Meet Cheyenne

For almost 14 years, Cheyenne graced our lives with her gentle soul, unwavering love, and fierce loyalty that reminds us of the faithfulness of God. She was more than just a dog—she was a mother, a grandmother, and a cherished member of the Cochran family, touching every life she encountered with a spirit so calm, sweet, and full of love.

Cheyenne's journey with us began after a storm of grief. We had just lost Dakota, our first family pet, a beloved Chessie puppy, who died an untimely death after she suffered a long, heartbreaking battle with meningitis that did not respond to treatment. The pain was heavy, especially for the kids. But amid sorrow, a rainbow appeared—Matt’s brother, who was a single man working full-time, offered us Cheyenne, knowing she deserved a family who could give her the love and attention she needed. We joke that not even a day went by that we didn’t poop scoop. Dakota died. The very next day Cheyenne joined our family and adopted us immediately. We remember how she stood watchfully at the door as a guard protecting her family. From the moment she joined our home, she brought warmth, healing, and a love that would enrich our family forever.

Fast forward. As a homeschool family with five kids, we saw an opportunity to teach our children some hands-on lessons about life and business . . . hence the #puppyproject. After much research including DNA tests, obtaining clearances and OFA x-rays for hips and elbows, and finding a reputable stud owner . . . We decided to breed Cheyenne. Website work began. Puppy managers (and those in training) prepared accordingly. Austin Chesapeakes was born.

Cheyenne is the matriarch of the Austin Chesapeakes bloodline. From early on, Cheyenne was a natural-born mother. She cared for her puppies with such tenderness, ensuring each one was clean, safe, fed, and loved. Cheyenne delivered six healthy, active pups in her first litter. We decided to keep “the yellow puppy”—her daughter Sierra to breed later. We loved her beautiful sedge coat, her even temperament, and her quirky show-dog personality. Even after Cheyenne’s pups went to their forever homes, Cheyenne dutifully bathed her daughter Sierra every day and continued to help with any cleanup—yes, that included puppy accidents!

When she wasn’t busy being a wonderful mother, Cheyenne was a water dog at heart. She loved swimming, and when her grand pup Aspen came along, she made sure to pass on her love for the water, teaching Aspen how to swim just like she had when she was young. Though their time together was just under three years, their bond was undeniable—a beautiful example of how love, even across generations, continues to ripple through time.

Perhaps one of the most touching parts of Cheyenne’s story was the bond she formed with Shannon after bringing her first litter into the world. Although it seemed she had grand ideas of raising her pups out in the wild (digging holes outside in preparation for birth), Cheyenne quickly learned she was living the rich dog life and followed Shannon’s direction to happily settle into the cozy comforts of the Lee Cochran family laundry room, the “maternity ward.”