Some Memories Designer Labrador Retrievers

I write this letter with sorrow and beautiful memories. I had to put Zeke to sleep yesterday, my BEST friend for 9 1/2 years. He had prostate cancer that had spread to other regions. We spent our last days in our yard where he loved to be. I kept him comfortable as I promised him I would. A doctor come to the home and put him to sleep on our terms in his surroundings. Zeke loved the outdoors and wanted to go outside at 230  in the morning  to relieve himself with some effort he made it to the yard to do his business and then laid down comfortably. At this moment I knew he did not want to come back inside, so I gathered up the sleeping bag and blankets and we both slept outside for the last night, as we did many times camping. That night he laid his head on my shoulder looked at me with his sad brown eyes and told me the time is right. Friends came to visit on his last day and even in a weak end state he always mustered up the energy to wag his tail to say hello. He had lost his appetite for a couple of days prior, however his last day, he did enjoy cookies and spare ribs. Zeke is resting peacefully in the yard he roamed proudly for many great years. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to face and the pain is devastating at times. However the pain is worth every ounce for all the pleasure my buddy brought to my life. He will always be in my heart and the stories of all his antics will go on for years.

Zeke was the son of  General Stoewall Jackson XXIX and Waggin' Tails July Sparkle.



Thank you Sue for delivering Zeke into my life!

I will contact you shortly to see who you may have instore for me next.

Todd

Manora's Designer Gold Mine - "Striker"

Judge: Mr. Jack Ireland -- Handler: Jason Bailey

Can Ch Manora's Designer Gold Mine was bred by Nancy Scholz, Bill Genier and myself. He is better known as "Striker". He is a wonderful dog with an easy go-lucky temperment.
"Striker" finished is Canadian Championship, and won a Group One Placement on the same day. Thank you judge: Mr. Jack Ireland and Handler: Jason Bailey. It will be a day to be remembered!

Topaz at age 13 wins BOS at a specialty show!

Topaz wins BOS at age 13 from the veterans sweepstakes class at the Pioneer Valley Labrador Specialty Show. Thank you Gina and Greg for giving her such a wonderful retirement home and for letting me take her to the show. She had such FUN!!!

Tymer

Tymer's taking a break after being shown at the Labrador Retriever National Specialty in 1996. I showed his friend "Charlie Girl" and she placed in the open class. Tymer is now retired and happy to sleep on a bed with his pal.

Our lucky day

This picture was taken after a show one day. It was for sure a lucky day. We had all won something and could't resist hanging them up to see. This was the results.

Glitz litter, Topaz litter, summer 2003

Two litters born on the same day! I had the room divided for the occasion with Glitz in one end and Topaz in the other. Glitz had her litter in the morning with ten yellow pups. Topaz thought, "Ok your done? Then I'm next!". She delivered her pups in the afternoon, seven black, three chocolate. Twenty pups in one day! I'll never forget that day!

Ryan with Jackson

Ryan has been around the dogs and puppies since he was born. "Jackson", he used to say when he was younger, "is my brother.". Jackson, a Designer Genes x Ch Manora's Dustbuster son, helped make my breeding program a success.

Can Ch Designer's Topaz

"Topaz" is known to be a clown. While being shown toward her championship her favorite trick was to roll over and belly up. Keeping her on all fours was a difficult task. She is now retired and lives with Gina and her family.

The National Labrador Specialty Show was held in Warwick, Rhode Island. Oct 12th-14th. Nancy Scholz and I took 16 dogs, and placed with a total of eleven ribbons. Thanks to Cathy, Tracy and Kim, we couln't have done it without their help. It rained the whole time we were there, but the dogs showed great, and a good time was had by all.

"Striker" is co-owned by Nancy Scholz and Sue Bailey and was bred by Nancy Scholz, Sue Bailey and Bill Genier. He took second place in both Sweepstakes and Regular 6-9 month old class. He is sure to Stike Gold in the future.

This was "Crystal's" first dog show. She did a great job placing 3rd in Sweepstakes and 2nd in Regular 6-9 months class. She is a Sylvie and Flash daughter.

Designer's Crystal

Designer Genes - First Litter

Can Ch Waggin' Tails Mi Tyme, CD, CGC

Helen

Tymer

Tymer was in a TV comercial for a German chocolate bar company. We spent two days at the "shoot". Here he is pictured with his actress. There were ducks off the end of the dock and when Tymer couldn't stand it for another minute he was off for a swim and a chase. I had to dry him off before we could continue to film...The crew cheered Tymer on and had to chase the ducks away with a canoe. We had such fun!

Glitz

Glitz is a Jackson x Sparkle daughter, here with my son to show off her first flush. She was the queen here at the kennel. Glitz is now retired and lays by the fireplace with her new family.

Can Ch Waggin' Tails July Sparkle, CGC

Sparkle had a wonderful show career. She won Reserve Winner's at a Labrador Specialty. "Sparkle" is a Waggin' Tails Dazzle Me X Chablais Amichab Cargo daughter. She produced some wonderful pups...some for the future, here at Designer Labradors.

Sparkle has joined her mother Dazzle in doggy heaven. She will be missed by so many. She touched so many lives, most recently in her retirement years with Mamie and her husband, working as a therapy dog for folks of all ages. Thank you Mamie for giving both Dazzle and Sparkle the best years of their lives.

Manora's Designer Gold Mine

This was also "Diamond's" first show. She won 4th place in Sweeptakes 15-18 month class and 4th place in Regular 12 -18 month class from a large entry. She very much reminds me of her great grandmother "Sparkle". "Diamond" is a Sylvie and Miles daughter.

Designer's Diamond Girl

My love for Labradors began when I raised "Helen" as a 4-H project for Guiding Eyes For The Blind. What a wonderful experience! My 4-H leader showed West Highland Terriers. When she was gone to the shows I babysat kids and dogs. I thought when I grow up I want to be just like her. When my children were old enough to join 4-H Designer Genes became the foundation for Designer Labradors. There will never be another like her. She adopted my son never leaving his side. The best mother dog one could hope for.