04/10/04

  Hannibal Hamlin 1985-2000

To Hanna-boy:

An English Springer Spaniel is fifty pounds of love and loyalty, with a life-time of laughter. No house is so empty as the one where he once lived. "We will never, never, never forget you, dear friend." ccw

Thanks for visiting my web-site. As you might guess, I live in Springer Heaven, Jay, ME down a one-mile drive to our many acres of woods and water where my Springer boys and girls run free. I take pride in my family.

I have been raising English Springer Spaniels since 1985 when I traded a horse trailer to a New Gloucester friend for a fat ball of fur I named Hanna. He became my pal, my confidant, my Best-boy, and the pride of my life. When Hanna was ten or so, I looked at him one day and realized my Best-boy was getting old. I couldn’t imagine what I would do without my shadow. A friend of mine in the next town had a girlie, so different from my Best-boy. He, a tri-color, bench, with ears to his knees; she, a field-stock, liver with incalculable freckles. I’d never seen such a busy coat as Mousette has. (She’s 14 now and still going great). Well Mousette had six babies: three boys, three girls. I couldn’t choose between the girls, hard as I tried, so I took all three. AND that’s how I became in love with raising Springers. Incidentally, at fifteen, my Best-boy was still chasing the girls until one October day he was sunning himself in the side-yard, and the wood-truck driver backed over him. When I reached my Best-boy his little knobby was still wiggling for me. He was fifteen. He’s buried in the front yard with a  flower garden around his stone. One great dog I’ll say. He’s still here, today, in the faces of my puppies, and I watch his greatness shinning thru their eyes. What one little Best-boy taught me, I hope all my pups have the opportunity to teach others: how to be a best friend.

I’m tough. Of the puppy prospects I interview, I carefully select perhaps one of three whose life-style, environment, and understanding measure up to my idea of a good home. Not to imply that any home is not good, but I know Springers; I know who they will be when grown, and I consider it my duty—to make a successful match.

I have placed puppies in: Seattle, Manhattan, all the Northeast states, Canada, Cocoa Beach, FL., Little Deer Isle; famous families, and families just like yours.

My pups have grown into great family pets, show candidates, “Good Citizens”, helping hands, hunters, and therapy dogs. I have filled empty hearts and empty nests with great English Springer Spaniel companions. One spring I did a survey of these alumni pups. Questions like: where does your dog sleep? In the bedroom. How many words does your pal recognize? A hundred, a hundred and fifty, more. The responses were gratifying. I know, with no doubt, that I’m doing a good job.

These infants have their well-baby check-ups, shots, wormings, dock and dew-claws removed. All are thrifty little coffee tables. Some show early hunt signs; some are obviously show candidates, others are clowns, thinkers, lovers, and so forth. I don’t distinguish between; to me they are all priceless. So, one same price for any and all. Except . . .

Some I select to start. They cost more, are several weeks older, and have house manners already. Not everyone, I think, has the physical ability or the patience to carefully train a pup, but do want a companion and will make a good puppy-home. I am willing to do this on occasion. Often my puppy-folks will wait several months for the pup that will suit them best. After all, fifteen-year commitments are serious commitments. I think most marriages don’t hold together fifteen years.

I encourage my potential families to visit early, visit often, and stay as long as they are able. Some Sundays, several families are visiting from sometimes two or three hours away; talking to puppies, talking to each other, talking and listening to me. We have a circus here.

All pups are cute and wonderfully loving; but in truth, puppy-hood is a fantastical process one must go through to reach their dog; so finding the right puppy isn’t like finding the right box of cereal; this process should, must, take time and consideration.

I’d like very much for you to visit and meet my little family.

From turnpike exit 12, Auburn; follow rte 4 north to Livermore Falls. After crossing the Androscoggin River, there at the traffic light; turn right and then immediately left. This is rte 133N. A short distance outside the town there’s a long grade with a caution light signaling an intersection. Turn right there onto East Jay Road. After 2 ½ miles turn right on Borough Road. Watch for a red farm mail-box to the left, 177 Borough Road. Before the mail-box turn right onto my driveway and proceed down-hill then through a 6’ chain-link gate. Follow the power lines, then bear left, into my yard. It's always wise to call ahead for drive-way conditions.

I’m looking forward to your visit.

Warmly,

Carol Chaney Waters

177 Borough Road

The Borough

Jay, ME 04239

207-897-4145