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We are most proud of the "continuing" relationship with the animals we have bred, raised, and loved and the good folks who adopted them. By emails, letters, telephone calls, and return visits to our Virginia farm the extended "family" share their Doodle experiences, both the many joys and the occasional setbacks.
We reproduce here a sample of the more recent incoming emails to Gleneden. We hope you find the messages of interest; perhaps they will give you a feel for why folks all over America and beyond deeply love their Gleneden Doodles.
(4/12/09)
Happy Easter,
Maizie is now 15 months old and she is amazing. Thought you'd enjoy seeing her agility. She continues to win the hearts of all who meet her. She is definitely the most happy when surrounded by her family. We have enclosed a very large play area for her and she performs for anyone who will watch. Maizie loves long walks, playing ball in her yard and riding in the car.
Mary Ryan Holden, MA (5/20/09) Hello Judy, I am Samantha Boardman, Bob Boardman’s 12 year old daughter. We bought our beautiful puppy Lucy from you about three years ago. Lucy turned out to be a very happy and definitely outgoing pup! She always gets along with other dogs and is very friendly toward new people. My whole family loves her sooo much, and so does my friends and community. Every body knows Lucy as the big fluffy pup, and they love to see her at my brother’s baseball games, cheering on the team! Lucy always loves to pick us up from school, and she enjoys sticking her head out the window, hair flying, tongue flapping! She is hysterical! Lucy loves the snow and finds it fun to dig in the dirt.
She has a beautiful voice and loves to share it. Popsicles are her favorite treat, and she also has a favorite chair. She has been a major highlight to my life and I could not tell you how much I love her. Love, Sam Boardman Norfolk, MA
(5/14/09)
Hi Judy, So wonderful to talk to you again. Please let me know when your next doodle romp is going to be. My sweet Willowby is now 3 1/2 years old. He has accomplished so much in his short life. When I first got him he was a 3 month old puppy full of himself. We've taken training continously. First obedience now agility. Willowby is in two therapy groups Caring Canines Therapy Dogs and Dog Lovers and Associates Therapy Group. He has just started Hospice therapy whereas he just lost his first patient he'd been seeing weekly for 3 months. His heart is as big as his 90 lb body. Miss Annie's last morning was spent with Willowby while she lay sleeping. I remember we went in and Willowby went by her bed, laid his paw on her shoulder, laid his head on his paw and started moaning, telling her goodbye. A few hours later she passed. I truly believe dogs know when someone is leaving for a better place. Thats my Willowby, always able to make anyone smile. We visit several nursing facilities, hospitals and rehab facilities. One of our favorites is VA Nursing Home. One of the soldiers there who was in the battle of Inchun in Korea in 1951 got Willowby a real purple heart to wear on his vest for all the veterans and we display it proudly. We just started a new therapy program at Southside Regional Hospital three weeks ago which has never had therapy dogs on board and it is going beautifully. Everyone loves Willowby and all his tricks he performs. We also do Read2Rover at the elementary for children who have reading problems and they sit with Willowby and read to him. He turns the pages for students with his paw and touches the pictures with his nose. He has helped so many to read and understand what they are reading through him. What a treasure I have and I love him with ALL MY HEART.
Grace Swearingen and Willowby Colonial Heights, VA

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(4/7/09) Judy, Just wanted to say Hi and share a picture of Maya, Goldendoodle DOB 9/13/08. She is a great dog and we made the perfect choice.
Regards, Jon Epstein Sparta, New Jersey (3/4/09) Judy,I wanted to touch base to let you know that Bailey is doing really well! She is adored by all and has a lovely personality. She is doing quite well with the house training - she sleeps through the night and only has an accident if I don't get her out in time or if she gets too excited. She is a able to sit when asked and we are working on laying down and curbing the nipping. All in all things seem to be going quite well... Do hope that you are doing well and that Bailey's litter mates have found loving homes as well. Enjoy your day! Dunbar Okeson, Vienna, VA
(3/25/09)
Judy, I just wanted to drop you a note that I (the guy in the wheelchair) and my wife Nancy have been absolutely delighted with our Gleneden Labradoodle (now named Scout). Nancy, I and our four kids 10, 9, 6, and 4 all really love him and he is already a full member of our family. He is very calm and nice (he put up with being surrounded and pet by all the neighborhood kids at once without a single bark or complaint) and he is already well on his way to being housebroken in just two weeks. Clearly, he is very smart and he is a very nice animal.
I am probably the most impressed that we generally described the look and temperament of the puppy we desired and that you did such an amazing job matching us with Scout who is as close to what we wanted as possible. We could not be more delighted with our experience with you the day we met (when you spent a lot of time answering our questions and when we had a chance to see what a nice dog-friendly operation you run) and ever since with our wonderful puppy.We've already recommended Gleneden to our friends in the event they look for a puppy in the future and will continue to tell everyone about the wonderful result we had.
Thanks again and best regards, Ed and Nancy Grass Burke VA.
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(5/8/09) Dear Gleneden Family, Today is Munch's 4th Birthday, so in our tradition we've attached an updated photo of him with"Grizzly Adams" ( AKA my husband) Our family moved into our new home a couple of months ago and so now Munch has plenty of places to roam. He's thriving with our family and is my constant companion. As soon as my art studio is ready on the third floor, he will become my muse.
All our best,
Terry and Joel Hirsch and Family
Chashmonaim, Israel (4/3/09) Dear Judy, Harry and Virginia just had their annual checkup and all their shots. Virginia is 73 pounds (She has an affinity for marrow bones - she's been getting two a day but we should drop that to one. She sits by the fridge and paws at it, but we must be strong!) Harry is 83 pounds, which is fine. He only takes a marrow bone when Virginia is done with it. He just likes the chewing factor. He is the calmest, sweetest dog we have ever known. Virginia is also very sweet but with Moxie... Dr. Froberg has been their vet from the beginning. We followed her when she changed practices. She has a horse farm and also breeds Golden Retrievers. She adores Virginia and Harry and always compliments you. When people ask her about Doodles, she tells them to check out Glen Eden. We all send our love. The dogs are happy and healthy. Virginia is nine and Harry just turned six. We hope we can make it to a romp or two this summer! All the best, Wanda Lovejoy Cherry Hill, NJ
(5/25/09) Hi Judy, Fenway is an absolute delight! He is, as advertised, playful, happy and inquisitive. He's met the entire neighborhood and has won over even non-dog lovers with his friendly personality.
Thanks again, Carol and Harvey LeWinter Chestnut Hill, MA
(4/27/09) Hello - this is a very belated thank you for our wonderful dog. We got our labradoodle (chocolate male) Marley (now 73 pounds) from you approximately two and a half years ago. Marley was born on September 2, 2006. He is a wonderful dog, very smart, great with the kids. He does have a penchant for eating the kids socks though - which has caused him to go through a couple of surgeries to have them removed. We are wondering if any of your other owners have reported their dogs having the same trait?
Your website used to provide information about a yearly get together for owners - do you still have one and if so, when is the next one - we would like to visit and see some of your other dogs. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Susan M. Dean Philadelphia, PA
(6/14/09) Hi Judy, Please find a photo of our labradoodle, Seamus, attached.. He's a love!!!!!!!! We purchased him from Gleneden two years ago, and we are looking forward to the new puppy in the fall. Please keep us posted.
Thanks,
Bernadette Dawson Sharon, MA (6/24/09) Hi Judy, Andy and I want to convey our deepest appreciation for choosing Brandy (50 lb Blond Labradoodle) for us. Her tail has not stopped wagging since we picked her up over 5 years ago and she is the sweetest, most loving dog. It took Molly, our black lab/golden a long while to adjust to the competition and Brandy learned very quickly Molly's hot spots and how to avoid them. Every time my parents come to visit they always comment how happy, sweet and energetic she is.
Her favorite game is catch and retrieve. We play in the backyard every night and she runs up and down our very steep hill which keeps her in great shape. The one thing she likes better is playing catch on Moody Beach in Southern Maine. We take them up there 3 weeks a year to this doggy paradise...
Please put us on your mailing list because we would like to come to your next doodle romp. Brandy still does not like riding in the car, but I know she would have a GREAT time with the rest of the doodles...Most Sincerely, Andy & Jenny Szulinski Ellicott City, MD (3/22/09) Hi Judy, We bought our chocolate labradoodle, Godiva, from you 3 years ago. She has turned out to be such a love. Godiva is like my shadow, following my every move and only wanting to be loved back. Our favorite pose of hers is when she lies down and crosses her paws. A picture is attached.
I am writing to you to inquire about the next doodle romp. We have not been to one yet but thought it would be nice to finally go and bring back Godiva to her roots. Please let us know the date.
Cathy and Bill Rohrbach Denville, NJ
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(4/22/09) Judy, In late October of 2002 we adopted a wonderful chocolate labradoodle from Gleneden Farms. His parents were Trixie and Oscar and we named him "Augie". I cannot tell you how much love and joy he has brought to our entire family!We call him "man dog" because he is so smart, sweet and has so many human characteristics. He is the perfect dog except that he's not very fond of a leash.
A little over a year after we got Augie, we rescued a beautiful 8 month-old labradoodle from a local shelter. Although not as smart or well-behaved, "Mocha" is a beautiful dog and a playful sister to Augie. So, in addition to our 4 kids, we have two 75lb labradoodles! Makes for a crazy, loud, fun home!
I have thought to thank you for your "gift" but never got around to looking up your email until my 13 year-old daughter asked if we could get another dog!! The quick answer was NO! but we sure enjoyed looking at your puppies and reminiscing about our pups.
Thanks again. Best wishes for continued success.
Margie Kleber Hinsdale, IL
(1/16/09)
Dear Judy: Happy New Year!. What an exciting year it is and next week will be even better when President Obama (and hopefully with their new labradoodle) move in to the White House :) next week. I sent him an e-mail telling him about your wonderful place and suggested that it would be a wonderful drive from the White House to Gleneden. Of course the e-mail went through his website so I am not sure if he read it, but I really hope so!...Sam (labradoodle) and eli (cavachon) are doing great. I would like to bring them to your Labradoodle romp this year and would like to plan a trip home around that. When are you planning to have it this year? Hope you are healthy and happy. Best Regards, Marcy Clapp-Taylor, Jacksonville, FL
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(1/17/09) Hi Judy, I'm sorry we missed you when we picked up Ginger. She is the BEST puppy, and we are having so much fun with her! You were so right about her great personality and quick learning style. She's housebroken, sitting is her default position, and she chews only her toys. The attached picture was taken about two weeks ago, and she's growing every day. Take care, Jane Reilly, Williamsburg, Virginia
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(4/28/09)
Today, we celebrate the sixth birthday of our Gleneden Labradoodle. "Seamus" became a part of our family in June of 2003 when my wife, our two daughters and I made the trip down to Virginia to pick up our first-ever family dog at your farm. It was the saddest time of our lives just prior to that journey. My mother had died just a week earlier, and we were devastated by the loss of her. Plus it had been less than a year since my wife's mother had passed away-so we were doubly saddened.
But just one day after the sudden death of my Mom, who lived with us, we received the e-mail from you that said you had a seven week old male labradoodle who was waiting to come home with us. Although we were on your list, we never expected to hear from you as soon as we did. So in the midst of our sadness, we suddenly found something to look forward to.
Enclosed you'll find two snapshots of Seamus, as my daughter, Kate, named him. And I can't begin to describe to you how happy he made us that day we first met-and has made us feel for nearly six years now! I've had dogs before, and so has my wife--but we never had one as smart, as friendly, as good a companion as he. He truly has been a part of our family since the day we brought him home. He sleeps where we sleep; plays where we play; listens to (most of...) his commands; loves to ride in the car, go for a walk and chomp down on his big, beef shin bones right in the middle of the living room while the rest of us are engrossed in whatever happens to on the TV. He makes us laugh. He responds to more words and phrases than I thought possible. In fact, it's gotten to the point that we have to spell out the word for whatever it is that we want to do that doesn't happen to include him. But now, he evens gets the spelled words right! He communicates with us, as well. He's got a certain 'bark' for when he wants to come in from outside. He's got one for when the door bell rings. He's got one for when he wants whatever it is that you happen to have.
He loves music! He'll grab his blanket and run into the piano room to listen to my daughter play. Then he'll lay on the floor right underneath while she plays.
And when it comes to being hypo-allergenic, he's the first dog in my wifes' life that doesn't trigger an asthmatic reaction from her. My eldest daughter suffers from asthma as well, but he is not one of her triggers, either.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. We love our labradoodle! Thank you for the wonderful work you do in bringing these marvelous pets into the world. He certainly has made OUR little corner of the globe a very happy place.
Sincerely, Kerin McCue Yonkers, NY (4/19/09)
i Judy, Just wanted to drop you a quick note about Bailey. She's two and a half now and just incredible. She is so happy and just unbelievably nice to everyone. Peope absolutely fall in love with her when they meet her She's just perfect. Thank you so much.
David Levine Los Angeles California
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(6/22/09) Dear Judy, I can't believe it has almost been a year since we got Markley from you (Iris and Sam's litter, born 6/9/08). She is quite the celebrity
on Manhattan's Upper West Side. People stop us on the street all the
time and comment on how beautiful she is. We couldn't have asked for
a better dog. Attached are some recent pictures of our baby. Thanks!
Kate Rose and Michael Gerard New York, New York
(3/13/09) Hi Judy, Just wanted to let you know that Chester has had a great first week at home! He really seems to fit right into our family. We had an uneventful trip home from Gleneden, and he spent a lot of time outside playing with the kids in the beautiful weather last weekend. My oldest daughter, Camille, who is 10, really is a huge help taking care of him, and he adores her. He already walks on a leash with me to meet the kids at the bus stop after school. He is also sleeping through the night ( I think we wear him out), and making progress with housetraining. He seems to eat well, and got a healthy report from the
vet. We will definitely keep in touch and send you photos as he grows!
Thanks so much for everything , Denise Balistreri Alexandria, VA
(1/6/09) Today is Charlie's and Elle's 7th birthday. They are wonderful family members. Charlie here and Elle with my daughter. They were born at your place on 1/6/02 and arrived at Chicago on 3/8/09. Judy was keeping an eye out for a relative of Star (Charlie's and Elle's father) for mid late spring.Be st to all for a happy, healthy new year .Howard Friedman, Lincolnwood, Illinois
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(4/8/09) Caffrey, born Feb 10, 2001, is 7.5 years old in these series of pictures as he leaps off the dock in the Adirondacks Loon Lake in the summer of 2008. He is chasing a ball but demonstrates the athleticism of your dogs. A lot of dogs are happy to lay around at his age (56 in human years!) but not Caffrey! He loves being outside, swimming or playing in the snow and just hanging out with all the nieces and nephews.
Lori (Sweeney) Rafferty Havertown, PA
(1/24/09) Dear Judy,...Onne van der Wal is a famous photographer with a gallery in Newport, RI. One fall daywe noticed him photographing us from a distance. We were very excited & phoned his gallery a couple days later. They found the photo and we purchased it for our home. Then, this past summer some folks said to us "Oh you must be the ones with the famous dog". We had no idea what they were talking about but later someone else told us about our picture in the Newport Harbor Guide.
Zoe was born 1-15-05...she has been terrific and is a wonderful boat dog...We couldn't be happier with her as a member of our family. We absolutely love her.
Carol Desrosiers, Ware MA
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