Originally I figured I would take my time, I have 9 months to enjoy the prospects of being an expecting mother, however, that expecting date may just have been shortened to 6 months.. Well, no big deal.. right? Haaa... not so much.
I jumped the gun a little bit when I actually went to visit the breeder. I didn't know what I was expecting, but I certainly didn't expect to be as overwhelmed as I was. I was determined to stick to my goal, and wait the full 9 months, therefore, I made a full 9 month plan so I began the plan on Saturday April 28th, 2012.
I had a list of prospective breeds and a list of breeders close by I wanted to visit. However, due to sanitary reasons, it's not suggested to visit more than one breeder any given day. So I had a few appointments I was waiting to hear back from. The first one I received was from a woman named Mary who was very responsive to my emails and messages and managed to answer all my questions so I made the appointment. Mary run's a large property on the outskirts of King City north of Toronto which breeds both Golden Retriever's and Basset Hounds. Basset Hounds just happen to be my #1 choice on my list of potential breeds:
1 - Basset Hound
2 - (English) Cocker Spanial
3 - Shar Pei
4 - Dalmation
5 - Pug or English Bulldog
Even though I hadn't set my list in stone, I decided to go with my gut on this one. I took my cheque book....
The drive was about an hour or so, and it was a lovely, warm spring day. I probably couldn't have picked a better day actually. Unfortunately I had attended a wild soca rager the night before so my head wasn't exactly in the right spot, but surprising enough, liquid advil's work at an astonishing rate even when you wake up in a miscellaneous hotel room 4 steps away from your front door (don't ask)...
In an effort to look 'presentable' for my breeder appointment I managed to throw myself together and look like one of those gangly messy celebrity mug shots with a caption that would likely say something along the lines of... "Demi Moore after a workout" As the idea of going to a breeder often implies that, not only will I be scoping out the place to suit my needs, but the breeder would also be scoping me out as well. An adoption interview... if you will?
The pressures of motherhood began to sink in. Since I already have a baby at home, he requires no responsibility, he's essentially a teenager that just learned how to drive and I barely see him anyways.. So needless to say I felt a little pressure, especially with the weighing guilt I would have for attending a party I had attended the night before, WITH a baby at home... ouch..
Well, all the guilt, the headaches, the pressure disappeared when we rolled up to the property. Nestled on a small secluded country road, a large sign "Golden Asset Kennels" welcomed us along a long winding driveway rocky driveway as we pulled it. It was so charming I wanted to jump out of the car and enjoy the country side.
Along with the main house, only a few meters away, a smaller 'garage' type building stood, that was fairly new (later confirmed just built) with a laberyth of chain link fences surrounding it. Out of the grass and trees came running 7 or 8 stubby legged, floppy eared, little balls of fur and wrinkles, howling and drooling their way to where we were standing.
Words can't describe it but I fell in love almost instantly and of course.... I took photo's.. since posting photo's is what all the kids are doing.. I'll post:
I don't think I need to elaborate any more on this story. The facility was immaculate, the people were lovely, warm and welcoming, the dogs were extraordinary and loveable and I've never written a cheque so fast in my life.
So now I remain on the waiting list, hoping to get one of Annie's litter's that were due May 2nd. I haven't heard anything yet from the breeder on the health of the puppies or the mother but I anticipate word shortly.
HAPPY!!!!!
Stay fabulous
- jennarae
