Photo by Sue Reynolds

12/30/90 - 8/15/03

Candlewood's Bit O' Bunny, "Babe" was owned and primarily handled by Hank McNeil, Philadelphia, PA and garnered over 200 US and Canadian all-age points in campaigning that was limited for a dog of her stature. She was a national finalist 11 times and had 3 double header wins, was high open bitch, and won an unequaled 7 Amateur stakes in a row. Some of her many achievements were the 2 National Amateur wins - she was one of only 3 retriever bitches to ever win 2 or more US championships.

Babe was purchased from Mary Howley and Randy Kuehl at 36 months. She showed awesome promise and evidence of Mike Lardy's foundation and the tools he instilled - without that start she would not have been as successful.

Babe was a great talent, a formidable competitor, and considered by many to be the greatest water dog they had ever seen. Her incredible style, a powerful blocky build, and a handsome head, unusual for field trial bitches, enhanced her remarkable skills.

A housedog in center city Philadelphia, Babe was an ideal family member - except for her eating habits, which were hallmarked by both her tenacity and the subsequent digestive repercussions.