February 2012

Well.....it's February and we haven't really seen any SNOW so to speak :)  not complaining.....but it sure does feel sorta weird.  Usually we are plowing the drive and clearing the walkways daily....or atleast weekly.....it's been a very mild winter so far.

We were able to get to Wilmington, NC for a few days....to see Dusty, Kelly and their NEW addition...BLAKE....

Not sure if I have ever seen anything more beautiful :)  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and almost didn't want to come home :) But...here we are....back to work and enjoy this beautiful mild winter in Ohio :)  We did have a very nice time and stayed at a beautiful B & B in Wilmington....

Port City Guest House

Sophie Johnson-Innkeeper

Sophie was such a delight....making us breakfast every morning fit for a KING!  She was most helpful and we didn't WANT for a thing...she and her best friend JAKE :) were always there...no matter what time we returned "home" :)  lol.....We cannot say ENOUGH WONDERFUL things about Sophie...If you are ever in the vicinity and need a place to rest your head, look her up....YOU will not be disappointed :)

We should have some news on upcoming litters soon and we also have some changes taking place on this website and on our "other" website :)
You can visit www.kelliesplace.com when you have a chance :)


Jake.....our BUDDY every morning, afternoon and evening :)



JANUARY 2012

Please watch for updates about our upcoming litters :)

Also, we have a new website up and coming...it's sorta a website to find everything in ONE place :)
Our store and the kennel will be there as well as a BLOG and lots of other fun things.
You can visit now at
kelliesplace.com
We will be adding new things as we go :)
We will also announce any upcoming adoptions we have available and
Litters for Spring and Summer 2012!



Welcoming.......
Ravenswood Hollow
Specializing in White German Shepherds
Please read more about them above!
Thank you.....
 

NOVEMBER 2011
Okay....where did FALL go?  :)  We were wondering the same thing :)....as we have had LOTS going on here and we wanted to bring everyone up to speed.....I am sure there are alot of folks out there wondering why we haven't had the large litters that we are known for :) Usually in the Fall I have 2 or 3 litters of puppies running all over the place...not this year...As we all know LIFE continues to move forward even when we are not prepared for it or actually want it :).....I have lost a couple more of my foundation shepherds and it's becoming extremely hard, realizing that CHANGE is happening and I cannot stop it...I ache for each and everyone of them and yet I am so happy for all the wonderful memories and most of all, all the folks who have some of their puppies...I know that they are as blessed as I have been with such wonderful companions~
The BIGGEST news we have to share with folks right now is that we have decided to partner with Ravenswood Hollow in Wisconsin, in providing wonderful White German Shepherds!  We have done this for alot of reasons, but mostly because Charlene and Peter are just INCREDIBLE people and along with their 5 children, have become such a huge part of our lives :)  We are extremely happy to welcome them into our lives!  Charlene and I have much of the same thoughts, principles and values when it come to raising shepherds.
Charlene has made a great impact with the White German Shepherds over the years.  I can honestly say that I do not think there is a better place for shepherds to grow up, then with Charlene and Peter....They live in a beautiful part of Wisconsin on 75 acres and sheer bliss :)  The dogs and kids have plenty of room to run and roam, play in the barn and surrounding acres of green fields, swim in the waters and just enjoy a wholesome life....It is for that reason that I have decided that Charlene and her family will be helping us provide you with incredible WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERDS!
Please visit Ravenswood Hollow's page and enjoy all the pictures....it's exactly as you see it....as when we visit, there are kids and shepherds running all over, enjoying a wonderful happy and loving life :)
We bring this change on with open arms as we have been blessed to provide such wonderful shepherds to folks, now we can continue with the help and dedication of Charlene and her Family....Charlene specializes in the WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERD and I will continue to breed my traditional colors as well as what we are known for....THE BLACK GERMAN SHEPHERD.  We might be slowing down just a bit, but certainly not Stopping :) we feel we are adding to our family :)  Unfortunately Paren and I cannot continue to do this alone, as the long hours, long days and no time off has taken a toll on both of us :)  Not complaining, just stating the obvious....EVERYONE needs a little down time once in a while.

Please stop back for updates as I am sure there will be some.....We did get the porch/deck area almost completed.....we shall work on it a little more next spring and summer...but for now, we are extremely happy for a little place to rest our weary feet :)

Paren is the MOST amazing man....he has exceeded my expectations again : )  I love you Hon!!!

THANK YOU everyone for stopping by and we want to wish everyone a wonderful HOLIDAY SEASON
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL....
I hope to have more updates for you in December so PLEASE STOP BACK!
 

August 2011
Well....Summer is certainly well on it's way and everyone SHOULD be enjoying this wonderful, HOT and HUMID weather we have been having :)  I for one, would like to see it just a bit cooler...as the dogs and I want to be out and about a little more then we have been... This month we are working on "cleaning up"  :)  doesn't everyone have SOMETHING that needs cleaned up :)  LOL  We seem to always have a project going and I always fall behind in the clean up :)  We are currently building a small deck area for US up at the house...for years we have always had just a rock/gravel area to sit in, out beside the koi pond.....well...we decided we are getting TOO OLD to walk around barefoot in the rocks :) and so Paren is working away on getting this done for us to enjoy - hopefully by Fall, when the Sitting is good :)

WORK IN PROGRESS :)

We did have some terrible storms at the end of July and our beautiful old tree out front came down during one the storms..

We were without electric for 3 days but got through it and feel blessed to have gotten everything cleaned up and
almost back to normal :)

Not alot of DOGGIE NEWS to report other then we are so happy with Brandi's little kids :)  She is a wonderful mom and did a fantastic job with her pups during our storm outage :)  Also, we are hoping to have puppies from Kesha and Smoke this Fall as well...as both girls were in heat not long ago.  We hope that everyone enjoys the doggie days of summer during August, along with gearing up for school to start within a few weeks...Summer sure does go fast!  ENJOY and thank you so much for stopping in.....Please come back :)
 

July 2011
SUMMER is here and things are busy busy for everyone.....we too have some things going on...one in particular is waiting for BRANDI to have her puppies...should be ANY DAY NOW :)  so please check back.....
Also we are working on a few things around the house....so please watch your step when you come to visit at the store....we APOLOGIZE for any inconvenience this may cause....thank you....
We are also in the slow process of working on our current website, getting some new pictures and things cleaned up :) and also we will be working on getting our NEW website up and running, which is for KELLIE'S PLACE......we will have lots of news and exciting things to share with you there...so again, please check back when you have a chance.

THANK YOU and have a wonderful REST OF JULY :)  Summer is here!  Whew....finally :) Here is a picture I must share with you - we were able to get away for a couple of days.....camping : )  Cedric is the perfect camper :)

 

MAY 2011

I missed APRIL all together :)  sorry.....My Moms were all having pups and I was not getting alot of sleep.. SLEEP??  um...what is that :) thought about just hibernating til the rains past :)
Anyways.....MAY is half over and we have had about 3 nice days of weather...I am STILL WAITING on spring...maybe summer will just SHOW UP!  The rain sure has made things difficult....

We did send home Neeno and Danni's Litter and they are all living in their new homes.  Updates are on my puppy page or our facebook page :)

We should have updates for you on Quendi and Brandi having puppies...and Princess and Chief's puppies go home this month...I know everyone is looking forward to having their puppy home :)

We are LOOKING AHEAD with lots of ideas and changes :)  So please stop back and see what we are up to next.  We do have a couple of additions to announce and will do that in time....in the meantime here are our NEWEST members :)


WELCOME SPRING :)


And even without much sunshine, and too much rain :)
the flowers seem to be enjoying spring :)

Quendi watching the Ducks :)

MARCH 2011

SPRING!  It's just around the corner and we couldn't be happier :)
It's been a pretty long and cold winter!
We are expecting a wonderful litter from Neeno this month, anytime now :) and then in April we should have puppies from Princess and LaRosa....
We will only have a few litters this spring and summer so please watch for updates and if you are interested in a German Shepherd Puppy, please let us know ahead of time as the spots are filled quickly. 
THANK YOU for stopping by and I will have updates about NEENO soon :)
HAPPY MARCH!!


FEBRUARY 2011

Wanted to just day HELLO to all those who visit often :)  I get tied up with all the things we have going on here and don't get a chance to write that often...makes me feel bad as there is always something to write about :)  Life has so many gifts....
Anyways, as you all know Tax Season is just around the corner : ) it's already begun here ha, as I am sure there are others tying to get theirs prepared as well :)  Well...as I was cleaning out my filing cabinets....yep I do get a chance to do that about every 5 years or so....I came across some really neat pictures...actually they are kinda funny and sorta cute, made me smile, and actually brought tears to my eyes....as I miss those days...just really miss them.....

I am sharing the following pictures with those who were around back then :) and those of you who are just learning about us now....it's been a wonderful and I mean wonderful life....honest...I have been so BLESSED and yet, we have seen alot of sadness as well, hard times and days we thought would never end :) ...but it's not without knowing that we were THERE...in that moment...enjoying people that we loved and still LOVE and who are STILL in our lives....

THAT would be DIANA of DOG BLOOM :)

The pictures below were taken at the HOME OF DOG BLOOM in West Milton, Ohio :)
Diana snapped the shots...didn't realize that she was preserving memories for me at the time.....

Bubba laying beside Diana's desk...making sure everyone who entered KNEW he was there : )

The two pictures above are of Bubba, Me, Argus and & Nikki
We were on our way back from the breeder of Argus & Nikki......
Argus had just got his tattoo and yep-you guessed it...Nikki was coming home with us :)


In this picture is Ben, Diana's son holding Nikki
of course, the Big Guy is Paren....Need I mention how blessed I am to have him : )
He is the reason that my dreams have come true....
and my boys....Argus and BUBBA.....those were special days...

Again, I thank you for letting me share something that was very special to me back then...it was our first time visiting Diana personally and we truly enjoyed every minute of it...meeting her, her employees and her son :)  What a wonderful person Diana is.....
If you haven't checked out DOG BLOOM, you should....
I know we are here, breeding wonderful healthy shepherds because of what she does...every day....
DOG BLOOM
1-800-833-4748

You can visit our page about DOG BLOOM as well...
Dog Bloom

THANK YOU DIANA....for making dreams come true and memories for us.....

THANK YOU again for visiting us....we hope that you are enjoying and surviving this wonderful WINTER weather we have been having...and if you are lucky enough to be someplace warm and GREEN, that is great....ENJOY...and we here in Ohio will look forward to those wonderful spring and summer days that lay ahead :)
See you next month......

 

December 2010

Wishing YOU and YOURS a Wonderful & Beautiful Holiday Season!
We Thank Everyone Who Has Been A Part Of Our Lives This Year :)
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

GOD BLESS everyone......

November 2010
Wow, time sure does march onward doesn't it....I missed writing during October :)  Sorry!
We are closing in on another year at Mintern's German Shepherds....oh what a year it has been :)  It's been a YEAR OF CHANGE for us....
Change is certainly one of those things that has no beginning and no end...it can't be stopped, or slowed down :)  it just happens....
We have started another holiday season....and let me say, this is my favorite time of year :)  I love the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays...anyways....I just wanted to make sure that we THANK EVERYONE who has been there along our journey this year...we appreciate your SUPPORT with the dogs and with the store.  We enjoy so much, seeing everyone and watching our puppies grow :)  We could not do this without YOU~  so again, we THANK YOU ......we have struggled through some things that will forever change us....I think we all go through that...and we can still say that we are BLESSED....being a part of our shepherd's lives is so wonderful :)
I don't think a day goes by in which I don't think of my shepherds of the past....they tend to be everywhere here...their presence is heavy! I miss each and everyone of them and find myself, thinking....how do I slow down :)  how do I NOT keep another fuzzy little pup, who will someday, grow up, give their all to be a part of us here, then grow old and leave....hard to imagine so many of my puppies have done just that...I miss them....and yet, I feel a need to move forward so that I can share MORE of them with you :)  I vow to do my best in helping YOU enjoy what we have enjoyed here....the love and devotion of a German Shepherd....they really are NOT just dogs....they really ARE FAMILY :) and with that said, I wish you and yours a wonderful THANKSGIVING.....May God Bless you and be in your life. 
THANK YOU again and may we all be thankful for the little things in life, not just the big :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
from all of us at the Mintern kennel!
 

 September 2010

As Summer comes to an end and we start towards one of my favorite times of year....FALL.....I wanted to THANK everyone for all your added support with the changes that have taken place this past year.  Many of you know that we brought home several White German Shepherds from Snowcloud Kennel last August...it's been a year now and although it's been a very slow and tedious process, we finally have our first white litter from Princess and she couldn't be a better MOM
We have been blessed.
We have gone through some other changes and as time goes on, we will share them with you.  One that we feel is very important is that QUENDI is no longer at our kennel.  She now resides back with Lora at Windy Ridge German Shepherds. We want to THANK Lora for the couple of years that we were able to have Quendi here.  She certainly was fun and taught us alot about the "working shepherd"  Quendi was raised by Lora and we felt that Lora would enjoy having her back home...
We will be sharing more with you as time allows.  We currently have WHITE PUPPIES and also BLACK PUPPIES.  Both litters are beautiful and doing well.  If you have an interest for a puppy and need further info, please let me know.  You can write us at
misheps@embarqmail.com

AUGUST 2010

Princess is doing great and she has had her puppies.  She is one of the special girls from SNOWCLOUD kennel in Illinois....Alice has been gone a whole year now and it's still very hard to believe...I miss her everyday!  You can read more about Princess on her litter page with Chief.... Click here. This litter is ALL WHITE....Chief had a litter with Kati in June....he is a great boy!

Little Cody & Danni's puppies arrived in August as well.  She too and her babies are doing great.  She is a first time MOM and of course, has been incredible :)  Another blessing handed down for me through my old gal CODY, Little Cody's grandma :)  If you would like to visit Little Cody's Litter Page, please click here.

We will have some announcements of our ADOPTION page this month as well...Please check back if you might be interested in an older adult that we will be placing for adoption.

We will also have some announcements regarding the Store and hours and also new things regarding the Kennel.  We are trying to keep up with the demand of our customers in both the store and kennel...Please hang in there with us....as we are trying our best to keep everyone happy through these changes....

We hope that your SUMMER is going well and you are enjoying the weather...sure has been hot!

THANKS for checking back with us and look forward to sharing updates with you!
THANKS  :)
 

JULY 2010

HAPPY 4th of JULY....another FAST month....thinking it must be my age :)  oh well....lots is going on here and we are approaching on Kati's puppies finding their new owners this month....they will not be able to go home til August, but we will be watching those personalities and matching them up with those who have deposits :)  I love this litter of puppies :)  Kati has been a WONDERFUL MOM and the pups are growing like crazy!

We hope to ANNOUNCE in the near future, our upcoming litters...I have in the past, posted new breedings right away, and then some of the females were not pregnant....this caused alot of sadness for folks so I am now announcing the litters as my MOMS start to show...I do not do x-rays or sonograms....everything is done naturally here : )  so we have to be patient and wait~  NOT EASY : )

Sophie has continued to help my heart heal after losing my BUBBA almost 2 years ago....I have been having a pretty hard time with losing him and finally think I am on the mend....Sophie has been a true blessing and she comes from Wisconsin from Charlene Kessel's place, Ravenswood Hollow...WONDERFUL folks and she certainly produces the quality in which I love...THANK YOU CHARLENE for my beautiful Sophie...

Jack is helping raise Sophie and they are too cute together....He is a wonderful boy and again, I have been blessed....

HOPEFULLY everyone is enjoying their SUMMER and having a great time..

THANKS for stopping by and please stop back.....I hope to keep this page updated BETTER this year : )

THANKS
KELLIE : )

JUNE 2010

Thanks for checking in.....June has been a FAST month for us...and now Summer begins :)

Kati and Chief have a litter of ALL WHITE puppies....they were born on June 20th-Father's Day.

The store, Kellie's Place is open on the weekends-Friday, Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5:00.....
please stop in and bring your pets along as well!  We love seeing them all.

Sophie is my newest addition

Yep-she is a lazy one :)

We should have another white litter arriving in August from Princess & Chief...watch for updates :)
I also should have some traditional colored pups coming as well....and maybe some solid BLACKS :)

If there is anything you are interested in and need more information, please contact me at
misheps@embarqmail.com
THANKS again for checking in......WATCH FOR UPDATES :)

MAY 2010

It's been a while since I have updated ANYTHING : )
I have been trying to take pictures of all the crew....updating their page as I go....
It's been an interesting 9 months since bringing home some of the Snowcloud crew.....

I am slowly getting to everyone and have had a long winter of evaluations :)

Please watch for UPDATES as we go.....I will try to update the homepage first and then all the individual pages...

Hang in there with me, as things will continue to change and I will have lots of updates as we go

THANK YOU and we wish everyone a WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY!
        GOD BLESS!       


 

DECEMBER 2009

one of Jack & Bubba's last snow pictures together-Bub loved the snow.....

Well....another year has almost passed.....  We are THANKFUL for much!  With this past year we have seen many new folks come to our kennel and purchase their FIRST Mintern Puppy....we have also seen many return for a SECOND and a few now have THREE :)  We want to THANK YOU all .....all those who have one of our pups and all those who have visited us, the store and the kennel offering your support....

Many CHANGES have taken place here....we had lost a few of our FOUNDATION shepherds, we have built a new General Store of Pets, we were able to share in Dusty getting married...to Kelly :) and one of the biggest changes was when we brought in that last few remaining SNOWCLOUD SHEPHERDS from Illinois, with Alice Horton's passing.  This was a huge undertaking for us, especially in such trying times.  This past year also brought hard financial times to most....us included.  But, I knew that these shepherds were special years ago....as many of my pups came from Alice Horton.  Blizzard being the first, then Bubba, then Buddy...Meggi, Teakie, Little Blue, Hannah, and the list goes on :)  We were taken in by the Snowcloud Shepherds!! I will forever hold dear to my heart, Alice Horton.  She was, is and always will be a true MENTOR to me....I miss her dearly....She gave me such a GIFT with Bubba....from puppyhood til the last breath he took, she was right there through it all with me....She understood just how special Bub was to me. For this GIFT I am forever grateful and will NEVER forget her kindness and support......

As I sat and reflected on things that have taken place, things I wanted to write and things I wanted to share with you, I realized that I am mostly thankful for my family and friends and YOU, who have been there...... right along side us, through the good and the bad... Many of you have watched us succeed at things and fail at others.  All part of life. We thank you ALL....

WE wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS...
We are thankful to be able to Celebrate Christ's Birth!
We hope that you and your family take time to reflect on old memories, enjoy making new memories and never let a moment pass without being thankful......  it's truly a
******WONDERFUL  LIFE******

THANK YOU...May God Bless!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kellie, Paren and the Mintern Kennel

November, 2009

November 22, 2009 I lost my dear and sweet, and precious boy GIZMO.....

THANK YOU ALL who have one of his puppies.
He certainly helped me placed alot of love and joy in people's lives.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for being a part of this wonderful journey with GIZMO~
He will be so deeply and dearly missed.  My heart continues to break as I lose my wonderful old boys...
Gizmo left me on Bubba's birthday....thinking they may find each other and be friend now :) 
Thank you for being there again....in our time of sadness....

Gizmo's kids will continue onward....I am so grateful to have them all.....

I wanted to thank Richard Horton for his reference from the Snowcloud Kennel.  Snowcloud Kennel is NO LONGER a kennel....
Please read about how we acquired the Snowcloud Bloodlines....
CLICK HERE

HI everyone....Happy Fall to some but... Happy Holidays to others :)
I love Christmas time and I have already started to decorate the house, kennel and new store :)

We start to close another beautiful year here at the kennel and many many thanks need to be given during this THANKSGIVING SEASON.

THANK YOU ALL who have been there through thick and thin with me this year...It's been a tough one...After losing Bubba last year, many many things have changed in my life.. good and bad....as we all know that happens.....then losing Alice Horton this past August....puppies being born and puppies leaving home :) We just THANK YOU for being a part of it all...

As we approach THANKSGIVING, lets all promise ourselves to just SLOW DOWN for an instant and be THANKFUL for all that is around you....May God Bless You All and Please stop back...


October, 2009

Well.....many have wondered how I am doing.....it's been 1 year since losing Bubba....I can honestly say it doesn't seem that long ago that I held him in my arms, feeling his whiskers touch my skin, breathing steadily on my hands....feeling his heart beat.....no, it seems like moments ago for me....

I am still pretty sad and still struggling to get through days without Bubba....he was way more then just a dog.....he was such a grand friend, always there, watching me....thinking what I was going to do next :) to make sure he was a part of it....hated to be left behind for ANY amount of time and would let me know about it when I returned :)  my old Ford Dually that we have is and will always be BUBBA'S TRUCK....every mile that is on the truck was also shared with Bubba...he just hated the thought of NOT being with me....

I have come to realize that NOTHING stays the same....Change is one thing we all know all too well....

and so with this posting, things are certainly changing....I now am the proud owner of the Last Remaining Snowcloud Shepherds from Alice Horton.  Her personal and limited few.....they are now here with me....funny how that is as when we went to Illinois to pick up Bubba years ago, I told her all I ever wanted was to own a FEW of her puppies....and I did over the years, bring home many :)  now....years later I own what some would consider living testimonies to Alice...they are the LAST living, breathing parts of her life that will continue touch people's lives...I am honored, happy and sad.....as I now have my work cut out for me to share with others, what Alice shared for over 40 years :)  Her White German Shepherds!

So October is a sad month for me, yet knowing that a little bit of BUBBA is still here....in my shepherds and in hers.....and being able to share that with others is going to make things a little easier...

Although I wanted to update this page earlier, I found myself having trouble just writing about Bubba.....needless to say I can't talk much about him....words turn right into tears for me....

So THANK YOU all for visiting and for reading and listening to me again....express my deepest sadness in losing my Bubba....What a GRAND MARK he has left on my life and my heart......

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE......

Wanted to announce that my niece, AKILI had her baby girl, EMMA!!....
We just love her so much:) Emma Rae was born on Friday, June 19, 2009 ....

Emma is a special gal!  She was born almost exactly 5 years to the day that we lost her Great Grandma....Our Mom...Pat!
Our Mom is so missed and this would have been a special event for her as all great grandmas :) Emma was also born on our late brother's birthday, Harvey :)  so we have lots of memories intertwined with this baby girl being born!


Just wanted to share this special moment in our lives....with you!
WE love you EMMA! 
Keely and Emma are doing great!
THANK YOU for stopping by.

BRAND NEW News....for MAY 2009!
SOMETHING NEW to share!!

Hi Everyone! Thank you for visiting our Kennel News Page....It's been a little tough keeping up with all the News that we have to share with you, but I think I may now be ready to let folks know what we have been up to :)

As you know, my husband Paren is constantly BUILDING something here at the kennel.....He loves to work outside and continue adding to our "little farm" ha

Anyways, last year in 2008 Paren wanted to build me a "STORE" yep....a store.....we have lots of things offer to people and I have always just had a few items available here, mostly for convenience.....well...one thing led to another and I was not really able to keep up with what you might call an "inventory".....also, when I knew I was losing BUBBA last year, my world sorta just STOPPED and we then decided that building a store was not a good idea.....Bubba was an incredible shepherd in my life....not just a companion and friend but a dear dear part of my HEART! Losing him really ROCKED MY WORLD and I am sure there are those reading this, who understand and know what that feeling is like.....My heart goes out to you as even though it's been almost 7 months since he took his last breath in my arms, it feels like it was just moments ago.....something I shall never forget nor will I ever want to forget....he was such a TRUE BLESSING to me......such a KIND soul......I am thankful everyday that I had the 10 years that I did with Bubba.....

So, this year began with Paren THINKING it may be time to start this new project......thinking it would give me something to LOOK forward to.....get my butt in gear and start thinking about the kennel a little more :)

Jack misses Bubba too.....
 

Well, Bubba is helping me raise another boy......he did an great job with Argus...

Here is the new guy on the block....MEET JACK.......

Jack & Bubba.............waiting for Summer  :)

Thanks ...................please stop back............