LOOK WHAT WE HAVE! May 8, 2007
PUPPIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bree had her pups Saturday night, May 5, nine beautiful babies! There are three boys and six girls.
As always, Bree is the utmost professional when it comes to whelping, like one of those efficient nurses who has everything under control. She is utterly calm and unflustered. You can almost picture her with a pad and pencil checking off her to do list. When I come to visit she is ever so sweet, welcoming me like the proud mama that she is.
Today we started biosensory stimulation with the five neonatal exercises to improve health and intelligence. The pups also had their nails trimmed and weights checked. Everyone is over one pound, significant for a litter this size.
Here are the proud parents.
We have also been getting wonderful reports in from the families who have last year's pups.
Paula in Michigan writes of Gigi, the feisty one (I told her that her pup had a lot of spunk early on) :
Hi Elizabeth,
I just wanted to give you an update on Gigi. We will be starting
intermediate obedience with her at 6 months. She seems to be borderline
between sessions and sometimes the instructor debates on whether she is
ready...Gigi always seems to come through...its like a light goes on and
she realizes what I want...she is awesome. She is very active and is all
heart. She loves to run and we found the perfect outlet...so she can run.
She loves to fetch the ball...we let her fetch about ten times and then
stop, otherwise she would do it continuously. We go on 30-45 minute walks
along country roads daily. We do some city walking because I am working
with her on not to chase cars...the police seem to take an interest in
her. Today we did an experiment with her on tracking and she found me...my
husband and brother could not believe it with their eyes. I was so proud
of her. We are having alot of fun and she is a great dog. The initial
puppy months were a little draining because we have not had a puppy in a
long time...Gigi is so awesome well worth the trying times. In a year or
two we will be ready for another one of your great dogs.
Will keep in touch,
Paula
Paula, that is wonderful that you are able to devote the time and attention to make Gigi into the great dog she will become. Thank you for writing!
Christiane from Wyoming writes of her pup, Dillion, "Elizabeth, thank you for getting the perfect puppy for me. He is fun, loveable and very smart. He is beginning to read my mind."
Dillion
It is simply wonderful to see the pups blend into their new homes. You all are super puppy families! On a sad note, one of the pups was hit by a car and died instantly. Bob from North Carolina writes: " Elizabeth,
On Monday evening around 7:30, Lucy died.
She was with me while I was taking some things out of my truck and just sniffing around in the woods, as she often does. I looked for her and called, she didn't come. Then I walked through the woods and saw her exploring about 50 yards away. I called and she thought I wanted to play and went the other way, toward a two lane road. She had never been there before and as I approached, she kept getting closer to the road. A car came by, maybe 40 mph, she was on the edge of the road, the car stopped and startled her. I was maybe 50 feet away and she wasn't coming back to me. Sometimes when she gets playful like this, I'll turn around and walk away, she comes running to catch up, not this time.
She actually walked back on the road and another car, this time faster swerved to avoid her and a second car following very close hit her at full speed while I watched. She was killed instantly.
We buried her next to Scruffy and included the blue blanket she arrived in.
She gave us much joy and a stark reminder how life is so fragile. What do you say when a tragedy like this falls on your family, we were very attached to her. I miss her nose pushing my head trying to get me to pet her early in the morning or playing hide and seek in our home. Lucy was beautiful and a personality that was so loveable.
I am attaching some recent photos to keep her memory fresh.
Thank you for bringing her into our life,
Bob " It happens. Everyone of you who has lost a dear pet to a car understands. So sad. Bob are hearts go out to you. Here is a picture of Lucy,
Nicole of Illinois writes of her pup, Tuck,
"His weight two weeks ago was a whopping 70 lbs.! It's unbelievable to me, he's not fat by any measure he's actually more lanky but the vet said that now that he's been fixed he'll start to fill out. How big do you think this boy will get? As far as his psychological health, I think he's happy!... Alex and I were just talking last night about how we feel that Tuck is the smartest of all the dogs (forgive me Bema and Sachem!) and absolutely fits in perfectly with our family. I know that part of it is we're better as dog owner's but I give most (if not all) of the credit to the breeding! I know I'm jumping around but how is Wessa? How is her pregnancy going? I hope she is doing well. (Nicole is in line to get a second Candle HIll pup this summer)"
Terry of Arizona writes of Titus:Dear Elizabeth;
Sorry for the delay. These pictures of Titus were taken 3/1/07. I estimate him to be about 47-50 lbs. He was 38 lbs at his last veternarian appointment on 1/26/07. He is a wonderful dog, full of pep. I could out run him before the New Year but no longer. He makes me feel about 20 years younger. Still looking for a female for him. Hope you are all fine. Sincerely, Terry"
Thank you all who have kept in touch. If I missed anyone, please forgive me, just give me a nudge. There have been so many wonderful puppy reports. In the next few weeks, I'll be hoping to get more from the other litters out to you all. We are quite excited to be repeating this fine breeding. Whew! I sure hope the length of this email did not clog anyone's computer. Happy Spring! Elizabeth