01/30/2026
Oh Ali-gator… what I would do to turn back time. My perfect puppy and the start of my own kennel! She was everything I had prayed for when having my first litter. She checked all the boxes, my wife named her, kids adored her. The best coat of any DD I’ve owned. The demeanor that would make most jealous. A nose that didn’t miss and I mean did not miss.
We are truly devastated in the loss of our Ali. She took with her a massive part of our hearts. For those of you that know me and my family, we are dog people through and through. This one was special to us! Our pick of the litter raised here with us her entire life. This loss has truly hurt myself and my family.
I am so thankful for my time with her. Although it be a mere 7 months but my goodness am I proud of her! From her water drive to pointing many wild birds on her own and her natural retrieve to hand! The one thing that I will miss the most is when letting her out of the kennel with her mom and sister, she would always stop turn back some jump on me, playfully bite my arm, then take back off. She did it everytime, and I loved it!
I spent everyday with her preparing n for vjp which was around a month out! Training days and just days by ourselves going for walks chasing quail. She was ready! She was ready at 7 months of age! We still had time to perfect our run!
Although the loss of this hurts like no other loss experienced, I have had emense support from my puppy buyers, friends, neighbors, and family. Although sometimes I just need to mourn her loss I try to focus on how great she was!
My transition from owner/handler to breeder is something I wouldn’t have ever asked for but here we go. Training weekend this weekend and the start of my judging apprenticeship the weekend after. I’m here to support her litter mates/ rest of my A litter.
This post comes with a massive gut punch, swollen leaking eyes, and a heart that just doesn’t understand. God only gives us what we can handle, all thought this is a close one. I plan to remember all her greatest moments! I plan to have another litter sometime but not to soon.
Ali- gator I will see you again!