Meet Diane de Warren | Cavalier King Charles breeder–a labor of love.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diane de Warren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diane, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I got the Cavalier King Charles’ bug when I was about 10 or 12 and I had to deliver my first litter as my parents went out that night, a long time ago when I still lived in France. Those were the days before cell phones and video calls were not a thing. My parents were two hours away… I was finally able to reach them with a regular good old-fashioned landline and my mom told me to get a pair of scissors and some towels. Basically, I was on my own as my younger brother and sisters were running away horrified from the bloody scene. That night, I did end up saving the puppies’ life and the magic of seeing birth happening in front of my very own yound eyes planted a seed in me. From that day on I was never away from cavaliers; when I moved away from home, my parents let me take two of our cavaliers with me, but it wasn’t until I moved away from Los Angeles about 8 years ago that I was able to realize that dream that had been with me since that fateful night I delivered my first litter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist at heart and run my breeding venture with an artistic touch. First I am on a mountain top on the rooftop of the world in a very secluded world surrounded by nature. I often tell my friends that it is a little bit like being in The Little House in the Prairie. Life moves very slowly here. We only have a few vets and it’s only in the last few months that one of them decided to be open selectively on weekends, which means that when problems arise, you are on your own. I’m very lucky as I built a great relationship with one of the local vets, but still comes Friday night, it’s a long way down the mountain in a snowstorm if there is an emergency. I had to learn how to do things on my own, and for me holistic was the obvious route. On the other hand, it allowed me to do things my way and my way is what is best for my lovebugs. I do believe that what I do only works if my dogs are happy, loved, well taken care of, and well-fed. Cavaliers are very unique as they are little dogs who believe they are humans and fall in love with their humans, almost to the point that it can become handicapped for them as being alone or ignored will literally traumatize them. When I don’t know something, I tell myself, “What would I do if it was my son?” That is why I have never been able to crate my dogs, they all sleep on my bed. All my babies probably eat better than my son and I. Recently there has been some rumors on the internet about tinted kibbles, so I started cooking and also feeding raw. I spend a lot of time building a relationship with prospective puppy families. Once they reserve a puppy I send them videos and photos at least every 3 days as I want them to start bonding with their puppy. I try to make the puppy’s transition to a new home as easy as possible for both the new family and their new puppy. I have a big mouth so I tell them as much info as I can possibly come up with; I’m always amazed that when they later send my pictures of their new puppy, the puppy’s surroundings look like my home as they often will buy lots of the things I recommend. Nothing makes me happier than getting those photos as I know that I created a success story filled with puppy love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When you come to Big Bear you need to forget the big city and learn to slow down. Go on hikes, get lost on some obscure trail, take my kayaks on the lake, go enjoy a lazy lunch outdoors with your cavalier in our little village.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A big shoutout to my only son Sébastien who made me realize that in life you have to follow your passion. I used to be a film editor; I loved the creative aspect and the thrill that came with it; I was good at my craft and won plenty of awards, but unfortunately, it is not a career that mixes very well with family life, especially when you are a single mom. When my son was born, I very rapidly realized that family life was more important, and by the time Sébastien was four I left the film business. It took another 10 years for me to realize that living in LA was not allowing us to thrive, in 2016 we took the plunge and moved to Big Bear. It is the best thing we ever did!!! I jumped into the dog breeding adventure and my son found his passion in mountaineering.

Website: https://www.labastidecavaliers.com/

Other: I love my life with my son and my cavaliers. Today it’s snowing, the fireplace is glowing and we are about to make hot cocoa… if I’m lucky there will be a little bit of room for me on the couch as the dogs are all cuddling and peacefully snoring there, after lots of snow play outside.