Robin Gibbons, the breeder who sold us Gus, came over to the farm to see him again, it was her first visit since we took him home five weeks ago, and Gus was happy to see her again, she was showered with kisses amidst much joyous wriggling.

Gus clearly remembered here, there was something special about them being together. Robin sat with us and talked a bit, and Red and Fate did their thing with her, she also brought some carrots out to Lulu and Fanny.

Robin was happy to see Gus, she said he was clearly pretty happy here and happily settled in. She watched him torture Fate and chase her around the  yard.

This was Robin’s first effort at breeding, and the vet and I and many others were much impressed at the way she did it. There are lots of good ways to get a dog, including adopting one that needs a home, or choosing the dog you really want thoughtfully. Another is getting a dog from a conscientious breeder who take care to strengthen and perpetuate the best traits in dogs – good temperament, sound health, intelligence and loyalty.

We were urging Robin to breed again, there ought to be more dogs like Gus in the world (and his mother Hannah) and more breeders like Robin, who care much more about the dogs they bring into the world than they do about money.

Robin is special to us, she welcomed us into her home week after week so we could get to know Gus and help socialize him. Apparently, that worked. He already jumps into the cars of total strangers hoping to go for a ride with them.

Good breeders choose their mating dogs for health and disposition, as well as bone health and social skills. They monitor the litter for behavioral or health problems. They match the puppies up with people. Good shelter and rescue workers do that also.

I’m glad that Robin is going to breed again. That means a whole bunch of happy and healthy dogs and happy and blessed dog owners. It takes an enormous amount of work to produce a dog like Red or Fate or Gus, they don’t just fall out of the sky. Robin did the work.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you there is only one way to get a dog. They are not your friends, or the friends of dogs. We hope to see Robin often.