About Our Puppy Facility!


                                 Tip : Visit our Gallery for the pictures of our New Puppy Facility!

               Sharing Comments and Thoughts from those who have visited our new puppy facility....

We realize that we can say anything about our kennel and if you don't know us, you would just have to decide if you're going to believe our claims of how things are, whether to be true or not.  Because of this, we thought that in the coming weeks we would ask a few different individuals to comment on their opinions of our facility, etc., after visiting our new kennels.  We want to thank each of you that will take the time to supply this information.  We truly appreciate it! 

Here are the first two......

                      After visiting PuppyLoves on August 30, 2008, B.R.K. from Topeka, KS writes :

     I really enjoyed my tour of the PuppyLoves facility.  The spaciousness of the dogs' accommodations was impressive.  The entire set up was unbelievable, and everything was designed with the comfort and safety of the dogs in mind.  The whelping barn was particularly impressive.  On one side, each holding area contains a basic kennel attached to a warming room for the puppies.  Each of these compartments is equipped with a pet door so the mothers may get fresh air.  When the puppies are old enough, they too can go out with their mother.  The other side of the whelping barn contains kennels and warming rooms as well, but does not have outdoor access.  This is where the mothers with younger puppies are kept.  A similar barn holds many of the mothers waiting to come into heat.  Nearby are the runs for the males.  The entire set up is covered to protect the dogs from the sun.  All of the animals were clean, healthy and happy.  It is evident they are well cared for and socialized.  They are excited to interact with visitors, eager to share the love and care they've received.

                                                      S. Hagan of Smithfield, NE writes:

     After visiting the Smith puppy business Friday 10-24-08 I found it to be a very well ran operation.  Before my granddaughter purchased a puppy from them, I checked into everything I could find out.  I called my vet in Lexington and asked him if he knew Dr. Becker, the Smith's vet.  He gave me Dr. Becker's home number and work number and told me he was a much respected vet and that he would talk to me about the Smith operation.

     I did call, and he did tell me.  He told me that it was a very clean and established operation.  He told me that the Smiths are very caring and took care of everything very professionally.  If there is trouble he is called and advised of it.  He also told me that they call right away if a mom is in trouble when she is in labor.  That to me shows concern and shows me they are paying attention to their business.

     We found it to be clean.  The dogs and puppies were taken care of well, looked to be very healthy and I could tell that there was love and concern for the dogs, males and females.  As for the puppies, they were kept in a nice warm building where they were taken care of and watched.  Some were still with their moms, others were by themselves.  You could tell that they were taken care of by caring people.

     My granddaughter and I drove to Beaver City along with a friend of hers and we were shown everything.

     At the Smith's home we were shown a litter of puppies that were only a couple of days old.  They keep them there when they are ready to deliver, so that they can be watched and cared for at the time of delivery.  A nice warm and clean area for all concerned.

     I would not hesitate to buy another puppy from the Smith Family operation.

     I feel that they were honest and forthcoming to us and answered all of our questions.

     I even asked Mrs. Smith about a negative comment that I read  online from a customer review when I first had found her.  I feel that she was very honest in the answer she gave me.  It came with a full explanation about what had happened in her opinion; of course we couldn't ask the other side because there was no way of getting a hold of them.

     I feel confident enough about them that I will sign my name and leave my email address for anyone to email me with concerns.

S. Hagan    jycat@atcjet.net     10-27-08

                              Questions & Answers.........

1. How did you come to decide to move your dogs and puppies to a new location?

Answer : For some time we had considered making a move for several reasons. 

A. One was that we did not actually own the land that our dogs were kept on and so we were limited on what improvements we could do, like pouring concrete, etc.

B. Secondly, we felt that we needed more room to spread our dogs out the way we wanted to have them.  But, plainly put, we had outgrown our operation set up there but yet it wasn't such that we could expand things there.

C. The way things were there, the chores, etc, were much more difficult especially in the winter.  We wanted something that would be such that we could more efficiently keep things just so.  Though we constantly worked on it, at the old location it seemed that it was almost an impossible task because of the way the gates would freeze to the ground, etc, etc.  We had insulated houses with bedding for the dogs and much more that could be mentioned, but we knew that we could still improve and desired to do so.

D. Last of all, because the farmhouse and land where the dogs originally were, was in an heirship situation, with several individuals over the property, it was becoming a little more complicated to do.  There were those that would have sold the property to us, others thought that it should be kept in the family, etc.  So, in January, in a very nice way, one of the individuals let us know that they felt that the best situation would be that as soon as we could find another location, that we would relocate.  As mentioned, they were very nice about it, but we understood that it was something that couldn't continue to work out.  We were very grateful to them for the time that we were able to do it there.  It was a real blessing to us.  Thank you, Mr. G....!

Previous to this time, I had wanted to make some big changes, but hesitated as I didn't want to just move ahead and be more extravagant than I really should.  I wanted things nice, and I knew it would be very expensive and we would have to go into debt.  I had contemplated this and been praying that God would make it clear if it would be okay to go as nice as I was desiring!  When we understood from Mr. G. that we really needed to start looking around, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "Okay!  So here's our answer to prayer!  We can go ahead and do this and do it right.  The answer is that yes, now is the time!"  It was exciting, though we didn't know where we would do it, etc.

2. So how did you find your land?

Answer : We asked around and it appeared that nothing was available near to us.  Then we placed it in the little hometown paper that we were looking for land and what we wanted it for.  An area farmer and his wife contacted us and sold us his father's old home place along with a little less than 2 acres.  Because they farm, they were happy to sell just the little piece with the house, garage, etc., on it and so they still own all of the farmland around us.  Because of the way it's set up, we're completely off by ourselves, with beautiful fields as far as the eye can see in every direction.  We love it!  Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. T....!  You were our answer to prayer!

3. Why did you choose to set this operation up differently than before?

Answer : Because we had been doing this for some time, we knew what we needed for the dogs, whether it was for living space or an extra warm place to whelp the puppies.  We designed it completely by what we had learned would be the "right" way to have it.  We wanted ease in keeping it up, and complete protection for the dogs whether it be from strangers, wild animals or extreme cold or hot temperatures.

4. Yes, but why kennel buildings?  I've heard that they're horrible and insanitary!

Answer : Yes, that had been my thought for years as well.  I might also add that I had never visited a kennel, but drawn all of my conclusions from what I had read and heard.  I had decided that NEVER would I consider keeping dogs in a kennel building or anything even half way like it.  I've said the following comment so many times, that I may have said it to you! "I'm not about to put my dogs in cages and have them turn weird on me!  My dogs are going to have good lives where each one will be as happy as he would be if he was the only "pet" I had!"  But I had some learning to do.  Let me share a little of this with you.

A. First of all, I didn't realize that there were different kinds of kenneling situations.  They are not all created equal!  When I got to looking into it I realized, "Hey, some of these designs would be very nice and my dogs would enjoy the accommodations immensely." (This has proved to be the case!)

B. Secondly, when the state inspector would come to inspect, though we always passed our inspections with real ease, he would mention, "You know, if you had your set up with a kennel situation and buildings, etc, it would be so much easier and your animals would be very content and well cared for.  In fact, that is what we prefer as it's much easier to maintain your dogs in a very healthy environment if you do it that way.  It just removes them from where contaminates can tend to me and just eliminates a lot of risk."  I thought that it was odd that he would say that a kennel situation would be good when they have such a high standard. on everything it seemed!  It was because I didn't understand.  I had also heard such horrible things about kennels, etc., that I wasn't going to get close!

Incidentally, we always passed inspection and never had a problem of disease going through our dogs at the old location either, but it was just far more work to keep it that way.  I have all of the copies of the inspection visits on file and I can prove that our dogs have always been kept in sanitary quarters.  And in case you don't know, the state inspector always shows up without any warning so you are found just as you are.  That's good in that they need to catch anyone that isn't running a safe and healthy establishment!

C. Also, I found that the people that I knew anything about that had dogs that were "weird" and skitterish, it was because they didn't care for them properly in giving them any attention, etc.  We've all heard of dogs that have been just penned up and used for money purposes.  That is very sad.  No wonder the term "breeder" carries such a stigma!  Some of us have to carry that when our way of doing is completely different than that!  I learned that it's the TLC that the dogs receive that makes them who they are.  I had always known that in a way, but somehow thought that any kennel situation would cancel all of that out.  Nope!  After these 2-3 months since our move, our dogs are at least as friendly as they've ever been.  I really think it's more so.

5. So how did you get things rolling?

Answer : I began to do my homework, checking out this kennel manufacturer, and then another in one state and then the next one.  I don't even know how many I checked out and how many I contacted.  I finally found what I wanted in a wonderful Amish family in Baltic, OH.  Basically, Raber Kennels and Supplies, will design a building that suits you perfectly.  Awwww!  That's what I wanted!  I had two buildings designed and built, all just like I wanted it!  Thank you, Mr. Raber!  He even put in larger kennels so my dogs would have more space.  I had him upgrade everything, using finer materials on everything he did for me.  I chose to have it such that our dogs can be inside or out, whatever tickles their fancy.  I paid extra for automatic waterers and such like.  Those were two wonderful days when the two different buildings arrived.  You talk about exciting!  Just beautiful and perfectly suited for us!  Thank you, Mr. Raber!

Also, I contacted my two brothers from out of state and they along with my good husband, Danny, and our son, James who is nearly 14 yrs. of age, worked many, many hours to make it all come together.  Bless their hearts!  They insisted that Evelyn make all of the plans and tell them where to put everything, etc.  They even had me do all of the drawings of how I wanted the concrete pad, the roof system overhead....everything!  And then they did it.  My!  What wonderful men!  :o)  I truly am so blessed!  I reminded them over and over again to let me know if I was asking for something that wasn't a good idea.  I can only think of one thing that Kenneth suggested that I change, and that had to do with the placement of the septic.  Oh, wow!  Kenneth said, "Elv, you tell me what you want and I'll see that it's done just like that."  Yep, that's what he did, too!  Bless his heart! 

6. When was the move?

Answer : We moved all of our doggies to their new quarters on Thursday, June 26th, 2008!  What a happy day!

7. When were your most recent inspections?

By the Electrical Inspector for Furnas County - June 25, 2008

By the NE State Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry Inspector - June 26th, 2008

By the AKC Inspector - June 27th, 2008

By our licensed Veterinarian, Dr. Arthur Becker of Beaver Valley Animal Hospital - July 2nd, 2008

We are so thrilled to report that there was not one issue with any of the above inspections.  Everything passed...first time!  Yay!  In fact, the NE State Inspector said, "My, I wish all of my breeders had buildings like this.  This is really nice!  Could I take some pictures?  Where did you say you got these buildings?  And wow!  The doggie barn with the covered cement pad is really big!  This is really going to work well for you."  Thank you, Mr. Z....!

8. Now that you have the dogs at this new facility, are they left alone more of the time?  What amount of interaction do you have with your dogs?

Answer : We're happy to report that we have more time than ever with the dogs now.  I'll explain why.....

I spend hours every day except Sunday, doing the paperwork of this business.  Without that, your emails wouldn't be answered.  Without that, you wouldn't have pictures of your puppies.  Without that, the website would never be updated, nor would the flight reservations be made, etc, etc.  Previously, though I worked with the dogs as well as my family members, Danny, Dorcas and James spent more hours with them than I did.  My time was spent more with the mothers that were whelping, and the young, young puppies that had to be fed through the night, etc.  Though much time was being spent with the dogs, I wanted it to be even more.  I'm convinced that that is what means the difference between really nice dogs or just plain kennel dogs!

My best friend lives only 5 1/2 miles from us.  Lynette has been an animal lover for years....that's just Lynette for you!  Though I didn't make it known to the public, for some time there I was looking for someone that I knew I could trust completely, that would spend several hours a day there at the kennels and just be there for the dogs.  Do the cleaning, help with whelping, and do everything in a slow manner so that the dogs have company for several hours a day.  My friend, Lynette, approached me as I shared with her what I was looking for and let me know that she would like to be considered.  Well!  Lynette is just the type of person I was needing there!  I have been so happy with how things worked out so smoothly and just fell into place.  Lynette has worked out at our facility Monday through Saturday, since June 25th, 2008.  We take care of the chores on Sundays so that Lynette doesn't have to work, and we also drive out there and spend time there different times.  Sometimes it's just to take some pictures, or to let someone tour the premises, or just to enjoy our doggies!  It's so nice because the bulk of the load is being carried for us and we actually have more time that we can be with our dogs now!  It's really great!  The animals are well cared for and happy and the load is much more manageable for me.  I want to have time that I can just be with the dogs and with Lynette helping out, it makes this possible.

Maybe Lynette will allow me to post a picture of her.  We'll see!  :o)  Like myself, Lynette is a mother and really careful in her care of the dogs.  I love it when I walk up and hear her cooing at the dogs, adult and puppies alike.  Trust me, they like it, too!  They are even more spoiled than they were before!  Lynette requests things that she thinks will make it even nicer and I pick them up.  For instance, not long ago she asked for particular treats.  The dogs sure approved of them after I picked them up for her!  Then just yesterday, she told me of the type of toys that she thinks I should pick up for the 3-4 week old puppies.  I plan to look for them soon.  I really, really appreciate having someone to help us, who takes real pride in her work, and whose heart is in it. I can trust her completely with my doggies and know that she would take as good of care of them as I would, even though technically she doesn't own them at all.  Lynette's great and I'm thanking God for her!

9.  So.....could I tour PuppyLoves?

Answer : Certainly!  We just ask that you let us know when you are coming so we can plan to take the time to show you around.  Also, because we don't want disease spread in our kennels, we will ask you to use hand sanitizer as you enter the kennel buildings.  This is as a protection to our dogs.  They are healthy and we want to keep them that way.  But yes!  Just let us know you want to make an appointment and we'll do our utmost to work in a tour of PuppyLoves for you.  We want you to be confident that everything is open and above board.