I was brought up with dogs, and our first Labrador was a large, black male cross. After he died from cancer at the age of twelve we bought a Jack Russell as the children were small and I didn't have time to look after a large dog. He was great with the children and died three years ago aged 14, but I had always wanted a pedigree Labrador and when he was nine we bought a black female locally. Ebony's mother and grandmother were from one of Pat Finey's bitches, and she is now 8½.
We hadn't thought about showing, but wanted to breed and keep a puppy. However, this wasn't possible as Ebony had cataracts, so we bought Misty from Jersey (now nearly five), who we have enjoyed showing and also have her daughter Libby (2½). Our daughter, Melanie, has Suey (3, Misty's niece) and a puppy, Bella (5 months, half-sister to Libby) who will be shown. I look after Suey and Bella in the afternoons, so with between three and five Labs in our house, the dog hair keeps my vacuum very busy!
We enjoyed breeding Misty very much, although it was hard work and we had to go to the UK for a male. Choosing homes was the hardest part, but all the pups have wonderful homes. We kept in constant touch for the first year and still bump into them - or they run into us straight out of the sea! We try to remember that puppies aren't naughty, just adventurous. Puppies love digging; pulling up weeds (and flowers); taking the washing off the line if they can reach; chewing (eg TV remotes, telephones, beds - not theirs, skirtings, shoes, slippers, dirty washing - the list goes on, although they do grow out of it).
Our dogs all have different personalities. Ebony thinks she is human and loves to be with you constantly. Misty is hyperactive and pushes you to the limit, bit I'm sure she smiles at me. Libby is so laid back she almost falls over. Suey loves to race around and bark. Bella, the baby, loves to fight with all of them and pretend she is boss. They all get on really well and I wouldn't like to go back to having just one dog - watching the older dogs teach the young ones is really something.
They're great family pets and love children, but need their own space especially if there are young children in the house. People buy Labs having seen an adult behaving well, or on TV lying by the fire, but you have to get through the puppy years and the endless wet towels to reach that point.
Labradors are fantastic dogs to live with, but they need and like to have discipline along with lots of love. Labs hate: closed doors and being told off. Labs love: lying on beds, settees, good clothes and anything else that happens to fall on the floor; cuddles; food; swimming; hose pipes; buckets of water; muddy puddles and other things too many to mention. They are very boisterous and just love life. They love to be brushed (although they don't need much) and to be fussed over and loved. Older Labs can become fat as they love being couch potatoes - in fact, all Labs love food and can easily become fat.
"Well, this'll do for starters, but it's hardly Olympic-sized, is it?"
"Whaddaya mean, you forgot the ball, Mum? You cannot be serious!! "
One of my most embarrassing moments was when Misty had been swimming, and thought she recognised a woman lying prone and topless on the beach. Misty ran up to her, stood astride her . . . and shook! Luckily, she liked dogs and saw the funny side - I'm not sure I would have!
At the end of a hectic day of playing, fighting, chasing, getting wet or muddy, being mischievous, and eating - they sleep (usually on my side of the settee) and we look at them and know our life would be so empty without them. After all, dogs keep us healthy, young and fit (to drop!). And after a few hours' sleep they are up, yesterday forgotten, and ready to start the day all over again.
Labs love exercise and once they're 1½-2 years old they like at least two walks a day, especially if it involves swimming, walking in streams or running in fields. There is nothing they like more than being on the beach in the early evening so they can explore and see if any food has been left behind - or even a dead piece of rabbit, or a week old smelly fish! They might roll on it first because then it tastes better, and if it doesn't taste good they are so well behaved - they always wait till they get home before being sick (and sometimes re-eating it)!! They like seeing children eating ice-cream or hot dogs - being friendly they always try to share it. They also love children to scream and run - what a great game that is, and children lying on the ground is even better as they can lick them even if they are wet.
"We were here first, you know!"
"What've we done wrong now?!
It's only a little hole!"
