If we, Maya and Zach, have one thing in common, it’s that we’re both dog lovers. Maya’s beautiful Havanese dog, Allie, has been with the family since Maya was nine. Today we brought Allie to her birthplace, up north to Alger, Michigan, where Connie and Tom Diehl live in a secluded home with a separate lake, cabin . . . and lots of teeny tiny, wriggly, freaking adorable puppies.

In today’s interview, Connie will be sharing the ins and outs of dog breeding: her relationship with her dogs, and what a huge responsibility it is to be a dog breeder. Out of love and continuous learning, the business has grown into more than just a business, but a loving home.