Hi Dyane,

Just wanted to let you know that Tater passed his puppy exam with flying colors on Monday. While sitting perfectly still in my lap, he generated quite a scene in the waiting room and among the entire veterinary staff (which includes one exuberant CBR owner!!!!). The comments and compliments about his physical appearance, coat quality, temperament etc were virtually nonstop and a tribute to your breeding skills.

On the home front, Tater is exceeding expectation on his housebreaking progress (zero % in the house or crate to date), crate adoption, responding to "come" and he did well in his first swimming lesson yesterday.

Again, our sincere thanks for this wonderful Chesapeake pup!

Best regards,
Corky Kelleher
Flemington, NJ


Puppy (Ch Bluemoon Indypendence Day X Pond Hollow Mocha Sanani)

Hi Dyane,
Just wanted to send a friendly hello and let you know how Trigger's doing. He's 9 mos. and growing like a weed! He's a great dog, couldn't have asked for a better one. Always "up to something" but we love him dearly. He's proven to be a great family pet, LOVES people and other dogs. We don't have any children yet but he did really well at Christmas time with a house full of guests and one hyper 8 year old. As far as his hunting/retrieving skills, Scot's been working with him since we brought him home. We knew we made the right decision to go with a Chessie when on the second day after bringing him home he jumped right into the water. He LOVES the water...so much so that when the bathroom door is left open he'll sit in front of the tub and cry. LOL He's something else. Anyway, he's proven to be quite the hunting companion as he's retrieved two ducks and his first goose this past weekend.
Hope all is well at the Hollow. Thanks again for counseling us on Chessies and not being afraid to deal with new chessie owners. We couldn't have asked for a better, well mannered dog.

Happy New Year!
Scot, Shannon, & Trigger (Ch Pond Hollow Bering Sea X Ch Pond Hollow Singapore)

Dear Dyane,

Attached is a SMALL sampling of Annie pictures. She is a real PISTOL !

Marge (OH) Pond Hollow Annie Git Yer Gun (Redlions Notorious SH X Pond Hollow Sequel)

Dyane,

Well Molly is 1.5 yrs old and what a great lady she is. As you can see by the photo she is also a lady of leisure. She loves getting in the kayak with me and paddling around the lake.

We took her hunting this Fall and she got her first pheasant. Molly has the most wonderful temperament and she lives life to the fullest. Hope everything is well with you and all the dogs.

 Again, thanks for a great dog !
 Ethel Kummnick CT

Dyane

 I thought you would be interested in hearing about Rain's (Your name Raindrop) rookie Dock Dogs competition is Salisbury MD last week.  We went down there Sunday after seeing an article about the Dock Dogs competition in last Saturdays paper.

 She jumped 17', 9" and 17', 6" to win the Senior classification. Yes, the Senior!  I think we found her niche. She is a great addition to our family and we are looking forward to many years with her.

Paul & Joan Gunby, Trappe MD. and  Pond Hollow Raindrop (Ch Calico Almost famous X Ch Pond Hollow Three Rvrs RoyalT)

Added December 2007...
Dyane

Thanks for the card.  Rain's "career" as a Dockdog is progressing nicely. She participated in her second event at the Easton, MD Waterfowl Festival in early Nov and won 2 Blue ribbons in the Senior class and a 3rd place ribbon in the Elite division with a jump of 20' 11". 

 Have a great Christmas and New Year.

 Paul and Joan Gunby (MD)

Dear Dyane,

 I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful our life has been since Nauset came into it. It is absolutely incredible that two years have already passed.  I will never forget the day we picked him up and how he stole my heart the first moment I saw him. I get teary eyed remembering how he tripped over his puppy feet trying to walk towards me to give puppy kisses. From then and there he was our baby and has changed our lives forever. The past two years have been truly wonderful. He instantly became a favorite member of our family. My parents love showing pictures of their “Grand-Dog” to their friends and my brother and sister can’t help loving their “nephew”. He has such personality it is hard not to love him. I swear he understands everything I say. He looks at me and tilts his head and I know he knows exactly what I am talking about. Everywhere we go people comment on how beautiful he is- and even though I may be biased, he is the most beautiful dog I ever saw! I feel so safe when he is with me too- he is QUITE the watch dog. (Sometimes a little too protective- but I’m not complaining!!). But what I love about him is when he meets someone new, (he barks of course) but once he knows it is OK, he loves them and protects them just like he protects me and his daddy! He is a happy, happy dog and I have no words to describe just how special he is. His personality is one-of-a-kind. He loves so many things and so many people. Of course swimming is his love- especially swimming on Nauset Beach! I will never forget the first time he saw those waves- he LOVED them and was fearless! He dove right in and he was only 6 months old! My husband and I were more scared than he was! Now it is his favorite place to go (besides his “Gammy and Gampy’s House”). All we have to say is “Want to go to Cape Cod?” and he is ready by the door! He also loves going to Doggie Daycare twice a week. It was the best thing we ever did- he plays ALL DAY and has doggie friends! I believe that he is a happier dog because of it.

 I could go on and on FOREVER about Nauset. So I will stop here and add some pictures below. He is the love of our lives and we couldn’t imagine what we would do without him! Thank you so much for this amazingly brilliant dog who is truly our “best friend”!

 Warmly,

 Sarah Boucher CT   &  Pond Hollow Nauset Beach (Ch* Pond Hollow Cuttyhunk X Ch Pond Hollow Antietam CDX JH)

Hi Dyane, 

 I apologize for the delay in getting pictures of Bear to you.  For almost 2 years I have been very busy with my elderly mother who health has not been good, in addition to working.  Although Bear does love going to work with me when I am in an empty apartment or plowing snow.  We also have a son who is a Marine.  Last month took a couple weeks off to go out to CA for some vacation time and to attend his Graduation.  It has been pretty hectic around the Erk house.

 Bear is a wonderful Chessie.  He has a fabulous temperment, is  eager and easy to train. We have not had him out hunting this past year due to all the family things going on.  My  son who is now in the Marines and my daughter always run at the forest preserve near our house. Bear see the running clothes and shoes come out and is ready to go and waiting at the door.  My daughter has not been running over the winter as much, although Bear does not mind the cold and snow.  He is a character.  I have attached a picture of him hugging and sucking his bed. He will sleep like this all the time.  He has done this ever since he was a puppy.  He has figured out how to open doors, drawers and cabinets. He has been known to bring you a bag of noodles or bread.  He has never chewed things up, just loves to carry things around in his mouth.  He LOVES shoes and socks.  I know when we get home he will greet us at the door with someones shoe in his mouth. If he can't find something to hold in his mouth when we get home, he will smiles. He just have to have something in his mouth all the time.  He is a beautiful Chessie.  He is so much fun and has so much personality, we just love him.  We had to put our 12 yr old lab down last summer, he had alot of internal tumors and lost bladder control at the end.  It was very sad.  Bear was really not the same after we put Sam down. About Dec last year we adopted a Chessie pup from rescue.  The two are always together.  Bear has the intense atheltic personality and the pup is very laid back and more submissive. They are a good match.

Janet Erk  Illinois

Hi Dyane. 

Hope this finds you well.  It's been a long time since we corresponded, but you may remember me.  Kathy, my wife, and I are the very proud owners of Royal Bird Cody, Cody for short, born 3/1/1994.  We lived in Suffield, CT when we first got Cody, but have subsequently resided in Avon, CT since 1997.  Cody will be turning 13 this March 1.  Cody has been a tremendous dog, and we love him more than I can articulate in words.  Unfortunately, we expect that he will not be with us much longer.  A couple weeks ago he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor above his left eye, and it is growing rapidly.  So far it has not impacted any functions, but our vet expects that shortly he will get to the point of not being able to eat.  I suppose then we will know its time….We as a family are distraught about this, but we will do the right thing for him when we have to.  About a year/year and a half ago he came down with a chronic throat ailment, and we have been treating that consistently with a combination of light painkiller and anti-inflammatory Deramaxx, which has worked well to make him comfortable. 

All the ailments being said, he is the finest specimen of a dog I have ever encountered, bar none, and I say that even when I factor out my bias.  People to this day compliment us on him and what good shape he looks to be in, not knowing of course the not readily apparent ailments above.  When they hear that he is 12, most can't believe it, but then look at his gray hair and start to believe….  I've attached some of our better pictures of Cody over the last 2 or 3 years.  He is still as handsome as he was when he was 1, plus a lot more gray hairs.  He has been wonderful with my kids, now 11 and 7.  Its very difficult for me to ever envision our house without him following us around.

My best to you, your family, and your dogs, and we hope to hear from you soon. 

Sincerely,

Dyane,

            My name is Bruce Sankey and back in 2001 I purchased a Chesapeake puppy from you. I just wanted you to know that he is the best dog and pet I could ever have hoped for. he is the joy of and center of our family. My dad and mom really took to him and he to us. He is so affectionate and protective too.  We call him Ranger. He grew big and strong and weighs just under a 100 lbs. He loves to swim and is wonderful physique.

            My mom and dad died this autumn and I have been reminiscing about that summer before we got him. Me and mom would sit in the evening and wonder what he would look like and be like and if he would like us. He did of course and he especially loved mom. He showed her the most affection of anyone. So anyway, I just wanted you to know that I really love the dog and that he has a good home and he really is man’s best friend. 

Thank-you,

Bruce Sankey, Colorado Sprgs, CO.  

Greetings,

It has been a long time since I have contacted you.  Just wanted to send an update to let you know how happy we are with Athena.

She is positively the light of our lives - and the princess of the household.

She receives compliments everywhere we go on how beautiful she is and what a sweet disposition.  The tech at her vet's office says Athena is the friendliest chessie she has ever seen. The attached pics are from last month in Kensington, KS - my husband's family farm. She has turned into quite the upland game hunter.  The second photo is my favorite.  I think she's smiling (she thought she was pretty hot stuff with that bird!)

I am also including a link where she is featured on my vet's website.  We use a holistic vet service here in KC - thanks for your advice in this regard when I first contacted Pond Hollow. Dr Faris says she is a perfect specimen and wanted to post her for other clients to see. http://www.westonvet.com/site/view/78758_UrbanWolfTestimonialAthenaGlazier.pml

I hope all is going well for Pond Hollow kennels.  Thank you for all the work you have done and continue to do for this incredible breed.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year,

Alex & Melissa Glazier- St Louis MO

"Athena” (Ch Calico Almost Famous X Ch Pond Hollow Casco Bay)

Hi Dyane,

It has been nearly two years since I have gotten in touch with you. I have been meaning to write to you often and have finally gotten to doing it. I immediately saw the difference between Strider and my previous Chessie. It was obvious Strider had such a wonderful head-start even in the first ride home. He whined and scratched gently at the window to let us know that he needed to go to the washroom. He did not get sick once on the lengthy car ride home either. The fact that you included baby vitamins and cottage cheese in your regimen shows the extra care that you provide your dogs.He was a happy and well-adjusted boy who picked up on all of the basic commands remarkably fast. He mastered fetch and retrieve in no time dropping the items at our feet. We never had any difficulty with recall. Strider "came" whenever he was called and never took off on us. In fact, in obedience school, Strider won "First Place Puppy" among two classes. The lead trainer was so impressed with him and kept commenting on what an incredible dog I had. He maintained tremendous eye contact and took direction readily. Since then, he had matured into a calm and well-behaved boy. His vocabulary has expanded to an extensive repertoire of phrases and sentences. He is friendly with all (as much as Chessies are) and I never worry about him being aggressive with children or others. He is protective as well, but NOT needlessly aggressive.

We also frequently have people who stop on the side of the road when walking him to find out where we got him because he is so gorgeous.  He is our "golden boy" as my father has dubbed him due to his great temperament and keen intelligence.  There is not a day that goes by that we do not thank you and our lucky stars for the gift we have in our lives named Strider.  Thank you for your fine breeding and good match.          (Ch Pond Hollow Bering Sea X Ch Pond Hollow Pistol Powder JH)  Helena Twitchew   Canada

Dear Dyane,

            I would like to thank-you for one of the most beautiful dogs that ever lived. Casey and I had 14 ½ great years together. He was a friend, family and a companion. We went walking, swimming and camping together. I will never forget his smile. I can’t tell you how much he enriched my life. Basically I want to thank-you for these wonderful dogs. There will be more chessies in my life-maybe about four years from now. Hopefully from you.  

Kevin McGoldrick

Center Islip, NY

“Casey”  ( FC/AFC Ed’s Turnpike Drifter MH X Ch Pond Hollow Puddle Duck CD)

Jan 20, 2007

Dear Dyane & Jennifer,

     Want to wish you a Happy New Year. I am enclosing two pictures of our Molly. I can’t tell you how much fun this little girl is. We go hiking almost every day. She knows all her commands. She heels off leash really well. I have to tell you a cute story which illustrates her intelligence. One night Harry (my husband) was sitting in the living room having some cheese and crackers.  Molly went into the kitchen and got her dish and sat in front of him with it (of course she got a cracker). Who could resist ? She has a beautiful coat  and is with me all the time. We just love her.

(Ch Pond Hollow Southern Tornado X Ch Pond Hollow Joyeau Noel)

            Truly, 

 Ethel Kumnick, CT

Molly “Kumnick”

“Max” has logged over 5000 miles in the sidecar touring the US with his owners Sonja and Ed Russell of Burlington, NJ.  (Ch Snocrees Jack of All Parades X Ch Pond Hollow Abilene) Summer 2006

Dyane, 

Hi...I was just online and came across your email address...22 years ago, when I was 10 years old, we adopted a 2-year-old Chessie named Pond Hollow Wave Dancer, "Wave." She had a few ribbons from puppy shows but spent her adult life as our family companion. She lived to be just shy of her 13th birthday. What a personality on that dog!! I am not kidding when I say she took on almost human personality traits. One of my favorite memories is as a child, visiting Long Beach Island, and my father was floating on his back in the water at the beach. Wave swam right out to him and ever so gently put her mouth on his arm and brought him ashore...she "saved his life." Everyone in the neighborhood knew Wave and our neighbors, who would watch her when we went away, were in love with her as if she were their own. Anyway, I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you about this wonderful dog who I grew up with. I will always remember her and all of her special little traits. Our family has SO many great stories about her :) Thank you and God Bless

Amy Gilbert in NJ

August 2005

Dear Dyane & Bill,

Hello from Maryland’s Eastern Shore !  As I write this letter our “Miss Ellie” is stretched out on the floor, catching an afternoon breeze and snoozing away. Enclosed are some pictures of our beautiful girl. Some pf the highlights of her summer have been having “Mom” home all day-since school’s been out, attending obedience school with both mom and pop, and swimming in the Choptank River.

We are grateful for allowing us the privilege to have one of your Chesapeakes. We see the regal and stately appearance and character in Ellie. When she retrieve4s or simply carries something in her mouth, she walks with such a “champion air”. In reading the traits of Powder, Ellie is also very mouthie- she must have something in her mouth-sometimes two things. She does this when greeting us and visitors or just leaving her kennel. She has a mighty powerful bark and her disposition is loving and friendly. Many people have remarked and are impressed. We refer to Ellie as our “dog child”. She is our family. And so our love affair with Chesapeakes continues.

Tanis & Levin, Trappe MD.

Just wanted to drop you a note and tell you the Bear is doing great. He's about 75 pounds now, beautifully balanced and full of Chessie hard-headed personality. He's been through obedience and knows all the commands - does them flawlessly when the leach and collar are on - but seems to think that without it he's on his own. I keep waiting for him to go through a gangly teenage stage but he's staying well-filled out, not fat, just definitely not lanky. He has a wonderful trait that I've never seen in any dog except a Chessie. He smiles bigger-than-life when he first sees me. We had one other Chessie that did that but not quite the same way. Bear actually draws his lips back, not just up, and it is so sweet and funny-looking at the same time.

We are so pleased with everything about this boy. It really makes us appreciate the excellence in your bloodlines and planned breedings.

Steve & Deb Van Etten, SC