Emy and a Puppy Pix

No, not Emy's puppies. But she is so big and "pointed" I've already got her set up in the whelping pen in my bedroom. According to the calendar, she has about a week to go. Something I've noticed over the years... dogs don't ever look at calendars!

Ciscos Kids
Chase ("pony") and pal
Chase weighs 31 pounds at 5 months. As usual, the pups have done something I wasn't expecting... after their tremendous growth between 8 and 12 weeks, they slowed way down. It is going to be interesting to see how big they end up at maturity.

To those of you with Maggie/Cisco pups, I would appreciate hearing from you once they turn 6 months. I am really interested in how big they are. And if you've had any problems, especially if they are unresolved, or interesting behaviors, I'd like to know about those as well.

Kentucky Derby
The prep races leading up to the Derby on May 5th are over and once again the field is wide open. A has beaten B who ran all over C who then beat A by a head. The horse who won at 109-1 odds a couple weeks ago ran yesterday and came in last. At this point, I don't have a pick. I've checked out everyone's pedigree back 5 generations and they are all kissing cousins if not more closely related. And none of them stands out as a superstar. I would love to see a Triple Crown winner again, but doubt it will be this year.

Getting close!

As big as Cotton has gotten in the last week, it is hard to imagine I ever had doubts! Now all I have to do is wait! Three of the four reservation spots are taken and the fourth may be as well. BUT she looks like she's going to have twice that!

Riley
Got this birthday photo of Riley. Jim and Helen say "We can't imagine our lives before we had him." Riley has gone from 6 pounds when he was picked up to 29 pounds. And look at those long legs!


The Derby
What an exciting Kentucky Derby. Even if none of my picks was in the top 10! The horse I was really watching... I Want Revenge... was scratched early Saturday morning and the 3 others I was interested in... Freisan Fire (I love his name and his Eight Bells connection,) General Quarters (love the background story and his low price) and Mr. Hot Stuff (love his big "puppyish" gangliness and his perserverence in the only race I saw him in, the Arkansas Derby, I think)... just didn't have it. But as I was watching the leaders round the turn and head down the stretch, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and got to see the incredible "been nice fellas, gotta go now" run Mine That Bird made. He went passed everyone like he had lights flashing and the siren on! And his jockey's sheer joy was so much fun to watch. (The trainer, on the other hand, could have used another pain pill!) And just to show how little I really know about horse racing, I don't think Bird has a chance in the Preakness. Been waiting all these years for another Triple Crown winner... just don't think it's going to happen in 09.

Columbine, the book
Dave's book has moved up to #3 on the New York Times best seller list. Got my copy from Amazon a few days ago and am several chapters into it. As I said before, it's not a subject that has any real interest for me BUT it is easy reading and Dave makes the people real.