The Breeding Process – Notably …the Relationship
Written by Pam on February 7, 2015
I wanted to blog today about the process that is needed before we breed our magnificent dogs.
Many breeders, like me, spend months if not years researching a suitable sire for their dams. All the time that goes into finding the sire, really goes into a lasting friendship among breeders. Many people do not realize the number of hats that reputable breeders need to wear in producing the very best puppy. We proudly wear the hats needed in genetics, in health, in whelping, in training and in sharing. I have to honestly say that the relationships that have formed over the years with both my golden breeder friends and lab breeder friends are everlasting. Having no sires here at HGT, we look for the very best in breed, health clearances, great conformation, dynamic personalities and I have found the complete package in each relationship formed.
Because of these lasting friendships, I want to post a beautiful poem about new and old friends which speaks volumes on the true appreciation I have for all my friends. I also included other poems that are my treasured pieces – that symbolize my love of our dogs and for our pups that we produce. – If you have been reading my blogs you have read many of the poems written by Pablo Neruda – I love Neruda’s writing style and the deep intent he captures in his poetry – so I wanted to share them again. Enjoy, Pam
New Friends and Old Friends By: Joseph Parry
Make new friends, but keep the old; those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine, age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test – time and change – are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray, friendship never knows decay.
For ‘mid old friends, tried and true, once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die, new friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-new is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old; those are silver, these are gold.
One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII By: Pablo Neruda
Translated by Mark Eisner
I don’t love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz,
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as one loves certain obscure things,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom but carries
the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,
and thanks to your love the tight aroma that arose
from the earth lives dimly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you directly without problems or pride:
I love you like this because I don’t know any other way to love,
except in this form in which I am not nor are you,
so close that your hand upon my chest is mine,
so close that your eyes close with my dreams.
Love’s Body – by Jonathan Wells
Love gives all its reasons
as if they were terms for peace.
Love is this but not that
that but not this.
Love as it always was.
But there is no peace in the mountain
cleft where the fruit bats scatter
from the light.
There is no peace in the hollow when
the heat snuffs night’s blue candle.
The outline of brown leaves on
the beach is the wind’s body.
A crow is squawking at the sun
as if the screech itself is dawn.
Let me hear every perfect note.