Committed to the improvement of the breed by breeding for health, temperament and better structure in dogs that have the ability to herd.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Ava one week shy of 5 months


The photos on Carolyn's blog were not the greatest of Ava. While it does show her neck and rear angles nicely, the rest I thought was terrible!

So today, in preparation for leaving for the Nationals I bathed the entire crew, did nails, etc. I thought I'd try to get some photos of the Ava-licious girl. I think her front photos are a million times better, and although her neck is not visible in these photos (as she is straining on the table lead) I think the rest of her is ok, well at least better than the last photos i did :)

Lord knows I need another dog savvy roommate, or heck even a neighbor to assist me. Well, that and much more time to table train :)

Her ears are normally not THAT low, although her ear set is a bit lower than I'd like.
Now if we can just get that tail to stop hiding between her legs....

Sunday, April 18, 2010

lots of puppy photos!

This first one is from the other day. I tried to get them all in a row...5 is all I could get.
This is such a cute photo of Momma Ell Bell and the babes today.
puppies with Grandma on their first day out
More photos.....
More cuteness
Brewer (the one i really like) getting some lovin' from grandma
jealousy at such a young age
Nephew Chase with the puppies. THEY LOVE HIM!
Brewer again....

The innocent Bolin
Ballantyne...she is so outspoken outside!
Auntie's leg with some of the pups


Bolin heard about this 'Biscuit' red dog who was trying to win cutest face while stuck in the crate, and so she decided to try to 'one up' him.

Alamo update

Alamo aka "Pip" now resides as a city dog in Seattle, WA.

I was pleasantly surprised to get an email from Ron Stewart. This is what he had to say about Pip:

"
My spring break started today, and there was a corgi meet-up on Whidbey Island - about 200 km south of here. So we got the passports, and headed down.
After about half an hour, I looked up the beach, and Alamo was walking towards me! Only now he is called Pip. I picked him up and held him. An ultimate sweetie. I watched him interact with people and dogs. Loves adult people. Loves toddlers. Loves puppies. Loves adult corgis. Loves big dogs. Perfectly happy in a crowd.
And his people are very nice. He has a great home. He is now the same size as his tiny, 16-month-old "sister." They love to play together.
And Kathleen, who used to hate blue eyes, called them beautiful.
You can see a number of pictures at: http://corgi.meetup.com/102/photos/889981/14438092/#14435709
"

I can't copy the photos to post them, but Pip is the white headed black/white corgi who is hogging the photo ops in most of the pictures, so if you have the time, check them out! He sure is such a handsome little man!!

Friday, April 16, 2010

How could you??!! (have kleenex in hand)

HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.

You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple

of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"

you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd

relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were

terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of

nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams,

and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long

walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the

cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in

the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and

more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted

you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad

decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in

love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still I welcomed her

into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy

because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was

fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother

them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent

most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I

wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to

grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up

on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me

kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because

your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my

life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries

and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the

driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you

produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I

had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every

expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they

will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the

right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only

family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It

smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the

paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They

shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a

middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers

loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take

my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him

about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about

respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my

eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a

deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice

ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made

no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked,

"How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules

allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first,

whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you

that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I

hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of

happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and

waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and

I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet

room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to

worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was

also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears

weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every

mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down

her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many

years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt

the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down

sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She

hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a

better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have

to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this

earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her

with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will

think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue

to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as

you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the

composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year

in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on

your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin

boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an

important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care,

that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your

responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can

offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part

to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to

prevent unwanted animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it

could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love

UNCONDITIONALLY.

Now that the tears are rolling down your face, pass it on! Send to everyone

in your address book and around the world! This IS the reality of dogs

given up to shelters!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

pupdate

Rayna was here this past weekend and she took a gazillion photos of the puppies. Ava absolutely loves the puppies and thinks that they are all gifts for her, to be played with, chewed on and chased at her desire.



Such cuties :)

And then we did some table time. They aren't wonderful at this yet, and had just eaten some yummy fresh goats milk and ground chicken.

We got some 'ok' front shots, however the sables/reds were adamantly opposed to sitting still so they are both pulling back. Excuses aside they are just 5 weeks old and having seen several dozen litters' photos, I can only guess as to if the smallest will turn out to be the best, or the best now will fall apart. That's why I love mentors :) And although I have those I am leaning towards (Bolin, Belmont, Brewer and Booth) that does not mean I know what I am talking about. I can't WAIT to hear what everyone thinks of them at the nationals! I'm crazy to bring them all, but crazy not too :)

Introducing:
Brenner

Bolin

Belmont (a.k.a. Bella)

Ballantyne (a.k.a. Tinie)

Brewer

Booth

Bannick


Monday, April 12, 2010

Daisy

Daisy is shown here in the photo. My friend Rayna and her family came here this weekend and we got a lot of puppy play time in. She took a zillion photos of the puppies playing and we tried stacking them on the table. Well let's just say we got some nice front photos but that's about it.

So until she sends me the rest, here is Daisy. She isn't stacked here, but its a fairy good shot of her shoulders and neck and profile, although she isn't stacked in the rear. She isn't high in the rear or any 'rise in the loins'. Her and Zoe are CHIC dogs pending OFA database additions. Ell is nearly there as we haven't done her official hips yet, but we will be doing that shortly.

Daisy is officially Merrymoon-Pluperfect Panache and is out of Merrymoon Firestorm (Hunter) and Pluperfect-Merrymoon Popover.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

updated video...whoops! I mean photos

I've been trying to upload a 3 minute video of the puppies playing for the past FOUR days. It uploads for a good seven hours and then it stops uploading and says 'error'. UGH

No one wanted to see cute puppies rolling all over the box and each other, anyway right?

:)

So photos will have to suffice. sorry!

The first two photos are from the 7th. The rest are from today :)


Below from top left and clockwise is sable/red male, red brindle girl, brindle pointed black girl and sable/red girl.
The four in the litter box are left to right: red/sable girl, brindle pointed black girl, black brindle male, brindle pointed black male. Three is the box are the tan/light brindle pointed male in the doorway, the red brindle girl and the sable/red boy on the plate. No fluffs by the looks of it!! :)
The four in the litter box. They now think its a great play/sleeping area. its also closer to momma.
Just so everyone knows the bad dog of this litter is the sable/red boy. And also the most dramatic, howly (is that a word?), most alert puppy. :)

Sable/red girl. Do you think she'll retain that mask?Sable/red male. He has lost his mask already. He has a face that I just love.......
red/sable girl and the black brindle pointed girl contemplating their next moves.....

Monday, April 5, 2010

Mitcham

I haven't talked much about the 'Big Hairy Beast' as he hasn't been here to talk about! He left two days after Ell had her puppies to go out with a handler to find those last three single points. It turns out with the minute amount of class Briards in the country, I am having to pay the big bucks to get his CH. There are no Briards in the upper midwest to show against. All the bitches and dogs that needed to finish, did so this summer. Now its just Mitcham who needs a few single points. And the other dogs that ARE out there are few and far between. REALLY FAR! He did get a single point in York, PA the one day there was class competition! I had entered all 5 days, and there were points only on saturday and sunday. On sunday, the other dog didn't show up! Chicken.

I don't mind losing, but I do hate paying for entries and then having the competition not show up!

So now he sits at 13 points, with three majors (all cross overs btw). And with no new litters in the works in this region, it looks like we'll keep on searching for those points.

Even his breeders don't know of anyone with another class dog to compete against. I'd just like that opportunity to do that. Compete. The specials out there are all in amazing adult coat, with several years of work of grooming with their handlers. Mitcham, although he is really nice, just can't compete with age and coat length and ears that aren't still being glued and banded!

Time to check the lambs again.

I do miss the Big Hairy Beast. I hope he's home in time to help socialize these puppies! But I do know he is having a blast with his handler and getting completely spoiled with her. And he doesn't seem to miss me....

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Say Thank You to Penni!

I was totally surprised to see a flash drive in my mailbox today when I walked with the dogs to get the mail. It seems these past few weeks I haven't really done much except go to stores that I need something from (milk, bread, cereal, or gas.....or dog related items). Who ever thinks about getting something i 'want' like a flash drive?

So I took it as a subtle hint that I needed to put more photos up of the babies :) So thank you Penni. It was very unexpected, but very welcomed! :)

For your enjoyment the pups are 4 weeks old today. They are eating as much as they can eat, three times a day of ground beef heart, raw goats milk, ground chicken backs/necks, ground beef with organ meat, or cottage cheese, or a combo of any of the above.

Below is Mr. Rooster and the black boy who I think could be black brindle. I still don't see 'points' on him, and since I've never had one before, have no idea.
Here is the pack feeding.
The pack is sleeping after an engorging.
Here is the red/sable girl sleeping. Full belly.
Here are the red pups (girl on left, boy on the right) They are getting cuter by the MINUTE!
The red/sables again....oh and that adorable red brindle girl too :)
The tri boy. He sure doesn't look tan pointed any more. I think he just has the bright brindle points. Thoughts?
For as nice as the pups are utilizing the 'yesterday's news' litter pan, they are also making the most of it and its now become multi-faceted as a nap area as well. Oh well....they have the basics down.
I'm still lambing. In the past 72 hours I've had 15 ewes lamb...I think. I have another 25 to go. Before April 7th. I'm crazy. Yes, more than you thought.