Dear Friends of Dog Bluff,
I promised to let everyone know when I began to slow down in my program, so here ya go!
Lord willing, we will have a few more years of raising beautiful little Dog Bluffers, but I have officially begun
the process of slowly retiring from raising bulldogs. That
time frame will depend on the bully ladies here at Dog Bluff.
Life is full of surprises and reality checks. I have learned to be thankful when
I wake each morning and I can see the light coming through my window. Hearing the birds chirping outside and
my dogs playing under my window gives me an automatic smile. Knowing my sweet husband has put up with me for over 20
years makes me want to hug him before I get on my feet for the day. Listening to my favorite music fills my day with
positive thoughts, and thankfulness for the countless blessings I possess.
While this is not your average webpage found on a bulldog site, it is my way of saying
THANK YOU to the folks that have made my program possible, and perhaps give my readers a glimpse into the lives of breeders
who consider a dog to be a precious spirit created for human enjoyment - to help make life a little more laughter-filled when
possible.
To my family & dear friends, I appreciate your willingness to do without me
so many times when I've been wrapped up in raising a newborn litter of puppies. You understand that I must give those babies
the attention & care they need in order to thrive. I've missed family gatherings, Christmas events, given up quick trips,
"girl-time," and other opportunities that would have offered lots of fun, but you understood me, and you didn't give me a
hard time about it. Many, many thanks for your unconditional love. Mother, thank you for always being excited for me when
I call with news that we're about to have new babies. Thanks for calling me during "birthing nights" to make sure I'm oK and
all is well, and then for checking on me over the next weeks for my report on the babies. You are my #1 cheerleader!
Clif, you are the sweetest man in this world. Thank you for the opportunity to own
and raise my dogs, and for looking the other way & pretending it doesn't bother you when our house turns into an animal
hospital with every litter born. You don't complain when I'm up all hours of the night caring for mamma dogs or perhaps tending
to a pup that needs to be inside a few nights... and wants to holler the whole night because it doesn't like the kennel confinement.
You willingly help me with the physical requirements of building and maintaining nice pens, keeping the puppy house in excellent
working order, hauling dog food, hauling dogs to the vet at the drop of a hat, and much more. I love the way you know my heart
breaks if a runt puppy is born, and you support my decision to spend my time & energy making sure that puppy has every
chance in the world of surviving. Thank you for being patient as I spend hours on the phone answering questions about puppies,
adult dogs, giving advice to my clients, and interviewing potential new clients. I
love that YOU KNOW MY HEART. I am so blessed to be your wife.
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| Robert & "Java" - December, 2011 |
Robert, you are the most wonderful son. I am so thankful that God gifted me with
such a loving, devoted, talented, humorous, caring and all-around great soul in you! You've always been responsible
and dependable. You are willing to help out around the farm, and you
don't mind putting your social life on hold if we need you here for whatever reason. When you were a little boy, we joked
around that your brothers & sisters had four legs, but you accepted the dogs as part of our family and loved them
right along with me. What a trooper you are! For all the times that you assist in duties far from your preference
(general clean-up, spreading hay in all the dog houses, breaking ice 2 & 3 times a day in the winter)... for the
emergency vet trips when I need you at a moment's notice... for house-sitting when you would rather be at the beach... for
UNDERSTANDING all that you have, thank you, son. I love you, buddy!
Sherry, you are a life-saver (literally!) around here. I am very blessed with your friendship,
and you're much more like a sister than a friend. For all those long, long nights of "coaching" mamma dogs through puppy birthing,
and for those to come, THANK YOU for your willingness to be here with me and help me with the physical demands necessary to
bring a litter of bully babies into this world. When we must be away from home, it is a comfort to know that you're watching
over the Dog Bluff crew. You have a great listening ear when I need to vent, and you celebrate with me when I have good things
to share. Friends are super-special, and I feel honored to have you in my life.
To my fellow breeder buddies, I am thankful for the conversations we have, because we
LEARN from each other. I've made many friends in my search of finding other breeders to talk with,
serving as mentors to each other. I wish you the very best with your programs, and please know that your wisdom
has helped me countless times.
To my ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, without YOU, I would have no program! Your trust in me and in
my program has been the key to my success thus far, and will take me to "retirement" from my breeding program. Your willingness
to give my contact information to friends & family helps me continue to place my puppies in the right homes. Many of you
have become close friends. I enjoy receiving photos and updates! Thank you for allowing Dog Bluffers to be part of your family,
and for loving bulldogs!
I try to change-up my songs of inspiration at the bottom of my webpages from time to
time. But my favorite song here lately has been "Blessings" by Laura Story. The words are SO REAL to me. http://www.youtube.com/embed/dKgktNz6ICs
My best to you and yours,
Angela
11-30-2011
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