GRATITUDE
DonGlen wouldn't exist without our friends and family. Here are some of the people I am most grateful for. These are not necessarily in order!
Mom & Dad - for instilling in me the love I have for animals. All the memories I have growing up surrounded by our dogs are priceless. Even the cats. You both taught me many lessons of life that I am forever grateful. You both made me who I am today. You are the foundation for all of this.
Dad - I miss you more and more each day. I wish every day you were here to see these dogs, especially to see how much Mitchell loves them. I know you are watching over us and at times, probably laughing at us. My goal is to make you proud, to continue your legacy. Keep watching over us, in this crazy world of dog shows, I need your patience and your humor. I miss you.
Mom - where would I be without you? You give us support in ways you probably do not even realize. I love you. I am grateful you are here and always proud of me. What a role model you are. I love you Mom.
Possum - No other man could put up with me the way you do. Thanks for being my husband and putting up with all of the fur balls around the house. You gave me Bailey for Christmas and without that present DonGlen wouldn't be here. Your choice would not be to have this house full of furry creatures, but you know how much they mean to me.
Mitchell - My son. I am so proud of the young man you are. You adore the dogs probably more than I do. You are a huge help in taking care of them. I am so glad you are my son, I don't think I could have a better son than you! You are just the best! I wonder how I got so lucky? I know your PaPa Bruce is in your heart as I see his traits in you. He would be so proud of you.
Glenn - for your love and support! Thanks for the great logo design! Thanks for introducing me to Summer and Autumn, without knowing them, not sure I would have wanted a Golden. Then came little Sydnie ... I couldn't let you have the only puppy! How wonderful to have such a great brother!
Julie Parker - I never had a sister until I met you. You are my best friend. You know why I thank you for Bailey. You helped make it all possible. You share my love for dogs. You always support us and believe in all I do with Bailey. Just you wait, maybe one day we will have that doggie day care/grooming/knit shop/used bookstore/coffee store .... I am so grateful to you! It's so nice to have someone understand exactly what you think and feel, without ever having to speak a word. Something about a split egg? I could never express just how lucky I am to have you in my life.
Peggy Zionts- Once I brought Bailey home, you have consistently been a support for us. You always tell it like it is, and I may not like what you have to say at times, but I appreciate it! You taught me how to groom goldens and let me practice on YOUR dogs. You always made time to groom her before I took her to any show. Now, I am on my own with baby Coda! And now, you have Lola aka little Bailey. Thank you for loving her. I hope she becomes everything you wish for in her!
Bill & Diane Lyman - You trusted me with Mary Jane's little pink puppy. You understood my dream. You have given us constant support and encouragement, sharing in the excitement with every phone call I made after a show. Always proud of us win or lose. You gave Bailey her most important foundation during those first 8 weeks. In my search for a golden puppy - I knew when I met you both, you had the puppy I wanted. I let you pick her out for me and while I was most fond of the little red girl - your wisdom prevailed. You knew who my heart dog was all along! Thank you.
Kiki Courtelis - I still remember that first frozen coffee drink you bought for me in Perry. The start of our friendship. You always believed in Bailey and were ringside to watch her whenever you could. You even brought your motorhome to Ocala so we could stay in luxury. You knew she would get her championship there. For loving Electra, getting her a coat when it was so cold in Ocala. How could I ever thank you for all you have done for us? My first trip to Westminster -- definitely a week I will never forget. What a thrill that was! Nothing like the New York apple! You are always there to listen to me, always there to laugh at my tears or even share in them. For always making me feel like I have the most beautiful dogs in the world, (next to Ricky, Lucy, Fergie and Di of course!). Thanks simply for being a great friend. Thank you too for sharing in the joy of Bailey's legacy and being a part of the next generation. You are a HUGE part of DonGlen in so many ways. Thank you for being part of my life. Your friendship means the world to me.
Ellen Menshew - You trusted a "newbie" with your precious Reno. We are so grateful! I knew he and Bailey would produce amazing puppies and I was right! I appreciate your patience, your understanding and your belief in both Bailey and I. You are always there with advice and kind words. I hope I have a new friend for a long time! Hope to see you at the National! Thanks too for sharing in the joy of Coda's early success!
Faye Skelton, Heather Bingham, Gary Miller, Phillip and Ashlee Callahan, Nancy Demorest and family, Jill Hill and family, Peggy & Keith Zionts - thank you for your love and excitement over Bailey's first litter. I am sure each puppy will be loved and adored for years and years. You all are so very special to me. I could not be more grateful to have such wonderful people to continue to help these puppies grow and develop. I am grateful to consider you all as friends. And to Faye, Gary, Ashlee and Peggy Zionts - I hope to see you at shows in the future! Jewel, Macy, Doc, Annabelle, Happy, Finn and Lola -- Bailey, Coda and I are all so proud of all of the things we know you will do, for all of the things we know you will mean to all of those humans who surround you. You will always be my "little ones" no matter how big you are!
Frank Murphy - rough on the edges, but you have a heart of gold. I was so nervous asking you about showing Bailey in the 12-18 class for the Raleigh shows. You had no idea how nervous I was. You put those first 2 points on her and probably thought I was nuts for acting like she had just gone best in show. I think you finally got used to all of my tears. You understood my dreams for Bailey and there is not a handler out there who would have done for me what you did. We could not have done it without your big, generous heart! Letting me stay with you and Rhanda because you didn't think it was safe at hotels around the show ... even letting Bailey stay in the motorhome! You were not just Bailey's handler - you became family to us. Thank you Frank. THANK YOU FOR ELECTRA!! I promise she will make you proud. She fits right into the craziness of our family. Be on the lookout for Coda! You helped Coda get his first TWO points from the 6-9 puppy class! Way to Go Uncle Frank!!!
Rhanda Glenn - thanks for showing Bailey when Frank couldn't. Most of all, thanks for putting up with me. Thanks for putting up with Frank doing what all he did for me! I will never forgot the joy you shared with me the day I had to show Bailey and we won our sweeps class. You made me feel so good that morning!
Peggy Dellinger - for your constant support and encouragement. For having Hotel Dellinger - the best place to stay in all of Asheville! For all of the golden glass artwork, for all of the golden head cheese and for the shrimp! You are a great friend! I enjoy talking through all of the training strategies.
My Many Golden friends who are so supportive - Sharon Pitz, Yvonne Sargent, Jan Berie, Tammy Lynch, Emily Burgess, Kathy Cudak, Toni Norton, Mary McElroy, Denise McDonald, Fran Kovalcik, Debbie Dennison (although she doesn't have a golden but has Makai, Bailey's newfy friend), Marge White (who understands my dream and always had wonderful advice and encouragement), Chris O'Connor, Lynne Briggs, Reggie Morehead (who showed a golden for the first time in Charlottesville, and has looked out for us ever since!), Jack & Karen Ippel, Denise & Harry (and Duncan), all the wonderful instructors and friends at Durham Kennel Club
