sunlight labradors

Our dogs excel in the competitive obedience, conformation and rally rings, as well as being exceptional Delta Society Pet Partners, Search and Rescue dogs, members of the Narcotics and Drug Detection Team, and service/assistance dogs, in addition to being wonderful hunting companions, hiking partners, babysitters and beloved family members.

THE GIRLS:

(photo above: Stella, Dharma, Iris, Phoenix and Pearlie with Christine)

NEWS FLASH!!!

Pearlie finishes her Rally Excellent title with two 1st places at the RCLRC Labrador Specialty June 15-16th! On to RAE quest!

"PHOENIX"

SUNLIGHT'S MYSTIC PHOENIX, UD, VER, RN, CGC, Delta Society Pet Partner, RCLRC Versatile Labrador Award 2008, 2009

(BISS Ch. Beechcroft's Formal Attire x Shadow Hill's Iris, CGC, Delta PP)

(please click here PHOENIX to see her pedigree and clearances)

Well, when Phoenix finished her Utility title in August, 2009, I told her she was officially "retired," but that lasted only two months and I entered her in the optional titling classes in October at the Boise cluster where she finished a Versatility title, also making her eligible to receive the Rose City Labrador Retriever Club's "All Around Labrador/Versatility" Annual Award for the second year in a row. NOW she is officially retired from obedience and focusing on her therapy dog work, being my service dog and acting as official couch potato and geocaching partner!

Phoenix works as a Delta Society Pet Partner therapy dog visiting Alzheimer's residents, their families and the staff who care for them. This more than anything seems to be Phoenix's true calling! She is a true empath and miracle worker and is literally Christine's soulmate with four legs. The connection these two share is uncanny (right down to both dog and human having an abcess in the SAME tooth within 10 days of each other! ouch!) Phoenix is also a reading partner with the Dog Tales Program at Elk Meadows Elementary School.

Phoenix (along with her "sisters" Dharma and Pearlie) were the "Top Doggie" Team for the 2008 Memory Walk in Bend, Oregon, raising the most funds for the cause than any other team!!

Phoenix finishes her Utility Title in style with 3 for 3 first place finishes and High Scoring Labrador at the Gold Country Show in Grass Valley, CA!!

"PEARLIE"

SUNLIGHT'S PREMONITION, CDX, RE, CGC, Delta Society Pet Partner,

RCLRC Versatile Labrador Award 2009

(BISS Ch. Valleywood's Blackthorn Brier x Shadow Hill's Iris, CGC, Delta PP)

(Please click here PEARLIE to see her pedigree and clearances)

"Pearlie" is out of Iris' last litter and this girl has exceled in rally obedience, therapy work and breeding. She completed her Delta Society Pet Partners test (and received a perfect score each time evaluated!) and has been working in the Dog Tales program in a local elementary school for two years now, where she is a huge hit with the kids! Pearlie was even asked specifically to be at an end of the year awards ceremony where one of Pearlie's readers had to give a speech. The child told her teacher she was scared to give the speech, but just knew she could do it if Pearlie was there by her side!! Of course Pearlie was there, and supported her reader to a standing ovation and applause! Pearlie excels in working with kids and has also served as a therapy dog at Cascade Child Center working with challenged and at risk adolescents. Pearlie LOVES kids and they love her just as much!

Pearlie is retired from the conformation ring and breeding, so Christine has finished Pearlie through a C.D.X. title in the competitive obedience ring, and continues to show her in Rally, as well as continuing with her therapy work. Pearlie received the RCLRC Versatile Labrador award for 2009.  Pearlie is our little comedian and always keeps us laughing. This girl loves to WORK to and is a complete joy to train and live with!

NOTE: Not to be outdone by her "sister," Pearlie went Reserve Winner's Bitch (RWB) both days behind Dharma at the Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club show with "dad" Paul handling her. It was Paul's first time ever in the ring! Way to go Pearlie for breaking "dad" into this showing thing with a bang!

"STELLA"

BLACKTHORN SUNLIGHT'S NORTHERN STAR, RN, CGC

(BISS Ch. Dickendall Daveron Gable x Devonshire's Front Paige at S.C.)

(please click here STELLA for her pedigree and clearances)

"Stella" has had a back injury requiring emergency neuro-surgery on three dics in her spine.  She is miraculously completely recovered and you would never know she's had an injury.  While she continues to hike, swim and play with the same gusto as some of the other dogs many years her junior, we have completely retired Stel just to be safe and not stress her spine with any competetive pursuits. Stella is the "smarty pants " of the bunch and always keeps us on our toes! Stella works unofficially as a service/assistance dog for Christine, more because Stella NEEDS a "job" more than anything and this keeps her mind active and keeps her feeling purposeful!! (Stella can get very creative if left to her own devices to come up with "jobs" for herself!!) Stella is most interested in her role as "Daddy's girl" and loves to accompany Paul into the desert on his rockhounding adventures.

In Memoriam:

"IRIS"

Shadow Hills Iris, CGC, Delta Society Partner (retired)

(BISS Am, Can, Int'l Ch. Shadow Hill's Smart Remarque X Shadow Hill's Stonecreek Sofie)

"Iris" just recently went to the Rainbow Bridge at 13 years old.  Her love, spirit and playfulness will live on in our hearts, as well as in the eyes and souls of her offspring here at Sunlight Labradors. After her show, therapy and breeding career, Iris enjoyed a long and full retirement, relishing in her status as gentle Matriarch of the Sunlight Labrador brood. She has contributed her gentle and loving disposition, strong spirit, biddability and her physical and mental soundness to our breeding stock. She took on every creature smaller than her or younger in years as someone to be under her attentive and loving, gentle care.  She loved to retrieve and go for long walks out in the BLM and always enjoyed sunbathing in the "sunspot," no matter what the temperature was outside. Iris adored the occasional puppies and was the most tolerant grandma ever! A gentle and fun loving soul! We love you girl and will see you one day at the Bridge! God speed.