puppy love

Junior has been hungering for a dog of his own for a while now, and now that he is out of the army and able to make his own life, it was time to do something about that. He secured with payment a chocolate lab pup from a litter born in March in North Carolina, and made plans to visit the breeder this weekend to see the pups and pick one out. "Why don't you guys come with me?" (and no, you're not seeing things in this first picture: the litter was mixed: half black, half chocolate.)

So we did. We left Friday afternoon and traveled to Hickory, NC, a short distance from the breeder's home that we covered this morning. First impressions: a beautiful spread (turns out they have a landscaping business, so party of that beauty is an occupational bonus). Second: adorable pups! Third: A wonderful family, and Sonja, the breeder, is, in Junior's words, "one of the nicest women I have ever met."

There are three females in this litter and, alas, Junior couldn't quite decide! He will return next week for pup pick-up, and go a day earlier for more firsthand observation to aid him in his choice. It was a treat to share this time with him, to meet Sonja and learn more about retrievers and their training, and to enjoy some absolutely beautiful country on our travels.

Lucky Junior, whichever pup he chooses (her name is already selected: Emma), his dog comes from excellent stock. Both parents are five and six time grand champion hunters. Kind of makes this grandmother proud!