On April 23rd, 2007, Clairyce Gaston, my dear friend and breeder of my two precious Golden Retriever littermates, passed away.   Much too young, at age 51, while waiting for a ridiculously long overdue kidney transplant.  Thank you Clairyce for giving me my first "pack" of dogs and teaching me so much to raise those two puppies at once.  They are the reason I realized my love for dogs was not just a "love", but a passion and it needed to be a full-time career.  Clairyce helped me with all my business ideas, gave me opinions on the name, logo, everything.  She was so enthusiastic about everything I did, all my wild ideas and she always instilled great confidence in me.  I enjoyed bringing her laughter with some of the crazy stories of my journey as she sat in her dialysis chair for hours.  It was very sad for me that I couldn't pick up the phone to tell her I was going to actually spend the day with Cesar Millan and be on the "Dog Whisperer" show!  She would've been the first person who I called, and she would've been beyond thrilled for me.  However, I do know she is smiling down on me watching all of my recent accomplishments.  It also makes me feel safe that one day when my own beloved dogs pass away, she will be there to welcome them and watch over them until I too arrive.  I feel it is no coincidence that my front page article in "The La Quinta Sun" came out on 4-23-2009, the anniversary of Clairyce's death.  Knowing Clairyce,  she somehow had a hand in that too!  She is my guardian angel from above.  I miss you my dear friend.

Lauren and her Golden Puppies at 16 weeks old.

"Nina" Stettner - Pugchon

19 years old and full of spunk about her groomings right up until she left us.

          6-14-1990   to   4-19-2009

You all touched my heart.........

"Duchess" Conner, Golden Retriever

"Gizmo" Stanley, Shih Tzu

"Dormie" Howe, Black Lab

"Detlef" Baum, Rottweiler/Akita Mix

"Peaches" Paradise, Cockapoo

"Baby" Kaufman, Schnoodle

 "Dinah" Ford, Miniature Pinscher Mix

 "Meile" Kabaker, Golden Retriever

"Angie" Drewes, Miniature Schnauzer

"Brutus" Tarsitano, Yellow Lab

"Harley" Plone, Chocolate Lab

"Hildi" Garber, German Sheperd

"Dutchess" Mayer, Yellow Lab

"Aspen" Burt, Golden Retriever

"Jasper" Decker, English Cocker Spaniel

"Alley" Decker, Springer Spaniel

"Barney" Blodgette, Bassett Hound

"Riley" Blodgette, Chow/Shepherd Mix

"Bunker" Howe, Yellow Lab

"Annie" White, Jack Russell Terrier

"Heidi" Culver, German Shepherd

"Flo" Steinfled, Doberman

"Lady" Kohut, Golden Retriever

"Lucy" Caulk, Chocolate Lab

"Dillon" Rogers, Golden Retreiver

"Osa" Sanchez, Akita

"Max" Davis, Poodle

"Cody" Smith, Shih Tzu

"Kadi" Ahlgren, Rhodesian RIdgeback

"Sam" Nelson, Pomeranian