Puppies

We thought we were all done with the whole puppy-breeding business. But our old couple had other ideas.

Mama Jazzi is very scared of travelling by vehicle, so for the last three years, instead of having her permanently "fixed" so that she can't have puppies (because it would involve a traumatic trip to town), we've just managed her heat cycles by separating her from her boyfriend Hooch during the critical times. Well, somehow the two of them fooled us good, because there was a tiny litter of puppies born while I was away in Nashville at the beginning of March.

As things usually go when it comes to America's favorite dog breed, we didn't have a hard time finding a new home for the pups. For eight weeks they were called "Mr. Tubs" and "Little Miss" by the kiddos, who for the first time, really seemed to enjoy the process of caring for baby dogs. Especially our own little Miss, who could hardly bear the idea of not keeping them forever and ever.

As of the last weekend in April, life is back where the Farmboy and I prefer it... puppy-less (to say we got burned out after the years of puppy-rearing is putting it mildly). Hooch and Jazzi are back to their usual retirement schedule of napping, sniffing around in the field, occasional barking about who-knows-what, and exuberant if short-lived chases after balls. And the puppies are now living with forever families in Idaho and Montana, where there will be plenty of love to go around.

Two Years

Two years ago on President's Day, we moved six adult dogs into our new kennel as we took over the Labrador breeding business started by my Father-in-Law. It has been a challenging and rewarding two years resulting in 52 families being sent home with a new furball to love.

Well, this time its our turn.

Introducing Ginger, our very own 7-week-old puppy, who, in two more years, if all things go well, will begin yet another generation of furballs to bring joy into human lives.

A generation that will hopefully contain a good dose of strawberry blondes.

Strawberry blondes that like to chase bubbles,

and hang out with little girls.

Puppies!

I know... I've been terribly bad about posting puppy pictures this time around. Want to see what I see several times a day during their romp and eating sessions?

 

 Their seventh week is almost here... the time they get to go become members of a new family.

We so look forward to that time around here.

For the families whose excitement grows by the day, and for the puppies who will now get undivided attention, and for us, because we get to rest!

The first puppy to leave will go home on Friday afternoon. His name is Rusko. His little face has changed so much since this picture was taken two weeks ago.

There was only one little girl  puppy this time around. Her name is Willow. Her owner tried to get a puppy out of our very first litter, but it didn't work out. Double the happiness for her AND us. We're so glad she got the one she wanted.

This next little guy will answer to the name Bentley... his family have been waiting to meet him for an entire year. They thought they wanted a girl, but he won their heart over the very first time their eyes met.

The resident litter chunk-o pup, who weighs in a full pound and a half heavier than the next in size, is going to live far away in Idaho. His name is Jax. He hasn't had the chance to meet his family yet, but continues to eat his way toward his go-home date with much anticipation.

This not-so-little guy (look how he fills out the weigh-in bag!) just met his new family last night. In our experience, people don't tend to register for a yellow pup when they see that the Daddy is a black and the Mama is a chocolate. But genetics are funny, and there are usually a couple of yellows that end up needing a home. When they arrived at our snowy home in the dark of evening, it was with a wait-and-see attitude. One look at that face and it was all over, no question. This pup is theirs. He might get the name Chaco, but with such short notice (we tapped into our waiting list to find them), they haven't quite made up their mind yet.

 And last, but certainly not least, is our other Bentley. Yes, two families, independently chose the same name. Wouldn't you like to say that you have TWO BENTLEYS parked outside? I would. Although on second thought, I'm not sure they would handle the snow and gravel that well. This Bentley is going to be best friends with twin boys. How's that for the perfect life of a Labrador?

One Week Old

For such little tinies, pups are sure hard work! We're still on every-two-hours-around-the-clock checkups.

I'm ever so grateful that the Farmboy takes night watch. I still have bouts of insomnia now and then, easily triggered by distrupted sleep. He's completely exhausted, but doesn't seem to have a hard time falling back asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

A couple of these critters hit the 2 pound mark by the end of their first week. We like it when that happens. The bigger they are, the better they can get around, the less vulnerable they become, and the less stressed out WE become.

Still no visitors and only minimal handling by the human parents to make sure weight is still being gained and everyone is getting a shot at the Mama when eating time rolls around.

Soon, they'll be big enough for some natural light photography, then let the real ooohs and aaahs begin!

Election Day... and Puppies!

When I was a kid, Election Day was such a big deal to me, even though I wasn't old enough to vote yet. It seemed like everywhere we went, there were flags and banners and patriotic music and old ladies handing out cookies and lemonade.

Perhaps they were raised by a Mother that had to fight for the right to vote.

The courthouse where we went so my parents could fill out their ballots had a long row of secret little stand-up cubbies hidden by curtains. Oh, how badly I wanted to see what was behind those curtains! But no, it was never to be.

By the time I reached voting age, my state had decided to do away with those public voting places and instead go with a mail-in or drop-off ballot. In some ways, I like the convenience of no-pressure, at-my-leisure fill-out-the-ballot evenings.

But when the time comes to drop my ballot in the box, I want FANFARE! I want TRUMPETS! I want little old ladies with plates full of COOKIES! Or at least an American flag.

Agh. So anti-climactic. Months of build-up and debates, commercials and phone polls have been tolerated around here, and all I get is an unassuming box in the lobby of my library?

Well then, at least I can spend the drive there reminiscing about Election Days past, regaling my children with all the reasons why its a privilege to be able to contribute to the political decisions of our country.

And then I can let them drop the ballots in while I say things like "Hooray! Go USA! Go Election Day! Way to VOTE!". Who cares if we get funny looks. This is AMERICA. If you don't like my excitement, go pick another lobby to loiter in.

And then... we may or may not have gone to TCBY for a little post-ballot-drop celebration.
Just sayin'.

Oh, and did I mention that we have a brand new batch of puppies? Hooray for Doc and Lucie! This litter looks to be healthy and growing strong, and will be ready to go to their forever homes by Christmas Eve. How's that for timing?

We plan to do the first weigh in and gender/color check this evening. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Now try to not spend your entire evening fretting in front of that TV screen. This Presidential Election is bound to be a nail-biter, but keep your hands on your stitching and its been scientifically proven that your blood pressure will drop.

Puppies...

Did I tell you that all of the puppies have gone to their new homes now? No? Oops... sorry. Well, the last pup left on Monday afternoon, and I suddenly find that I have time to do a bazillion loads of laundry AND fold them all within the space of 3 days (a personal record, I tell you).

Introducing Lucy...

Zoey...

Ellie...

Jet...

Luke...

Boone...

Sadie...

Bentley...

We get the Spring and Summer off while the Mamas rest up, then once again this Fall, our kennel will be bustling with activity. Can you wait?

Little Ones

I realize that I have been quite remiss in keeping you up to date on the puppies. The last time I posted pictures, they were sleepy little blobs of fur. Well, they aren't so sleepy anymore.

At nearly five weeks old, they are only a few weeks away from going to their forever homes. We usually let our families pick their puppy at the four week mark, but we had the Memorial Service for my Father in Law last weekend, and just didn't want to deal with the extra busy-ness. So this coming Saturday will be the day that these furballs get to find out where they will live and whom they will terrorize for the first few years of their lives (until their brains arrive in the mail and they realize they are supposed to be well-behaved).

We already have an inkling of which pup will be named Lucy, and are pretty sure which ones will be Luke and Rusko. There is also a Fiona in there, and Dungee (as in Dungeness Crab- he's going to a deep-sea fishing family). I think I also heard the names Boone and Agnes, and a few others were being discussed. Its pretty important, you know, this puppy-naming business.

Speaking of puppies, this is often how you will find my own litter, when we grown-ups are busy about kennel chores. Aren't they the cutest ever?

Deadlines

So sorry I have been absent awhile longer than usual. The deadline bugs have been swarming about my head, buzzing and nagging.

I sat down for a few moments to write to you on Thursday morning, and just then, the power went out. We're all a little gun-shy about power outages at the moment. So I went into survival mode, checking puppies, and getting busy with other chores. The power was restored less than an hour later, but by then, all thoughts of blogging were in the past.

In a few days, I will have met all of my deadlines and life will resume at a more natural gait... I hope...
But first... 27 classmates and half a dozen teachers need Valentines tomorrow... there is an exciting project to finish up and send off, a secret that will be let out of the bag at a later date... there are two new releases coming out at the TNNA Nashville show at the end of the month, and one more to be revealed any day now right here on my blog... anyone want to come be my assistant?

Meet Lucie, proud Mama of the quickly growing pups. This is what she does the second you stop rubbing her behind her ears. I think maybe I need to learn to be as demanding as she is. I could use some shoulder rubs myself.

Frisky Puppies

The pups will be 3 weeks old in just a few days. They have their eyes open now, and are beginning to wobble on four legs. The wobbly-ness takes the scary guard dog behaviour to a whole new level.

The Runt

I know you have been anxiously awaiting some more puppy pictures, right?

This is the runt of the litter, weighing in at nearly a pound less than the rest of his siblings, but with no less energy or will to live.

One family on our litter list is completely smitten with him asked for a few extra photos, to which I happily complied.

But I just couldn't keep them in a folder on my desktop. They had to be shared with you all too. Even (and especially) this quite blurry YAWN.

Which was almost immediately followed by a vicious growl and bark aimed at the giant hand that was holding him.

I think I would bark if I was being held by a giant hand too.

Thank You

Thank you all so much for taking the time to pop in and send a message yesterday. Your words felt like big hugs from across the miles.

I feel like there are a million things I have been waiting to show you and write about, but they will still be there in a few days, as I regain my footing and get daily life feeling a bit more normal. It becomes a new normal each time life throws a curveball, doesn't it?

My Mother in Law joined us for a dinner of French Toast last night, and the evening was spent looking at old, old photos and talking about old stories. It was good. We decided that we need to add a standing appointment weekly for her to join us for dinner.

I finished a big sampler last night after the kids were in bed. Really big. I've been stitching on it for a long time, setting it down to get smaller designs finished, then picking it up again. Now to steam it and get a frame ordered. I think she just might be April's calendar girl.

Its raining buckets out there today. Lots of flooding down in the valleys, and our little creek is so swollen we can hear it gushing as soon as we open the door.

The kids are playing ping pong on the wii right now, and their giggles from the other room are a delight to hear.

There are nine roly-poly puppies out in the kennel, growing like crazy and keeping us busy. This coming weekend will be the first chance for their future families to come take a peek. We always enjoy getting to know a new group of Labrador people.

I appreciate you all so very much.