Davikas Labrador Retrievers

11/20/2024

Fingers and paws crossed. Some of our girls that we hope for spring puppies have come into season. We have to start working in November for puppies to go to homes in late March. Every breeding does not work out and it takes a ton of the right things to line up to be seeing a healthy happy litter onto new homes. For now we are just settling into late fall with a lot of hopes and wishes ahead. I do have a little pocket singleton we are calling Elon Musk who is likely staying on with us to cuddle for the winter and a couple of youngsters to raise. We have two very old seniors that we have to take extra care getting them through the winter we hope. We always know our days with them are numbered but today is good. It’s never really not busy here. I won’t be knowing until the start of February what is available in 2025 for these plans.

11/17/2024

11/16/2024

Davikas Black Magic Woman had her last day today. She was retired early from our program and went on to live with a special family surrounded by love. Run Free Gypsie. 1-30-10 to 11-16-24

Written by John Masefield
Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.


I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.


I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

11/10/2024

To all the dogs we’ve had in our lives, we say we loved them, but the truth is, they loved us in ways we’ll never be able to repay. They gave us more than we could ever ask for—comfort when we didn’t even know we needed it, loyalty when we felt lost, and a kind of companionship that went deeper than words.

We say we loved them, but they were the ones who showed us what love really looks like. It was in their eyes every time we walked through the door, in the way they stayed close during the hardest days, in the moments when they just knew we needed them. They saw us at our worst and still looked at us like we were the best thing in their world.

To all the dogs we’ve had, we want them to know how much they shaped us, how they were more than just pets—they were family, they were soulmates in their own way. We loved them, but they loved us better, with a kind of pure, unwavering love that we’ll carry with us for the rest of our lives.

R.M. Drake ✨

11/09/2024

RIP Charlie : 2012 - 2024
I know your family is going to miss everything about you sweet girl.

Robert Frost

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

11/07/2024

When a dog becomes one of your closest friends, life takes on a different hue. The simple act of coming home transforms because someone is eagerly waiting for you—not because they need anything, but simply because you're you. You might catch yourself sharing thoughts aloud, knowing there's a loyal companion by your side who doesn't judge or interrupt.

This friendship is straightforward and genuine. It's built on shared moments: early morning walks when the world is calm, afternoons spent lounging in the backyard, the comfort of a warm presence nearby when you're reading or working. Your dog doesn't ask for much but gives plenty—a sense of connection that doesn't rely on words or conditions.

Over time, you start to see the world differently. Maybe you pause to appreciate the rustling of leaves because your dog stopped to sniff the air. Perhaps you meet new people at the park and expand your circle in unexpected ways. You learn that joy can be as simple as a playful bark or a shared glance, and you realize that some of the best friendships are those that remind you to savor the moment you're in.

R.M. Drake 🍂

11/04/2024

Glad to report that our last litter of pups all found their wonderful homes…most have even had a dog or two from us before, one family was referred from one and we gained a new family too! I was anticipating another litter that only resulted in a singleton. At this time I want to watch the pup grow and decide before looking for a home. Nobody else is bred or in season at the moment so we will be taking some much needed time to be with family and dogs here for the Holidays. We will begin interviewing for a few select litters we will plan in 2025 after the turn of the new year. I will be posting for the annual picture of the Davikas Labs by the tree. Not sure if we can get an artist to do a sketch for a contest. My son is very busy but maybe I can make a batik Davikas Lab tshirt for the winner instead. Yes I am also a little artsy myself and even have a small Etsy shop at https://handinpaweclectic.etsy.com. I don’t even have much in the shop now but check it out just to get an idea of what batik is.

11/02/2024

Update: Pending pick up. She is going to a home where she will be their second Davikas chocolate lab. They lost their first this summer at 13 yo.

One available and here she is. [email protected]. If your interested in her we can FaceTime

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween. This is one or our recent pups from Alvin and Dancer. Ready to take flight I am sure. Would love the comments full of past and present Halloween Davikas Labs if you want to share!!!!

10/27/2024

2 of the three chocolate girls still not spoken for. If interested email me at [email protected] . They get chosen the day they go home so they is why I don’t know which two. 11/2 is departure day. The chocolate boy also found a home so he is no longer available.

10/24/2024

To any of my Bristol CT area client there is a new business in town owned by a long time Davikas Lab owner. I highly recommend the business just because they are true lab lovers.

We’re your go-to team for a cleaner, poop-free yard! Serving Bristol, CT, we provide reliable pet waste removal so you can enjoy your yard without the mess. Let our friendly squad handle the dirty work—because a clean yard makes a happy home!

10/23/2024

📤 Share with the Labrador lover in your life.

Rimadyl is a commonly used NSAID for pain. Unfortunately, Labrador Retrievers are known to be especially sensitive to Rimadyl toxicity, so I avoid it with this breed wherever possible.

After Rimadyl became popular, one of my technician's dogs died 2 weeks after using it. In the emergency service, we had dogs coming in with kidney failure, liver failure, gastric ulcers, etc. after using Rimadyl. Alarm bells!⁠

Potential Adverse Reactions for ALL NSAIDs ⁠
• Kidney Failure⁠
• Liver Failure⁠
• Seizures⁠
• Gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation.

If your animal is on an NSAID, make sure you check their stool! Dark, tarry stools, diarrhea, anorexia, and other GI symptoms can be signs of a serious issue.⁠

✅ ⁠I ALWAYS do lab work before starting an NSAID to make sure liver and kidney function are fine. ⁠
✅ Always ASK for the drug inserts from your veterinarian!⁠
⁠
❌ Do NOT mix NSAIDs with steroids. ⁠
❌ NSAIDs should NOT be given with any other NSAID! This can kill your pet.
❌ I do NOT give antacids (like Famotidine) with NSAIDs (there is a potential reaction where the tissue of the stomach swells)⁠

➡️If you’re using Rimadyl to manage arthritis, read more here: https://tinyurl.com/48skhz8c

10/23/2024

Celebrating my 14th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉. I sometimes think I want to go back farther so I can look up some of the older litters too and what the puppies looked like back then. Feel free to share your older puppy then and dog now (even if at the bridge) photos of a time before Facebook.

10/23/2024

Pending last boy already in discussions. We still have 2 girls not yet spoken for.

A last minute decision for one family has made one of the chocolate boys become available. They have decided to wait for a future litter. [email protected] if you are interested. I put the parents in the video and if you look at the post about Spirit she is a litter sister so all of the relatives are listed out in that Album.

10/21/2024

For those wondering about the two female puppies, they are full siblings to our girl Spirit so here is an album that details their pedigree.

10/21/2024

Don’t know who but two of these chocolate girls are looking for their forever home still. [email protected] if you are interested in further details.