Sunshine Riviera Maya

January 11, 2007
Vanna / Yukon

Hello Susan and Susan

I just wanted to let you know that Tim and I (and my parents) are all in love and awe of Maya!  My dad dog sat for us one day because Tim and I were in a wedding, and when we came home my dad said, “You can’t have her back.  I’m keeping her.”   He took her out to a friend’s farm and let her run around in a big field with tall grass.   He says he was so impressed because she was not afraid of it at all!  He says her stamina was amazing too.  Previous hunting dogs he has had have been a little timid in tall grasses.   I am pretty sure that Maya is not afraid of anything…at least not that I have seen.

We have seen that she is a REALLY sharp dog! She catches on very quick to training and loves to retrieve in water!  I would send you a little video clip of it, but I am not sure what your internet speed is and all that.  We are taking her to obedience classes right now (level 1) and plan on taking her to the next 2 levels as well when she passes each one.  I think Tim is going to take her pheasant hunting this fall with three other big labs that hunt really well so she can learn from them.

Just wanted to keep in touch and let you know that she is a darling!  Definitely can be stubborn and rambunctious, but even with that she is awesome.  Thanks for breeding Vanna and Yukon.  Maya is so great and I am sure all the brothers are just as spectacular.  Take care!  We look forward to watching your site for future puppy liters to try to talk my dad into.

All our thanks,
Mandy, Tim, and Maya Jacobson

Sunshine Scarlett Rose IV
"Ivy"

January 26, 2007
Baby II / Yukon

Hello Susan  & Steven

Just wanted to check in and update Ivy’s life –

She is doing great! Ivy is fully integrated into our family. She goes everywhere with us and enjoys rides in the country in our convertible. Last week she graduated from her 8 week puppy class. She did extremely well. The instructor told us that we were going to be very happy with her abilities as her training continues. We are amazed at how fast she learns. This week we will start the next 8 week session on beginning training (sorry, no time out for summer vacation). I am including a couple of pictures that were taken in the last week or so. She is a mighty fine looking dog. Baby II and Yukon can be very proud. You did a great job and we are very grateful. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,
Bill & Sharon Holmstrom

"Timber"

Hey Susan/Steve,

Timber's doing great.  He's really coming along and the changes in his personality are pretty much weekly.  He's really starting to understand the whole "retrieving game", and is already so calm and well behaved, (unlike most of those crazy labs we hang out with), but still full of energy and drive.  Our weather has finally turned so we had him out swimming the last few days.  Of course he loves it and is better at retrieving in the water than out.  He is a natural duck dog.  He's such a beautiful dog I can't help but take a few photos of him everyday we're out and about, so here are some new ones.  We're getting ready to make our move over to Montana for the summer, so out of the thorns and blackberries and into the grass and trees.  He's more excited than me!

Talk to you soon,
Jon/Sarah

Hi Susan  and Steven

Our pup from the Baby II x Yukon litter is doing very well.  His AKC registered name is Sunshine Kickin' Kai Rebel.  It looks like he has lost the last of his puppy teeth and he was neutered a month ago.  Compared to our other field goldens, Kai is more mellow, even at almost six months, and learns quickly.  We can tell he is a very intelligent dog and is very much aware of his surroundings.  He has become a member of the pack with little trouble and is keeping our two six year olds young.  He learns from them by observing.  Kai is going to be a big boy, which is what we wanted.  He is already almost as tall as our other two and weighs around 35 pounds.  He is quite the "cuddler", too.  He follows us around everywhere and is a great companion.  Kai has been out training with other dogs but has days where he doesn't want to retrieve.  Comments from the others in the training group note how bold he is and unafraid of his surroundings.  All in all, he is a great all around dog!

Jim & Karen Freymiller
Monroe, WI