Our Retired Dogs
The Mitten "Eight" is great!
Cider
When Erin Mitten reached out to let me know that her mom, Sandy, had suffered the loss of Moose, leaving their other dog, Teagan, sad for a companion, it was serendipitous that I happened to be retiring our girl, Cider, at the same time. The Mitten family has been a Bowery Run family for years and own eight dogs between four households. I knew that Cider would make an easy transition to this wonderful family. Cider now happily enjoys retirement with Sandy and Teagan in one of the villages near Rehobeth Beach and gets to spend her days riding around on a golf cart near the beach. Many thanks to the Mitten family for giving Cider a loving home with the other Bowery Run Labs.
Bella and Gracie in "Just Labs" Magazine Sept 2023
Bella
A good friend and retired teacher, Mary Ellen Duffy, had recently lost her beloved Willow and mentioned on FB about her thoughts for another lab. She had purchased a Bella daughter, Gracie, a year earlier and was quickly making headway in dock diving, Hydro Dash, air retrieve and FastCAT competitions gaining regional award and national invitation for AKC events. Duffy also actively participates in therapy dog work in hospice care so a suggestion was made to see if Bella might be considered a good therapy dog candidate. We're happy to report that on Oct 9, 2022, Bella tested and passed her Canine Good Citizen through the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs LLC which will allow her access to patients. Special thanks to Mary Ellen Duffy for taking the time to train both girls for purpose-led lives and opening her heart/home to Bella and Gracie!
Fun at last!
Abbey
They say that Labrador Retrievers are like potato chips... you cannot have just one! When Jason and Laura Lu adopted Roma in 2019, they noticed a kinship between her and her cousin, Abbey, and put the thought out there that once Abbey was of retirement age, they wanted to be considered. At the time they lived locally to us but in the interim moved West; therefore, an assumption was made that the retirement of the two girls together wouldn't easily happen. Fast forward, Laura Lu flies across the country and rents a car then drives over 2,800 miles back with Abbey in the Summer of 2022 so that she can again romp and play with her fur-friend, Roma. Laura Lu gets the trophy for longest commute for a retired female from us! Many thanks for reuniting the fur friends again!
Phoenix and Roma fast friends!
Roma
A chance email from a former puppy client led to a happy reunion with Laura Lu Herman and Jason Plymette. Roma quickly adopted Laura Lu, Jason, Phoenix the black lab, and the kitties and will be spending her days lounging, wrestling, and eyeing the refrigerator for potential snacks with her furry friends. We're grateful for our reconnection with this fun couple who love animals; and we know that Roma will have many happy years going forward as part of their clan!
Roma and Abbey with Laura Lu and Jason
Tetley (Teasley)
Tetley has retired to the home of the wonderful Mundy family who own her eight year old cousin, Rolo. I first met the Mundys through a sweet email from Rhea while she was in middle school. She asked so many great questions about chocolate lab puppies after their beloved Lucky passed. Through the years, we've kept in touch; and now Rhea is soon to be a Penn State Grad :) Special thanks to Taarah, Raj, Rhea, and Shania for welcoming Tetley into their home and making room on the sofa for the napping she enjoys!
Jenny
A co-worker to my niece happened to remark that her family was looking for a chocolate lab to be a companion for lake swims, boat rides, and walks in the woods around Medford, New Jersey which sounded like a personal ad in search for our Jenny. We arrived to the home of Joyce, Ray, and Matt Smith to find welcoming hearts waiting for us in their driveway. Without much coaxing, Jenny chased a ball into the living room and so began a happy exchange between us all. Best wishes to our new friends, the Smith Family, with appreciation for giving Jenny her dream-dog retirement. No doubt, she will enjoy fun times with this lovely family.
Gonzo, Una, and Scooter
Una
We were fortunate to get a referral from a friend who mentioned Leslie Daub as a fantastic pet home for our Una. Having recently lost her loving companion, Sunny, her golden retriever, Leslie mentioned how quiet her home had been and her hope for another furry friend to share hikes, swims, and car rides to the mountains of Pennsylvania. Una spent a few weeks with Leslie meeting other family pets and has now become a part of the pack. We know Una will have plenty of fun wandering the mountain trails and swimming in the pond with her new family....many thanks, Leslie :)
Whisper in her Easter Hat.
Whisper
A chance email from a helpful son connected us to Steve and Vincentia Dolchanczyk for the placement of Whisper after the loss of their lab. The couple retired to the mountains after many years living in the Philadelphia area; and we shared a great deal of common ground talking about our summer trips to the Jersey Shore and growing up in the city. We get regular pup-dates on how Whisper is doing with the cats and following Steve around the yard. Whisper is fortunate to have a beautiful stream to frolic near the property and a loving couple to share her life with. She enjoys getting dressed up for special occasions. Many thanks to Stephen for letting his parents know about us for Whisper.
Sienna
A friendly inquiry from a retired couple in Virginia Beach led to the adoption of our wonderful Sienna to John and Mary Goodman. Originally from Alaska, John and Mary had some great stories to tell about the Navy, boating/fishing, dogs, and family. It's always great to hear from the Goodmans about the adventures Sienna is having chasing bunnies in the yard and begging for treats. Mary, an expert wood carver, gifted us with a statue of Sienna which sits proudly on the mantle in our living room reminding us of our connection. Thank you John and Mary for providing such a loving home for Sienna.
Wood sculpture of Sienna by Mary Goodman
John, Mary, and Sienna are best buds
Cassie
Many times families who have our puppies inquire about second companions...which was the case with Bill and Lisa Place. At the time, we were in the process of retiring our black girl, Cassie; so the inquiry came to become an adoption with this lovely couple from New Jersey. Cassie and her "brother" Hugo enjoy making the rounds in Manasquan collecting treats from a local crossing guard and keeping the Place family entertained with their labrador antics. We are forever grateful to Bill and Lisa for their kindness and enthusiasm for our dogs....and always enjoy the updates about their furry pals.
Bill with Cassie and Hugo
Lisa with Cassie and Hugo
Journey enjoys her time with Lydia and Weston
Journey
We would like to thank Maria and Chad Young for opening their home and hearts to our lovely girl, Journey. Now that she has retired her duties as a great mother to her puppies, Journey has a new role as morning greeter, stream hiker, and dedicated companion to Lydia and Weston. We look forward to seeing pictures of Journey's future adventures with the Young family.
Duchess snuggles against Jameson (daughter) on the sofa
Duchess
We retired our gorgeous girl Duchess to the fun-filled home of Trish and Brian Hoerz. Duchess joins her daughter, Jameson, and also enjoys the company of the Hoerz children: Olivia, Owen, and Sean who happily share the sofa for lounging in the living room. I've gotten a recent report that Duchess has managed to weasel her way onto the family bed... and no doubt is snoring up a storm! Hats off to the Hoerz family for extending a gracious hand to give Duchess the royal treatment.
Todd Benckini surrounded by bathing beauties
Ginger, Molly, and Poppy
Ginger
Our beautiful ball-chaser, Ginger was retired to the active Benckini family to be a happy companion to Ginger's half-sister, Molly and cousin Poppy. Karen and Todd opened their home and pool so that Ginger could continue to have access to the activities she most enjoys: swimming, running, and retrieving. Ginger and Molly are the constant companions to Karen, Todd, Gigi, and Joey who are loving caretakers and trailblazers with their furry friends. We are grateful to the Benckini family for their generous care of Ginger by offering her a loving home with plenty of activity.
Penny (left) with daughter, Journey
Penny
We retired our beautiful Penny to the loving home of Tim Chynoweth and Cindy Schannauer of Denver, PA after the passing of their chocolate lab, Grady. Tim and Cindy are kind-hearted dog lovers and operate multiple fresh produce markets and procure for some of the major grocery chains where you may be shopping for your fruits and vegetables. Penny will be spending her days being lavished with attention by not only Tim and Cindy but the people who help with the produce and customers as well. Since Penny loves to travel, we look forward to hearing about her adventures riding shot-gun in Tim's truck :)
Lady
Our lovely Lady is enjoying her retirement with the Bartoli family in Mechanicsburg, PA. Lady spends her days with her lab-sister, Cocoa, and is enjoying her daily walks with Beth and Dave. She is living a care-free life with the four Bartoli children who give her free access to the family sofa and various beds around the house...along with lots of hugs. Lady likes to explore the fish pond and may, with encouragement, attempt a swim in the pool with Cocoa later this summer. We know that Lady is in great hands wih the wonderful Bartoli family.
Cocoa and Lady (on right)