Saturday, December 31, 2011

Moving Right Along

So far, 5 pups have been chosen and the 6th family is working on it.

The pups and I have worked out a plan for mornings... every night, just before I turn out the lights, I FILL up their food and water bowls and every morning they contain themselves until one of the big dogs sounds off. Even if I don't get up right away, the babies play quietly (for them) until I do. No more of that demanding squealing. Lucky for THEM!

They have not yet figured out that putting ALL the poop in one area of their pen means they have the rest of it to romp in without getting, well, poopy. I have to keep reminding myself they're JUST 8 weeks old.

A word of warning...
they LOVE electrical cords and ANYTHING on shelves or under things. I have to monitor them 100% when they are out of their pen. On the plus side, they've found a couple items I thought were lost.... But you might start now, puppy-proofing your homes.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Congratulations!

For the first time, everyone's final payment was here ON TIME and nary a one required my signature! What a great bunch of people these pups have picked!

The new pictures are on the website... two pages, one for girls and one for boys. The families with first pick of each have been notified to choose. The pictures of the pups will disappear from the website (temporarily) as they are selected. That way, when I let you know it is YOUR turn, only the available pups will show up.

One thing, once everyone has picked, the page will have JUST one shot of each pup so if there are pictures you want, get them NOW.

Weights
The pups were weighed today (AND got their first shots) and the weights are on the website, under each pup's picture. They have gained from just under 3 pounds to just over 4... in 2 weeks! The little blond girl is still the smallest but there is now a 4 way tie for largest. She and "Brown and White Dog" are the only ones not at 8 pounds.

Just as a point of reference, Emy (and Boon's) pups weighed from 5 pounds to 8.75 at 8 weeks BUT most were well under 8. (I need to check that to be sure, but it seems about right!)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Nothing New

Well, this is new...
most of the black pups have areas that are lightening up. So much for STAYING black! These two pictures show what happens over time. The first is at 2 months and the second is the same dog 2 years later.



New pictures of the pups tomorrow and then we'll pick.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Quick Reminder

In the midst of all the holiday celebration, I am asking that everyone remember Chompers, the Whoodle guy who is still lost in Pennsylvania. It's been 4 weeks and he has been spotted a number of times, but no one has a fix on his location. His family lives over 3 hours from where he got away and they make the trip every weekend to look for him to no avail. Please keep them and him in your thoughts and prayers.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

We are definitely NOT having a white Christmas around here. Which is fine with me. I wouldn't mind if it was a little cooler... our temps are in the high 40s and low 50s during the day. And it could be a little drier... but the rain is supposed to be over by tomorrow.

And just so you know, there are new individual pix on the website. Well, everyone is there except "reindeer." He's been hiding behind the chair where I cannot reach him since about 8:30 tonight. However, I'm about to dump food into the bowl and he just might make the mistake of thinking I've put the camera away for a few days! Too bad for him.

Picks
We're going to start this at the end of next week. I'll get one more set of individual photos before then. Here's how it is going to work...
the families with FIRST pick of males and FIRST pick of females will let me know their choices. Then I'll let the families with SECOND picks know the remaining pups so they can choose. Those with THIRD pick male and last female will be notified next. And so on. Some times this is all over within a couple days... but sometimes it takes longer (usually when there are two adults and two or more kids and everyone likes a different pup....)
After the picks are over, photos will be every 10 days to 2 weeks.

Oh, there are two males still available.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Doing Great


The gang is doing so well it is almost scary! Mornings are still a little trying for them... and me... but judging by their insistence this AM, it is more their wanting to bend me to their will than anything else. They were really obnoxiously loud and DEMANDING around 7. And I was equally obnoxiously ABSENT from their room! When I stuck my head in at 9, they were all smiles.

They are eating me out of house and home. All of them LOVE the Royal Canin. It is a very good (ie: high priced) puppy food. I started using it a number of years ago because it is so digestible it makes for good stools and FEWER of them than cheaper puppy chows do. It is not such a big deal with just one or two pups, but NINE make a lot of mess several times a day! And I'll never be able to figure out what it is about puppies and clean newspaper. First off, when I change the paper in the pen, it is like challenging them to see how quickly they can dirty it up. Then, if I'm "flying" a section in to cover a pile or two in an otherwise spotless pen, they all watch and attack the paper while it is still in the air! Just judging by that, this entire bunch is going to excel at frisbee!

Final payments due
I've just emailed a reminder that the pups are going to be 8 weeks on the 29th... which is when the final payment is due. Let me know if you don't remember how much that is.

Diamond
I could be wrong, but Di seems to be getting a little belly on her. She is just 3 weeks "along" and maybe I just noticed after she'd eaten, but it is a good sign!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Individual Puppy Pix

As promised, there are individual pictures on the website (click the link there.) The pups are identified by the stuffed animal in the photo. These 3 are "Reindeer," "Pony" and "Brown and tan dog." Each pup's weight is by its pix. They range from 3-1/2 to just over 5 pounds.

And they have lived here all their lives. They are perfectly comfortable... although some still jump a bit when a herd of adults rush into the puppy room unexpectedly. I'd jump too!

They got up WAY too early for ME this morning. Kenny leaves for work around 6:30 each morning so that's what they're used to. My nose is out of joint if one of MY dogs wakes up before 9! They'll get it pretty soon 'cause they're smarties.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

They're Here!

Long trip, but they've handled it well. It took 8 of them between 5 and 20 minutes to start exploring. The ninth pup immediately found the food and water bowls and has camped out there ever since. I've gotten a few tentative kisses and lots of wagging tails when I talk to a specific pup. An hour and a half after arrival, they're all asleep... some in a pile, the rest scattered around (good sign.) I'm thinking they are a little bigger than Emy's pups at the same age, but will weigh them tomorrow... along with microchipping, nail clipping, another worming and (I hope ) some individual photos. Have to admit I'm pleased with them!






Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Three More Days

D-Day is Saturday. Kenny is planning to be here in the late afternoon/early evening with Maggie and Cisco's 9 kids. Right now, things are very peaceful and quiet around here... well, comparatively speaking. I'm ready, I think.

Animal Rescue
Lately, I've had time to watch some animal tv. I've really enjoyed "Pitbulls and Parolees" and the program has given me an entirely different take on the dogs. (The parolee part... not so much.) Some of the Pits captured/taken in by Villalobos are so extremely neglected and abused, I'm amazed at how readily... eagerly... they accept help from their rescuers. The woman who runs the program is VERY upfront about the aggression inherent in Pits toward other animals and I really appreciate that.

BUT I'm a little unhappy with the show about the humane society that investigates and rescues abused animals in the Houston area. In the last week or two, their investigators... and even their veterinarians... have made some statements and diagnoses that are WAY off.

One investigator came down hard on a family because one of their dogs had cherry eye. She threatened to confiscate the dog if it was not attended to (ie: surgically "fixed") immediately. Cherry eye is the inversion of the tear gland in one or both eyes. Ugly as it is... bright red and swollen... it is not painful for the dog and basically does no damage. A dog can live its entire life with and unaffected by cherry eye.

Another investigator, responding to a neighbor's complaint, found the 5 dogs in the home in good shape as far as weight, parasites, etc but two of them had coughs. She insisted they be cared for by a vet, again, immediately. The next week when she followed up, the dogs were still coughing. She threatened to seize them... as well as the other 3... if they were not treated in 5 days time. When she returned, the dogs were no longer coughing and she backed off the family. Here's the thing... the dogs had kennel cough. It sounds absolutely awful and is contagious to other dogs. However, it is caused by MANY different viruses and the available vaccine protects against maybe a third of those. (Think about why the human flu vaccine is changed every year.) SINCE kennel cough is viral, antibiotics can't cure it. It's like a cold in humans... you basically live through it and "treat" symptoms to make them less annoying. (If a vet gives an otherwise healthy dog antibiotics when it has kennel cough it is more to pacify its humans than to do anything for the animal.) KC disappears on its own in 10-21 days. Any humane society or rescue organization employee should know that. (Many toy breed dogs have "collapsed trachea" which causes them to cough, especially when stressed and perhaps, this particular investigator was thinking of that... even those these dogs were medium size, not toys.)

And then there's the weight issue. Now don't get me wrong, a lot of the dogs (and other animals) on the program are almost starved to death. BUT there is a huge area between that and a healthy dog that is thin or even underweight for its breed. Some dogs... again, like some people... just naturally carry less body fat than others, regardless of how much and what they are fed. And some breeds are ribby by design. Some of you have found that your thin puppies put on weight... sometimes too much weight... when they reach maturity. This is mainly because thin puppies are often overfed in an effort to fatten them up and when certain hormones kick in at physical maturity, they usually become less active but are now getting too much food even if the amount has not increased. The investigators on this particular program seem to think ANYTHING that isn't FAT is too thin. But they don't like FAT animals either. (In my opinion, free feeding is the best way to deal with... avoid... weight issues.)

Which brings us to mange. There are basically two kinds: sarcoptic (scabies or red mange) and demodectic. Sarcoptic mange is picked up from the environment and, of course, is contagious to other animals AND people. Demodex is an immune problem, sometimes thought to be hereditary. Scabies is easily cured with ivomectin, supported by medicated baths to help kill the mites and/or ease the itching. (It is often harder to get rid of it with humans and usually involves washing everything in the house and spraying what can't be washed.) The heartworm medication that is ivomectin based usually keeps sacoptic infection at bay. Demodex is NOT contagious to other animals or to humans. Mild demodex will often disappear on its own but just as often (and usually unnecessarily) is "treated" with baths (mostly to ease the itching although some vets will still use the chemical baths to kill surface mites) and support for the immune system and time. Generally, demodex occurs in pups and younger dogs and will not reoccur once the immune system has matured. HOWEVER, severe demodex often means the dog has to be put down. The mites look different for the two manges so the skin has to be scraped and looked at under a microscope to tell which is causing the problem. What bothers me is that the shelter personnel on this program, including the vets, are always so negative about a mange prognosis and so surprised when an affected dog shows improvement in a couple weeks. Why don't they KNOW these things?

Finally, for today anyway, nobody on this show wants to give anything time. Perhaps it is because it is on tv and the producers need an immediate diagnosis and prognosis. And they seldom do things the easy way... chemical shampoos are used on very young animals to kill fleas when a Capstar will do the same thing immediately. It is cheap and can be given several days in a row, giving time for a topical like Advantage to work. Malnourished pups are intubated or started on ivs instead of being given Nutrical (to elevate blood sugar and aid against hypoglycemia) and then given something like Hill's A/D (canned.) Yes, sometimes time is of the essence, but that is not always the case. Recently, there was a program where the vet was concerned that a mare who had foaled just an hour or so before didn't have enough milk for the baby. Duh! It's the same thing with dogs. Offspring sucking on Mom leads to milk coming in. The more it suckles, the more milk there is. Time.

To be fair, I think this team does a good job overall and I am appalled at the number of animals NEEDING help in that area. If people do not want to take care of their pets and livestock, they should stick to repairing cars or collecting stamps as a hobbies.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Good News

Penny is home from the hospital. I called about 7 last night to get an update and she answered the phone. Which both surprised and pleased me. I asked what they had decided was wrong with her and she said "Gall bladder." So, dumb me, I said "When are they going to take it out?" She told me they had removed it that morning. And sent her home 8 hours later! She was still fighting off the immediate effects of the anesthesia, for pete's sake. What is WITH health care in the US?! But I'm glad she's through the worse of it and on the road to recovery... even if she has to spend the next week living upstairs in bed!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Missing Dogs Updates

Elizabeth in PA reports that there has been only one sighting of Chompers in over a week. Again, it was at the tree farm so it seems that he is still hanging out in that area... or maybe, like Peri, he returned there because it seemed safe. Elizabeth is going back toward the end of this week and is planning to find her pup and bring him home. Good thoughts and prayers are requested and appreciated.

I spent much of the weekend going through newspaper and on line ads for pups for sale and found dogs, even those way out of the area where Cotton could possibly have wandered. I'm running a "puppy wanted" ad in the hopes someone just might have her babies for sale. A vet about 45 miles from me called Friday "about the lost dog flyer" and I was SURE they had found Cotton. But she just wanted to know if she should leave the flyer up on their bulletin board. Needless to say, it was a very depressing weekend.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

No Pix This Week

Sorry, folks, but Penny is in the hospital. She's been feeling sick... in bed type sick... for weeks. And Friday it got bad enough she was persuaded to go to the ER. She was admitted right away. So far, tests have not been conclusive for or against anything. I'm convinced it's her gall bladder. Since having mine removed and feeling 100% better fifteen minutes later, I'm sure the ills of the world would be eliminated if everyone had their gall bladder removed. Think about it... world peace!

Her husband is still planning to bring the pups to me next weekend, with or without Penny riding shotgun.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cold Enough for You?

I took this picture outside my front door. Gorgeous, eh? It's a wonder no power or phone lines went down! Luckily, the temperature has climbed above freezing. Now everything is soggy! Hope to get off the hill tomorrow or at least by Saturday. Not that I need anything, I'm just going stir crazy!

More puppies check in
Murphy and Zoe Teague are ready for Christmas. Both are Emy kids, different dads.

Look, mom, it's raining outside! Tucker and Seamus Perry, a Cotton son and an Emy son.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Rain, More Rain, Snow

So a couple days ago we were about 6 inches over in the rain department for the year. Didn't see last night's total, but if I judge by my road, aka the Rapids, we're close to doubling that today. It just has NOT stopped. I live on a hill which gets VERY steep right above me and the road is a combination of dirt and gravel. When the weather is like this, the gravel gets washed away and the dirt turns into mud, DEEPLY rutted mud. In an emergency, I can get DOWN, but coming back up is impossible. Thanks goodness, our local weather predicters are very good at their jobs and give enough advanced notice that I can get out and stock up on dogfood, newspaper, etc. To make things interesting, the temperature is dropping from the 40s to below freezing and the rain is turning into snow. Depending on which tv station I get my weather report from (none are actually local,) I'm going to get anywhere from a trace to 6 inches. The 3-6 inch forecast most likely is for elevations higher than where I am. And often, because of the configuration of the hills in the area, much of the really bad weather goes by on either side of me. I hate to tell you how many times I've gone out and been surprised at how bad things are just a couple miles away when I have nothing alarming going on at home. Like me, the dogs will be glad when the rain stops later today. They've had to run out, do their business and run back inside. The dogs miss the exercise they normally get but THEY don't seem to mind getting soaked. For me, there's nothing like the smell of wet dog(s) in the morning to get my juices flowing! And I don't mean that in a good way.

Christmas is coming...
Tucker is ready to take part in the festivities. Bring on the eggnog!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Peri's in the Dog House

Perhaps I have been a little too lenient with Ms Peri since she's gotten home, but those days are over. She has forgotten any boundaries she once had. I cannot put ANYTHING on top of the dresser next to my bed... it's all fair game for her. Long ago, I learned to pick up and stash anything I didn't want a pup putting teeth to. My house shoes ALWAYS go on top of the dresser when they're not on my feet. Peri has eaten them. My old dollar-store alarm clock gave up the ghost (after about 6-7 years... not bad for two bucks!) and I bought a new one... which set me back FIVE. It lasted one, count them, ONE day on the dresser. I have a small open bookcase on the other side of the room where I store myriad paperback books after I finish reading them. Now these are not books that I am adding to my permanent collection (like anything by Dick Francis,) but ones I'll eventually box up and truck over to the library. Peri started removing... and chewing on... all those she could easily get to on the bottom shelves. SO I threw out the ones that were too bad and removed to safety the ones she had just tossed around. As I always say, the trick to living with a dog is to be smarter than IT is. In this case, Peri has it all over me... I left the books on the higher shelves, perhaps forgetting that standing on her back legs was something she learned in the nest, and as soon as she was alone in the room, the rest of the books met the same fate as the previous ones. And last night, Peri was lying next to me on the bed while I was watching tv and reading the newspaper. She calmly reached over and started chewing on the paper IN MY HANDS! Well, the final straw happened this morning. It's raining, hard enough for all the dogs to sleep in. Which meant I slept in. At 11:45, the phone rang, waking me from a really pleasant dream which I can't remember clearly now... I think George Clooney was asking me a personal question (but he might have just needed to know the time)... anyway, I woke up, answered the phone and then rushed to start letting (forcing) dogs outside for a potty break. A few minutes later, I went back to the bedroom... and Peri had chewed up the phone! So she has now moved in with her mom, Di, and sister, Emy. Case closed!

TV story
On one of those faux news programs, I just saw a story that isn't so faux. It was about people stealing litters of puppies from breeders' homes. I personally know people that has happened to. It's on the list of why I allow no visitation. Case closed on that, too.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Sad News

Maggie's smallest little girl died during the night. She was not doing well yesterday... sitting off by herself, not playing or eating, most of the day. She did not have an elevated temperature and she refused rice cereal and just plain milk when offered. Maggie ignored her which is a bad sign. Canine moms always seem to know when a puppy has a problem that cannot be fixed. If the pups are very young... under 2-1/2 weeks... moms will often shove the pup aside, away from the rest of the litter. Over the years, I have learned when that happens, there is NOTHING I, or a vet, can do to change the outcome. With pups a little bit older, moms will let them go off by themselves but they will force healthy or minorly ill pups to stay close. The cause of deaths like this is usually something like a liver shunt or heart problem and with a large litter, it is not unusual to lose a pup or two as they start getting more active and the malfunctioning organs cannot handle the increased exertion.

Just so everyone knows, the photos of the pups on the website are mislabeled. The FEMALE puppy who died is the little sleepy "guy." The blond pup with the white spot on the forehead that I claim is a girl, is not... which means the other pup in that photo is a boy as well. And the other blond pup with the.... Well, we'll get it straightened out once they get here and are microchipped.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Diamond

Boon has "covered" Diamond five times as of this evening and today both of them seemed to be just going through the motions. Di's headache will probably be back tomorrow IF Boon shows any interest in her at all which is doubtful. Her ultrasound will be scheduled for the very end of December/first of January (4-5 weeks into gestation) and if positive, the reservation list will open immediately.


In The Netherlands

Two White Shepherds romping in the surf. The puppy (on the left) is just 5 months old. These two dogs belong to a forum friend of mine who also has Schapendoes (or Dutch Shepherd) which are shaggy and look amazingly like Whoodles. In Europe, the White Shepherd is a separate breed from the German Shepherd (just as the Biewer Terrier [pronounced Beaver] and the Yorkie are separate breeds.) Conny has raised and shown both breeds for a number of years. Her dogs are delicious!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Cisco's Kids Update

The pups are chowing down on puppy kibble. Penny was going to go through what many breeders consider "the normal weaning process" and had started feeding them rice pablum. Which they, of course, LOVED. They waded into the bowls, coating themselves... and the entire kitchen... in it. Baths for 10 puppies 4-5 times a day gets time consuming. I told her the easiest, cleanest and REALLY natural way to wean pups is to put a bowl of dry kibble in the puppy pen as soon as they start trying to stand and let the pups find it on their own. (I start feeding my moms puppy chow... for the additional protein and fat content... a number of weeks before they give birth. And there is always a bowl for them in the puppy pen so they don't have to go very far to eat when the pups are brand new.) I've had pups between 2 and 3 weeks sucking on the kibble and they are always chomping on it before they get teeth. They will eat more kibble and drink less mom's milk as they grow. And no baths are necessary.

This morning, Penny got up and came downstairs to find... all the pups having a field day in the living room. Maggie was sitting in the doorway between the two rooms, looking a little guilty (since she was the one who had opened the pen gate.)

And this afternoon, Penny realized she might have a racist dog. Maggie was lying in the nest with some of the pups, her back turned to and blocking the others from coming in. All the light colored ones were in the nest with her while all the black ones were on the outside looking in. (To be fair, I often see moms separate pups into groups and sometimes it is seemingly by color. Which some dog experts have claimed dogs can't see.)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

A Couple Things

Ms Sheana left this morning for her new home in California. Over the last two weeks, this little girl and I got close, something I try not to do when I'm not keeping a pup. But when I get down to just one... well, it's not easy to stay aloof! She was really brave at the airport. I did something with her I've never done before... I put her down on the ground and let her walk around. She never got more than 3 feet from me, but she explored in all directions. She was interested in the people standing in line and walking passed us, although the ones dragging suitcases on wheels were a little scary for her. I was really proud of her. Before I had to put her in the crate, she actually walked up to a lady who came up to the counter next to us. And she did the 12 hours in the crate with just a little protest. I don't think I mentioned before that the pups all learned to howl so they could take part in the daily sings around here. The only problem was... are you ready for this... she was put on an earlier than scheduled connecting flight out of Atlanta and the dummies in San Francisco didn't bother to read the airbill. So they didn't call her people to tell them she was there 3 hours before expected. Luckily, Francene called the airport to check on the scheduled flight and found out she was already there. So now Emy's pups are all gone.

Which brings me to Diamond
who is in standing heat and as of right now this minute has been bred twice by Boon. For a young, inexperienced stud, he does very well at maintaining his cool. Two days ago, Diamond had a headache and attacked him every time he even looked in her direction. However, the hormones have a way of changing a young lady's attitude toward a little lovin'. Since she is now receptive, I'll keep putting them together every evening until she tells me (and Boon) she's over it. So, if she "settles," the pups will be due at the very end of January... the same week Maggie's pups will be ready to go. Gonna be busy. Again.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cisco's Kids New Pix

The smallest pup in the litter... consistently so far... is the darker blond guy. (He's the sleepiest one too judging by this photo!) Granted, he's being held a little further away from the camera which diminishes his size even more, but he is a little boy. He is NOT a runt as he is well formed and proportionate. And interestingly enough, the darker blond girl is the second smallest pup.

New pix of all 10 are on the website. They'll be 4 weeks tomorrow and are showing some interest in dog food. They also are getting more freedom in the house than my very young babies usually do. Someone ALWAYS has the pen open and the pups are wandering... staggering... around the kitchen. At round up time, several are always curled up close to the wood burning stove. Nothing dumb about these pups!

There will be no 4 weeks weights because the only scale is a human one and it just isn't accurate with small poundage.

Oh, one more thing... the black pups are staying VERY VERY SHINY BLACK. In the new photos, there is no other color showing up on legs or ears. Perhaps, against ALL odds, this breeding will produce black Whoodles that STAY black. Way to go Cisco and Maggie!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New Stuff

Scout Johann and family enjoying his first snow!

Chompers in PA
was spotted three times in the same area yesterday. Please keep those thoughts and prayers coming!

Diamond
The boys are telling me Diamond is in season. I don't see it, but what do I know? Will keep you posted!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Not Much New

Penny has a stomach virus (she thinks) and didn't get new photos this weekend. If she feels better tomorrow, we'll get some then. Or the next day.

The weather here is on the verge of a dramatic change... guess what. It's about to become Winter. We're expecting heavy rain tonight with dropping temperatures and snow starting to accumulate tomorrow afternoon. Ordinarily, no problem. However, Sheana is supposed to move to California Wednesday morning. So that's up in the air, no pun intended. She has LOVED being the only pup in residence. Over the weekend she discovered tv... but doesn't seem to be overly impressed as she only watches for a moment or two at a time. She likes bright colors on the screen... and some idiot started a rumor years ago that dogs don't see color.

Chompers is still missing in PA. His home is 3 hours away from where he is lost. I feel so bad for him... and his family. I've been sad ever since they called. I'm praying this is a happier ending than Cotton has had... so far.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Lost Dog

One of Jennifer's pups is lost near Hughesville PA (close to Williamsport PA.) He is a year old, 35 pounds, black and tan neutered male who slipped his collar yesterday. His name is Chompers and he is leery of strangers. This poor guy does not live in that area, so he is TOTALLY lost. I'd appreciate it if everyone will post on their Facebook page and keep Chompers and his family in your thoughts and prayers. If you need to get in touch with the family, email me for the address.

And, folks, PLEASE keep those collars snug. When in strange areas or situations, you may want to consider a choke.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

From my house to yours! Turkey day is being celebrated by everyone here, including Sheana Colvin, the only pup still here. Hope you all have a wonderful day with lots of good food and friends and family to share it with.

Older pups check in
Tucker Sybrant, Emy's 1-1/2 year old son, making himself comfortable
Koda Eppley, Di's 2 year old son, getting an early start on the holidays

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

All Gone But Sheana

The sixth of the pups left this morning, leaving Ms Sheana as the only baby still in the nest. And it doesn't seem to be bothering her a bit. She's been running around the house, teasing the adult dogs, none of whom has tried to eat her YET. I considered letting her stay loose in the house, coming into the bedroom with me at night, but decided that might be a bad idea for when she goes to her new home, so her mom and Grandma Di have moved into the puppy pen to be her roomie for the next week. Just weighed Sheana this morning and she's right at 9 pounds.

And in their new homes
Scout Johann with his new buds in Indiana

Finn Nelson on the long drive to Ohio
and bonding once the trip is over


So far, the vet visits have gone well. Just in case your vet asks and you don't remember me saying before, I give the puppy shots and do the microchipping myself. And the dosage for Albon is 1.25 cc per 5 pounds (3 cc, or a full syringe for 12 pounds.) Oh, and if you are walking the pup with a COLLAR and lead, be sure the collar fits VERY snugly at first... pups tend to slide right out of their collars VERY quickly. It needs to be tight enough that it CANNOT come over the ears. I suggest not leaving a collar on inside the house, especially if there are tags hanging off it, because they can get caught in the weirdest places and pups WILL choke themselves to death.

And on that note, ta ta.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Cisco's Kids Pix

We can SEE!


At 17 days, the pups' eyes are open and they are able to focus. They are not sure what they are looking at just yet. We can tell the ears are open on a couple pups because they are responding to sudden sounds like dogs barking or the door closing. But mostly they all are sleeping and eating!

More pictures are on the website.

And tomorrow, I'll post some shots of Emy's pups in their new homes.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Two Days, Four Gone

Only three puppies left at home. One left Saturday, three today... and one is going tomorrow, another on Tuesday and the last a week from Wednesday. All are being (or already have been) picked up except Wednesday's child. Which is very unusual. Normally only one or two pups get picked up and the rest are shipped. This morning, when I came back after sending puppy number two on its way, puppy number three wouldn't come to me. Same thing a couple hours later when I went to get puppy number four... had to chase her down! These kids are SHARP! Just about everyone said "Oh, he/she's so calm and quiet!" To which I replied "He/she's on good behavior." Actually, he/she was in a state of shock because some strange two-legged beast was holding it! And half the picker-uppers brought children with them... the first time those pups had seen kids. Poor babies... the pups, not the kids... it's going to be a trying time for the next few days. All these new things to adjust to.

Friday, November 18, 2011

More Good and Not So Good

ALL the boys... yes, all four of them... had their time with the vet yesterday. The good news is there are no signs in ANY of them of shedding coccidia... they are still getting the Albon and I'll still be sending some home with each of them. (More good news: pups like the taste.) The bad news is two of them got carsick... both going and coming. Bummer.

Now, weights:
Blond - 10.4 pounds (6.0)
Black-and-tan - 10.0 (5.7)
Black, most white - 11.6 (6.2)
Black, least white - 11.6 (6.85)

Once again, none of them was particularly impressed with there being more people than me in the world. This is going to be a hard adjustment for all the pups! The vet commented on how "dusty" the "blacks" are... except for Scout (the black-and-tan.) He is still really shiny black.

First grooming
The 50/50 girl spent half the day... all alone by herself with no back-up from me or her siblings... at the groomer. And she looks gorgeous! At least she did when I picked her up. And she smelled good too. She did fine and even relaxed enough to be sound asleep when I showed up to get her. I got the evil eye from her for a moment or two, but once in the car, she forgave me and snuggled up against my leg. She was doing so good, instead of taking her straight home, I did the rest of my running around which involved about 30 miles of travel. We stopped at the bank, the pharmacy and Pizza Hut and at all three places, the people at the drive-thru said "What a beautiful dog!"

When we got home, I almost let her and the rest outside for a while. They've been confined indoors for several days because of the weather. BUT I let Peri and a couple other adult dogs out first and they came in with wet, muddy feet, so the pups have had to make due with running around inside the house.

The blond girl and three of the boys are going to the groomer tomorrow. It would be nice if they all looked as good the next day!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Not Cotton

The dog is a West Highland and the pups are a mix, various colors from tan to black. They look to be about the right age. The dog's owners were there, holding some of the pups. But, strangely, it looked like they were just visiting... no lead or box to take puppies home in. I was too disappointed to ask questions.

Now my last hope is to advertise wanting a puppy before Christmas in the hopes that someone has Cotton and will be looking for homes for her puppies.

Off to the vet
I'm about to head out with the next batch for their departure exams.
Looks to be a long day!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

First Two to the Vet

Some good, some not so good results
The girls, 50/50 and blond, were the first two to visit with my vet. Neither got sick in the car, going OR coming. Both pooped. (Note to those picking up: bring newspapers, towels and bottled water for clean up as well as drinking.)

50/50 has exactly doubled her 8 weeks weight, from 5.6 to 10.12. Blondie has gone from 5.0 to 8.4 (which is more what I expected.) (Note to everyone: weight gains as a REAL predictor of adult size is still just guessing.)

BOTH have nicely colored, formed stool with no blood. Both have some coccidia in their stool. ALL of the pups leaving this weekend will be going home with Albon. (Note: the pups were already started on a prophylactic daily dose of Albon, it will just be continued for an extra week or until YOUR vet decides differently.)

The two girls had eyes the size of saucers as they looked around at all the people. My vet's practice is very large and very busy. And to make things worse, from the pups' point of view, the office is about three-fourths through a major remodelling. There is a LOT of noise, including loud banging. It's a far cry from living in the woods on a private road! Both girls wanted to stay in my lap rather than sit on the exam table, even when I put them up there at the same time. Jane left the back door open whenever she went out of the room and the pups were VERY interested in the doctors and staff walking up and down passed the room. They liked it better when the people were either leading or carrying an animal; they were not so thrilled when someone stopped to talk with me. They lived through the experience and weren't particularly excited OR subdued when they got back with their siblings. (Note: be prepared to let the pups adjust on their own terms... lots of holding and belly rubbing are in order.)

Tomorrow, black with most white, black-and-tan and blond males go in for their exams.

Cotton
Last night, a lady left a message on my phone that she thought Cotton might be at one of the area shelters. She had been up there and there was a dog who had "recently had puppies." Since it was late when I got the message, I went into town at 1 this afternoon, when the shelter opens, to check it out. AFTER spending the entire night thinking I might walk in there and finally find my dog. And the place is closed on Wednesdays. I have been unable to reach the lady this afternoon to get a description... even if she says it is a short haired black Mastiff type, I'll still go tomorrow to see for myself, but all day my mood has gone from high to very low... again.

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Countdown Begins

Emy's pups had a big day yesterday. They received their microchips. They were treated with Advantage (although I haven't seen any fleas for a month or so.) They got drops in their ears. (Dogs with ears that hang down have on going issues with yeast build up and other things inside the ear.) AND they had their nails clipped again. Amazingly, all of them are still speaking to me this morning.

They have become VERY independent. It doesn't matter what I want... they'll let me hunt them down and pick them up and they'll sit quietly while I do whatever I have to do, even if it's something besides rubbing their bellies, massaging their backs, etc. But if I call "Puppy, puppy!" they head for the hills. When it is time to corral them, I fill up the water bowl and s l o w l y pour the kibble into the food bowl... they all come running and bob's your uncle, I close the gate on them. They still haven't figured THAT one out yet.

With the exception of Scout and now Sheana, they handle going DOWN stairs like regular dogs. ALL of them come up in a flash. HOWEVER, when they get to YOUR homes, the stair situation may be a little different for them... most staircases will be darker and longer than here so the pups will have to get some help for a while.

Tomorrow, the first two pups to leave go to the vet for their departure exams. Thursday, the next three do the same. Friday, the first two go to the groomer and I also have my own doctor's appointment. Saturday, I have to figure out how to get the next three to the groomer between sending the first two home!

Folks, pay attention to your email. Last week I sent some info on health issues. Today, it was info on care. And tomorrow, for those of you picking up, I'll be sending directions.

Again, as always, ask ANY questions you have.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Cisco's Kids Pix

Ten days old and growing!
The pups, their parents and Penny are all doing well.
A couple more pix will be on the website in a few minutes.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

A Few Pix of Emy's Pups

More pix on the puppy site main page.

Crockett being welcomed by some of the gang.


Two of the girls.


Crockett and the blond female.

Sheana (mostly white parti) and Scout (black-and-tan) are going through a "I can't get down the steps" stage. And as soon as put them on the ground, they run back up to the deck. I managed to get a couple shots of Scout because he was intrigued with Crockett.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

One Week Old Today

Cisco's Kids are doing great! And Mama Maggie is turning out to be quite the wise dog. She is already feeding and cleaning babies, then stepping out of the nest to nap in front of it where she can protect her youngsters AND still be a part of family activities. They are in Penny's kitchen which is the warmest room in the house with the wood burning stove going most of the time.

A couple people have asked how I am going to get the pups here. Penny lives about 3 hours away and will drive them down once they are well weaned. With 10 pups, I expect Mag is going to wean them fairly early and I'll probably get them around 6 weeks of age. I have several adult females who love pups but are no longer having their own and I plan to let at least one of them become Second Mom.

It will be a rude awakening for the puppies... moving from a house with constant activity on many levels and a boatload of people in and out all the time, to the quiet seclusion here. Going to be interesting to see how quickly they adjust to the changes. The fact that the entire litter is still together will be reassuring for them and it is good preparation for the next change when they all move to separate homes.

Most likely, the first thing I do will be to microchip. Since they don't have any distinguishing markings... at least not yet... it will be difficult to tell one from another. I'm used to keeping the chip scanner in my back pocket, so no big deal! As usual, they'll get their first shot... a "5 way" parvo/distemper combo... at 8 weeks. The second, a "7 way" which is the same shot but with lepto vaccine (don't ask ME why that is SEVEN and not SIX,) will be given at 12 weeks. Depending on the weather, they may or may not be allowed outside. Cold is one thing, wet is another!

At least the holidays will be almost over by the time I get them, so tv shows will be back to regular programming and I'll be spending a lot of time in the pups' room which is where both the tv AND the computer are.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

We're About to Get Winter

This is Duncan who lives in NJ and just turned a year old.
Duncan is a black-and-tan Di/Brogue puppy who used to be very VERY dark. He is on the small side, like his sister, Peri. He is 17 pounds; she is 16. (I know of only one other of my pups who matured under 20 pounds.) Duncan's people, Kate and Tim, report he had a great time playing in the Halloween snow dumped all over their area last week while THEY were on their honeymoon.

The weather here
Dark and gloomy, rain on the way and a big drop in temperature expected. This is NOT going to make Emy's puppies happy. They LOVE their outdoor time every afternoon and I am not sending 7 furballs out to get soaked. Not to mention muddy! Poor babies will have to make due with teasing the big dogs and listening to me tell them to knock it off.

Maggie/Cisco pups
All the female pups are spoken for but there ARE a couple males available. Pass it on!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

This and That

Maggie and the 5 day old pups
This smart gal has already figured out it is easier to feed PART of the litter than all 10 at once. She has them in groups which will work for a week or so, until the pups start moving around the nest on their own. Everyone has settled in nicely.

Emy's pups
Are just hanging out with me. I've started giving them one bowl of adult food every day which they attack like they're starving, even when there is still some puppy food in the bowl. Of course, when I fill the bowl with puppy food, they act the same way. I think they like the adult food because of the much larger size kibble. It gives their jaws some exercise. Since the other day when I let Em outside with them, she doesn't seem to want to join them any more. Still too many climbing on her at once, I guess. Two will be staying until after Thanksgiving. I'm betting her attitude will change then.

Daylight Savings
I am so glad THAT's over! My body was ready for the change a couple weeks ago. Even the dogs were ready... they were sleeping later and later every day. Which is great for me in the morning but really tied me down until early afternoon because the work takes the same amount of time regardless of when I start. I wish we'd cut this changing business out. During daylight savings, I would rather be on regular time... sundown at 10 PM doesn't do a thing for me... and when on regular time, I'd like to stay on it, so leaving things alone would be my first choice.

Winter's coming
And I've done exactly nothing to get ready. The dogs are in the same fix. Usually they start eating a lot more and growing a heavier coat. Not this year. I'm actually using a little LESS dogfood every week and the dogs are about a month behind needing to be clipped again. I judge how severe the winter is going to be by what my critters do and they're telling me it's going to be fairly mild. Problem is, the wooly worms don't agree. They are predicting a colder than normal winter. Not a lot of snow. Guess we'll see exactly WHO is the better forecaster! (I'm rooting for the dogs.)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Cisco's Kids Pix


Here is the entire litter. Aren't these GORGEOUS babies! Some of the blacks have a reddish cast to them. NONE have any white that we've seen.
And 4 pups have back dewclaws (which will be removed tomorrow. FRONT dews will NOT be removed.) Southern legend has it that dogs born with back dewclaws are wonderful "snake dogs."

I'm putting a couple more pix on the website... one of the girls and one of the boys.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Play Day

I let the pups out HOURS ago and they are still going strong. Emy went out with them and played for maybe a half hour. Then she came inside and sat by my feet until I put her back with her buds. By that time, the pups had gotten over having access to her again and were playing all over the yard.

Most of the pups have figured out the stairs. I have to keep my eye on the blond girl because twice she's gone between the spindles and dropped about 3 feet to the ground. Why that is less scary than going down 4 inches from step to step, I don't know. And Finn managed to get between some fence panels that are stacked against the side of the house, into a mud hole left over from summer... only a puppy can get back there and with the rain, well he's given new meaning to "mudbath." Then there is Black Least White who found a Kong bone somewhere in the grass and managed to bring it all the way through the yard and up the stairs to show the other pups... who immediately took it away from him. The bone is probably about a pound in weight so that is some feat for a little guy! 50/50 likes to go up and down the stairs. She entices the others into chasing her and then zips up or down like she had legs longer than 6 inches. Those in pursuit ALWAYS stop before the first step and consider their next move before following her. Scout will often wait at the top because he's figured out she'll be back up in a few minutes and he can get her then. She still hasn't figured out that he's waiting.

Just took a brief break to corral everyone... they were starting to sprawl out all over the room and if they're ready to crash, I want them rounded up first. Now Black Most White is the only pup still awake. He's tearing around the pen, trying to get someone, anyone, to get up and play. They're having none of it!Once he settles down, peace should reign for at least a couple hours.

Most White has a name. She is Sheana. And she is still in charge.

Maggie/Cisco update
All is still going well. The smallest is an "already wheaten" girl while the rest are pretty uniform in size. However, Penny reports the little one is the one who always has a nipple in her mouth. A good sucking reflex is a smaller pup's best weapon!

One thing for everyone interested in getting a pup from this litter, picks will be made at 8 weeks in the order deposits are received. I will not promise anyone a specific pup at this time.

Oh, something else. Someone asked if Maggie's pups will get as much attention at Penny's as they would here. The truth is they'll get MORE. There are a number of people, puppy-loving people, at Penny's house and the boys are always having friends over. The pups get handled a lot... well, they will when Maggie says it's ok. There won't be as many photos, especially individual photos. For one thing, it is harder for me to tell who is who just from a picture so I won't be able to identify the pups individually. However, once they get here, I'll make up for lost time in that department.

Friday, November 4, 2011

SCWT puppy pix

Don't anybody get excited. I "ask"ed for pictures of newborn Wheaten Terrier pups and chose a few to post here. These are NOT my pups. I don't know whose they are. The photos are not identified.
Several hours old, already lightening up.


Notice the difference in shades of these two.


The script on the pix says "2 weeks"


A couple months.
I LOVE this stage... wish they stayed like this!


Whoodle pups generally do not lighten up all over at once like Wheatens do and they take much longer. They also do not go through a "red" stage."
This is a black-and-tan, Emma (from Di and Brogue,) as a pup and at 3 years.

Big Litter!

The total is TEN! Four females, six males. Two of each gender are wheaten and the rest are "black" or "gonna be wheaten!" Maggie is doing a great job with them BUT as a lot of first time mamas are, she is somewhat over protective. She doesn't want you to even LOOK at the pups. It will take her a couple days to settle down and realize everything is okay. Until then, everyone in the house is "ignoring" them. Pictures coming ASAP.

Signature waivers
A word to the wise: a number of people will be sending in their initial deposits and the thing is - time is of the essence - because there are just so many puppies available and it's first come/first served (for families already approved.) IF signature is not waived, the envelope will not be in my post office box. I will have to pick it up at the counter and since I can't stand in line, who knows when things will be calm enough there for me to just walk in and get it. Starting with the NEXT litter, I'll be doing business with a "mailboxes r us" location and signatures will not be an issue.

Shots and microchipping
Several people have asked why those two things are not mentioned in the contract. As I told one person, shots (and wormings) are as basic to raising puppies as feeding them dog food once they are weaned. I cannot imagine a breeder not giving at least one shot (if the pup is leaving at 8 weeks) and two (if the pup leaves at 12.) AND if the puppy stays with the breeder to 16 weeks, the third and last, should be given. (Pups who are at least 12 weeks when they are shipped MUST have a rabies shot but that is part of the shipping fee.) And microchipping is more a benefit to ME... although it is a nice savings for the new families considering what vets charge... as I use it as a means of telling one pup from another when there are a bunch that look alike... such as 6 "blacks" at a time!

The pups go home with a "shot record" detailing what and when it was given, including wormings. Additionally, NOTHING leaves me until it has had a departure exam by my vet. She has a form she fills out and a copy will be with the shot record. (If a pup is flying, there is also a state health certificate. And again, the additional cost is part of the shipping fee.) The microchip number is on ALL paperwork and a pamphlet/registration form for the chip is provided.

Emy and pups
Miss Em took most of the week off from the pups. She's been in their room once or twice to bump noses with them, but has stayed less than a minute or two. They don't seem to mind and don't get excited when she just turns away and leaves. IF the weather clears up for the weekend... it's rained for about 24 hours again... I'm going to let her out in the yard with them. It's always fun to watch her... or any mom... playing with the kids. Moms ALWAYS have favorites and don't make any bones about showing which they are. And Peri has been wanting to play with them as well. Her best bud is Crockett (who weighs about the same as the pups) so the babies should be good and tired every evening.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Finally - Pix (Emy's)

The pictures from last week are on the puppy site AT LAST!

Maggie and Cisco


We have lift off! Maggie is having the pups today. Right now. And she's wasting no time about it. Seven in 2 hours! Several of the pups are blond already and the others are very dark. Penny says they're black BUT this is the first time she's had a first generation litter and she's never seen the "born black but will turn blond just like purebred Wheatens" type pups before. Maggie is being really good with them... they are nursing and she's cleaning bottoms just like a pro. Not sure she's done and the pups haven't been handled yet so idea about the sexes. I'm willing to bet they are male and female!

Big Day for Emy's Pups

Yesterday's weather was pretty good... bright sunshine, in the 60s... if it's the same today, by this afternoon, the ground should be dry enough to get Scout (black/tan) and Finn (blond) out for their photo session. AND they should do more than just hover in the grass.

I opened the door to the deck yesterday and then open the door to the puppy pen. First time that hasn't been a solid wall when they're running around. As usual, Least White was through it in a flash and then right back inside, looking REALLY surprised. Back out she went, jumping up and over the door jam like it was an Olympics event. The other pups gathered around the opening and watched her scurry through the leaves. Then Black with Most White stepped out... and almost fell on his nose because he failed to see the jam was about two inches higher than the floor of the deck. This IS the first time they've had a "step" to deal with. The third pup into the great unknown was 50/50. Eventually, they were all running back and forth. EXCEPT for Finn. No way this guy would ever be mistaken for Marco Polo! He's about as cautious a pup as I've ever seen! It took him almost a half hour to take the plunge. And by that time, two of the pups had managed to make it all the way down the steps and were chasing each other up and down the walkway. Guess which two. Ok, time's up. Those who said the parti girls get an "A." Thinking they might be a little frightened (fat chance,) I went down the steps after them and was surprised when Black with Least White followed me... well, he went down 3 steps and then JUMPED the rest of the way. Before I could grab him to make sure he wasn't hurt, he whirled around and climbed back up to the deck, followed by 50/50. Neither of them had much trouble in either direction. Granted the pups are almost 10 weeks old, but they're still little. And this was their first time around stairs. Most White wasn't ready to go in... she kept running up and down the gravel, not getting close enough for me to get my hands on her. And my two star steps-pupils were busy going down a few steps, waiting for the other pups to follow, and then leading them back up. Even Finn managed to go one step and then get back on the deck all by himself a couple times. Puppies learn so much from each other! They are SO amazing.

And then, an hour after letting them out, I put them back in the pen. They all got a drink, grabbed a couple mouthfuls of food, and went sound to sleep. Except for Finn and Scout... THEY were at the other end of the pen playing The Rock vs Hulk Hogan.

Then, this evening, I opened the puppy pen to let the gang out for their evening play. They made a beeline straight to the door! Which, of course, was closed. So they chewed on the hinge they could reach, the door jam, the bottom of the door. They pawed and dug at the bottom and the floor in front of it. They jumped up and pushed against it. And when none of that worked, they wandered off and did their normal out of the pen for an hour routines, including SOME of them coming to be picked up and the others heading for the hills when I went to get them to be picked up. And every last one of them leaned back in my arm and exposed the belly to be rubbed, I guess under the "if you can't lick 'em, join 'em" premise.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Trip Home

Betsey in Ohio (new mom of Finn, the blond boy) got the jump on all of you by asking about the trip home in the car. The first question was about sending a blanket, etc to put in with the pups to get the litter smell on it and the second had to do with how the pup should ride in the car. To save time, since you're ALL going to ask the same question, I'm cutting and pasting my answer:

I've heard the story about blankets, towels, tshirts, etc too... in MY opinion, it doesn't work. MAYBE with a 6-8 weeks old pup, but an older one isn't going to be fooled. EXERCISE to the point of exhaustion works. (Whether it's you or the pup, doesn't matter!)

As for the trip home, personally, I wouldn't bother with a crate, plastic or otherwise. I'd cover the seat(s) with a blanket and bring towels and let Finn ride on a lap or the seat. It's a good bonding time, reassuring for the pup. He will NOT know how to walk on a lead. You might want to pick up a harness for him, rather than try to take him out with a collar, but I don't know what size to tell you... small PROBABLY but they're all different, so maybe get a small and the next size. You can take one back if it doesn't fit... or if the small fits, you may want to keep the other for him to grow into.


SOME of the pups will probably get carsick, some will not. There's no way to tell ahead of time.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Birthday Pix


Emy's daughter, Cameer, celebrating her 1st birthday (the 24th)
and Cotton's daughter, Coco, whose 1st birthday was the 27th.



The other Emy pups
I got a few pix of some of the Emy/Boon babies who are 9 weeks today. And then the rains came. And stayed! Let me tell you, as difficult as it is getting decent pictures (in focus, pup looking in the general direction of the camera, etc) INSIDE, doing it OUTSIDE was even worse! First off, I had to take them out in groups, rather than all at once, so I would know who was who during the editing process. Since there are 3 blacks, that meant 3 groups. Second, it was the first time the pups have been outside the house which meant they weren't the most active items on the lawn. And whether the group was two or three, they stuck together like glue. In fact, the last group (of two) stayed where I put them WITHOUT MOVING for 10 minutes... while I walked all over the yard to relieve my PAD.
It started off well enough, or so I thought


when these two (most white male and female) stayed where I put them.
And then didn't move again for some time.
My little Raibs Suns girl wandered out into the yard, sniffed them and then went back up on the deck. I got a few more pictures as they tried to figure out where she disappeared to.

And then, there was the group of three...
least white boy, 50/50 and blond girls
who sort of looked at me right at first


but then quickly changed their minds about THAT.