Fairfax Pines English Labradors

Never Forgotten

Stories of the dogs who helped write ours.

Long after the ribbons are tucked away, the puppy pens are quiet and the paw prints have faded from the floor, the stories remain. These are some of ours.

There are dogs we remember, and then there are dogs who become part of the language of a family — whose names still make us laugh, whose stories are told again and again, and whose influence can be seen in the generations that follow. This page is for them.

The Stories

Our Forever Chapters

Chapter One Duke My First Royal Gent Chapter Two Thor A Mountain of a Dog Chapter Three Daisy She Ain’t No Daisy Chapter Four Lady The First Lady
Duke with Tammy
Chapter One

Duke

My First Labrador. My First Royal Gent.

Some dogs become part of your life. Others become part of who you are. Duke was one of those dogs.

Where It All Began

My First Boy

My dearest Duke... where do I even begin? If you followed Fairfax Pines from the beginning, then you knew him. He was my first boy, my first Labrador, and the dog who helped begin so much of this journey.

I was working full time at West Virginia University when I brought home my first show puppy, and I thought he was the most spectacular boy in the world.

Duke was spoiled from the very beginning — and I make absolutely no apologies for it.

For the first six months of his life, I carried him up and down every stair because I did not want him putting unnecessary stress on those growing joints. When we went for walks with our first granddaughter, Duke even rode along in the bottom of her stroller.

He was loved completely, ridiculously and without reservation. And he knew it.

Duke the Show Dog

Well... He Had Other Plans

When Duke was about eight months old, he headed out with a professional handler and traveled the show circuit for several months, even making his way to Oklahoma.

Eventually his travels brought him back to Morgantown, West Virginia, where I finally had the chance to watch him in the ring again. Because Duke was such a mama's boy, I had to stay completely out of sight.

I watched from afar as the judge approached to examine this beautiful young Labrador.

And what did Dukie do?

He promptly hit the ground, rolled onto his back and asked the judge for a tummy scratch.

Ohhhh, Duke.

The show world may have missed out on him, but the moment he saw me that day, that was enough. He ran to me, came home, and never left again.

The Boys

Duke & Thor

Duke and our next boy, Thor, grew up together, and the two of them were quite a sight — big, beautiful, substantial Labradors. Absolute brutes in the very best way.

Brothers in Everything They played, explored and grew up side by side, creating countless memories and more than a little mischief.
The Vet Story After one brotherly disagreement, the vet asked who bit Duke. “His brother Thor.” The reply: “You have a Labrador bigger than Duke?”
His Second Beautiful Chapter

Duke & Margo

A few years before we lost him, Duke retired to live with a wonderful woman named Margo.

Margo lived near the sea and was looking for a special boy to fill a lonely place in her life. She had spoken with me about Duke for some time, and I still remember that first phone conversation because we both cried.

Sometimes the right person enters a dog's life and you simply know. Margo was that person.

Duke became her everything, and she became his.

He walked by the ocean, played in the water he loved so much, explored his town and became something of a local celebrity. It was impossible not to see how completely happy and loved he was.

Margo, thank you for loving our boy every bit as much as we did and for giving him such a beautiful final chapter.

The hardest part of loving them so deeply is that eventually we are asked to say goodbye.
Until We Meet Again

Wait for Me, Dukie

Wait for me at the edge of the woods, beside the cool stream you loved so much.

We will walk together again. We will play. We will swim. And I cannot wait to see you running toward me one more time.

I love you, Dukie. Give my mom a smooch for me. I know you will.

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
— Luke 23:43

Chapter Two

Thor

A Mountain of a Dog

Some dogs leave paw prints on your heart. Others leave mountains. Thor did both.

Thor
Where His Story Began

He Was Never Going to Be a Benji

He came to us as Noble Prince Benjamin, but my kids took one look at him and laughed: “He is no Benji. He’s a Thor.”

And that he certainly was.

Thor shared a birthday with my oldest son and lived to be 13 years old. He also grew up alongside our granddaughter Bella. There was always something both robust and strangely poetic about his life.

Alongside Duke, Thor was one of my first true steps into the world of “real deal” Labradors — the kind of dog whose presence fills a room and whose memory stays with you forever.

Our Big Boy

Gentle, Steady & Completely Thor

Thor was my companion, my steady presence and my shadow. We walked miles together, wandered through forests and shared countless quiet moments outdoors.

A Giant in Every Sense A big, gentle, soulful Labrador who seemed to belong to everyone he met. People were simply drawn to him.
Not Exactly a Water Dog Swimming was never really his thing. Thor was more of a sinker than a swimmer — and that somehow made us love him more.
A Dog Who Belonged Everywhere

Everyone Knew Thor

Thor attended university events, strolled through graduate student welcome days and lounged at picnics as though he had been invited personally.

He was calm, kind and unflappable. He had that rare Labrador quality of simply making people feel good when they were near him.

There will never be another like him. That is not sentiment. It is simply the truth.
His Second Beautiful Chapter

From West Virginia to Colorado

When the time came for something we had never done before — retiring one of our dogs — it was not easy.

Kathryn Cole and her husband Harry opened their hearts and their home to Thor in the mountains of Colorado.

A driver came, and just like that, our boy began his next chapter.

In Colorado, Thor lived out his golden years surrounded by beauty, fresh mountain air and the companionship of his beloved girls, Holly and Gypsy.

He was adored there just as deeply as he had been here. He even became part of Kathryn's art — immortalized in her paintings, as only a dog like Thor could be.

Kathryn and Harry, thank you for loving him so completely and for giving him such a beautiful life in the mountains.

The Words We Never Want to Say

A Mountain of a Dog Passed in the Mountains

In our conversations, I knew he was slowing down. You try to prepare yourself for that moment, but the truth is that you never really can.

From the pines of West Virginia to the peaks of Colorado, Thor's life stretched as wide and as steady as the landscapes he loved.

He was a giant in stature, but more importantly, he was a giant in spirit.

He was perfect in every way that mattered.

Until We Meet Again

Run Free, Sweet Boy...

Although we both know running was never really your style.

Maybe instead, find a soft place to rest and cozy up next to my mom. You were her real-life teddy bear.

You will always be cherished more than words could ever hold.

Daisy at the pond
Chapter Three

Daisy

She Ain’t No Daisy
Fairfax Pines Cheat Mountain Gold

Tough as nails. Loyal to the core. Chief of security, manager of wildlife, boss of the farm and one unforgettable Labrador.

Cheat Mountain Tough

Born Tough as Nails

Daisy came to us from our dear friend Kristi Walls, who lives up the mountain above the Cheat River, not far from us as the crow flies.

I have always said there must be something in that mountain air and those cold streams, because Daisy came into this world tough, capable and absolutely certain she had a job to do.

Daisy was her name. But she ain’t no Daisy.
Head of Operations

Project Manager. Security Officer. Wildlife Control.

Daisy wore a lot of hats here at Fairfax Pines.

Project Manager Roofing, excavation, construction or remodeling — if work was happening, Daisy was supervising.
Chief Security Officer It did not matter if you had visited 50 times. Daisy's security clearance expired every evening.
Wildlife Manager Daisy and Bo Peep quickly informed the local varmints that the farm was under new management.
The Fun Police She tolerated very little foolishness. Her nephew Dune learned from the best.
No Hesitation

The Day Daisy Chased a Bear

Bella was always one of Daisy's favorite people. One day Bella calmly said, “Granny, there's a bear.”

I did not pay much attention at first. Then she said it again, this time with considerably more urgency.

I looked over and there stood a big black bear, roughly 40 feet from Bella.

I gasped.
Daisy did not.

She went after that bear without a moment's hesitation and chased it away from her girl.

That was Daisy. Fearless when it mattered.

Bella & Daisy

Pond Days & Tadpole Adventures

Daisy loved the water. Afternoon dips in our pond were one of her favorite things, usually followed by sunbathing on the deck before returning to guard duty.

When Bella visited, she would grab a mason jar and the two of them would head for the pond.

Daisy was quite possibly the finest frog and tadpole wrangler east of the Mississippi.

So many ordinary afternoons became extraordinary memories simply because the two of them were together.

Her Legacy

What a Mama She Was

Daisy produced some of the most beautiful black and chocolate puppies ever to grace the Pines — and yes, I am perfectly comfortable saying that as fact.

Her puppies became some of the first Fairfax Pines Labradors to travel far and wide, from Washington State and California to Maine, Florida and Canada.

One of her daughters went on to comfort grieving families through our local funeral home.

That gentle gift was part of Daisy too.

One More Surprise

Elliot — The Little Chocolate Morsel

Daisy's final litter appeared finished after nine big, beautiful puppies.

Then, the next morning — nearly an entire day later — puppy number ten arrived.

He weighed only about five ounces. Friends warned me he might not survive. That tiny chocolate boy wanted nothing except his mama.

I named him Elliot, because surely a boy named after Sam Elliott would be far too tough to give up.

Sure enough, Elliot grew into a big, beautiful boy with his mother's love of water.

He ain't no Daisy either.

Her Second Beautiful Chapter

Captain Daisy

After retiring, Daisy remained fully on duty at the Pines until Elliot's family asked whether she might become part of their family too.

They lived on the water and promised her love, adventure and all the swimming a retired Labrador could want.

Daisy gave them a thorough inspection and apparently decided they might be acceptable.

I cried when she left, half convinced she would boss everyone around and be back home in a hot minute.

That did not happen.

Daisy became captain of their boat — although I am fairly certain she considered it her own private ship.

She lived a beautiful life on the water, loved beyond measure.

The Goodbye I Never Gave

She Ain’t No Daisy

Goodbye, sweet girl. Chase a few big bass toward my mom's fishing line for me.

I have no doubt someone over the Rainbow Bridge needs a little bossing, and God knows you are the girl for the job.

I will not think of cancer as winning. I will think of Daisy deciding she had another job to do.

Love you always and forever, sweet girl. You ain't no Daisy.

Chapter Four

Lady

The First Lady of Fairfax Pines
Fairfax Pines Finest Lady — Stranger to Blue Water

Smart. Mischievous. Tough as nails. Fearless. And beneath all of it, one of the most loving and devoted Labradors we have ever known.

Lady at Fairfax Pines
Almost Heaven

A West Virginia Girl

Lady was there in the beginning. Alongside her sister Daisy, she helped define the early years of Fairfax Pines and taught us more about Labradors, farm life and unconditional love than we ever could have imagined.

Her registered name was inspired by a song woven deeply into this state and into the memories of West Virginians.

If you know, you know.

Lady and Daisy belonged to those early years when the dogs, the farm and our family were all growing together. Looking back now, it is difficult to separate one from the other.

One of a Kind

Too Smart for Her Own Good

Out of all the dogs we have loved through the years, I may have more Lady stories than any other.

She was smart — probably too smart. Mischievous, fearless and tough as nails, with an imagination for trouble that could rival even her son Dune.

The Missing Cell Phone Somewhere in the Lady archives is the story of one very mysteriously disappearing phone.
The Cookie Bar Caper Chocolate chip cookie bars apparently fell under Lady's definition of community property.
The Jewelry Heist Yes, there was a jewelry incident. No, Lady did not appear especially remorseful.
Lady's DIY Remodel Our basement renovation apparently required a Labrador with her own design ideas.
The Famous Fence Jumper Fences were less of a boundary and more of an interesting problem for Lady to solve.
Farm-to-Table Dining One unfortunate chicken discovered that Lady was eating raw long before it became fashionable.
Lady was a character. But that was exactly what made her so special.
Her Puppies

A Wonderful Mother

For all of Lady's antics, there was another side to her that was wonderfully tender. She was an excellent mother, devoted to her puppies and very serious about her responsibilities.

One day while I was at work, I noticed on the puppy camera that Lady had ruffled her blankets. Worried she might accidentally lie on a puppy, I asked my mom to go fix them.

My mother decided the safest approach was to enter the house holding a fully opened umbrella like a shield.

Watching from the camera, my phone rang.

“Tammy! This dog is going to attack me!”

“Mom... why do you have an open umbrella in the house? Put the umbrella down and just talk to her.”

Once the mysterious umbrella disappeared, everything was perfectly fine.

Lady simply needed to know that her babies were receiving the proper respect.

Life at the Pines

She Owned the Place

Lady and Daisy were rarely fenced and seldom spent much time in a kennel.

After all, why would the owners of the property need to be confined?

They lounged on the porch, meandered down to the pond for afternoon swims, patrolled the property and personally inspected deliveries, contractors and visitors.

It was their farm. The rest of us were simply fortunate enough to live there.
Lessons from Lady

She Taught Me So Much

Lady taught me many things — including not to panic quite so much when Labradors eat things they absolutely should not.

But the most important thing she taught me had nothing to do with stolen food, missing jewelry or escaping fences.

Lady loved with her entire heart.

No matter what you were doing, she simply wanted to be close. To be beside you. Part of the moment, part of the family and part of your life.

The truest, purest love comes from God. And the next best thing comes from your dog.
West Virginia Forever

Country Roads

There could never be a remembrance of Lady without the song that inspired her name.

Mountains, rivers, home, memories and that unmistakable pull toward West Virginia — somehow all of it feels intertwined with the girl she was.

Country roads, take me home...

And now, sweet Lady, you are home.

Until We Meet Again

You Are Home, Sweet Girl

Lady, I hope my mom was there waiting for you. Greet her with that wagging tail and a kiss. Stay close to her. Keep her safe.

Maybe you and Daisy can resume patrol, because surely even Heaven needs a couple of West Virginia girls keeping an eye on things.

Thank you for the laughter. Thank you for the stories. And most of all, thank you for loving us with everything you had.

You will always be our First Lady. Until we meet again.

The Story Continues

They may no longer walk beside us, but they are woven into the history of Fairfax Pines — in the stories we tell, the lessons they left behind and the generations that still carry a little piece of them forward.

Forever Remembered

Duke

My First Labrador. My First Royal Gent.

Some dogs become part of your life. Others become part of who you are. Duke was one of those dogs.

My dearest Duke... where do I even begin? If you followed Fairfax Pines from the beginning, then you knew him. He was my first boy, my first Labrador, and the dog who helped begin so much of this journey.

Where It All Began

My First Boy

I was working full time at West Virginia University when I brought home my first show puppy, and I thought he was the most spectacular boy in the world.

Duke was spoiled from the very beginning — and I make absolutely no apologies for it.

For the first six months of his life, I carried him up and down every stair because I did not want him putting unnecessary stress on those growing joints. When we went for walks with our first granddaughter, Duke even rode along in the bottom of her stroller.

He was loved completely, ridiculously and without reservation. And he knew it.

Duke the Show Dog

Well... He Had Other Plans

When Duke was about eight months old, he headed out with a professional handler and traveled the show circuit for several months, even making his way to Oklahoma.

Eventually his travels brought him back to Morgantown, West Virginia, where I finally had the chance to watch him in the ring again.

Of course, because Duke was such a mama's boy, I had to stay completely out of sight.

I watched from afar as the judge approached to examine this beautiful young Labrador.

And what did Dukie do?

He promptly hit the ground, rolled onto his back and asked the judge for a tummy scratch.

Ohhhh, Duke.

The show world may have missed out on him, but the moment he saw me that day, that was enough. He ran to me, came home, and never left again.

The Boys

Duke & Thor

Duke and our next boy, Thor, grew up together, and the two of them were quite a sight. They were big, beautiful, substantial boys — absolute brutes in the very best Labrador way.

Brothers in Everything

They played, explored and grew up side by side, creating countless memories and more than a little mischief along the way.

The Vet Story

After one little brotherly disagreement, I took Duke to the vet. The vet asked who had bitten him. I answered, “His brother, Thor.”

His response? “You have a Labrador bigger than Duke?!”

Yes. Yes, I did.

Saying Goodbye

The Words I Never Wanted to Write

Duke passed from cancer, and even writing those words still feels impossible.

Losing him brought back an entire lifetime of memories at once — carrying that puppy up the stairs, watching him travel the country, laughing at his antics in the show ring, watching him beside Thor, and remembering all the ordinary days that never felt ordinary because Duke was there.

The hardest part of loving them so deeply is that eventually we are asked to say goodbye.
His Second Beautiful Chapter

Duke & Margo

A few years before we lost him, Duke retired to live with a wonderful woman named Margo.

Margo lived near the sea and was looking for a special boy to fill a lonely place in her life. She had spoken with me about Duke for some time, and I still remember that first phone conversation because we both cried.

I am not sure I will ever completely understand how we found the strength to let him go, except that sometimes the right person enters a dog's life and you simply know.

Margo was that person.

Duke became her everything, and she became his.

He walked by the ocean, played in the water he loved so much, explored his town and became something of a local celebrity. Margo sent us photographs and videos of their adventures, and it was impossible not to see just how completely happy and loved he was.

He truly lived his best life.

Margo, thank you for loving our boy every bit as much as we loved him. Thank you for giving him such a beautiful final chapter.

Until We Meet Again

Wait for Me, Dukie

Wait for me at the edge of the woods, beside the cool stream you loved so much.

I'll meet you there someday, on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. It isn't only for dogs, you know.

We will walk together again. We will play. We will swim. And I cannot wait to see you running toward me one more time.

I love you, Dukie.

Give my mom a smooch for me. I know you will.

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
— Luke 23:43

Forever Remembered

Thor

A Mountain of a Dog

Some dogs leave paw prints on your heart. Others leave mountains. Thor did both.

It is with a very heavy heart that we remember our beloved Thor — one of the dogs who helped shape the earliest years of Fairfax Pines and one of those once-in-a-lifetime Labradors who simply cannot be replaced.

Where His Story Began

He Was Never Going to Be a Benji

He came to us as Noble Prince Benjamin, but my kids took one look at him and laughed: “He is no Benji. He’s a Thor.”

And that he certainly was.

Thor shared a birthday with my oldest son and lived to be 13 years old. He also grew up alongside our granddaughter Bella, who is now 13. There was always something both robust and strangely poetic about his life. From the beginning, he felt destined to be more than just a dog.

Alongside Duke, Thor was one of my first true steps into the world of “real deal” Labradors — the kind of dogs whose presence fills a room, whose temperament draws people in, and whose memory stays with you forever.

Our Big Boy

Gentle, Steady & Completely Thor

Thor was my companion, my steady presence and my shadow. We walked miles together, wandered through forests and shared countless quiet moments outdoors.

A Giant in Every Sense

He was a big, gentle, soulful Labrador who seemed to belong to everyone he met. People were simply drawn to him.

Not Exactly a Water Dog

Swimming was never really his thing. Thor was more of a sinker than a swimmer — but somehow that only made us love him more.

A Dog Who Belonged Everywhere

Everyone Knew Thor

Thor attended university events, strolled through graduate student welcome days and lounged at picnics as though he had been invited personally.

He was calm, kind and unflappable. He had that rare Labrador quality of simply making people feel good when they were near him.

He never needed to demand attention. His presence did that for him.

There will never be another like him. That is not sentiment. It is simply the truth.
His Second Beautiful Chapter

From West Virginia to Colorado

When the time came for something we had never done before — retiring one of our dogs — it was not easy.

There were many conversations, many tears and a great deal of trust placed in someone we came to know well, even from afar.

Kathryn Cole and her husband Harry opened their hearts and their home to Thor in the mountains of Colorado.

A driver came, and just like that, our boy began his next chapter.

In Colorado, Thor lived out his golden years surrounded by beauty, fresh mountain air and the companionship of his beloved girls, Holly and Gypsy.

He was adored there just as deeply as he had been here. He even became part of Kathryn’s art — immortalized in her paintings, as only a dog like Thor could be.

Kathryn and Harry, thank you for loving him so completely, for giving him such a beautiful life in the mountains, and for allowing us to remain part of his story from afar.

The Words We Never Want to Say

A Mountain of a Dog Passed in the Mountains

In our conversations, I knew he was slowing down. You try to prepare yourself for that moment, but the truth is that you never really can.

From the pines of West Virginia to the peaks of Colorado, Thor’s life stretched as wide and as steady as the landscapes he loved.

He was a giant in stature, but more importantly, he was a giant in spirit. Calm, kind, loyal and unforgettable.

He was perfect in every way that mattered.

Until We Meet Again

Run Free, Sweet Boy...

Although we both know running was never really your style.

Maybe instead, find a soft place to rest.

Cozy up next to my mom. You were her real-life teddy bear.

And when we find you again someday, I imagine you will still be exactly where you always preferred to be — close by, calm, watching everything, and waiting for your people.

You will always be cherished more than words could ever hold.

Forever Remembered

Daisy

She Ain’t No Daisy
Fairfax Pines Cheat Mountain Gold

Tough as nails. Loyal to the core. Chief of security, manager of wildlife, boss of the farm and one unforgettable Labrador.

Oh sweet Daisy girl. Nearly 13 years of life, love, adventure, puppies, pond water, wildlife patrol and making absolutely sure everyone around her knew who was in charge.

Cheat Mountain Tough

Born Tough as Nails

Daisy came to us from our dear friend Kristi Walls, who lives up the mountain above the Cheat River, not far from us as the crow flies.

I have always said there must be something in that mountain air and those cold streams, because Daisy came into this world tough, capable and absolutely certain she had a job to do.

Her name may have been Daisy, but she was never delicate.

Daisy was her name. But she ain’t no Daisy.
Head of Operations

Project Manager. Security Officer. Wildlife Control.

Daisy wore a lot of hats here at Fairfax Pines.

Project Manager

Building jobs, roofing jobs, excavation, home remodels — if work was happening on this farm, Daisy was supervising it.

Chief Security Officer

Anyone working here had to pass Daisy’s inspection. It did not matter if you had been here 50 times. Security clearance expired at the end of every day.

Wildlife Manager

When we first bought the farm, it had been empty for quite some time. Daisy and Bo Peep made short work of every varmint that believed the place still belonged to them.

The Fun Police

Daisy did not tolerate foolishness. She kept everyone in line, and I still believe her nephew Dune learned many of his manners from Aunt Daisy.

No Hesitation

The Day Daisy Chased a Bear

Bella was always one of Daisy’s favorite people. The two of them were best pals from the beginning.

One day Bella calmly said, “Granny, there’s a bear.”

I paid very little attention at first. Then she said it again. And again. This time with considerably more urgency.

I looked over and there stood a big black bear, roughly 40 feet from Bella.

I gasped.

Daisy did not.

She went after that bear without a moment of hesitation and chased it away from her girl.

That was Daisy. Fearless when it mattered.

Bella & Daisy

Pond Days & Tadpole Adventures

Daisy loved the water. An afternoon dip in our pond was one of her favorite things, usually followed by a little sunbathing on the deck before returning to guard duty.

When Bella came to visit, the two of them often headed to the pond together. Bella would grab a mason jar, and off they went.

Daisy was quite possibly the finest frog and tadpole wrangler east of the Mississippi.

So many ordinary afternoons became extraordinary memories simply because the two of them were together.

Her Legacy

What a Mama She Was

Daisy produced some of the most beautiful black and chocolate puppies ever to grace the Pines — and yes, I am perfectly comfortable saying that as fact.

Daisy puppies became some of the first Fairfax Pines Labradors to travel far and wide.

Her puppies found homes from Washington State to California, Maine to Florida, and even across the border into Canada.

One of Daisy’s daughters went on to serve as a grief-support dog for our local funeral home, comforting families during some of the hardest moments of their lives and becoming especially loved by the families she helped.

That gentle gift was part of Daisy too.

One More Surprise

Elliot — The Little Chocolate Morsel

Daisy’s final litter seemed completely ordinary at first.

She began having puppies around 8 in the morning and was finished shortly after lunchtime: nine big, beautiful, healthy puppies.

Or so we thought.

The next morning, just after I had my coffee, Daisy delivered puppy number ten.

An entire day later.

He weighed only about five ounces. Breeder friends warned me he might not survive. They suggested checking his palate, liver water, Karo syrup — every trick in the book.

That tiny chocolate boy wanted none of it.

He wanted one thing: his mama.

He had the sweetest little pink nose, and I named him Elliot — because surely a boy named after Sam Elliott would be far too tough to give up.

Sure enough, Elliot grew in leaps and bounds into a big, beautiful boy with the same love of water as his mother.

He ain’t no Daisy either.

Her Second Beautiful Chapter

Captain Daisy

Even after Daisy retired from motherhood, she remained very much on duty here at Fairfax Pines.

Then one day, Elliot’s dad reached out. Their family wanted to welcome Daisy into their home.

They lived on the water. They promised love, adventure and all the water time a retired Labrador could ever want.

We knew the family well. They are a military family Grant had known for quite some time, and after several calls, a great deal of coaxing, and one very thorough Daisy security inspection, she seemed to decide they might just be acceptable.

I could not watch her leave. I went inside and cried.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I convinced myself she would boss everyone around and be back home in a hot minute.

That did not happen.

Daisy became the captain of their boat — although I am fairly certain she considered it her personal ship.

She lived a beautiful life on the water, surrounded by adventure and loved beyond measure.

And honestly, there probably were not many bears by the beach anyway.

The Goodbye I Never Gave

Too Tough to Ever Really Leave

I never really gave Daisy a proper goodbye.

Maybe that is because a dog like Daisy never seemed like a dog you could say goodbye to.

Even when cancer came, it somehow did not feel like something that could truly defeat her.

She was simply too tough.

And so I choose to think of it differently.

The cancer did not take Daisy.

Daisy decided when it was time to go.

Until We Meet Again

She Ain’t No Daisy

Goodbye, sweet girl.

Chase a few big bass toward my mom’s fishing line for me.

I have no doubt someone over the Rainbow Bridge needs a little bossing around, and God knows you are exactly the girl for the job.

As you slip to the other side, I will not think of it as sickness winning.

I will think of it as Daisy deciding she had another job to do.

Love you always and forever, sweet girl.
You ain’t no Daisy.

Forever Remembered

Lady

The First Lady of Fairfax Pines
Fairfax Pines Finest Lady — Stranger to Blue Water

Smart. Mischievous. Tough as nails. Fearless. And beneath all of it, one of the most loving and devoted Labradors we have ever known.

Lady was there in the beginning. Alongside her sister Daisy, she helped define the early days of Fairfax Pines and taught us more about Labradors, farm life and unconditional love than we ever could have imagined.

Almost Heaven

A West Virginia Girl

Lady's name was a little piece of West Virginia from the very beginning.

Her registered name — Fairfax Pines Finest Lady — Stranger to Blue Water — was inspired by a song that is woven into the fabric of this state and into the memories of so many West Virginians.

If you know, you know.

Lady and her sister Daisy were part of those early Fairfax Pines years when the dogs, the farm and our family were all growing together. Looking back now, it is difficult to separate one from the other.

One of a Kind

Too Smart for Her Own Good

Out of all the dogs we have loved through the years, I may have more Lady stories than any other.

She was smart — probably too smart. She was mischievous, fearless and tough as nails, with an imagination for trouble that could rival even her son Dune.

The Missing Cell Phone

Somewhere in the Lady archives is a story involving a mysteriously disappearing cell phone.

The Cookie Bar Caper

Chocolate chip cookie bars baked by my mother-in-law? Lady apparently considered those community property.

The Jewelry Heist

Yes, there was a jewelry incident. No, Lady did not seem particularly remorseful.

Lady's DIY Remodel

Apparently our basement renovations required a Labrador project manager with her own design ideas.

The Famous Fence Jumper

Fences were less of a boundary to Lady and more of a problem she enjoyed solving.

Eating Raw Before It Was Cool

Let's just say one unfortunate chicken learned that Lady preferred her farm-to-table meals very fresh.

Bowling ball polish deserves its own story too, but some Lady adventures are probably best saved for the Fairfax Pines chronicles.

Lady was a character. But that was exactly what made her so special.
Her Puppies

A Wonderful Mother

For all of Lady's antics, there was another side to her that was wonderfully tender.

She was an excellent mother, devoted to her puppies and very serious about her responsibilities.

I remember being at work one day watching the puppy camera. Lady had ruffled up her blankets, and I became worried she might accidentally lie on a puppy.

So I called my mom and asked her to go to the house and straighten everything out.

Now, if you ever met Lady and Daisy, you know that familiarity did not automatically equal permanent security clearance.

My mother apparently decided the safest plan was to enter the house carrying a fully opened umbrella for protection.

From work, I watched the whole thing unfold on the puppy camera.

My phone rang.

“Tammy! This dog is going to attack me!”

I looked at the camera and said, “Mom... why do you have an open umbrella in the house? Put the umbrella down and just talk to her!”

Sure enough, once the mysterious umbrella shield disappeared, everything was perfectly fine.

Mom sat with Lady and her babies for a while, fixed the bedding, and made sure everyone was safe.

Lady simply needed to know that her babies were being treated with the proper respect.

Life at the Pines

She Owned the Place

On the farm, Lady and Daisy were rarely fenced and seldom spent much time in a kennel.

After all, why would the owners of the property need to be confined?

They lounged on the porch, meandered down to the pond for afternoon swims, patrolled the property and personally inspected deliveries, contractors and visitors.

It was their farm.

The rest of us were simply fortunate enough to live there.

Lessons from Lady

She Taught Me So Much

Lady taught me many things — including not to panic quite so much when Labradors eat things they absolutely should not.

But the most important thing she taught me had nothing to do with stolen food, missing jewelry or escaping fences.

Lady loved with her entire heart.

No matter what you were doing, she simply wanted to be close. She wanted to be beside you, part of the moment, part of the family and part of your life.

The truest, purest love comes from God. And the next best thing comes from your dog.
West Virginia Forever

Country Roads

There could never be a remembrance of Lady without the song that inspired her name.

Mountains, rivers, home, memories and that unmistakable pull back toward West Virginia — somehow all of it feels intertwined with the girl she was.

“Country roads, take me home...”

And now, sweet Lady, you are home.

Until We Meet Again

You Are Home, Sweet Girl

Lady, I hope my mom was there waiting for you.

Greet her with that wagging tail and a kiss. Stay close to her. Keep her safe.

Maybe you and Daisy can resume patrol, because surely even Heaven needs a couple of West Virginia girls keeping an eye on things.

Thank you for the laughter. Thank you for the stories. And most of all, thank you for loving us with everything you had.

You will always be our First Lady.

Until we meet again.

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