New Entry 1/10/2024:
Crazy!! We've moved again and this time to South Carolina!
We've spent the past year preparing for our move south and found a house where all of our critters would be happy and had plenty of space. Since November of 2023, we've been doing fencing and construction for our dogs, cattle and horses. Sadly we left the ducks and chickens behind but, our neighbor loves them and will be taking them from the property up north. We found a property on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina where we can have the dogs and plenty of space for the larger animals and we can occassionally have a 'vacation' on our boat on the lake! Come visit us in South Carolina and enjoy some time on the lake!
New Entry 8/7/2022:
So, we've moved and it's been a whirlwind of a year! We moved from Skaneateles, NY to Marathon, NY and we've spent the last year basically doing construction. The initial construction phase was hectic to get the dogs moved before we closed on our house in Skaneateles. Then we constructed rooms and areas out of necessity (again before closing on our house). Well, we're almost done here---just a little more painting and some items outside and we'll be done with our 'dog house' which is a 6000 sq foot building where we have the dogs, offices, stall area downstairs for the horses, kitchen, bath, laundry, etc. You could live here! We built everything to be 'homey' and very roomy and it could easily be turned into an apartment if we ever decide to retire (unlikely!). The next phase is our house which needs a LOT of work! The reno continues.....
In the meantime, the dogs are VERY happy and everything looks beautiful. Everyone has a LOT more space to run around inside and outside. We've also begun a Great Pyrenees program www.midlakegreatpyrenees.com. We have twice as much acreage here and we're very secluded and the Pyrenees just fit right in!
The website has been updated --we have some more photos to add but, for the most part everything has been updated with new photos and information. Enjoy!!!
New Entry 9/15/18:
It's been over 5 years since I've added an entry! Terrible, I know! Well, in 5 years we've done quite a bit here with our dogs, our kids and our beef program so, I guess I should be forgiven ---I also work full time as a school nurse.
Anyhow, I was reading something last night that really upset me and I wanted to share it with everyone. I was reading an article that someone had written regarding a question posed to a veterinarian asking 'what is the hardest part of your job?' The veterinarian answered that it was when a client was euthanizing their animal and did not want to not be a part of the process. In other words, the animal's owner would leave the dog or cat and walk away!
Your dog needs you MOST when they are leaving this world and I would certainly ask all of our clients to please NEVER do this to one of our pups or any animal. They need to be held and comforted by those that they love especially at the end of their life.
I know that it's a very hard thing to even think about but, when we are born at some point along the way, we are going to have to face the reality of death. PLEASE do not let anyone face this alone.
Michelle's thoughts about breeding
New Entry 5/1/2013:
I know that I haven't written for a long time and there are many time consuming reasons for that but, lately things have been compiling that are really bothering me again. The items on my ranting list lately are 1) the AKC 2) Cavaliers should not be crated, kenneled nor raised in barns and 3) there is no such thing as an AKC 'registered kennel' or an AKC 'registered breeder' and if anyone tells you otherwise, I'll show you proof.
In general I'm not a fan of the AKC and anyone who knows me knows that I rant and rave about a 'registry' who is only in business to collect as much money as possible to produce meaningless pieces of paper. The AKC does not verify much of anything but in my opinion they are perfectly happy to collect as much money as possible to register a litter of puppies and then again register each one of those puppies as they find new homes. Anyone who states that an AKC registered puppy is a quality puppy is basically being misled. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels this way and the AKC is finally under fire.
The Today show did a piece on the AKC who is under attack from the Humane Society and the ASPCA for their lack of 'inspections' and for registering dogs and puppies from horrific conditions. here is the link: http://www.today.com/news/akc-registered-breeders-raising-dogs-miserable-conditions-6C9640008
In February of 2013, the New York Times slammed the AKC for supporting Puppy Mills and absolutely horrific conditions found with some breeding facilities that allegdly had been 'inspected'. Totally amazing! here is the link for that story: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/sports/many-animal-lovers-now-see-american-kennel-club-as-an-outlier.html?_r=1&
I'm thinking that what bothers me more than anything is that the dogs in these kennels need someone to help them and save them from their plight! If the AKC is actually there doing inspections and does nothing to help, then they should be held accountable as well. Doing nothing should have it's consequences! I've also noticed that as soon as one of these stories hits the paper or TV, the AKC is immediately on the defensive sending out emails and trying to defend their position with a 'do-gooder' attitude. 'Do Good' already and report those monsters and save those poor dogs!!
New Entry 3/19/2009:
Here's a great link to look at--please note that this is really disturbing information!
I would also highly recommend clicking on the area that says 'you can view the movie'. The movie link is above all of the pictures of the dogs in cages. The movie is horrific and heart breaking but it's important to educate---so, please pass it on!
http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/
REMEMBER---it's disturbing to watch but, if you can help save a life --please watch it!
I love the idea that I have a place where I can discuss what I think since I have lots of
opinions and not a lot of people like to listen to me 
I think that everyone in this country (and the world for that matter) should know what 'puppy mill' means. And, I think that everyone should care! If you don't know what a puppy mill is, I'm going to explain it to you. I'd like each person who knows or doesn't know what a puppy mill is to go and visit your local pet shop and look at the cute little puppies in the window. That is the product of a puppy mill looking at you in the eye. The beginning of that story is not so pleasant. The parents of that cute puppy are trapped in hell--hell is a breeding facility where all they do is breed for each cycle and pump out puppies that are rushed to your local pet shop---no matter what age they may be.
The parents live in teeny cages and have no medical treatment, could have open sores, tons of genetic issues, lost eyes, not fed or watered, made to with stand massive heat and brutal cold. They are never touched or loved or socialized----however, these mills are giving you a puppy to purchase that will then become your family pet. That family pet will have social issues, medical problems, genetic defects and some will have emotional issues.
And, I'm not making this up. I have personal experience with puppy mill puppies. Before the educated started educating the rest of us, my mother in 1977 brought us home a Cairn Terrier from a mall pet shop on Long Island (where I grew up). Toto had huge issues. She was not house trained until she was about 4-5 years old and had prominent emotional issues. She had a great deal of difficulty learning and was overall not a great house pet.
A friend also purchased a cocker spaniel from a pet shop in Port Jeff Harbor, LI about 12 years ago. This is the same place that my mother insisted that all the puppies were sedated and wrote to the town about the issue.The dog's list of physical issues are: couldn't eat meat - allergic, would chew all the fur off his tail and paws, very bad hip dysplasia, aggressive food issues and biting people, overall skin issues his entire life and was medicated every day for them. Had to eat special vet food with no 'meat'.
These are the types of family pets that puppy mills produce. The only way to stop the production is to educate the public to STOP BUYING THE PUPPIES. We all know that we want to 'save' the poor puppy in the pet shop but, think to yourself! If you're funding the issue, it's not going away!
My favorite charity is North Shore Animal league http://www.animalleague.org
North Shore does fantastic work and is a no kill shelter. I also contribute to the Humane Society and the ASPCA however, I would prefer it if these other organizations would follow in the foot steps of NSAL and find homes instead of killing.
My family has adopted many pets from NSAL over the years; many cats and Romeo and Muffy. Romeo was my beloved border collie that I adopted in 1992 from the shelter and he passed away in 2006. My love for border collies comes from Romeo even though I would never breed BC's. Shelters are a great place to find a pet who desperately needs a home and I would highly recommend seeking one out in your area. They have puppies and kittens as well as adult dogs who are potty trained (big bonus!).
Wrapping up for now, I would seriously ask all families to either purchase from a reputable breeder (especially if you're looking for a specific breed) or please go to a shelter and adopt someone who needs a second chance at a great home.
I'll add to this column occasionally as I have more things to rant about 