van Dalen Kennels - Testimonials 2007

To Contact
Dr Laura
van Dalen MV:

or

Call us at:
770 330-8841
Canton, GA

Hi there...Here are some pics of my pups/kids. The ones in the red and blue collar are Tess (red) and Senna (blue). In the Christmas photos, Tess and Senna have matching green bandanas courtesy of the groomer... They will be 2 years old in April.

The other great pup is their cousin Annie Hall. Annie (some of you may know her as Ruby) is 8 months old and still a puppy! Although she is about Sennas' size already. She and her cousins hang out a lot and LOVE swimming...

Merry Christmas.

I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas, and thank you, again, for my beautiful and sweet Baxter. He is growing into a beautiful dog, and has been the best puppy. He loves to chew paper, but has never touched a shoe, remote or furniture. He's 83 lbs now - the vet wants to keep him there - hope we can. Attached are a couple of recent pictures.

I continue to check your web page - I love to look at all of your beautiful puppies. I wish I could have gotten one of your recent black babies, but Baxter is all I can handle right now.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas,

I couldn't resist sending you a picture of Bella in her Santa hat! Have a great holiday!

Theresa Moore and family

You have GOT to see Dylan! He is so cute and such a well made puppy. He weighed 38lbs last Monday (12 weeks)! And his face is spectacular. I will forward a picture tomorrow. His temperament is wonderfully calm. He is so good. When he wants our attention he simply sits down and looks at me until I look in his direction. So cute.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Tracy

Sushi X Gandalf

Dakota X Gandalf

Good Morning Laura,

I haven't sent any pictures in lately so thought I would send you an update. Cade is doing great, almost 3 years old now. Work relocated me to Texas, and thankfully Cade's laid back personality made adjusting to the new surroundings easy. I had some new sod put down in the yard and of course it was cool and wet, so he just couldn't resist laying down on top of it. Mom and Dad are loving their puppy "Chase" they also got from you, he just turned a year old last month and looks just like Gandolf, gorgeous features and build. I Hope everything is going great in Georgia.

Gwen

Here are some updated pics of Stella - from Ace and Estela litter Jan. 2005.

She is truly the best dog in the world.

Thank you so much.

Gisella Casasnovas

Gus is one today. For his present, we took him to the dog park for his first time. He did great. I took him for a long walk before we went so he would not be so hyper at the park. He has a thing for socks and underwear from the hamper which explains the one picture. He has been doing great. I am going to go to another training class just for socialization and to keep me up on training. I don't know how much he weighs at this point but he is starting to fill out instead of growing up. Everyone is in awe of him. Some of the dog parents at the park actually apologized for their dog getting him dirty. They also could not believe he was so calm for a year old lab. Long walks help a lot with that. I highly recommend them. I just wanted to let you know another one of your babies is healthy, happy and a year old.

Thanks again for a wonderful dog,

As you can see, we are excited about getting our new puppy. Here is a picture of Jake when he was a few months old. I was looking at pictures of all your dogs and saw one of Dakota, Jake's mother. It is uncanny how much he looks like her. His coloring is exactly the same beautiful reddish blonde color as hers and his facial features are identical. (But don't tell Jake he looks like a girl!!).

We are looking forward to the new addition to our family.

Tracy

Dakota X Gandalf

Hi Laura,
Congratulations on attaining your veterinary doctorate! I see by you website that you have moved to GA, hope you are liking it there.
As I was looking at Shandy the other day and pondering how pretty she is and what a sweetheart she has become, I thought you might like to see a picture of her. Michael has done a very good job of training her. He walks with her everyday and plays ball 2 or 3 times a day. She loves to fetch either on land or on water. The hunter in her comes out when she has to find the ball or stick which landed without her seeing it. She puts her nose to the ground and zig zags back and forth until she picks up the scent. The water is her greatest love.
We have traveled several times in our motor home and once we arrive at a safe place with water Michael makes sure she has the opportunity to go in for a swim. She has been in rivers, lakes and ocean! As soon as the coach hits the road she spreads out between us to sleep and as soon as it stops the is at the door ready for the next adventure. We traveled for 3 months, going as far as Nova Scotia and she loved it as much as we did!
She weighs 62 pounds, is lean and fit and the vet here says she is a pleasure to work with and in very good shape! She has an unfenced yard with a wooded area behind us and we are constantly amazed at how close to the yard she stays with us just watching from the porch. She likes to survey "her space" and that big chest you mentioned when she was just a few months old has brought us a deep watch dog bark! She is great!
Regards,
Nola R.

Today was my first real day at Dock Dogs, everyone said I did really good. My first jump I got out to 11 ft.. Once my human learned the ropes and how to throw, I made it almost to 15! Some of the veterans' were getting around 21, but I'll learn. We had a really good time, but came home tired, it was 96 today. I took my first real nap on our new ottoman (bed).

Jazmine

Jazmine
Molly X Gandalf

Just writing to let you know Wilson is doing GREAT! He will be six months tomorrow and he is growing like a weed. He went to the vet last week to be fixed and he weighed in at 59 pounds! He has been traveling with me so much I had to get a new car that could better accommodate his size. I sent some pictures of his new ride! I hope all is well.

Just wanted to drop you an e-mail with some pictures of Tide. She is absolutely wonderful and adorable! We are still perfecting the potty-training, but she is minding her house manners and trying hard to be a good girl. She learned to sit in one day! We are starting her in a puppy training class in 2 weeks, so we'll get to see how smart she really is. She loves the dog park and the lake and she loves people! And the vet said she looks perfect! Thank you for making the AKC registration and the AVID microchip such an easy process. I think we've covered all our basis to keep her healthy & safe.

Thank you for breeding such a beautiful and lovable pup! She is the best!

Jennifer & Bruce Edenfield

Tide
Molly X Gandalf

I just wanted to tell you how much fun we are having with Baxter - he's now 5 months old, The nipping at my feet has just about stopped - he's been potty trained for about a month and a half, and we are doing well with our training commands. He's extremely smart, but he does have an attitude - I will have to be strong with him.

Attached are a couple of current pictures - my son's Retriever is visiting, and Baxter is having a ball with her.

Thanks for my beautiful and smart boy.

Peggy

Baxter
Rolly X Gandalf

Stephen D. Fairley

SO SWEET AND LOVES TO SWIM.

Jazmine

Today is Kiara's 1st birthday and what a beautiful dog she is. We always look at all the testimonials to watch for any brothers or sisters. Kiara is the most affectionate dog we have ever had! She is still a little afraid to jump in the pool. She has a wonderful temperament and everyone loves her. Thank you Laura!

I just took Wilson to the vet on Monday for his last set of puppy shots....he is a big boy now! He weighs 40 lbs and is growing like a weed. He is potty trained now and does great in his crate. He starts obedience training next week and will be learning...come, sit, down and stay. He LOVES the pool and the dog park and I will try to get some good pool pictures to send you they are hilarious! He can stay in for hours. I hope things are well for you.

OK, I HAVE NO THUMBS, GOT IT DAD, SO I'M GONNA FALL OFF, LET'S GO!!!

Hi, Laura....

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know Dreamer is becoming more beautiful by the day. He is such a joy and we thank you so much for bringing him into our lives. We will be beginning puppy classes soon and will be sure to update you.

Here are some new pictures!
Tina Burger

Attached is another picture of Baxter - he's so much fun, and work too. I'm continuing to work with his training - sit, stay, heel and down. He's completely potty trained. I know you are busy with all your puppies - they are adorable!

Cane went to the vet on Saturday for additional shots, on 04-07-07 he was 16.2 lbs, yesterday he weighed in at 30.8 lbs, so he is growing and growing. he's got a great personality and is quite a character.

Take Care, Billy

Just wanted to touch base with you, and let you know how much we are enjoying Baxter. I took him to the vet for shots last Monday - he weighs 26.8 lbs. now. He's a typical puppy - full of life and mischief! He does have a mind of his own, but I have already started training him - he can sit, and I'm working on stay and heel.

Since I last wrote, I lost my 14 1/2 year old black Lab - died of old age. It has been very hard losing my two loves in a month and a half - I'm so thankful that I have Baxter.

I love looking at your web site, and your new litter. They are adorable

Cane is Onyx's son, In the picture attached he is 10 1/2 weeks old. I was the one that called you (ad in the Miami Herald) right before last Christmas looking for a black male and you referred me to Sandy. Right now Cane is all we can handle, tell Mom were taking care of her baby boy and he's growing and growing and growing, he's going to be quite a stud !!
Good Luck with the Puppies,

Bill

Onyx X Dusty Litter

Just wanted to give you an update on Wilson. I took him to the vet two and a half weeks ago and he weighed 20 lbs. but since then he has grown a lot. He is very smart fully crate trained and almost fully potty trained only an accident every now and then. He can sit almost every time I ask and shake is coming along well too! Soon we will start on down and stay. He comes to work with me everyday and there are 5 other dogs for him to play with so he gets lots of socialization and play time. We also go to the dog parks on Saturday which he LOVES!!!! We were there for four hours last weekend and I had to tear him away. I am sending more pictures and even though it is hard to tell he is growing like a weed!

Talk to you soon,

Happy Spring, Laura!

I hope Georgia is treating you well.

I just wanted to check in and send you some pictures of Senna and Tess - with their one year birthday tomorrow.

They are certainly two peas in a pod and fantastic dogs...people always comment on their disposition and good behavior. They are smart and listen fairly well to commands. I am still trying to get them through the night...

They LOVE the dog park and the groomers...and any dogs they can meet and greet and play with. They LOVE to swim and will retrieve anything in the water. Tess has a great leap into the water!

I hope you are doing well and I continue to refer people to you when they ask. I really love them both and they are so different.

Thank you and I hope you have a great Spring!

Sara Callari

I wanted to give you an update on the new puppy! I have decided to name him Wilson. He has been a very good boy and is learning quickly. I the past few days he has already improved on his potty training and is learning to walk on a leash. I am teaching him Sit, Come and Shake right now and even though progress is slow I think he will learn quickly. He is definitely not deaf, but sometimes in the morning when I am sneaking around trying not to wake him I wish he was--just kidding! He has gotten much better about not crying in his kennel at night...he slept until 8.30 this morning--YEAH! We went to the park this weekend and he had a blast running around! He is getting along great with my cat Wendall...I think they will become good buddies.

I have attached some pictures of him in his new home.

I will send you another update soon,

Hi, Laura!!

I just wanted to give you an update on Dreamer. He is doing awesome!! He is playful and energetic, yet he's not always into something. He has a very calm demeanor. He is all you could ask for in a lab. Every day it seems he gets more beautiful. We already have him signed up for puppy classes and I can't wait to put him in the show ring. I've included a picture I took from outside today.

Take care & thanks again for such a wonderful dog!!

Tina Burger

We're so happy with Baxter - in just a week, he has become a part of our household. I'm working on "potty training" him. He's not there yet, but he's getting better about going out. I'm attaching a few pictures - my older Lab has accepted him, and the glass top coffee table is his favorite place to sleep. I am, also, kennel training him - that's where he goes at night and when I go off.

Thanks so much for a wonderful puppy,

Hi,
I promise, I'm not going to send you a picture of him every week. LOL I just thought this was a super cute one & thought I would send it to you.

Dreamer

Laura:

Hi, just wanted to send you pictures about Emma's progress (from last Molly & Gandalf litter). She is doing awesome and we can't get her out of the pool! She very smart and friendly...the envy of all the neighbors!

Take care,

Marilu

Kiara is getting so big. She get a long very well with our older dog Nala. Its kinda hard having 2 labs on the bed every night. Kiara actually likes to sleep on our pillows.
How come the Hunter boy is not going-he is beautiful.
Cant wait to see the new ones!!!

JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW HOW WELL YELLOW GIRL - JAZMINE - IS DOING. I'M AMAZED HOW FAST SHE LEARNS, IN 15 MINUTES SHE LEARNED TO SHAKE HANDS, ONLY WE CALL IT HIGH FIVE. HOUSE TRAINING IS GOING GREAT, A FEW MISTAKES, BUT AS MUCH MY FAULT AS HERS. ALREADY KNOWS, SIT AND DOWN ALSO. WE START SCHOOL ON MONDAY, HOPE TO WORK ON HER LEASH TRAINING AND PLACE.

SHE IS SUCH A JOY, AND SO LOVING. EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOWS HER. LOTS OF PUPPIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PLAY WITH.

THANKS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sadie (the red girl from your recent litter) is doing great! I've attached a few pictures from her first few days at the house, including her first bath and her favorite place to sleep. She is so lively and definitely loves to explore when she's not taking her naps! She is doing great with her crate training and potty training, with only a couple small mistakes so far.

I'll be sure to send more pictures as they come!

Thanks,

Steve Gilbert