July 2010

Dear Barbara & Frank,

I have found your website and contact information and hope you do not mind my writing. We were fortunate to own one of your beautiful Shepherds, through adoption. When a dear friend passed away leaving her then 4 year old female, pampered house pet, her family encouraged us to adopt her dog. This very special animal was so sad and missing her owner and bringing her into our family was the most wonderful thing we ever did.

Her paper name was “Totana’s Lana of Piper Hill”, although her original family never provided us with her papers, we knew them to be serious and excellent breeders at the time. “Lana” or “Lanie” was the dearest, smartest, most loving and protective pet we’ve ever had. I come from a family of Collie Breeders myself, and was completely hooked on Shepherds from then on.

Lana was the most well trained, instinctive, almost human in our eyes. She had the most amazing way of communicating with us, vocally and otherwise. She was constantly under my feet, needing to be at my side every moment, something I do miss. She too survived her 13th year, as I see some others of yours have as well. She was only a few days shy of her 15th birthday, 1 year ago (she was born 6/2/94), when we finally had to let her go. She had suffered with nerve damage to her back from a fall 2 years prior, arthritis in her hind quarters, and loss of hearing. It was the hardest thing we’d ever had to do, but we knew that letting her go was the only fair way to repay her for her lifetime of protecting and loving us.

Our Daughter now 8, grew up with Lana. From the day we brought her home from the hospital, Lana took responsibility for her. We set down the infant seat on the floor as our vet advised us to. Lana immediately began to shake and whimper, sniffing her out. Having had 2 litters of puppies herself, she felt the maternal instinct even then. After a few days of running to the baby at every sound, an exhausted Lana finally realized that someone else would take care of this pup. She slept for days after that!

I just wanted to share our story with you and let you know how much our family, appreciates the breeding that came from yours. We are just now, 1 yr later, finally able to contemplate getting another dog. We know we will never be able to replace her, but we’ll try to find one with similar traits.

Thank you and best regards,

Jill M

Feb. 2010

Hi Barbara,

                               We took one of your babies almost eight years ago,she was the offspring of Quella and  Dakota. We call her Anja she is very healthy and happy

and I want to thank you for breeding such wonderful dogs. She has brought so much joy to us. I am attaching a few pictures so you can see how beautiful she is.

These pictures were taken a month ago.

Thank you

Richard B

Old Mystic Ct.

May 2009

Hi Barbara & Frank

I'm attaching a couple of picture of Miss Dakota.(aka "Helena". She's a perfect fit here.  Her big sister Cheyenne is like a mother hen..she has set down her rules, though, and Dakota obeys!  Dakota is very smart!!!!!!  She learns so quickly.  Dr Kellogg and all the folks at the Vet love her.. She has a sweet dispostion but as all puppies, she can be a terror.  She just tore up my yellow pages while I was in the shower.  I will send more pictures as she grows.  Thank you so much for this beautiful puppy!
Barbara W

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lopez,

I’m writing to you about our GSD, who was born in the “Z” litter on July 9, 1999. We picked him out from the litter while on a trip to Connecticut from our home in California. His registered name is Totana-Piper Hill’s Zoltan, but he is “Otto” to the family.  We call Otto our firstborn because he is one year older than our oldest child. He has been an outstanding big brother to our kids: affectionate, playful, and protective. At times he has borne a great deal of loving abuse: like when my daughter put her ballerina tutu on him, or when my son forced a coonskin cap over his head. In fact, his nature has been so forbearing from the start, that while still a puppy our vet recruited him as a blood donor for the clinic’s blood bank for dogs. This blood bank supplies blood and plasma to most of the veterinarians within a hundred mile radius.

Otto served for over six years as a blood donor. While most of the donations were a monthly routine, there were several occasions when he was called in without notice to help a dog who had been savaged by a wild animal (we live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California, with mountain lions, black bears, and rattlesnakes), or who needed fresh blood due to a special procedure. It always made us proud to think that Otto was helping to save someone else’s friend. During the emergency calls we frequently met the owners of the dog who needed the blood, and received their grateful (and sometimes tearful) thanks.  Through it all, Otto became a favorite with the clinic’s staff because he would submit to them patiently, and never uttered a single bark or growl in protest.

Unfortunately, shortly before celebrating Otto’s 9th birthday we discovered a lump on his side. After a biopsy and ultrasound he was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, which has already riddled his spleen. We considered surgery to remove the spleen, but since the cancer has already spread to other parts of his body, this is not an option. This diagnosis has taken us by surprise because Otto has been very healthy, with no prior health issues other than the occasional foxtail embedded in his skin. Although we are saddened that he will soon leave us, we hope to make his remaining few weeks/months as happy for him as he has made the past nine years for us. We wanted to let you know of his history and to thank you for breeding such a wonderful companion for our family.  

Warm regards,

The Linder Family

Matt, Jane, James, Ellen and Otto

Hi -
I am writing to tell you a story and to thank you for doing such a wonderful job breeding your Shepherds. My sister purchased "Totana's Jewel of Piper Hill" from you about 11 years ago. She moved and eventually this sweet pup named Pepper became mine. Last night at approximately 6:45pm she passed away from what seemed to be either a heart attack or a stroke of some sort. Throughout the Pepper's life she was a fun, happy, and healthy dog, bursting with energy. She never had any health problems up until the minute she passed. Her hips were as strong as could be. She always seemed to know intuitively when there was trouble (ie. people who I thought were friends she growled at a few times - turned out to be stealing from me) Otherwise she was so sweet.
So at approximately 6:30pm I arrived home from the airport after picking up my fiance (we live together). Pepper was so happy to have us home. She was ready to play ball and run around out in our yard. After we all greeted each other, a few minutes passed and she came stumbling in from our kitchen to the living room, where we were, as if she was drunk. For a moment I thought, oh no she injured her hip. I jumped out of my chair and ran to her as she collapsed to the floor. My fiance called an emergency vet, and during the few precious minutes on the phone with her, Pepper faded away, in my arms. With dignity, and pride, she died quick and painless in my arms, in her house, with the family that she loved. Today I buried her in my backyard with some of her belongings, with a nice headstone. I am honored to have known such a great dog, and a great friend.
It's going to take some time, but when I'm ready to own another dog, I will be calling, I just wanted to commend you on your very fine Shepherds, and share my story with you. I hope this message brings joy and not sorrow, after all Pepper always had a smile.

-RB-

Dear Barbara

Thank you for the privilege of owning another one of your fine animals.  Sincerely,           -MJK-

Hi Barb,
Just wanted to give you a follow-up on one of your puppies.  "Porter" is now 2 years old, (born August 18, 2004) and a big, beautiful boy.  He has touched our hearts in so many ways.  He is a kind, loving, affectionate, intelligent boy!  Where ever we go, we get sooooo many compliments on how beautiful he looks.  I want to say what a fantastic job you did.  Cosmo and Barbie should be proud parents. 

                                                                                   -L.P. & D.I. Canada-

Hi Barbara/Frank,

I apologize for not communicating with you sooner, as it’s been absolutely insane at work.  Lucky is doing great, he received a clean bill of health from the vet and his second shots.  He is absolutely wonderful, has the same build as his mom, and the most amazing temperament, he is incredibly calm and smart.  I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful addition to our family, he is truly special.

                                                                                                                -N.I. Connecticut-

Hi Barbara,   I just took this picture of John Henry. I got a new comforter set and he couldn't wait to try it out!!  Isn't he precious.  I tried to get rid of the flash eyes but sorry don't know how to do it.  He is so handsome even with those eyes!!  The perfect dog!!   We love him more and more  everyday!!  We're so lucky you bred such a wonderful dog.   His intelligence is astonishing.  Everywhere we go people comment on his beauty and size and of course he amazes everyone and us with his intelligence.  He is just amazing!!   We can't thank you enough for letting him join our life.  You should be so proud. We are and love him so much.  Jean

Dec. 2007

Hello Barbara, I have been wanting to write you for some time, but finally have a moment to do it.   In October of 2006, we were lucky enough to get one of Apache and Trial by Fire's puppies.  I have to tell you, he is an amazing dog - sweet  tempered and playful.   He is wonderful with our 7 and 9 year old boys, and has just fit right in to our family.  In addition to being strikingly handsome, he is very intelligent.  His training has been quite simple.   We brought him on our boat a number of times this past summer, and he loves to be in the water, especially if there is a frisbee and other dogs around!   You may remember when I first came to meet you, we had just lost our beloved 8yr old shepherd to a splenic tumor. 
Sarge has done wonders to help our entire family through that loss.  After just a over a year of having him, we can barely remember life without him.   I have included a picture of Sarge, in one of his favorite spots at home - on the leather couch, watching TV.  I know he looks like a dog, but I don't think understands that he is actually a dog!   We would like to thank you for breeding such wonderful shepherds.   Happy Holidays to you and your family,  

Beth R

January 2008

Barbara,   It has been almost 7 years since I got my baby Piper.  She was one of Fellsway Mel Gibson's and Totana's Alara of Piper Hill puppies.  My husband had retired so getting her was great.    My husband Bob passed away about 15 months ago.  Piper and I have done well.  She is my hiking partner and my companion.  She is absolutely in love with our mailman and greets him every day.   I meet more people  who know just by looking at her that she is "one of Barbara's dogs". She is beautiful like her mom and dad.  Thank you for such a wonderful animal.  She is my salvation.   Cordially,   D. B.

Hi Barbara & Frank,  I have owned for 3 years a wonderful shepherd bred by you, named "Totana's Gimba of Piper Hill" by Dolmar's Galen out of Opera Von der Kahler Heide whelped 3-24-98.  Somehow the "Gimba" got changed to "Kimba".  I have owned shepherds all my life, but this one is super special. I acquired her through a NJ based German Shepherd rescue after my last beloved shepherd died of hemangiosarcoma.  Kimba's owner could not take care of her any longer because he had suffered a stroke, and advertised her for adoption.  I met her and instantly fell in love. I am a veterinarian, working mainly on horses and have a farm with horses and another old 1/2 shepherd mutt (another rescue at 10 years old). My dogs have always gone with me on farm calls.  Kimba fit right in, with no fear of the horses, donkeys etc.  She even goes on night check to check on mares and foals and is very gentle with the foals. She is extremely intelligent, loyal, super disposition,loving,friendly dog with not a mean bone in her body. At nine, her hips are still excellent, although I did have to bring her to surgery for a tumor that grew on her chest-the size of a golf ball, and for anterior cruciate repair. She is probably the best dog I have ever owned .  She stays close and follows me everywhere.  I just had to look up your web site (which is very well done...).  I hope that you might have any close relatives of her, as I just love this dog, and would love to have similar breeding in a puppy.  I hope she lives til 20 but I know the unfortunate reality of the lifespan of large breed dogs (of course her buddy the muttsky is a healthy 14! KImba is still quite young at heart too, but I do see her slowing down a bit...) I was intrigued to see a half brother (Totana's Cosmo of Piper Hill-same sire Dolmar's Galen) as one of your stud dogs. Kimba looks a lot like Cosmo. I'm not really looking for anything in the very near future,(I hope ),  but I was hoping you could possibly keep me in mind or let me know if any close  pedigree puppies  come about.  I do not show and would only want "pet quality" with the same great temperament and conformation. I am enclosing a picture of Kimba.   Thank you very much, and I am very impressed with your breeding program. Sincerely, Diane Simoncini, DVM   Allentown, NJ

Hi Barbara,

I thought that you might want to see photos of Lola who is one of GI Jane and Cosmo's pups from

the May 15 litter last year,

She's a great girl and she has a fantastic temperament. My grandkids enjoy dressing her up and she

is very good with them. She is not bothered by anything really except other dogs (she had a bad experience at the dog park when she was younger which did not help).She will lie down and sleep at a birthday party with 20 kids running around and not be phased at all,

She is in good health and she weighs 62,5lbs

I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful dog and to let you know that she has good home and is loved very much.

Thanks again,

L. M.

November 2008

Hi Barbara, I don’t know if you will remember  me but I picked up our beautiful new puppy from you back in late August. We have named her Bailey and she is a super dog! She was born in the litter on June 30th so she is not quite 5 months old yet but is so smart and has the BEST temperament. I bring her to visit my office on weekends, I work in a police department so they are very crazy over German Shepherds and I have actually been told that my dog is a great advertisement for you as a breeder b/c of her striking beauty and super great temperament. We also visit my uncle in a nursing home and she doesn’t even flinch at the wheelchairs and walkers and very calmly and patiently accepts all of the attention lavished on her by the residents, she is quite the star! I have included some pictures for you some from when we first brought her home and the last one is from just this morning, and we want to thank you so much, I tell everyone who asks how great she is and am sure it is because you are so knowledgeable and careful in you breeding. Hope you and your family have a great holiday season and thank you once again!

Anne Healey

Jan 2009

Hi Barbara! I was just going through a pile in my office and came across your Christmas card from last year. I realized that I never sent you the picture of Chris and Carly with Zahra. I am sending it to you now with two others from that day as well. Zahra is from Schatzie and Cosmo's litter and just turned 4 this past September. She just had a check up at the vet and is in excellent health with the exception of a minor injury to her cruciate ligament no doubt from chasing her ball (her most favorite game). She should be just fine with rest and time to heal. It is killing her though because the neighborhood kids have been here playing and sledding during the Christmas break, and that is what she lives for... those kids! She is protector and playmate not just for our children, but for all who enter our yard and home.  Zahra is everything we could have ever hoped for and more. Thank you Barbara, she makes our family feel complete! K. K.