This is Prince William's Tonka Truck at 7 and 9 years old, he was the heart of our breeding program for 12 years. Tonka was a male liver and white English Springer Spaniel.
    This dog was an absolute wonder of a dog to hunt over. In 12 years of hunting over this dog, for ducks, geese, pheasants, quail, and doves he had only lost 1 bird. He was adept at multiple blind retrieves using hand signals, whistle, and voice. When a cripple was down he wouldn't give up on it until he had it retrieved. Tonka would retrieve submerged birds and use his nose while on land or in the water. When upland hunting he quartered, used the wind instinctively and never ranged out of shotgun range. His temperament was unbelievably stable, and he was never hyper.
    He loved our children and let them do anything to and with him, from dressing him up to taking a ride down their play yard slide. He even had his own pet cat which he slept with and shared his food with. Tonka was the most loving, dedicated friend I have ever had. I will miss him for the rest of my life.

Tonka passed away on 11/14/05

HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR  My best friend closed his eyes last night,  As his head was in my hand. The Doctors said he was in pain,   And it was hard for him to stand.  The thoughts that scurried through my head,   As I cradled him in my arms. Were of his younger, puppy years,   And OH...his many charms.  Today, there was no gentle nudge   With an intense "I love you gaze", Only a heart that's filled with tears   Remembering our joy filled days.  But an Angel just appeared to me,   And he said, "You should cry no more, GOD also loves our canine friends,   He's installed a 'doggy-door"!

    Here are two limits of Honkers and 1 limit of ducks that Tonka retrieved from the Yuba River area of Browns Valley, CA. These honkers were downed in a weed choked dredger pond that is right next to the river. The ducks were downed in the Yuba River it's self. This river is a class 3 rapids area and the dog didn't lose a single bird. The birds from left to right are 4 Honkers, 1 Mallard, 1 Golden Eye, and 5 Wood Ducks.

    Tonka passed away on 11/14/05

Tonka's Oreo Cookie

(Super Dog 2000)
This is Tonka's Oreo Cookie. She was an 11 year old black and white female. This dog was a hunting fanatic as you can see from the pictures above. She loved the water, the top picture is of her leaping off of a 10 foot high rock bank to retrieve a downed duck in a local creek pond. The next picture is the result of her retrieve.

                                Cookie at age 11(below)

    (2006)

We had to let Cookie go over the Rainbow Bridge February 2007. She was 12 years old.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

She was a very loving dog that felt that she needed to be sitting right next to you all the time. She was absolutely wonderful with small children and was our four children's faithful companion and protector. She was never a problem dog as a puppy. She never chewed and was house trained almost instantly.