About Us
My Name is Amanda Flanders the owner of Crooked River Saints. I Have 12 years experience with dogs from training to grooming and everything in between. But, actually I have had dogs my whole life. I have taken a few courses through the Humane Society University. I have a certificate in Canine CPR & First aid, Interpreting Animal Behavior for Safe Handling and in Standard Operating Standards. I was in an ATV accident on Labor day 2008. My accident has left me Paralyzed from the waist down. This did not interfer with my love for dogs or my ability to care for them. Crooked River Saints is a Licensed breeding kennel, although we are not a kennel. Our dogs are not kennel dogs...They live in our home and enjoy the good life of sleeping on the couch and going for rides in the car.. Our puppies are raised in our home with lots of socialization with dogs, cats and kids. The state of Maine inspectors come into our home once a year to do an inspection to insure quality care for our dogs. Due to the smaller, more personal tone of our business, we really get to know our buyers...
A Breeder IS......
A breeder is one who thirsts for knowledge, never really knows it all, one who wrestles w/decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment.
One who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and carpeting.
She gives up the dream of a long vacation in favor of that all important dog show to take it's place.
She goes without sleep-never w/out coffee in hours spent planning breedings or watching over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle, and cry.
She skips dinner parties because the litter is due or babies need to be fed at 8pm.
She ignores birthing fluid to give mouth to mouth to save a gasping newborn, blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.
A breeder's lap is a wonderful place where generations of noble and proud champions once snoozed. Her hands are strong ,firm, and often soiled, but ever gentle.
Her back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending, and sitting in the birthing box, but strong enough to show in the ring her next hopeful to it's championship.
A breeder's shoulders are often weak from abuse from competitors but strong enough to handle her defeats and frustrations.
A breeder's arms are always able to mop, support an armful of puppies, or lend a hand to a newcomer.
Her ears are wonderful things, sometimes red from being talked about or strangely shaped from the phone receiver.
Her eyes are blurred from the research of pedigrees, sometimes blind to her own dog's faults.
The breeder's heart is often broken from buried failures but beats strong with hope. It's always in the right place!
There are breeders and then there are BREEDERS!!
Author Unknown