NOTES OF OUR JOURNEY
This is a collection of experiences that I hope allows you a peek into the love, sweat, laughter and tears
that happen here at Rock Creek!
I begin my journal with recent events , to go way back would take forever!!
I wanted to share the story of "Rock Creek's Just Passin' Through". Of course he was never officially
named.... he only blessed us with his presence for about 24 hours."Lucky" was the first little guy to
arrive from the litter of Stormy and Lars. I noticed right away he was a little small and after "mom" had
cleaned and I had dried him, I began my puppy inspection. To my heartbreak I discovered a cleft
palate, which is the failure of the top palate in the mouth to completely close. It is always common
knowledge to cull such puppies, but here at Rock Creek we just dont do that. If ANY puppy has the
will to live ,,with our assisitance if necessary, they have a home with us. This was a first for us, we have
never had puppies that were born in distress, though as a breeder, you know it could happen. I began
my search for information on puppies with cleft palate. I found a woman who had great results with cleft
palates and I sought her advice. She told me that it was worth the effort to try. Although he would
always have a strict diet, she knew from experience that they could live quality lives.So I began a strict
nursing schedule from a bottle, he had to be hand fed. And while Stromy cleaned and helped with his
"elimination" I would assist with his feedings. I knew what this meant,,,,,it meant that after only 3 hours
of sleep assisting Stormy with her deliveries it was not over. I would need to feed every 45 minutes,,,for
the next 2 weeks. For me at least, there isn't any sleep that I wouldn't sacrifice for the love of
Labradors!! You have to accept the difficult times along with the happy times,,that is just the way that it
is. So I began my schedule as "Assistant Mama", with hopes that I really could help him live. Before I
started I prayed, "Lord, please help me care for the little boy, I am the reason he is here. You know me
Lord I just won't give up if there is a chance,,but if for some reason you see his life not being the quality
that I am hoping it will be,,,,,then Lord please take him,,,,because I can't." I nursed him for 23 1/2
hours, immediatly there formed a bond between me and my little white bundle of love,,,who was just
too cute sucking from the bottle I was giving him. After his last feeding, exhausted I told my husband to
wake me in 45 minutes,,,,I was going to take a quick nap. 30 minutes later, Bill woke me holding our
puppy, he let me know he didn't make it. At first I was just numb, looking back I was probably just so
tired. After we laid him to rest, a few hours later I finally realized I was hungry. This whole time I really
thought that I would be able to deal with this like an adult! As I sat eating my hotdog I glanced over at
his bottle,,,and it hit me. I missed my little guy,,I had failed. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I hung my
head, "God" I prayed, " I'm so sorry he didnt make it,,,,I really tried hard" Then I remembered what I
had prayed earlier, and maybe,,just maybe, He spared both of us.I sat there heavy hearted tears rolling
down my face, then just as some sort of little sign the good Lord thought that I could use, Bill and the
kids were standing beside me when I looked up. They are always there to help me grin again!! So,
Lucky is waiting at the other side of the Rainbow Bridge , we haven't said "Good-bye" ,,,,just "I'll see
ya later"!
November 6, 2004
Today was a GREAT day! Which I REALLY needed after a long hard week!
I tell ya, between the kids and the puppies I dont stand a chance of maintaing my hair color without a
"little help". The good news is I am now able to sleep a little more throughout the night. Stormie's
puppies are 2 weeks old today. Which means that my 24 hour puppy watch is nearing its end. Thier
eyes started opening yesterday afternoon and I never get tired of the first peek at thier little
eyeballs!!!They are a beautiful litter,,,just as are Molly and Ali's, who by the way start thier training next
week! I am thrilled with our adoptive families and the excitement each of them feel, as they prepare to
welcome our babies into thier homes.To all of you "THANK YOU"! You just don't know how happy it
makes me! I have finished a long day of cleaning ,feeding, and puppies! Who are a round the clock
effort! lol lol
As I watched them play in the "nursery" today, watching carefully and taking mental notes as I started
pairing some of our families with thier puppies. I got caught up watching them play, there is nothing cuter
than watching baby labradors play. I couldn't help but think how blessed I am, I have beautiful litters,
healthy happy Labrador moms and dads of my own and a great family! (okay,,,,so today was a good
day,,,I'm gonna roll with it). Today was a day, as I was watching the "babies", that has made the last 4
weeks of practically no sleep and round the clock care of our new litters,,,,worth every minute!
Now,,,,,Lord, please help me with tomorrow! :)
January 22, 2005
Well, at the rate I am making my entries into my journal , I guess I don't have to worry about taking up
too much space on my web-site! LOL In the past few months things have been just a wee-bit hectic
here on the farm. As most of you who know me , know, I have recently moved, which was no small
task,WOW! I think that I will stay put for awhile. I am looking forward to getting back to normal, well
as close to it as we get here at Rock Creek. I just wanted to say how much I appreciated everyone's
patience with us during this move,,,,which if you aren't aware,,,during our move ,,,it just so happened
that quite a few of our puppies were ready for Adoption Day! Thank you again for being such patient,
wonderful families!
July 21, 2006
Again, I am setting no records for Journal entries! However, I just wanted to take a moment to
say thank you to all of our wonderful adoptive families this year. Keep the pictures and the updates
coming!! Give our babies great big hugs and kisses from us!
Thank you!
October 1,2006
Today is a beautiful Fall day here in the Northwest. The smell of smoke from a near
chimney, and brisk morning air, and the sound of the "kids"tail's thumping against the
kitchen cabinets make today just about perfect. My journal entry today will not be
lengthy , I am anxious to go play with the "kids"today! It never ceases to amaze me, that
regardless of what kind of week you have had, a Lab "grin"can make you forget life's
not perfect!
October 1 ,2007
I can hardly believe it has been a year already! lol
I just wanted to say, that I truly appreciate our families and have had a wonderful year with
you all, thank you again for sending me such wonderful emails! ( I promise to post them on
the web :)
This has been a wonderful year, a couple of bumps along the way, but I am and always will
,be here. There are those who set out to harm me, by spreading lies under "multiple
identities" lol
However, the wonderful thing about Truth is......is always makes it self known. With a
breeding program and a hard earned reputation like ours ,there are those who will try to
undermine and slander your name. It is just part of the competitive nature of some. I
thought it best to ignore those seeking "drama" and let the Truth speak for me and it has!
Thank you and God Bless
We will always be here for our families and any questions that you may have,
Tina and "kids"