My Story
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I am a small hobby breeder located in mid Michigan and have shared my life with Chesapeakes for almost three decades. I met my first Chesapeake more than 30 years ago at a group home I worked in for severely developmentally disabled adults. Her name was Jessa and she owned my soon to be dear friend Robin of Ro-Lyn's Chessies. I fell in love with the breed immediately!
Jessa was a very special girl, always gentle but pushy in that Chessie way with the residents for attention and petting. It was from her I received my first Chesapeake for my birthday in 1993. My beautiful deadgrass girl Shadowdancer; my "heart dog"! She taught me well on how to raise a Chesapeake; always forgiving me for my mistakes and loving me unconditionally. We had a very special bond and she was the best companion I could have ever asked for and I will forever miss her. Now I share my life with four beautiful Chessies; Maia and Titan age 9. I recently lost Riva, January 2020. She was 14 1/2. I will miss all her antics, counter surfing, but most of all her love for me. I lost Cheyenne May 2016, she was almost 13. She was a wonderful girl and she was my first to do retriever training with. We began in 2009; once she turned onto the birds I don't know who was more excited, me or her! She received her ACC Working Dog (WD) certification in August of 2012. In 2017 we added Thalia and Zelena, Maia's children, to our pack. Riva and I have done conformation and in 2009 I tried conformation brace with her and Cheyenne; we had a great time. In 2010 at the ACC Supported Entry they received Best Breed in Brace under Judge Mrs. Virginia Murray at the Detroit Kennel Club Show. Titan is doing field training, he has his Junior Hunter title. On October 11, 2015 at the ACC National Specialty I handled Titan to his ACC Working Dog (WD) Certification. I am working on conformation with Maia, she received her first Reserve Winners ribbon on May 19, 2013 at the Genesee KC show from Mr. Howard M. Yost. In 2014 Maia and Titan both passed their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. But first and foremost they are my daily companions!! Over the years I have participated in the Pet Expo held in Novi, MI in 2005, 2006 and 2007 as part of educating the public on Chesapeake's. It was a very rewarding experience and Cheyenne and Riva enjoyed meeting and greeting everyone. The past nine years we have also participated in the Judges Education Seminar held in Michigan. I have volunteered and helped for several years at the Detroit Golden Retriever Hunt Test doing various jobs from bird thrower to working at a gun station and planting blinds. I have worked at the last two WD's held in Michigan, working the bird stations and marshalling; not only did I work at this event I also ran my dog in them. Robin and I have co-bred several litters and co-own most of our dogs. Breeding for sound temperament, conformation and health, striving to produce a good all around Chesapeake that will make a great companion and working dog. I have been mentored by Robin and am very blessed to have such a special friend to teach me everything she knows about the breed and breeding. I am also very thankful for many people in the Chesapeake community that have mentored and helped me along the way. My niece Hailee has always helped me with the dogs since she was a little girl. Two years ago Hailee joined me in breeding. I continue to spend much time educating myself on breeding through research, reading, attending seminars and of course getting information and tips from long time breeders. I have attended Claudia Orlandi's "ABC's of Breeding" and "Practical Canine Anatomy and Movement" seminars and successfully passed the home study programs, receiving certificates in both. I am a member of the American Chesapeake Club (ACC), I serve on the ACC Board and as a ACC Regional Director for Michigan. I love everything about Chesapeake's but If I had to pick one favorite thing it would be their loyalty to their owner. There is nothing better than coming home to the warm welcome I get from my dogs! |
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