ISABELLA TODAY
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Isabella_bed_30July2010_LG.jpg 2010-07-30
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Isabellas_face_30July2010_LG.jpg 2010-07-30
"Our Goal as the guardian organization of the ASD Australian Labradoodle, is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the breed established by it's Co-Founder Beverley Manners of Rutland Manor Breeding and Research Centre. We stand for the ethical treatment of all animals, underscored by the intensity of our devotion to the ASD Labradoodle, an intelligent, hypoallergenic, companion dog that can serve as both loving pet and as a proven Therapy/Service Aide."
We, represent but a few of the Rutland Manor supporters Worldwide, who have been outraged by the allegations against that facility and its owner. We are educated, well-read and independent people who all own dogs from RM or RM/TP bloodlines, each canine healthy and happy with a beautiful temperament.
During the time that hate and doubt has been promulgated by a radical fringe of animal rights activists, who identify themselves as "Concerned People," we concurred that a trip to Rutland Manor might be in order so that we could compare notes and decide for ourselves that which might be the best course of action to follow. A few of our Supporters went of their own volition and at their own expense.
Some of us had never met previously, but we had a common bond in the love of our wonderful Labradoodles. Hailing from different locations and derived of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, we all underscored different perspectives. Some were motivated to drop everything and make a hastily arranged trip to Australia to stand up for the breed that we love so much. We wanted to confirm the facts vis-a-vis RM and it’s founder, Beverley Manners. There was no other hidden agenda and nothing to gain personally by taking the trip.
We are not Animal Activists nor are we injudicious “cult” members, but, rather, we are simply Labradoodle dog owners in search of the truth.
While zealots have been blindly pointing fingers, we have been doing extensive research and cataloguing all of the allegations. In this effort, we have seen ALL of the Rutland Manor Research and Breeding Centre facility NOT just “certain areas shown to visitors” as has been touted by the detractors.
The Centre is comprised of a mere 5 acres, so, unless RM has another facility located elsewhere or underground, our investigators saw all that there was to be seen.
The information, pictures and video contained on these pages are the result of "The Visit" as well as additional supportive research. We hope that you, the reader, will find these pages informative. We hope that they will help you form your own opinion about Rutland Manor, outside of the politics and hidden agendas of various activist groups.
I am greeted by other smiling faces, some friends are here from the United States, another car arrives; Gillian’s smiling face appears to add further warmth and good cheer to this day. Beverley’s home is warm and cosy, nothing lavish here, but the weather is fair so we settle in chairs out on the lawn for a nice chat and a cup of tea. Helen, Jane and Goldie appear from the office and Leith and Holly walk up from the nursery to join us, we are a merry group of ladies for lunch all from different backgrounds and parts of the world united in our love of these Australian Labradoodle dogs.
After lunch Beverley and Jane start chatting about Goldie’s recent dislike for their training sessions. Beverley listens and nods her head as Jane describes the problem, then Beverley is up and off with Goldie on her lead. In only a matter of moments Goldie is responding to Beverley’s commands, the rest of us look on watching and learning. Beverly returns a short while later with Goldie and explains to Jane what she feels the problem is and how to rectify the situation; I can’t help feeling whilst watching Beverley work with Goldie that I am witnessing a rare talent at work.
Beverley suggests a tour of the property and the dogs. We all agree yes, yes please let us see the dogs. As much as we enjoy Beverley we all know it is the dogs and the puppies we are dying to see. Beverley waves us off and says wander wherever you like. So off we troop The two friends, Gillian and I. We spend the next hour happily walking through night time kennels and dog parks stopping to admire the gorgeous dogs we see, naming them off as we meet them, like old friends we call their names and give pets and receive doggy kisses in return. I have spent my life around dogs of many different breeds yet I am continually astonished by the wonderful nature of these RM Labradoodles, they are like no dog I have ever met before.
We have saved the best for last on our tour, the Nursery. Our steps quicken with anticipation and even Leith misting us down with disinfectant does not dampen our spirits. We enter the nursery yard where everything is spotlessly clean and then we are rushed by the loving mammas. More kisses and pats are exchanged before we are allowed to view their lovely babies, the mammas show no concern at our presence in with their pups, it’s almost like they are happy to show them off. We ooh and ahhh over all the lovely babies, then Gillian gets a special surprise and holds her puppy for the first time.
The look on her face shows such joy we all fall silent and just stare for a moment, wrapped up in the moment of magic. I wonder if this is what it is all about for Beverley the giving of this gift of love in a furry package.
We move along to the next batch of pups and we are joined by Beverley who moves a chair in and sits next to the whelping box. At almost 4 weeks you can see the pups already know her well as they mew and work their way toward her feet. She has a look on her face I have witnessed on many mothers over the years, the look of utter devotion and love for one’s own children. We spend some time there chatting with Beverley and she tells us a bit about early cognitive behaviour and we listen in silence as she demonstrates with the puppies. We leave the nursery knowing we have shared a special moment, have been gifted with some of Beverley’s knowledge and will forever be better dog owners for it.
We retire to the front lawn again for a cup of tea and a chat. The afternoon has been lovely; a wonderful sense of camaraderie has grown between us all and I am reluctant to break the mood but I know I must begin my journey home. We part like long time friends even though some of us only met today. As I drive away I reflect on the day and smile realizing any doubts I may have been harbouring towards Beverley were all gone. Is she perfect? No. Is her property perfect? No. Has she made mistakes? Yes. Is she one of the luckiest women in the world? Yes, because she is doing something she is incredibly passionate about, not for money (that is evident) not for glory but because she truly loves these dogs called Australian Labradoodles.
Today, Beverley is under attack from both left and right -- on the left, there are the Animal Rights Activists, a disparate group of self-aggrandizing “do-gooders” who are so to read the rest of the article cntrl click to open in a new window
