Raisin:  Our 1st Dal was Raisin - "Longlast Revelear's Raisin Bread". We had her for about 13 1/2 years and she was a good watch dog, great with children and real laid back. We had Raisin long before we had our daughter.  When Shannon was born Raisin adapted extremely well to a baby in the house. There were times when Raisin would run down from Shannon's room to fuss with my wife for letting the baby cry.  We also had three cats.  Raisin wouldn't let any other animal go after our cats or my daughter.  We were real sorry to see Raisin pass.

Gabriel:  Our 2nd Dalmatian was Gabriel. Gabriel was out of Champion stock, with AKC purebred papers but was without a doubt the typical Dalmatian personality you hear about. That is to say he was lovable but hyper-active and totally nuts. Gabriel could break loose and run for 4 to 5 hours before coming home and then still be running back and forth through the house. After 6 months of aggravation (and attempting to return him to the breeder) and not knowing any better, we sold him un-neutered to what we thought was a show person in PA. To my knowledge they never finished him but have allowed him to sire many other Dalmatians since. Some people like the "UP" personality in a Dalmatian; but, having had both types, I'll stick with my couch potato Dals. Unfortunately, most of the breed is typically hyper-active.

Abby:   "Ch. Longlast Sweet Talisman" is the 3rd Dalmatian we have owned. Abby is out of Ch. Long Last Solar Flare "Shasta" and Ch. Labyrinth Big Spender "Spender".  Abby only had one litter and that was sired by Ch. Tuckaway Augusta "Auggie".  Abby is officially retired from being a show dog and breeding.  She was spayed shortly after her official retirement.

Keri:  "Longlast Ring o Keri" is Abby's daughter out of the breeding with Augie. She is 1 1/2 years younger than Abby (though still a senior) and a great pet. Keri was shown as a puppy but never accumulated enough points to be finished.  Keri is the most talkative dog I have ever known.  If I scold her she will stand there smiling and fussing with me.  Keri could care less about the show ring and becoming a champion.  She has been content to be a beautiful and loving pet.

Molly:  "No No Bad Dog" is our latest addition.  Okay, so I'm  messing with you about her formal name.  That's because we co-own her with the breeder/handler and I haven't bothered to learn her official AKC name.  Her great-great-great.... grandmother was Ch. Long Last Solar Flare "Shasta".  So she is a long lost relative of Abby and Keri.  She came to live with us in December 2003.  Being a California puppy, she had to learn about the Maryland cold and snow.  Abby was 14 and Keri was 12 when Molly joined us.  She is a beautiful puppy with excellent angles and we are betting she will also be a Champion.

Christmas Puppies: For those of you thinking about a puppy for Christmas we can say with confidence "Have you completely lost your mind?"  Yea, we're a lot older ourselves; but, remember that puppies think everything is theirs and so they want to play with everything.  Needless to say there were very few if any ornaments on the Christmas Tree that were within the reach of Molly.  Molly really isn't that bad.  She learns fast; but, puppies are constantly testing their limits.  She is crate trained so when we go out she goes in the crate.  When we're home she is allowed to roam and puppies love to get into things whenever your not watching.