This is Charlie. Charlie was a lot of work. Charlie lost his mom at 8 hours old. Charlie is a miracle. I had to breath the breath of life into him 3 times. I had to warm him in a sink full of water twice. I had to tube feed him for a couple of weeks. This picture is after he was big. Imagine how small he was at birth. He is now a 4 year old and is well loved by my daughter Nicole. Sometimes it is impossible to part with one. |
I am a Breeder .....I wrote this poem in 5 minutes one afternoon. I have had so many other breeders ask to use it. I am honored they appreciate what is in my heart. There are MANY of us that care about our dogs, puppies, and families that adopt from us. I am a breeder and I love what I do. I could be nursing as I do have a license to practice. But I would prefer to raise my puppies. I could work in the counseling field, as I have a degree in that area. But I prefer to raise my puppies. I could have another successful grooming shop. But I prefer to raise my babies. I have found my niche. I do it naturally and I do it well. And I do it with passion. And I plan on doing it until I am too old to do it well anymore. I hope you enjoy this insite into my soul and the life of a breeder.
I AM A BREEDER
My food receipts for a family of 7 and my dog food bills match
My water bill has doubled
My electric has tripled
It is I, a Breeder, who when my fridge quit, saved the dog meds and let the food go bad.
My feet find the way to the kennel before I have even grabbed a cup of coffee in the morning and the kennel is my last stop before bed.
While my friends are on a cruise to the Bahamas and my family meets for Christmas I am home delivering puppies.
I haven't had a real vacation in 7 years, but maybe soon. All plans are made around heat dates, whelp dates and vet dates.
I shower and 10 minutes later my grand kids say I smell like a dog.
My clothes are all stained with fecal matter, urine, afterbirth or bleach
I have to remember to clean my shoes before church
Most of my friends breed dogs, who else can you call at 3 am for support?
Who else has the experience I sometimes need, the med I sometimes need, or just an uplifting word I sometimes need? Who else would understand how it feels to have invested hours and hours and hours in a weak puppy to lose it ?
Or the joy in investing hours in one that lives?
I have slept on the floor beside a litter until the crucial 2 weeks have passed. I have bottle fed a litter of 12... feeding every 2 hours and it taking 90 minutes to do for weeks at a time.
I have learned to be proficient at micro chipping, vaccinations, sub q fluids, bottle feeding and tube feeding.
My Vet knows me by my first name
the Vet knows my children
the Vet now knows my grandchildren
My Vet knows it was I who added on the wing to the Vet Clinic.
I am a Breeder
It is to me that 63 days takes on new meaning still excited by every new life. It is I who delivers all my pups, towels and heat lamps on ready, happiness and sadness sometimes intermingled.
It is I who has breathed the first breath of life into a puppy who has refused to take that first breath.
Even though it increases my work load, I look forward to the 10 day stage when eyes open, and puppies begin to emerge from the helplessness of newborns.
Puppy breath, a first bark, and a heart of exploration.
I am a conscientious lover of animals and I have found ny niche.
I am a Breeder
And although I feel no shame there is a part of me that feels the need to hide from powers that could come to invade my home and take my dogs ... maybe for finding a mild infraction, a leaf in the water dish?
A kennel not yet cleaned for the day?
A rash I am home treating?
I tell my children and grandchildren to hush, do not tell others we are dog breeders, and I wonder when did
breeding puppies go into the same secret place as criminal activity ?
I am a Breeder and I am not cruel, dumb, uncaring or criminal. I am not raking in money while sitting on my butt. Every penny I make I earn through blood, sweat and tears.
My greatest joy is a healthy puppy and a wonderful home.
The card of thanks and the pictures of my puppies with their new families are the fringe benefits of my efforts.
I am an animal lover, nurse, midwife, heavy laborer, customer service representative and marketer.
AND I am a Breeder
Excellent poem, anyone who is a true breeder will agree to all of that. Anyone who doesn't is NOT a breeder but a dog keeper.
Your puppies are precious, congratulations and best wishes.
Just dropping a note to compliment you on your dogs and also are you Lori Hallfrisch? If so, was wondering if you minded if I post your poem "I am a breeder" on my website? I really like the poem, it is me to a "T" :-)
Betty
Hi Lori,
I read your poem, I am a Breeder, on an email list-- I had to look you up to say how wonderful it is. I can absolutely relate to it and I think it is one of the most true-to-life writings about a breeder that I have ever read.
I would love to post it on my website, ONLY with your permission, credit to you, and a link to your email or an ad if you like; as I am working on a page of collections of wonderful sayings, writings poems. If not, no problem, I understand, I just think it is wonderful!!!
Connie
I AM A BREEDER
My food receipts for a family of 7 and my dog food bills match
My water bill has doubled
My electric has tripled
It is I, a Breeder, who when my fridge quit, saved the dog meds and let the food go bad.
My feet find the way to the kennel before I have even grabbed a cup of coffee in the morning and the kennel is my last stop before bed.
While my friends are on a cruise to the Bahamas and my family meets for Christmas I am home delivering puppies.
I haven't had a real vacation in 7 years, but maybe soon. All plans are made around heat dates, whelp dates and vet dates.
I shower and 10 minutes later my grand kids say I smell like a dog.
My clothes are all stained with fecal matter, urine, afterbirth or bleach
I have to remember to clean my shoes before church
Most of my friends breed dogs, who else can you call at 3 am for support?
Who else has the experience I sometimes need, the med I sometimes need, or just an uplifting word I sometimes need? Who else would understand how it feels to have invested hours and hours and hours in a weak puppy to lose it ?
Or the joy in investing hours in one that lives?
I have slept on the floor beside a litter until the crucial 2 weeks have passed. I have bottle fed a litter of 12... feeding every 2 hours and it taking 90 minutes to do for weeks at a time.
I have learned to be proficient at micro chipping, vaccinations, sub q fluids, bottle feeding and tube feeding.
My Vet knows me by my first name
the Vet knows my children
the Vet now knows my grandchildren
My Vet knows it was I who added on the wing to the Vet Clinic.
I am a Breeder
It is to me that 63 days takes on new meaning still excited by every new life. It is I who delivers all my pups, towels and heat lamps on ready, happiness and sadness sometimes intermingled.
It is I who has breathed the first breath of life into a puppy who has refused to take that first breath.
Even though it increases my work load, I look forward to the 10 day stage when eyes open, and puppies begin to emerge from the helplessness of newborns.
Puppy breath, a first bark, and a heart of exploration.
I am a conscientious lover of animals and I have found ny niche.
I am a Breeder
And although I feel no shame there is a part of me that feels the need to hide from powers that could come to invade my home and take my dogs ... maybe for finding a mild infraction, a leaf in the water dish?
A kennel not yet cleaned for the day?
A rash I am home treating?
I tell my children and grandchildren to hush, do not tell others we are dog breeders, and I wonder when did
breeding puppies go into the same secret place as criminal activity ?
I am a Breeder and I am not cruel, dumb, uncaring or criminal. I am not raking in money while sitting on my butt. Every penny I make I earn through blood, sweat and tears.
My greatest joy is a healthy puppy and a wonderful home.
The card of thanks and the pictures of my puppies with their new families are the fringe benefits of my efforts.
I am an animal lover, nurse, midwife, heavy laborer, customer service representative and marketer.
AND I am a Breeder
Excellent poem, anyone who is a true breeder will agree to all of that. Anyone who doesn't is NOT a breeder but a dog keeper.
Your puppies are precious, congratulations and best wishes.
Just dropping a note to compliment you on your dogs and also are you Lori Hallfrisch? If so, was wondering if you minded if I post your poem "I am a breeder" on my website? I really like the poem, it is me to a "T" :-)
Betty
Hi Lori,
I read your poem, I am a Breeder, on an email list-- I had to look you up to say how wonderful it is. I can absolutely relate to it and I think it is one of the most true-to-life writings about a breeder that I have ever read.
I would love to post it on my website, ONLY with your permission, credit to you, and a link to your email or an ad if you like; as I am working on a page of collections of wonderful sayings, writings poems. If not, no problem, I understand, I just think it is wonderful!!!
Connie