Buck was a full grown dog when he was given to Troy almost 30 years ago.  Buck’s owner was unable to take proper care of him and Buck looked more like a greyhound than a labrador retriever.  Troy nursed Buck back to health and lavished him with love and attention.  In return, Buck would move heaven and earth for Troy.  Troy loved Buck and Buck loved Troy.

    The duo had a reputation for being a stellar hunting team.  Buck would swim through thick muck and mire, and power through thistles and thorns just to retrieve the intended game.  Hunting clubs from all over would contact Troy so Buck could trail their wounded deer.  Buck’s payment for locating the deer was always a cheeseburger.  Troy’s payment was the pride and admiration  he received from owning such a phenomenal dog.  Sadly, Buck passed away from cancer, but not before Troy had the opportunity to acquire a beautiful chocolate female named Katie.

      Katie, too, was a fantastic hunting partner.  Calm, quiet and very loving, she was a great mother to her pups and to our kids.  Katie became the foundation dog for Troy’s kennel, Dean Creek Kennels.  Although small with just three dogs, his kennel produced some amazing pups that were placed throughout the Southeast and Midwest.  Katie lived with our family for almost fourteen years.  She was completely deaf and almost blind when she passed away.  We were already grieving the loss of our middle son in a farming accident and her passing only added to that heartache.  It seemed we would never own another lab.

     Some years later, we attended a national hunting festival.  There were literally hundreds of beagles, coon dogs, and other hounds there for sale.  Our youngest son, who just a baby when Katie had passed, was heartbroken when we left empty-handed.  All he wanted was a puppy to hold and love.  On the way home, as if by divine intervention, we pulled into the home of a breeder whose stud Troy had bred Katie with years before.  A few hours later, we left with the most beautiful black male Labrador puppy.