April 21st: What was supposed to be the last day in the whelping box... The ability to be flexible is an admirable trait and one I seem to be mastering. After both Purple and Pink, Purple for the umpteenth time, jumped ship last night right as I was ready to retire for the evening, I was shocked to find all pups were in the box when I woke up this morning and again when I got home from work. We'll try again Monday to get them into their new abode. As you can see they're starting to appreciate toys and have already been busy remodeling their wallpaper. The question of the day, do I do a complete tear off and replace of the contact paper or should I just do some patching and go for the decoupage look??? Decisions decisions.....
Finally, this afternoon I got a few minutes... or more accurately stole a few minutes to take each pups photo. I've got a few things to wrap up before I can sit down at the computer to get them uploaded -may or may not get them all done tonight but if not I'll work on them in the evenings throughout the course of the weekend. Busy busy busy here but I assure you the pups are doing great. Getting playful!
Well we're getting a slow start this week! A little of this and a little of that... And almost keeping up.
Yesterday I wanted to pause to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of my past litter as they celebrated the close of their first year. Generally such celebrations are observed on my GMBD's Facebook page where I try and compile a birthday album from some of the best photos I've received from their owners over time. While not all of my puppy people have joined my FB page, many have and say they enjoy seeing photos of their pups' siblings as they mature. Hopefully tonight I can find the time to compile an album as they begin day one of what will hopefully be a great year. Yesterday I found myself thinking a lot about the pups and their owners. As my mind wandered, I was steadily working on a project that now desperately needs to come to completion. As many breeders will tell you, there's a lot more to breeding than just selling pups. I'm here to tell you that's an absolute fact. Some things can wait and some things can't and generally speaking my own needs are those that do the waiting. The needs of the pups -and my own dogs come first. One of the most important jobs as a breeder after doing whatever is possible to assure they are producing pups who are sound of body and of mind is to assure the pups produced are placed in proper homes and with people who have adequate time and space and equally important, knowledge of what they're getting into. I care a great deal for my pups and like most parents, that care has no end. I want them living their lives in homes where they are thought of as not "just a dog" but as a family member. And they are. Even so, sometimes "stuff" happens. Sometimes it's the "stuff dreams are made of" and sometimes it's just stuff. Several months back Boss was returned to me. He walked in like he'd always been here and maybe for that reason more than any, he has found his forever home right here where he started @ GMBD's. Boss turned a year old yesterday and is the most docile, sweet natured pup I've ever had the pleasure to know. It was told to me first that the reason for his return was "kind of personal" but then later that he "just had too much energy" and his owners "didn't feel like they could give him what he needed and deserved". Regardless of the reason, I thanked them for returning him according to our agreement when they welcomed him with open arms. My policy, written or otherwise, it to provide a safe haven for any of my pups in the event "stuff" happens and they are finding themselves in need of a new home... whatever the reason may be. When Boss returned, it quickly became evident I wasn't necessarily set up for surprises. He, at 9 months of age, was still intact and Remedy and Majestic were both in season. I had only two areas for separation and realized then and there that that had to change. So, back to the project I mentioned earlier....with the grounds generally back in order after a huge spring clean up and bon fires that seemed as though they would never end, I called to schedule the installation of a slab in preparation for an additional run. The slab went in last week and none too soon. The day after I scheduled, I received word that yet another GMBD's pup, Boss' sister, would be returning. And tomorrow... Skye will be welcomed home and incorporated to life on the farm. Not sure why it is but "stuff" always seems to rear it's head. As soon as I think I'm going to get a breather, something else pops up. I guess it's called dealing with life on life's terms. I've pretty much come to the conclusion it's pointless to make plans or to formulate any semblance of a schedule outside of anything that absolutely needs doing. With that said, here are your pups. Precious babes that can't under any circumstances be placed on a back burner. As you can see, they're active and seriously busy doing things pups do. Majestic is starting to spend much more time away from them and seems to be doing a pretty fair job of setting some limits. I'm a little surprised they haven't found their way out of the whelping box by now but in watching their interaction with mom it seems she is curtailing their attempts. With that said, I was outside today and through the open window I could hear a pup, just one, barking and or crying in what sounded like utter dissatisfaction. Naturally I went in to check on things and found Purple scampering around all by her lonesome on the bedroom floor. Majestic was on the bed with a look on her face that said, "If I told her once, I told her a thousand times"!
The pups were started on their pate' yesterday morning and will be fed two or three times a day. Three when I'm home and two on the days I work. They seemed to know instinctively what it was when I placed their food in front of them for the first time. They dug right in. Today marked the first of their outdoor adventures. It was short but sweet. I set them first to eat in the kiddie pool and then they enjoyed a snooze before heading back in.Tomorrow I'll make an attempt to get every ones photos done and posted to their pages. They're also due for round two of their wormer and maybe another nail trim if I can fit that in. As far as personality goes, they're becoming quite responsive to voice and for the most part come up to the side of the box to see what's in store. They enjoy a rub and a scratch behind the ear and a few, most specifically Red, return the affection with a lick or two. All in all they're progressing well and right on schedule and their weights are staying fairly even. I'm looking forward to spending more time outside with them over the course of the next couple days. Tomorrow, following a supervised "run-amuck", they'll likely spend a great deal of time just hanging out in their outdoor habitat as I strive to complete my project that has to be finished by Thursday evening. When I say I don't shelter my pups, I mean that literally. Unless it poses any danger to them they learn to live with and become comfortable with whatever projects may be in the works whether it be mopping, mowing or constructing. The more noise and experiences the better as long as it's not insanely loud or introduced so quickly that they find it scary. Goodnight. Enter week four... I've got lots of updates and a slew of photos but right now the pups are callin'.
But first let me apologize. In the past Weebly has always notified me when I received blog comments but apparently not any more. Your comments were noted when I opened the site today and appreciated. And yes, these are some monster pups... I've gotta say I'm ecstatic with this litter! They are robust and beautiful! I have no doubt, though I never do, that each of you will be very happy with your pup no matter which one you end up calling your own. They are barkin' up a storm and beginning to play with each other or should I say bark at and then commence to gnaw on each other. They are quite entertaining to watch! They're also starting to respond to me when I enter the room and come toward voice when I talk to them. Fortunately, they are quick to settle when the lights go off if not before and they're quiet through the night. Next week, their 4th is one that will see huge changes. It's always, with the exception of the week of their arrival, the week I most look forward to. They'll be transferred from the whelping box to the taller metal enclosure equipped with shavings for their potty area, a separate bedding area and given a small water bowl. It usually takes them a while to catch on to the new arrangement but they get it eventually. They'll be introduced to puppy pate' for the first time and also begin the first of their outdoor adventures. That, I am truly looking forward to. I love to watch their initial response. And it's so much easier and much more fun to try and get good photos of them both alone and as a group. Next week marks the true beginning of "work" with the pups. Majestic is already spending much less time with them and more time cuddling up with me. She's a great mom but does begin her weaning process a little early. I must say it's good to have a day of work behind me and to be back to the job I have a true passion for. I came home to a pile of content pups and a momma dog anxious to see me. All the others too. Now with everyone fed and settled for the night and the pups on a fresh set of sheets, I've got a quick moment for an update. I'm proud and happy to report I passed the A.K.C. Inspection with flying colors. No recommendations, just this statement: "You have a beautiful place here to raise pups. Just continue doing what you're doing". :-) The Specifics Should be receiving a certificate in the mail from A.K.C.
All in all I'm a happy woman! |
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May 2016
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