One of the hardest things I have to do as a breeder sometimes is place an adult dog. Everyone always asks me how I can part with the puppies...that's the easy part! It's saying good-bye to a dog we've raised, that has become a part of our family that is sooooo hard. Then WHY do it, you ask. Well, it's one of the most selfless things a breeder can do for his/her dogs. Every dog deserves to be the center of attention, the apple of someone's eye. When you are an active breeder, it's necessary to maintain a certain number of dogs, obviously. While we try to give everyone individual attention, you can only spread yourself so thin.
As a breeder, I *try* to keep primarily girls, as I can always breed out to someone else's male. The boys have a way of worming their way into my heart as babies, however, and I really do try to keep the best one in the litter to show. So, when I keep a boy, quite often it's with the intent to show him to his Championship, and then find him a wonderful pet home where he can be that center of attention. Where he can go for a walk *every* day, instead of once a week, as I have to rotate dogs. Go for that daily car ride, trip to the beach, run in the woods, out to the Dog Park, and sleep on the bed.
That time has come for my little brown boy. Dunkin, AKA Ch. Ashbrook Dark Roast, has found a family of his own to love. When I met the Neill family of four, I knew it was a perfect match. A young family with two boys ages 8 & 11, Dunkin would be their first dog. They'd done their research well, and all agreed on the English Cocker as their first and only choice (but of course!). They took him to their Cape Cod, MA home last Saturday, the first day of February Vacation, so they'd have lots of time to spend getting to know him. As you can see by the pictures they've already sent, he looks very happy indeed.
They have agreed to keep him intact on a co-ownership, so that I may possibly use him at stud in the future, and Amy wants to learn to groom him herself, so I'll still get to see him occasionally, as he comes home to "visit" a girl or two, and for some grooming lessons. Hopefully getting off the Cape in the summer to attend the Reunion will also be in the cards.
We'll miss you lots, my "Dunkin Munchkin", but you have a much more important roll to fill now than that of "show dog"; one of a beloved pet...enjoy your new family, and live your life to it's fullest.
