An ode' to Primo - CH Rainriver Supreme

Whew it has been a whirlwind end of the summer season… and it has taken me a bit to make this long (probably overly wordy) post.  It is both with great sadness and excitement that I announce the retirement of Primo – CH Rainriver Supreme.  Hold back the tears, nothing is wrong, and no tragedy has occurred.  Due to the fact that we have several daughters, and we aren’t using Primo much as a stud on our own girls (he still gets action from other kennels) we decided to retire him to one of our very dear families in New Hampshire.  It was a very tough decision, heck Primo is still a youngster at just turning 7 and could very well be shown and sire litters for years to come… however our vision is never to keep a dog .. just “because” some have said “you all are silly” he can help with the expenses, pay the feed bill, etc.. but to us, it is just not fair… and that is not being derogatory to those that do that.. it is a better business model for sure.... so there is no shame in that.. 

Primo came to us, when we were feeling pretty low, our boy Thor had spontaneously went sterile.. and Brent Hadley had a slew of good-looking boys and was generous enough to sell Primo to us. I will tell you … Primo has NEVER EVER had a bad day, he is literally the happiest boy on the planet, and at that point we had went through our fair share of failed show prospects and Grant one day said, I think I can show Primo and win! I sort of snickered.. lol We didnt know anything about showing dogs... that is what handlers are for! lol However sure enough they were the dynamic duo (that is really an understatement).  Grant and Primo hit the road and Primo had his Championship in 10 months -  with 5 Best of Breed wins and twice he won group 1 placements out of Owner Handler, this doesn’t include all the Awards of Merits, Best Opposite… etc.. at  one point he was the number 3 Top Labrador Owner Handler...   Primo gave us his all, he made what seemed impossible, possible…  at Westminster in 2023, our puppy families all bought T-shirts and watched the live feed and cheered him on… he never stopped wagging not even for a second… he rode back to the show van with me on a city bus with a bullmastiff on the seat in front of us… I was so nervous.. I am a country girl! Hell, I have never been on a New York City Shuttle lol but Primo sat right beside me.. he was like we got this mom! 
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There are not enough accolades I could ever give to describe his beautiful, happy spirit…  It was unbelievably sad to see him leave, our house isn’t quite big enough for two stud dog couch potatoes (Dune: you got that right!!!) So it is now time for Primo to be a family dog, the dog who can lay at the bottom of your sons bed to keep him safe from closet monsters from gremlins under the bed, the guest at your daughters tea party wearing a tiara and getting some blush on his cheeks, or simply lay by grandmas feet as she drinks her tea in hopes of a nibble of a shortbread cookie… to be riding shotgun to town, where everyone will certainly know and remember his name, before they will remember yours..  He will now be everything he was always meant to be.. a kind and gentle best friend which is more valuable than any ribbon, trophy or award.  We will miss and love you always Primo, enjoy New Hampshire the leaves are beautiful this time of year… till we meet again.. xoxoxoxoxo 🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🌲