have to scoot over to make room for her in her later years, as she had gotten as wide as she was long, and actually had a dip across her fat back forming a "pool" of water when she was bathed. She was affectionatly known as "The Ol' Bag" in her later years. There are so many memories I could share about her, it seems as though she is just a step away.

I recall most vividly, the day we chose to end her pain, as she had liver failure, all the tears, and heart ache that came with that decision, we still knew she needed us to do this one last thing for her, she told us in her eyes as she looked at us. Dale, and I lovingly held her, shaking from the pain in our hearts, as she slipped away. We brought her home and buried her between the fruit trees in our back yard. Tears and pain, but relief of her suffering.

Dale said quietly to me..."Well, here we are...., the end of an 11 year reign...of the Queen". I turned to him, tears streaming and smiled...and said "No, it's not the END...it's just the BEGINNING!!" May she help guide me to the right paths, and people in the Show World of Cockers!

As we venture into the aspects of showing our Cockers, and striving for the "Perfect" American Cocker Spaniel please let her and our beloved Cooper guide us. Until I meet her again, at the Rainbow Bridge, where she waits with patience for me,

please don't look for me in Heaven...

I will not be there...

you will find me under the big willow tree with all my "babies", at the Rainbow Bridge! They will be in our hearts, and Souls forever in everything we do here, she sits on my shoulder... in thoughts... only but a glimpse away...guiding us to the next plateau of Showing our Cockers.

For More information on Shandilyn, Cooper, and our other dogs that are waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge, see Our Angels Page.

The Angel's Page is very hard for me to face, as any of you know who have lost a beloved family member. Please have patience, the day will come when I attempt to build my Angel's page, and the tribute to my beloved "kids" on the other side.

*HUGZ*

Becky

A little about me...

I am 38 years old. I have decided to return to College when my daughter is going then we will go together lol. I am a part-time Dog Groomer for a local Pet Store, as well as Groom out of my home, and my own dogs.

I pride myself on the care, and upkeep of our dogs, being a Groomer our dogs must be beautiful all of the time LOL which is an everyday job!, or as much of the time as I can. Dale says I have a "problem" here (LOL) as I am always grooming "something".

I also do the "paperwork" on the dogs, and handle the inquiries of puppies that we may have available, as well as matching up the perfect family for the puppies. So we always keep busy.

Carissa

A little about our daughter in her own words...

I am 13 years old. I sorta-like school, I love going to dog shows, I like going to concerts, hanging out with my friends, and not listening to my parents. I am just a typical teen.

My summers usually contain of having my friends over, partys, taking care of puppies we have at the time, and business. School... is no fun, but I have to get my education because it is very important. And my mom and I are always on the run, if it isn't the dogs it is family get-togethers and birthday's, if it isn't family get-togethers and birthday's, it is my sports and drumline practices. So if you don't catch us the first time you call always try to call back! I WILL ALWAYS WILL RETURN YOUR CALL! I TOTALLY PROMISE!

I have 2 Chinese Crested Powder Puffs and 1 Hairless Chinese Crested. I have a cat named Timmy, so if you have a cat or more then one, don't worry. The puppies are used to the cat.

I am in 8th grade now. For extra stuff in school, I am in Marching Band (Bass Drum), Chior, Show Chior back-up Band (Bass Guitar), Jazz Band (Bass Guitar), and Concert Band (Drums).

Hope you enjoyed learning a little about us :)

I hope this helps give you a little view into our lives,

our family, dogs, and our hopes, dreams, and our future in Cocker Spaniels.