Much is made of the joys of rescuing dogs, but little is made of the wonderful experience that occurs when a great breeder matches a dog with the right person. I have had the great experience of rescuing dogs, and I have had the wonderful experience of knowing a breeder like Gretchen Pinkel of Kee-Pin Labs of Argyle, N.Y. There is no one way to get a dog, of course, unless it is the way that works for the person and the dog. Gretchen matched me and Lenore, and it was one of the happy experiences of my life with animals.

Gretchen is the best breeder I have known, and she told me five years ago exactly what Lenore would be like if handled properly, and she knew because she has been working so hard for years (and good breeding is very hard and not done for money) and over many generations to bring out the best in Labrador Retrievers – their loyalty, stamina, adaptability and great capacity to love.

I know how hard Gretchen works, how many sleepless nights, small tragedies, grinding medical and other expenses,  great triumphs and hard, painstaking work goes into good breeding. Labs are one of the great dog breeds, Gretchen one of the great breeders, Lenore one of the great Labs. I think it’s sad that some people think it is immoral get a dog from a good and conscientious breeder. My wish for people is that they get the dog they want and care for it well, however they get it. And good breeders perpetuate some of the very best traits in dogs, from Labs to Border Collies to Boston Terriers. I love the dogs I rescue, and I love the dogs I get from breeders. And I never tell anyone else how to get a dog.

Today, Gretchen came to the farm. She is a good friend and she came to wish Maria well on the Pig Barn Art Gallery. She and Lenore met and I was fortunate enough to get a video of the two of them talking together, one of my favorite videos so far, and something that will touch your heart and spirit. Come and see a great breeder talking to one of her great dogs.