We had another retiree leave last week for a new home. It’s always bittersweet. I love that they can go be someone’s special pet after retiring from being a parent dog. But I get so attached and I hate to let them go.

The hardest part for a breeder is to say farewell to an adult they’ve raised and loved. But sometimes you have to do the hard things to make things better for the dogs. I want them to have happy, peaceful retirement years being the center of someone’s world.

And if you’re new here, please don’t think we just “throw” these retired adults under the bus or that placing them in new homes is easy. Some may think it is horrible that I place my adult dogs in loving homes when they retire. I would love to keep each one forever. <3

But if I’m going to continue raising these adorable puppies for potential adopters, I have to raise more adults to be future parents. Obviously, we want our parents to have a nice life and “retire” at a nice age. So we raise some purebred Poodles and Cavaliers or keep a Cavapoo puppy occasionally to step in when those current ones are ready to retire. So there are always more dogs around then just the current parents. All those dogs require attention, grooming, love, medical care, and space. And I only have so much of each.

So I would much rather have an adult that is no longer being a parent, be spayed and retired into a home where he or she is the center of attention; a place where they will be doted on and spoiled. Where they can sleep on the couch, be part of the family activities and given all the attention they want. And I screen and place the dog into what I think sounds like the best home for that particular dog. Placing an adult dog is much harder on my heart than saying good-bye to a darling puppy.

And boy, did Aurora hit the jackpot! Her new mom was instantly smitten when they met. I think Aurora was too.

And Aurora will be happier since Zuma (the guardian dog) does not like Aurora and tends to pick on her. Aurora has a mom that is basically retired so she’s almost always home. She has a big fenced-in yard to run in and she’s only about ten miles away from me so I can easily visit. (I won’t for a while though so it doesn’t confuse her and she can bond with her new mom).

And the first update sounds good! “Good morning, Jennifer. Things are going very well….she has mastered the dog door, she’s figured out stairs. She’s been sleeping at the foot of my bed…. I’m very happy she’s here….I love it when she acts like a goofball. “