I’ve been in dogs since the day I was born. I come from a show dog family, my mom has been breeding and showing Chows under the prefix Kelin for over 20 years. My sister has been showing Silky Terriers since she could walk, now breeds and shows her Border Collies under the prefix Vigilante. At the age of six I entered a show ring with one of my sister’s Silky Terriers. I was not yet old enough to show in Juniors so I played in the breed ring until I was. When I turned nine I was given my first dog, a Beagle named Ch. Betcha Double Trouble at Kelin “Snoopy” I finished him quickly and after that things took off. Snoopy helped me to achieve several Best Junior Handler awards before I had turned 13. However I soon drifted off deeper into the world of competitive swimming and had little time to accompany my mother and sister at the shows.
After I graduated High School my desire to return to the show ring increased in addition I now had more time since I ended my swimming career. I then went in search of a breed that would be highly compatible with my personality and life style. Being an ex-swimmer I wanted a breed that enjoyed the water as much as I did, I also wanted something bigger than the Silky Terriers and Beagle I had shown when I was younger. That is when I came across the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and knew I had found my breed. I soon came into contact with Joanne Silver of Silvercreek Chesapeakes and later got my first Chessie, Ch. Silvercreek’s Kokoleka Nalu, CGC TT (Polynesian for Chocolate Wave), a beautiful bitch whose love for the water is hard to beat. Nalu is my first Chessie and will not be my last.
In 2000 Nancy Mulligan introduced me to the Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. I began co-owning and handling her Griffs, they are such a loving and enjoyable breed. Hairy makes his way back and forth to both houses! I also handle Nancy’s Basset Hounds (Tri-M Bassets) as well as many other breeds for others.
I’ve always wanted a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in my Chessie pack and in 2009 Eve came to me from my good friends Carol & Lindsay Siflinger of Jetstream Tollers. Eve is a joy and fit right into the Chessie pack!
☼ Proud member of the American Chesapeake Club, Greater Miami Dog Club, and South Dade Kennel Club.
After I graduated High School my desire to return to the show ring increased in addition I now had more time since I ended my swimming career. I then went in search of a breed that would be highly compatible with my personality and life style. Being an ex-swimmer I wanted a breed that enjoyed the water as much as I did, I also wanted something bigger than the Silky Terriers and Beagle I had shown when I was younger. That is when I came across the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and knew I had found my breed. I soon came into contact with Joanne Silver of Silvercreek Chesapeakes and later got my first Chessie, Ch. Silvercreek’s Kokoleka Nalu, CGC TT (Polynesian for Chocolate Wave), a beautiful bitch whose love for the water is hard to beat. Nalu is my first Chessie and will not be my last.
In 2000 Nancy Mulligan introduced me to the Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. I began co-owning and handling her Griffs, they are such a loving and enjoyable breed. Hairy makes his way back and forth to both houses! I also handle Nancy’s Basset Hounds (Tri-M Bassets) as well as many other breeds for others.
I’ve always wanted a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in my Chessie pack and in 2009 Eve came to me from my good friends Carol & Lindsay Siflinger of Jetstream Tollers. Eve is a joy and fit right into the Chessie pack!
☼ Proud member of the American Chesapeake Club, Greater Miami Dog Club, and South Dade Kennel Club.
Located in Miami, Florida
Kelly Hayes & The Offshore Gang