Correction

In my note to Bob Baffert on Sunday...
please ignore my kicking him in the head. It was not Baffert who got the love tap from one of his horses. It was Wayne Lukas. They don't even look alike!

Cooper is 8 years old
Cooper is a Shadow son, one of my Doodles. And he looks a lot more like his dad than his Mom! In either pose!

Esther
Guess who discovered her mom's food bowl today. She's had her nose in it off and on all day but I don't think she's eating much. She's licking the bowl. And there are lots of kibble bits scattered around. She probably won't really get into solid food for another week or so. Her mom's milk is a lot easier for her and there is plenty of it. Both she and Peri are getting bored. I've heard whimpers from each of them all day. That's one of the drawbacks of single puppy litters... mom is tied up with puppy entertainment which she wouldn't have to do if there was another pup or two to play with. But Peri refuses to stay away from Esther for any length of time IF she is in the house. I can send her outside and she runs all over the yard for an hour. I let her out in the bedroom this afternoon... Esther was sleeping... and Peri drove me nuts running back and forth to the pen from under the bed. I couldn't concentrate on Judge Judy!

This weekend I think I'm going to grab one of Emy's pups and put her in with Esther. (I say her because there are more of them than hims.) I'm hoping putting the older pup in a strange location will disconcert it enough to give Esther time to get comfortable with the invasion of HER space. Maybe by the time they both adjust, things will go smoothly and quietly. Peri will definitely be outside.

Shots this weekend
Emy's pups will be getting the first of 3 shots they'll need before they are 16 weeks old. This one is a "5-way" which is for (actually AGAINST!) parvo, distemper, hepititis and a couple "flus." Sometimes a pup or two will feel a little under the weather for 24 hours or so. That's why I don't let pups go home the day after they get a shot.

Speaking of going home... just in case you missed it the first time around, I will not be shipping or allowing any pick ups on Mondays or Tuesdays. My groomer is closed Sundays and Mondays and since every one has to go to the groomer the day before they leave....
Also, I'll do just one shipping and up to 2 pick ups on the same day.
Wednesday the 18th is booked up.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you who can make it here. I love the looks on people's faces when they see their pup the first time!

Weights, Pix in New Homes

First four out the door and the families I've heard from say they are settling in nicely.

This is Millie (pink unicorn) who weighed in at 14 pounds


And this is Lulu (teddy bear) who was 14.2 pounds


Amos (Brown/tan dog) who moved to Indiana was 16
while Gray unicorn was 17.1 when he left for NC.

The last of the girls, Dino, who is leaving on Saturday, weighs 16.6
while the other Saturday departee, Brown/white dog, is a solid 18 pounds.
Pony, moving out on Sunday, is 17.25.
Reindeer is hoping he'll find a home soon, before he gets much bigger than his current 17.75.
The last boy, Black/white dog, is the largest in the litter at 18.5 pounds.

These weights are HUGE increases from the 6 weeks weights of 3.25 to 5 pounds. Because of how quickly the pups are growing, my vet and I have decided they need to be weaned off their super hot puppy food and put on JUST adult food which is much lower in protein and fat. Too rapid early growth leads to hip problems and other structural maladies like elongated tendons.
Also, FREE feeding is what the pups need. This means giving them access to food and water 24/7. They will NOT overeat and as long as they aren't getting a lot of "treats," will maintain their perfect natural weight. Puppies eat a little at a time but often. As they mature, you'll see them eating less often but more. Eventually, each will set his own schedule and eat at the same time(s) every day.

And re: shots. I give them. I use the same types and brands my vet does and my shot protocol is set as she advises. Just in case YOUR vet wants to know.

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.