The heart of a breeder ♡
The heart of a breeder is not something to contend with. It takes a big heart to not only welcome new life at the hand of our Creator into the world, but to also accept any loss and heartache that comes along in the journey. I was told recently that I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. For a moment I felt exposed and even a little offended, and then I realized the beauty that I possessed by doing so. I started to ponder how wearing my heart on my sleeve obviously has gotten me hurt more than once, but it also has welcomed more love and generosity into our family and home than I ever could have expected. It isn’t something that I try to do. Not something that I like about my personality even, but it is in fact how God has wired me. And believe me, as you can imagine there has been a great deal of loss that my heart has had to encounter. Whether that loss or heartache is related directly with loosing the runt of a litter, a mama in our program due to birth complications, or simply loosing a relationship with an unreasonable person who seems to love the thrill of harming others with words and actions, over the true love for the breed.
Even though I seemed to have seen it all from a personal stand point in the "breeding world" I will never cease to be amazed at our Lords hand in every single litter born here to our family. Every breath of each new life is a blessing not only to us, but to the future family who will be blessed by the dog that little baby will become. For me, breeding dogs and meeting new families and sharing the Gospel is a mission all in itself. I come in contact with the most amazing people who are all seeking that perfect little companion to complete their home. I have the amazing opportunity to raise up the best puppies for the best homes. I am truly blessed to do what I do.
Being a responsible heart-filled breeder has its perks, but it also has its downfalls. To produce excellent quality and breed standard dogs sometimes means making the hard choice not to breed a certain dog based on their temperament, structure, or genetics. It is only fitting that since my heart is on my sleeve and so intertwined in my breeding program that we will begin to focus on Therapy training with all of our adults. I have worked hard to add the perfect temperament into our home so we only produce calm, kind, and gentle puppies who will grow into the best companions and future therapy dogs!
This shift in our program has been so fun for me to learn, grow, and study each and every one of our dogs. I am beyond delighted and excited to begin this journey with our children alongside me, to instill the importance of being responsible, kind and generous into them and also myself. I am reminded of something John the Baptist said to some of his disciples and fellow jews when questioned about Jesus and how He was baptizing everyone who came to Him: "To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:27-30
When we apply the thinking of John to our hearts and into our breeding program, it becomes more about Jesus and glorifying Him, and less about us and glorifying ourselves. My hope and prayer is that our family is able to be a true light to each and every family receiving a puppy from us. Whether you walk through loss alongside us; or walk through the amazing opportunity to watch God bless us all with the miracle of life in a brand new puppy. We pray that joy is brought into the new home seeking it with the little blessing they receive. So as your breeder just know; when you receive a blessing from us with 4 paws and large ears you also receive a piece of our hearts.
Lots of love,
Mikayla S
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