Dear Reader,        To say that Kimberly Wiacek-Richards is passionate about raising and breeding German Shepherds is to say that Michael Phelps kind of likes swimming.  After having recently bought an 18 month old male from Kim, and then promptly losing him when he jerked his leash out of my hand the next day, I was frantic.  When I emailed Kim to ask if she'd be willing to fly to NYC in order to help me look for my dog I had no idea what I was asking of her.        The next morning I received her reply, saying that of course she would come.  That evening my dog finally came home and it wasn't until then that I discovered what coming to my rescue would've cost Kim.  She had been planning to attend one of the biggest international events for GSD and Schutzhund, for which she'd already prepaid fees totaling more than $2,000.  Coming to my rescue would've meant that she would not only miss out on attending this long-awaited event but would also have to forfeit all the fees she paid.        There are many, many people in this world who talk the talk but Kim walks the walk.  If there's a place in heaven for dogs, I willing to bet that God will be putting Kim in charge.                                                        Jackie Umans                                                            New York

Dear Kimberly, Matt, Anthony and all of team Von Hayden, Just wanted to send a little note to tell you about Yesterday aka Ruby aka Green. Well, first let me say you know your dogs! Everything you said would happen, has happened. She is everything you said she would be! She is amazing. There is no greater feeling than coming home and seeing that little body shaking all over so thrilled to see us! She is definitely a dominant female (as you said she would be.) We all work with her everyday and boy does she pick up quickly. Most of the time she even realizes we are the boss! It's hard to believe that she has only been here for 6 weeks, I don't know what we did without her. You said she was the type of dog that would never be content just sitting and watching, you were right. Ruby makes us get up and move. She loves to be played with. She loves to be worked with. She loves to learn!Whenever she is in her holy terror mode we take her out or start teaching her something new and she loves it! It calms her right away. Miss Ruby has a bunch of GIRLFRIENDS! Quite a few of our neighbors have new puppies and they love playing with each other. We try to get them together everyday. Ruby is the most vocal dog we have ever had! No one that sees her can believe how she uses her voice! We all know how she is feeling as soon as she opens her mouth. I also wanted to let you know that our Vet has been so impressed with everything you sent Ruby home with. From the way you give your shots, to her chip and tattoo. The Doc is very impressed with her diet. He thinks she is as beautiful as we think she is. She is so beautiful. There isn't a place we go that people don't stop us to tell us how gorgeous she is! We also wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your availability to us. Any time we had or have a question you have been right there to help us. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful dog into our lives! Sincerely, Colleen and Ken Willisch New York

Dear Kim,

I am writing this to let you know how my experience of buying a dog from you has effected me and my family. Over a year ago my husband and I started researching getting a trained German Shepherd. I have had shepherds in the past and love the breed for their intellect, loyalty and beauty. I thought I knew the breed. After our extensive research and multiple conversations with other breeders we came upon your web site which impressed us. The main thing that impressed me was all the specific information that was provided. After speaking with you on the phone and hearing your love and passion and infinite knowledge of the breed, we decided to get our new dog from you. When I say that I thought I knew the breed from my previous shepherds I was so wrong. When we got Tallix I automatically realized that he was different from any other dog I had ever had. He seemed almost human like. The eye contact and the feeling that he was understanding every word I said is something I can't really describe in words. It was love at first sight for me. My husband was a little harder to convince. Not quite sure if he was a dog person or not, he went along with the idea of a trained older dog so we could bypass the puppy stage and all the work that that entails. Well, less than 2 months later,my husband is in love as well. Then there's the kids and the cat. Matthew, my 6 year old and Tallix bonded right away. They are buddies to the end. My older guy was a little more hesitant but with your advice and guidance, he is now mushing our new baby as well. What I really want to express in writing this is how impressed we are with you. You are above and beyond a "breeder". It is demonstrated in your continued communication, your obvious love for the breed and how and where they are placed. When I took Tallix to the vet, he was so impressed with Tallix and your business that he called in his partner to meet the dog and to have me tell him about you. Most importantly, I want to express how great Tallix is. In such a short time he has become a member of the family. He is so well behaved, "a perfect gentleman" as he's been called, protective yet loving and gentle, beautiful, smart and as my vet put it, "filled with incredible potential, simply magnificent".

So, thank you for all the time and energy you put into him and all his training and for all your advice in helping all of us with the transition.

We are so thrilled to add such a loving dog to our loving family.

Fondly,
The Colucci family
Long Island, New York

Hi Kim- Zach is doing great! He is so wonderful, we couldn't have asked for a better dog. He has been to the vet twice and currently weighs 37lbs. He has had very few accidents in the house and is doing great when we interact him with Jeff's family dogs. We have been taking him for walks and to play ball a few times a day which really tires him out, but all in all he is great! Here is a link to my snap fish with some pictures we have taken. These pictures start from the day we picked him up until tonight. If you have trouble with the link, let me know and I will send you the album directly! Hope all is well, talk to you soon! Jess & Jeff Rutledge LaGrange New York

Kimberly, I just wanted to thank you for all your help and continued guidance. From the day Mitra & I picked up Blaze for our 9 hour drive home she has been nothing but amazing.. She is fantastic in the car and adapts so easily to new situations. At 17 weeks now, Blaze continues to amaze us and our friends with her intelligence and ability to learn. She picked up on sit, down, stay, paw, roll over and touch (touch is amazingly useful, thanks for the tip) in almost no time. She'll even pick up her toys and put them away on command (well just about J). We still have our moments of puppy craziness throughout the day but she is always ready to work if we want her to. Crate training turned out to be a breeze with her, not one accident in the crate to date. Blaze is great with all of our friends and their children, other dogs (large and small) and it seems that nothing fazes her. We started working with a professional trainer a couple of days each week and he has told us that working with Blaze is like driving a Ferrari as compared to a Toyota in all the best ways. (No offence to those Toyota owners). I don't think we have been able to walk or play with her anywhere in public without being stopped and told how beautiful and well behaved she is. Again, thank you so much for everything. -Barry & Mitra

Kim, Hope you are well and having a nice summer. Ive enclosed a recent pic of Warrior. He is so big (the angle on the photo is weird, he is huge)! He is 26" at the shoulder now but still thinks he is the size of my cat and has no concept of the pain I endure when he tackles me when we play. He is only 60 pounds but I think he will start filling out now that his height growth has slowed down (he eats twice what he should but is perfectly healthy according to my vet). He is so high energy I am not surprised he burns off the food so fast. His personality is still great, very confident and not afraid of new people or situations and absolutely loves other dogs, kids and strangers. He is just territorial enough when people he doesn't know approach me at night or are in my backyard doing gardening but once he knows they are ok he never growls or barks. He will bark at the door or weird noises and that is just fine with me. I feel safe but not afraid he will go crazy on someone. Great disposition! He knows every command now (I counted 20+ words he knows!) and though he is at the age where he doesn't want to listen to me all of the time I know he is just being contrary. My trainer thinks he is one of the smartest pups he has ever seen. I started him on an e-collar so I can feel comfortable letting him run around off leash while I do training with him and he has taken to it fantastically. I haven't started leaving him out of his crate when I am out of the house but I will in the next few months an hour at a time and think he will be fine. He never spends more than 2 or 3 hours every few days in his crate, the rest of the time he is at my side attentively. I love him, thank you again. I'm going to be moving back to NYC next month so I hope he will take the change well, no backyard at my new place but lots of parks in the neighborhood. I'd love to get another pup now that Warrior is stable and trained but my fiance gives me a look of horror when I mention it so I will probably wait until we have a much bigger house. When I am ready for another pup I will definitely contact you. Best to you and all of the pups. Thanks for everything you've done, Lousia Pardue Portland Maine