Double Doodle in New Home

Shadow was the first of Keogh and Ost's pups to leave for his new home. Here he is at 12 weeks and 2 days with his new family. Texas is a long way from Tennessee but I've no doubts Shadow thinks Josh was worth the trip!

Bart, the parti male, is leaving for the East Coast tomorrow.

Bud-Light is still available!

Some Sad News

Most of you probably remember my Shar-Pei girl, Lotus Blossom. Last Winter, when I really came to understand I needed to place as many of the dogs that I wasn't "using" as I could, I found her a home with a great guy who lives fairly close. He's a Shar-Pei breeder who also shows and knows his stuff. He's loved her since he first met her when she was a pup. The thing with Shar-Pei is they are never easy to rehome... they are VERY (as in EXTREME TO THE MAX) loyal to their family and just don't fit themselves into new situations with any ease. They are definitely not a breed to place, as adults, with novice owners. With about 10 years Shar-Pei experience, Dwayne was prepared for the situation and even he was appalled at how long it took her to adjust. But, eventually, she did. He was overjoyed when she started acting glad to see him when he came in from work... about 4-5 months after she moved in with him! The whole point of placing her with anyone was she was too nice a dog... a terrific example of the breed, from structure to health to temperament... to just be sitting around MY house, not contributing her good qualities, especially as they are sorely needed in the Shar-Pei world. Dwayne picked out a champion male and when Lotus came into season a couple months ago, bred her. And that's when things went sour. She gained a LOT of weight very quickly... at 6-7 weeks into the pregnancy, she could barely get around. Unfortunately, she was way too pregnant and couldn't carry to term. Dwayne and the vet didn't know that... there was no way to tell... and one night, her uterus ruptured. At the emergency clinic, they found 14 pups in ONE horn and didn't count... at least Dwayne didn't ask for a count... in the other horn. Lotus and all the pups (who were too premature to survive) died. Dwayne is devastated and I'm... well, I keep thinking, if I'd kept her, she'd still be alive. That is the problem with breeding... no matter what it is... dogs, horses, people. Things are really beyond our control and awful stuff happens from time to time.

Another Week, Another Update

Seems to be every 6 days that I manage to get back to the blog. Actually, there isn't a whole lot going on, so you haven't missed anything!

I'm doing well, except for exhaustion which the doc says is about 50% still throwing off the effects of the anesthesia and 50% the heat, both of which should be much improved in 6 weeks. We'll see.

The first Double Doodle pup... Shadow... is moving to Texas (to be Josh's dog) this week and the second, Bart, is leaving for his new home next Sunday. Betty is going to be hanging out here for a bit which means the only available pup is Bud-Light. IF I ever get a new computer (and photo program) I'll take more pix of him... he is going to be gorgeous!

Lucky (formerly Bud) of Jennifer's pups is also still here and has come a long way in the self confidence department. He's NO trouble, so I'm concentrating on getting the younger pups placed first.

The waiting list for the PLANNED Cotton/Boon Fall litter IS open and there are one, maybe two spots still available. Boon has made it clear HE is ready!

Yes, Yes, Yes

I know. It's been almost a week since I've posted. Blame it on my computer which gave up the battle a while back. My energy level remains low... adequate, but I'm no ball of fire... and climbing almost 2 dozen steps to my son's second story apartment so I can use HIS computer is more than I want to even think about more than once or twice a week. My new laptop does not have a dial up modem... they apparently stopped making computers, even desktops, with them some years back. And the two different programs we've bought that are supposed to give you access to dial up have both proved failures. It's probably me, not the programs, but that's the way of it right now. I'm in the market for an older, rebuilt pc since dial up is the only way I can go.

I've appreciated hearing from those of you who have called or emailed. It's nice to know people care!

The dogs are fine... not happy that it has gotten back up in the 90s... and the pups are growing like weeds. They have been very, very good puppies! They get out for a couple hours in the morning and spend most of their time chasing each other in and out of the house, dragging in every leaf, stick, clump of dirt they find on the deck. None of them seems interested in going back down the steps again and I think the two who went down on their own once before probably tumbled down. Peri, my Di/Brogue daughter from last fall, continues to be their willing playmate and chew toy. And Keogh whines and carries on like they were 6 weeks instead of just shy of 11every time they are loose and she is not (so I usually let her out with them as well.)

Right now I can't do photos since my son does not have a photo program on his computer (imagine!) But some day....

Here's the Deal

I don't feel well. I'm fine and I'm able t take care of the dogs as usual. BUT I'm exhausted and in a BAD mood. And my computer has just about died. So I can't work on the website or answer email. If you need me, CALL. 423.239.8057.

Home Again, Home Again

Jiggity jig. And I am absolutely exhausted. A week on ivs will kill any energy you ever had and they didn't remove mine until 5 minutes before I rode out the door. Released with NO (count them... ZERO) restrictions but I think my doc was smart enough to realize, with this heat, I didn't need any. Will take a closer look at all the dogs in the next few hours, but, first, to bed!

Yes, I've Been Gone

But I'm almost back. I'm in the hospital until tomorrow or Sunday. My son is taking care of the dogs and I think it has been good for them AND him. He's the first stranger the pups have had to deal with and they are, apparently handling it quite well. He said they all come running and bounce around whenever he's near them. Even the adults gave up trying to bark him off the face of the Earth. And HE hasn't had to do any dog stuff (or taking care of anyone but himself) since he left home MANY years ago. AND we've had enough rain that Tommy Tomato and the flowers don't need his help. The hospital has a pet visitation policy so Crockett (the hairless puppy) as been in to visit which pleased him and me and confused the staff!

I'll catch you up next week.