Limberlost is located on a 5 acre farm in northeast Indiana. “Limberlost” is named after the area that is snuggled around beautiful Sylvan Lake in Rome City. Our Labradors have the luxury of access to a lake and a 5 acre farm where they are able to run, play and explore. My passion for Labradors began back in 1985 with my first black bitch, Fords’ Miss Kizzy CD, CDX. She was of the lines, which would later become Nancy Arbuckle’s Hunt Club Labradors. At the onset of my interest in the Labrador breed, I took great pleasure in obedience training. Although Kizzy’s death came much too soon, and although she did not achieve her UD, she was well-trained and competitively prepared. Soon, my interest in confirmation ring grew and I purchased my first yellow male from Fran Ippensen of Sunnybrook Acres. Sunnybrook Acres My Yankee introduced me to the ever-competitive confirmation ring. I was to learn most of my handling instruction from the most knowledgeable Chris Grisell. During these times, I developed an astute appreciation for the amount of time, effort and financial commitment it would take to breed a quality Labrador within the given competitive standards. At every specialty I attended, I was attracted to the gorgeous black bitches bred, owned and shown by Carol Heidl of Tabatha, Sandusky, Ohio. From here my dream to someday own a Tabatha bitch flourished.

Although my interest in Labradors continued, the demands for my personal, professional and family life increased; however, my passion for the breed and my love of the Tabatha bitch never ceased. I am a Registered Nurse and Certified OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner. I spent the interim years working in labor and delivery and the OB/GYN office setting. Much time was given to my busy children and relocation to Northern Indiana. I am the mother of 4 children, 4 step children and 3 grand children. My loving, supportive, best friend and husband John are still quite busy with family activities. After several years of owning family pet Labradors, which served as bed warmers, couch potatoes, garbage disposals, baby walkers, soft shoulders and ears to talk to, my desires for the show ring strongly remerged.

While I knew there would be waiting time, I once again began my quest for a Tabatha bitch. In the meantime, I came upon a lovely litter out of CH Dickendall Davaron Gable X Grandriver Babe SH. Kim Horvat Stern of Boulder Creek Labradors Warren, Ohio was so kind and helpful to me as I got back into the wonderful world of dogdom. Boulder Creeks Hunky Dori has been my steadfast companion in the ring since 2007. Soon, I was to come upon my first Tabatha bitch, Tabatha’s Luster. Now the fun has begun!

My journey then brought me to my dear friend and mentor Karen Helmers of Paradocs Labradors Greencastle, Indiana. Karen has lifted me to a new height in my dream of breeding and competing with a sound Labrador. Karen along with her husband John have encouraged, educated and inspired me along this journey. The Paradocs lines are composed entirely of Tabatha. Kind temperament, soundness, confirmation, retrieving, obedience and an overall willingness to please are the qualities I have most admired in the Paradocs Labrador line. I truly am indebted to Karen and John Helmers and I can say I am honored to be in their circle of friends.

It is our breeding goal at Limberlost to strive for a sound and kind tempered Labrador. They would then be able to retrieve, track or show confirmation, field or obedience. They will also make the best family pets to serve as body warmers, companions and above all excellent mental health therapists!! All of our breeding dogs are cleared for hips, elbows, eyes and EIC. We have one or two litters per year and strive to keep one or two prospective puppies from each litter to show. With each litter, there are almost always cute adorable Labrador puppies just waiting for great homes. Often, we will have well-tempered adult dogs that will also need loving homes.