My husband, Dan, and I have lived in El Paso, a small unincorporated town in Wisconsin, for the last 28 years.  We are located about 45 miles east of St. Paul/Minneapolis.  Our home is along the Rush River ... thus our kennel name "Rushwind".  This river is where our Labs swim during the warmer months, as long as there aren't too many fishermen around.  We have five acres and some very nice neighbors that allow us to enjoy their sixty-seven acres as well.  We manage to get everyone out for a daily walk, along a fabulous hiking trail that goes through the woods and down into a coulee.

Our love of Labradors started about fifteen years ago when a stray yellow male showed up at our patio door.  We were dog lovers anyway but this one stole our hearts.  Our two kids were young and "Sam" instantly became their friend, protector and playmate.  It's all history from there.  Next came Caesar, Champagne (Champ), Hillary, Blaze, Asti and Shiner.

We have always had a small terrier too and Meadowlake "Mardi" Gras is our newest addition.  She is a Border Terrier that truly thinks she is a Labrador Retriever.  All the Labs adore her and let her rule!  Dan has practiced and become Mardi's "groomer" (a very time-consuming and intricate process), spending many hours getting her coat into proper shape for showing.  We are thrilled that little Mardi has recently finished her show championship and hope to produce a litter of top-notch Borders in the near future. A big thank-you to handler Dave Slattum for expertly and lovingly handling Mardi to her title!

I have always wanted to breed and produce quality pups for family companions and hunting.  About four years ago, I met Jenny Mitchell of Tealwood Labradors and she has become my friend and mentor in the world of English-type show Labradors who also have intelligence, trainability and hunting instincts.  I am just now getting my breeding program going, but have learned and taken advice from Jenny and other professional breeders that I have met.

In 2003, I finally realized one of my dreams and we built a small kennel facility with a large fenced back yard.  The floors are heated, the dogs always have access to indoor or outdoor ... and I even have an office.  The entire set-up was carefully planned and is very user friendly.

Dan and I truly enjoy our dogs and take seriously the commitment to our chosen breeds, striving to produce healthy dogs that conform to the breed standard, have correct temperament and can bring years of enjoyment to the families that adopt them.  Following are some pictures of our facilities and our life with our wonderful dogs.

Our son, Isaac, with Asti

Becky with Shiner at the big St.Paul show