About Us
When I was growing up "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a popular TV show. And I guess I associated a lot with it. There was Granny, who reminded me so much of my own little Grandma McKinney who never weighed more than 100 pounds, but was always so spry and did a lot of cooking and cleaning, a good farm wife. Then Ellie May that loved all animals. And even Jethro, who spent much of his time looking for his "life's callin".
I was 48 years old when I found my lifes callin'. Raising lots of little puppies was actually a dream I had as a teenager. My dad brought home a Pointer Bird Dog when I was in Kindergarten. We named him "Joe" after Ben Cartwritght's youngest son on Bonzana. Daddy's dream of hunting with him was short-lived because he was gun shy, but he lived out his 13 years as a much loved member of our family.
I begged and begged for a Rat Terrier, finally at the age of 11 my mother took me to a pet shop and I got to pick out my little Kimmie. Wow, what a dog! She loved to be dressed in doll clothes and "chase her tail". What fun she was.
I put my dreams of raising dogs aside when I met Gene and married him and added my daughters Lori and Rachel to my life. But Gene will tell you that one thing he learned very quickly that "Love me, Love my dog" was a slogan that fit me. I was very busy for 26 years raising my daughters, then caring for my parents after my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In the summer of 2003, Lori moved away with my 2 grandchildren so she could go to college and Rachel left for college also. I had way too much empty nest. Thus, the dogs.
I started out with a great plan. I would raise Chihuahua's. Which I bought a pair of. But then came along Otis, the Pug, which added more Pugs to my life. I had always wanted one after watching the movie "Milo and Otis".
I did a short stint with Pekingnese, they still live here, although I no longer breed them.
I had Jasmine, a Rat Terrier, so here came along all the other Rat Terriers. And, well, I won't name them all, but I have added a few others.
I don't like to think of my life here with Sunshine Hill Pets as a Kennel. Although my adult dogs do technically live in pens with heated/air conditioned buildings. But they run loose as much as possible. I want them to experience life as a "dog", not a breeding machine. They get to roll in the grass, dig holes and chase the cats. You will find Gene and I just sitting in the yard with our laps full of dogs, while others are pulling at our shirts. I keep the yard full of toys so they live what I consider a fairly normal dog's life. I feel that happy, friendly parent dogs produce puppies of the same personality. My puppies are all born and live in our house until they are at least 10 weeks old.
Since you may never meet us in person, let me introduce us by a brief (?) description. As you can tell I love to talk. I have a double chin, but I say that is just a muscle I have developed by talking so much. I am a fluffy grandma. My hair is naturally completely white, but as of my birthday this year I once again became chemically dependent and now I have brown hair again.
God has blessed Gene and me with what I consider an idylic life. We live on 5 acres only 1/4 mile from the city limits of a small town of 5000. We are very active with the youth at the First Free Will Baptist church in town, where Gene serves as a Deacon and bus driver. We are involved with our Wednesday night outreach ministry to kids called Faith Weaver's Friends. I play piano for our Children's Church. I spend my days on the computer or playing with dogs and puppies and talking on the phone with my friends and daughters. And just ask me about my 6 grandchildren!! They are the light of my life!! Gene has worked for many years as a Truck Driver for Airgas, but gets to be at home almost every night.
Our life has been filled with some hard times. But in Children's Church we sing a song "Let the Joy of Jesus Put a Smile on Your Face". So no matter what happens, our hearts can always be filled with the joy of knowing God and his son.