Slager Update

If you're looking to add a Lab puppy to your family then there is absolutely, positively no one else to call but Andrea and Kevin Tait - PERIOD.

I only make this statement with such bold confidence because my husband Jim and I have had the great pleasure of raising 6 children and 7 dogs. Yes, that's right, 30 years of raising kids and dogs!!!!! In that time, believe it or not, we HAVE learned a thing or two. Whenever you have 2 or 3 dogs at a time along with 6 kids, you either sink or swim!!! Our youngest daughter Julie is in love with Labs. Last winter Jim and I agreed that Julie could have her beloved Chocolate Lab. I spotted Kevin and Andrea's ad in the South Haven Trib. Chocolate Labs were available for Christmas. The problem for us was that it was the middle of Winter and we thought training a new puppy would be far easier in the spring. I called Andrea and was delighted to learn that, indeed, they were planning to have puppies come spring. What followed can only be described as good old fashioned kindness and great character from Andrea and Kevin. As soon as they were positive that the puppies were on the way, Julie received a call from Andrea. We had many conversations in which, little by little, each and every one of my questions about Labs in general were answered completely and in terms that both Julie and I could understand.

Julie's puppy was due in April. By that time we knew all there was to know about Precious, the mother and Steamer, the father to be. Imagine my surprise when the phone rang in the afternoon on April 20th and it was Andrea with the good news. The puppies had come into the world!!! Andrea asked for Julie and told her that she had something for her to listen to------Julie's eyes were like saucers and twinkled with joy as she heard some of the very first cries and whines and squeaks coming from the new born puppies------and one of them was destined to be her loving companion!! We went to Michigan to pick up Achilles 6 weeks later. By that time we already knew a bit about the personality of our new addition, thanks, again to the Taits. I was very impressed with the love and care that Kevin, Andrea and their family give to their dogs and puppies. They interact with each and every one of their charges. The dogs and their litters are an extension of their family. When they call to the puppies, each comes running, bouncing and wobbling---so full of love and excitement. There is pure joy on the faces of both the puppies and the Taits!!!

Achilles is the love of our life! He was so easy to train, with plenty of chew toys he has not tried to chew anything in our home. Achilles has a loving and kind temperament that is constantly tested by our teacup Yorkie, Sasha. Sasha is probably 4 pounds soaking wet----just the tiniest little dog, she's 6 years old and thinks she rules the roost. She nips Achilles nose, takes his food and treats and steals every one of his toys from him. Achilles is always so gentle and kind to her. He even sits back like a gentleman and waits for her to finish eating HIS food, then and only then does he step forward and eat. (wouldn't Sasha be surprised if she ever realized that SHE could be Achilles dinner if he was so inclined!) It's the sweetest thing to see how he cares for this little stinker. In fact since Achilles has been with Sasha from the time he was just 6 weeks old, we're convinced that he must think he's a Yorkie too. At 94 pounds and not quite a year old, I don't think so!!!

Achilles is in perfect health and the vet always complements us on his beautiful, glossy coat and stature. He is so loving, kind and totally devoted to each of us just as we are to him. He is extremely bright and intelligent, learning and mastering a dozen or so commands. While in Michigan for the Holidays, we made it a point to bring Achilles to see the Taits. Needless to say, they were thrilled to see him 81 pounds and 7 months later. Judging from his reaction, I think it's safe to say that Achilles felt the same way. Never, in all the years we have been raising kids and dogs, have we had a more positive experience than in our contact with the Taits. Our oldest son and his wife are getting ready to pick up a new lab puppy from the Taits. And, of course, our daughter Julie now wants a Lab in each color!! I encourage you to give them a call, you won't find this level of commitment to quality and love for their dogs and puppies anywhere else----PERIOD!!!!!

Thanks Kevin, Andrea, Spencer, Genesis and Vaughn-----from our heart to yours.

Jim, Debbie, Jena and Julie Latuszek

Murphy is a wonderful dog. We could not ask for a better puppy. Once we got past potty training, the rest has been great. We have our moments especially with chewing, but that's our fault and we are working hard on corrections. Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for such a special dog. She is priceless! Hunter Hunter

That was awfully nice of you to give us the best dog in the world! He's awesome! Besides being an excellent retriever he and our son are best friends. He's also a fantastic guardian. The air-conditioning guy came to our house recently and Charlie parked himself right in between him and Nathan and I. He wasn't aggressive but he made it clear why he had put himself there. Our neighbors have told Matt that they have never seen such an obedient dog. He's also enormous! We weighed him last weekend and he was 56 lbs! He weighs twice as much as Nathan and still has another year or so to grow! He found an old gardening glove in our backyard and that is his "security blanket." He certainly has a "wuss" side to him :o) but that's what we love. He's just the best. Thanks again. The VanDyken's
(Matt, Becki, and Nathan)

Hi Andrea and Kevin~ This is Kristen and Bryan Pitsch...we bought Cayenne (now Avery) from you in late March. We are so happy with her! She loves attention, going for walks and runs, playing with the neighbor dogs, playing fetch with Bryan, going swimming...the list goes on and on! She loves being outside in the grass, but has also become accustomed to a few favorite spots in the house to nap. She still has a little puppy spunk in her, but overall is a fairly calm dog. She is exactly what we wanted in a lab and can't remember what life was like without her!!! We have attached some recent pictures. Anyway, as she is getting closer to her 1st birthday, we remember that you had requested that we do a preliminary OFA exam at age 1. Was this for hips and elbows, or just hips? Also, after this is done through our vet, do we just send the results to your vet? Our vet's office will only send the x-rays with a signed consent form, but the x-rays have to be sent back since they are hospital property. We still have about 2 months, but as I was thinking about it, I thought that I would ask ahead of time. Summer goes so quickly! Well, if you could get back to us regarding those questions, that would be great! Thanks a lot!-Kristen, Bryan, and Avery:)

We love our new pup from Andrea and Kevin, and they even came to visit when we got paranoid over a little bit of whining. They have been awesome to work with and our puppy is in perfect health... just got checked out two days ago.

Sincerely, Brent, Emily, Noah, and Zion Bittenbender

I thought you would like to see how Jasmine is doing. She is 100% healthy and seems to think Velvet is her mom. Sometimes I believe Velvet thinks it's her puppy too! But either way they are extremely happy when they get time together and I couldn't possibly be happier myself. Thanks for a perfect puppy!

Hi! We bought one of your pups 2 weeks ago. Thought you would like to see some pictures. Her name is Misty and her big dog friend is Sadie.

They get along great together and love to "lab wrestle" until they're both tired out. Misty is doing very well. Thanks for a great puppy!

Carol and Ken Menck

Greetings from the Perry family. Just wanted to let you know how Jake was doing. He had his first vet appointment on Wednesday and besides a slight problem with ear mites, he is perfectly healthy. The vet gave us some ear drop to use and that should take care of the problem. He has been great. He has slept all night since day one. (Of course he sleeps in bed with us) He has been hit of the neighborhood and everywhere else we have taken him. Of course everyone wants to know about the color and they all have the same response: "I've never seen a Lab that color". (charcoal silver) I just give everyone your website and tell them to check it out.

We have been socializing him with everyone we know and he has been great. He loves to play with my wife's Pomeranian and it is very funny to watch.

The housebreaking is frustrating but he gets better everyday so hopefully soon he will get it. Well that's about it from us. Just wanted to let you know how he was.

We will try to get some pictures to send to you but right now my computer is not cooperating. You folks take care and if you ever need anything down this way, let me know.

Rob Perry

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