Hi Everyone! My name is Shawna and I am a long time lurker of this forum. I always found it incredible helpful with random questions I had, but I never posted.

It was unbelievable how much valuable information you can find here! It helped out a lot when we had our first GSP, Maggie (thats her as my avatar). Especially when she started getting sick. This summer we found out Maggie had cancer and it was only a matter of time. We knew we didn't want to be a GSP/dog free house so we began our search for a breeder that we liked. On Oct 11th we said goodbye to Maggie (she was 11 and still hunted like a champ!) . Two days later our breeder called and said our new puppy was born on the 11th. Talk about fate!  Initially, we were shocked, we didn't really expect a new puppy until maybe March. But we were beyond thrilled to be getting one even earlier!

We picked our new little girl on Saturday and now the fun really begins. It's been almost 11 years since we last had a puppy so we are starting fresh. So far she is one of the calmest GSP I have ever met. She LOVES to cuddle and goes crazy when she sees a grouse wing. We decided to name her Elsie (my vote for Cuddles was vetoed pretty quickly because the Hubs doesn't want to hunt with a dog named Cuddles.. haha)

Anyways,  I wanted to share a couple of pictures of  Miss Elsie Lou. And promise to quit being such a lurker! haha  Looking forward to get to know everyone!

Phew! Thats good to hear that I passed the first test! How many more to go? ha! Elsie came from Abbe Lane Kennels in Kalamazoo MI. I spent a long time deciding which to go with and honestly, I felt the most comfortable with Abbe Lane. I asked a lot of questions and Rob and Judy were super quick with thier responses unlike other kennels I tried to contact.

Her sire is actually listed in the GSP Breeder List (Abbe Lane's What a Riot aka Riot). I think Elsie is going to have the same temperment as he does... Couch potato at home and bird hunting lunatic in the field.  

 Abbe Lane is a good hunting kennel and they do show their dogs too.  I am not too familiar with there dogs though as I am in Texas. Glad you had a good experience with them as a breeder.  That is so important when placing a puppy in a home.  Remember they can be your best resource if you have questions.  Otherwise, ask here as we are always eager to help.  Keep the pictures coming.  BTW posting pictures is the only serious rule we have.  Failure to post picts is not allowed.  

I was especially happy to hear you and others have found the site helpful. Someone in shorthairs asked me not to long ago why I spend so much time answering the same questions over and over on this forum. My reply was simple, I love helping new owners and what a wonderful and simple way to give back to the breed I love.  Shorthairs can be a handful and they certain are different from most dogs, so if I can answer a few questions to keep someones life with their shorthair on an even keel then that is a huge reward for me as that shorthair stays with their owner and does not end up in rescue.  I don't foster rescue dogs because I could never give them up, but I can help with education and donations, so I do.  Funny I can let puppies go to new homes without any qualms (ok maybe a few), but a rescue has typically had such a hard life I hate to rehome them once I get them as a foster.  I guess my screening and staying in touch with my puppy buyers helps too. Anyway enjoy the puppy time as it goes so quickly.

So sorry about Maggie . . . it is so hard to let them go.  While a puppy cannot replace a dog we have lost, gosh they can sure make you smile even in times of saddness.  Elsie is a cutie and will help fill in the void since Maggie's passing.

Roz.

I am near the Harrisville Area (Glennie/Mikado to be specific), about 4-5 hours away from KZoo. (it was a looooooooong day on Saturday!). If I didn't live so far away I would goto the show in a heartbeat!

I am interested in the NAVHDA and maybe some shows but I am completely clueless when it comes to that sort of thing. I can tell already that Elsie has some great potential and I really want to make sure she utilizes it! Any suggestions on where I should start?