Linda Reece, the Moonbeam Meadows breeder we meet with this afternoon (see below), is an animal lover, as is Maria. She had several of her English Golden Retrievers on hand, along with cats, fish, rescue dogs and a wounded chicken living in a crate in the living room while she heals. We were impressed by the dogs concern and gentleness with the hen.

We sat with Linda for an hour, getting to know each other. I have never met a good breeder who does not want a good look at the people who might get her dogs, if we want to know what they are like, a good breeder wants to know the same thing about us. Linda loves animals, but we knew that.