Hi Sylvia,
This is Amy Gresock (remember me - houseboat picture, June calendar).
I haven't visited your website (nor had to contact you with questions)
in a long time. Our beautiful baby girl, a black Giant, "Baroness",
is almost 6 years old (May31st). She is still fed her Skansen diet
plus human grade vitamins daily, per YOU, as to get a long, healthy
life with US. She is exercised daily at our local metro park, walking
the horse trails or sometimes rollerblading/mountain biking, off-leash
chasing deer, playing with her dog friends and acting wild. This dog
couldn't possibly have a better life, as she is so loved.
A year or so back I had stumbled upon an article on the internet (a
slandering/negative one) that was written about you and the ranch.
After reading it, naturally, since I had been there twice prior to
knowing this is where we are getting the best Giant Schnauzer on the
planet - I realized this author was full of it and disregarding anything
she wrote about. Knowing all about you and your healthy lifestyle,
I thought perhaps the "green" water she saw in the buckets
were "Natures Greens", a powdery supplement people mix with
water and drink (found at the health food store). For all I knew,
you were testing it out on the dogs (for an even more healthy life!)
Only one example of my thoughts regarding the lack of research this
author did about you, your history, and the champion dogs your raise.
This article was pure nonsense, but I'm glad you have addressed it
on your website.
I have to tell you a brief story about our Baroness. Last month, we
(Baron with us) were on our way to Cape San Blas Island (the most
DOG FRIENDLY BEACH), Florida, stopping in Dayton, OH to visit my folks
(my mom has also been to your ranch). Yes, we do plan our vacations
around taking her with us. The next morning, my folks would be driving
to Hilton Head, SC. The following day, I get a call from my mom in
Hilton Head. She says she was strolling on the beach and saw this
black giant schauzer running toward her a ways out. She blinked, and
called "Baron". The dog stopped, looked at her and started
racing toward her. She said, that can't be: Baroness is supposed to
be in Cape San Blas - what is she doing here? The dog had that unmistakable,
beautiful "Skansen look" about it, she later said. As it
turned out the owner walked over and said his Baron, a 2 year old
male, was in fact a Skansen dog. I believe she said he was from North
Carolina, and further explained how Sylvia picks the dog for prospective
owner based on a "list" of what you're looking for (we know
the drill:). How funny, huh? After having Baroness for a while, and
since they are not as common as say a Lab, we now see the breeding;
the magnificent gait, intelligence, and attitude your dogs have compared
to non-Skansen bred dogs (does this make us Skansen Snobs?) :)
We know, with out a shadow of a doubt, that all your energy, care,
love and research that has gone into what you do with your craft of
raising the best Giant. Baron is finally "slowing down"
(after the first almost 3 years of "living with the devil",
per you for the first puppy year!) Meaning, she gets the routine now
of leaving for park maybe at 0930 instead of 0900 and eating dinner
at 5pm instead of her usual chicken meal at 4pm. Anyway, I just wanted
to take the time and pat you on the back saying "Great Job!"
and every now and then we wonder what it would be like to get another
as a playmate to our only child.
With that said, I'm heading upstairs to get another cup of coffee,
one that I wouldn't expect you to offer me had I shown up late with
only one hour left during business hours. Please - are you kidding
me? Some people have nothing better in life than bother others just
trying to live their life peacefully and do what they do. Take care,
Sylvia. Best of luck with everything and hello to Carrie and the rest
of the gang.
Sincerely,
Amy Gresock