THIS ENDS DOODLE DIARY...THE 1ST YEAR. PLEASE SEE DOODLE DIARY...THE 2ND YEAR.

September 5, 2004...

Ellie just left with her new family.  They seem to really love her.  What kind of horrible cold hearted person am I?  I didn't even cry.  Actually I don't feel much of anything.  Maybe I did a good enough job telling myself all along that she is not mine and would some day go to another home.  

All of the puppies are in their new homes.  Now it is only Koby, Velvet, and Deni.  I need to concentrate on their grooming and obedience training.  I have been sadly lacking in both areas.  Right now I am going to sign off here and go give them all baths.

This would be a good point to end this segment of the doodle diary and begin "Doodle Diary...the 2nd Year".

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September 4, 2004...

Waaaa    Ellie is going home tomorrow!!  She is going to live in Michigan with a family who has asthma and allergies.  They have a 12yr old daughter who really misses the poodle that she had that died a couple of years ago.  This will be a great family for Ellie.  They are going to bring her back in a couple of months for another surgery with the surgeon that we have.  I also said they need to send pictures.

Whew!  Zak made it to his new home and his family loves him.  They think he is adorable and want to keep him.  She isn't going to have Teri and Bry stay at a hotel for awhile while she decides if she wants him.  She knows she wants him.  She wanted to make sure I'll be home today because she is planning on calling me a million times. - update - they have called about 6 times already today.  They seem to really like him.  I'm so glad.

Deni is outside.  Velvet and Koby are here in the living room doing the pre mating dance.  Ellie is laying near me quietly chewing on a bone she brought in from outside.

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September 3, 2004...

Well, Bryony and my sister, Teri, and Zak are 3/4 of the way to Zak's new home.  Traffic has been horrible.  His new mommy is having serious 2nd thoughts about keeping him and has already made tentative plans on sending him back home with Teri and Bry.  I have already held on to him for an extra 5 weeks so they could go on vacation, and now this....  Really I don't want her to keep him is he isn't just what she wants, but I am frustrated.  Who is going to want a 13 week old standard black male hair coat?  I have invested more money and time in him so it doesn't make good business to lower the price.

When I walked in the living room this afternoon I caught Velvet and Koby mating.  Poor Velvet was trying to get away but they were in a firm tie.  She was probably thinking:  Nooooo not again! I still haven't gotten rid of all the puppies from the last 2 litters!

I trimmed Velvet's bangs.  She can see now.

Have I said lately that Ellie needs a new home?

I had a couple of wacky dreams last night.  In the first one, one of my fellow homeschooling moms had a litter of 13 puppies (as in they came out of her body) and she tried to nurse them but couldn't finish feeding them all before it was time to start again.  In the second one, I was looking at Koby's face and saw a scar on his lip where he had obviously had a cleft lip repair.

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September 2, 2004...

Wow, everybody had a clean and dry night.  I took all the dogs/puppies out around midnight.  Ellie slept in the master bed/bathroom and the rest were loose in the living room.  Zak slept right beside Bryony on the floor.  When I got up at 6:30 I took them out again and looked at all their favorite spots.  No messes or puddles.  Yeah!

Ellie can't go out in the back unless I'm there with her.  Yesterday I let her out back with the rest of them.  About 15 minutes later the neighbor across the street called to let me know Ellie was on the front porch.  That little stinkpot.  She can fit under the gate. I think I've figured her out.   When I take her out front to potty, she is still off leash.  If she is playing and in one of her puppy manic modes, I need to keep letting her play and wait to take her outside when she is more mellow.  She does just fine then.

It is 7:00am.  We need to leave in 1/2 hour to take Zak to the vet that is 1 hour away.  Then Ellie has a vet appt with a vet that is 1/2 hour away in a different direction at 11:30.  I need to call and make an appt for Koby to have his stuff collected and sent to the canine semen bank for safe keeping.

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September 1, 2004...

Today has been exciting.  First, I got a phone call from the Indianapolis Monthly magazine.  They are sending a photographer over next Tuesday to take pictures of the doods.  Then I got a package from UPS.  It was a big box of Kong dog toys.  There are more than 50 kongs in there.  We finalized the arrangements to send Zac to his home.  My sister, Teri, and Bryony are driving him there Friday.  He is moving to Long Island.  It will be a long trip.

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August 31, 2004...

Koby must be taking a break today.  He isn't paying much attention to either girl.  Velvet is standing and flagging for him, but he isn't terribly interested.  

I should probably clarify again that Koby is not related to Deni.

We received pictures of our new little female puppy.  She is about 3 weeks old.  She is a cream color and will be 30-45 pounds full grown. She's an F2B.  I think we will name her Pearl instead of Goldie.   I really need to find a husband for her.

Today I've been working on making pedigrees for the puppies who went home without a name.  I need to mail those along with the registration transfer papers.  I registered all the puppies with the International Labradoodle Association.  I lost a very important notebook that had the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the families.  It also had the waiting list.

Oh oh...I've been meaning to tell you the funniest thing that Farm Girl did.  (Her new name is Chocolate Latte', called Latte', pronounced Lottie).  She was out on the farm with her human dad.  She went off by herself for awhile and came back with something in her mouth.  Her dad saw it and thought she was bringing him a toy so they could play.  Then Latte' presented him with a perfectly intact healthy baby turkey.  She was soft mouthed and did not hurt it at all.  A few minutes later she brought him another.  It seems she found a turkey nest and was retrieving them.  She is a natural born bird dog.  A little bit later they heard a squeal and saw the mother turkey chasing Latte' to the house.  

Today is my sister's 43rd birthday.  Happy birthday Teri.

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August 30, 2004...

Poor Deni...she made the mistake that so many young women make.  She let the handsome older stud have his way with her and now he is finished with her.   Now he has turned his attention to another woman.  Velvet has been trying to get his attention for about 4 or 5 days now but he was too busy looking at the sweet young thing.  Now that he has sullied Deni's reputation he has turned his eye back to the tried and true Velvet.

If Deni gets pregnant from their indiscretion, the babies would be due Oct 13.  Velvet is on day 3.  That would make her babies, if she gets pregnant, due Oct 31.  Oh my gosh!  Do you know what that means?  Our whole family (dad and s-mom, siblings and their families, and us) are all going to a resort in Mexico November 6-13.  We would have 2 young litters at home at the time.  Oh my gosh, how in the world are we going to get someone to watch Jill and a million puppies and dogs and clean up all that poop?  Oh well...now I need to calm down and not count my chickens before they are hatched.  Deni is young and may not even get pregnant.  Velvet just had a large litter and will probably not have such a large one this time.

Zac's family is ready for him to go home to them.  Now we are trying to figure out the logistics.  He is much too large to fly in the cabin.  My sister has offered to drive him out there.  She could take him Thursday at the earliest.  If he goes as cargo in the plane, it would be Wednesday at the earliest.

Now about Ellie (I can't go a whole day without talking about her)...I should stop actively looking for a home for her and just wait until a family looks for us.  In the meantime I need to start working on therapy work with her.

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August 29, 2004...

We (we meaning me) have been working on the obedience with all the dogs and puppies.  They are doing really well.  The last time I really concentrated and worked on it was when we only had Velvet and Grammie.  (O.K. I admit, obedience is not my passion).  Then I always worked with them individually.  They would do well except if the other one was around, then they wouldn't sit or anything.  Well now I'm working with them in groups.  Koby and Velvet work together; and Deni, Zac, and Ellie are the other group.  They do just fine except they try to get the other's treats.  When I first started working with Ellie I let her lick a scant amount of liquid food off a spoon as her reward.  Then in one session I gave Deni and Zac spoonfuls of cheesy scrambled eggs as their reward and Ellie got to lick the spoon after them.  Now Ellie is content to just work for praise.  All of them, even Ellie, sit on command very well.

During the middle of the night last night I thought Ellie was sleeping beside my head on the pillow.  I started groggily petting her and she started purring?!  That's when I realized is was Mike the Cat.  Speaking of Mike...Bryony found out that when he ran away from my sister's house (my sister lives 3 houses from us) we went to a neighbor's house who lives 3 houses down from her.  Eventually we will take him back there.  Bry told the girl who lives there (every other weekend) that he has been hanging out at our house and she can come get him.  For some reason she didn't come over before she went back to her other house.

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August 28, 2004...

The puppies that Koby sired with Sunny of Sierra Vista Labradoodles are beautiful.  I really need a second stud and would love to have one of those babies...except they are Koby's babies so would do me no good.  A need a non related stud.  Maybe I should start contacting some other breeders to work out a trade.

Speaking of studs...Koby is a hard worker and takes his job seriously.  Today I was bringing him inside and letting Deni outside when they got together.  It happened so fast.  

A family from the next town over came over to see our doods.  They are going to be a guardian family.  I'm so excited, they only live 15 minutes away.  They are even willing to have a male.  Since I don't have a another stud picked out I will probably place a female.  They prefer a standard size, so not sure if I will place the F2B I'm getting or one of Velvet's pups from her next litter.

Ellie is just about to loose her off-leash privileges.  She is getting bigger and stronger and more adventurous every day.  She is starting to not come when I call her and sometimes actually runs from me because she is not ready to come inside.  Today I let her play in the back yard with the others for a few minutes when the family was here.  She sure does like playing with Zac.  She barks and growls (sounds so cute) and nips at him.  She is really fluffy and cute.  She slept in bed with me most of last night.  My husband is so wonderful, he didn't even complain.

Speaking of Zac...last night made 2 nights in a row that he slept in the living room, not in a crate.  He didn't poop in the house either night.  I really don't know if he peed inside or not, probably did.  Today he was playing inside and just stopped and peed right where he was.  I thought he was doing so well.

 

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August 27, 2004...

Ellie is doing extremely well eating and drinking by mouth.  She is filling out quite nicely.  She weighs 8 3/4 pounds. She seems to be getting the hang of drinking by mouth.  She takes a few slurps then sits up and holds her chin up while swallowing.  She doesn't sneeze as much now.

Poor Deni keeps trying to "do" Zac.  Not only is he only 13 weeks old, but he's already been neutered so has no clue what she is doing.  He just wants to play play play.  They do play together nicely.  Zac and Ellie also play together well.  The three of them playing together look so cute.  They are stairstep.  Deni weighs about 45 pounds, Zac about 26 pounds, Ellie 8 3/4 pounds.  They look like they are from 3 different litters.

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August 26, 2004...

Koby is a very happy man.  Last night he took Deni on a honeymoon...oopsie.  I was vacuuming the carpets thinking everything was under control.  Deni was outside, Koby was in our bathroom, and Jill was playing in my room with Bry (or so I thought).  Next thing I knew I was looking out the open back door at Deni and Koby standing back end to back end in a firm tie.  Poor Deni, although she wasn't complaining.  If those 2 were human, he'd be in jail for doing jailbait.  They complained a lot today at being separated.  Today I noticed Velvet was acting all flirty with him and he was showing lots of interest in her.  He loves his job.  

I am still looking for the right home for Ellie.

Also I am looking for local (Madison and surrounding counties) families to discuss the guardian family program.  

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August 25, 2004...

Ellie got to run around with us today.  She went to the retirement community where my mom lives and visited with a few of the folks there.  Then she went to the hospital where I work (or did work before Ellie was born).  A mom of one of the pediatric patients came over and petted and talked to her and to me for a long time.  Ellie was so calm that she just laid down on the counter and fell asleep while this mom was petting her.  She was not at all phased by the sights/sounds/smells of the hospital.  After we left there we went to the bank.  Before I got out of the van when we got to the bank I put on the carrying pouch that I used to carry  Ellie in.  She got so excited when she saw me putting it on.  She sat on the seat by me and just watched with enthusiasm.  I put her in it and took her in the bank with me while I did business there.  

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August 24, 2004...

Ellie got her feeding tube out today.  That is so exciting.  She is like a normal pup now.  Well, except for this gaping hole in the side of her neck.  On the way to the vet Bryony was holding her and noticed a knot on the side of her face.  I showed it to the vet when we go there.  She started looking at it and squeezed it.  ooo you know what happened then don't you?  Yup, it squirted blood and pus on the vet's face and lab coat.  Thank goodness she wears glasses.  She admitted that is why she wears glasses and not contacts.  It seems that when Koby so kindly pierced Ellie's right ear the other day he also pierced her face.  It got abscessed.  I'm to watch it and make sure it heals.  Anyway, about her palate and feeding tube...Her cleft is not totally mended but it is much better than when she started.  The surgeon admitted today that Ellie's was one of the worse she has repaired.  I thought that was odd, I thought it was minor.  Maybe they just told me that originally to keep my hopes up.  She wanted to remove the feeding tube and let Ellie eat and drink by mouth and see how she does.  Then she wants me bring her back in 2 or 3 months for another repair attempt.  She will spay her at that time.  She does not have to have another surgery as long as she is eating well.  If she doesn't get repaired then she will have a runny nose and sneeze all the time.  She will also be at a greater risk for aspiration pneumonia.   My tentative plan is to fly out with her to her new home maybe next week.  Then fly her back in several months for her surgeries.  I am going to be super picky about where she goes.  What I want for her is to be not only a therapy dog where she can bless others, but also a very beloved family pet.  I want her to be part of the family and go everywhere they go.  It is tearing me up to think what will be going through her mind when I turn around and leave her.

Deni  is licking my foot.  I must be delicious.

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August 23, 2004...

Today is Koby's 3rd birthday!  He got a nice thick raw T-bone steak.

Oops   First thing this morning I heard from Zoe's new family.  They took her to a vet and found she has ear infections in both ears, and she has worms.  I even had her to the vet...when was that? last week or the week before.  I have de wormed her every 2 weeks, including Saturday.  I will reimburse them for the bill and for the treatment.  

I got an inquiry today from someone who has a grown puppy from Velvet/Chester (Koby's dad).  They want another Velvet pup.  That is so cool.  They said that if I ever need a recommendation for Velvet's pups to let him know.

Oski's (a pup from this past litter) family sent a snail mail letter today with pictures.  He is absolutely gorgeous.  I hope we get more just like him.  They say he is doing well and learning new tricks.  The kids main goal was to get him to fetch balls.  He is doing that.

Ellie has an appointment in the morning with the surgeon.  It's looking like she will not have any more surgeries.  No, the cleft is not fixed.  I will tell you the details after I talk more with the surgeon.

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August 22, 2004...

We just got back from taking Zoe (Lady) to her new home.  That was a 12 1/2 hour trip.  We were only at their house for about 1/2 hour at the most.  Yuck, that took far too long.  Thank goodness my sister went and drove us there.  That was so nice of her.  Also accompanying us were Ellie, Jill, and Bryony.  We did have fun in the van.  We sang songs in our most beautiful voices (hmm, you can't hear the sarcasm in my voice so I have to tell you about it).

Zoe's family really seemed to like her.  It's a good think Ellie went too.  She really made Zoe look like an angel.  Well, that is because she is.  Ellie was nipping at Zoe's legs, and jumping on her, and barking at her.  Zoe just ignored Ellie and acted like she was just a pesky little kid.  That really impressed her new parents.

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August 21, 2004...

Today I finally took apart and put away the whelping and weaning boxes.  I bought a cage with a divider for Ellie.  Right now she is asleep under Jill's high chair.  She is so cute, her little tongue is sticking out of her mouth.  She is getting bigger and weighs  7 pounds now.

Do you remember about that stray cat we started feeding a couple of weeks ago?  He seems perfect for us.  He spends most of his time sleeping up in Bry's loft bed.  That is what Bry wants, a cat to hang out with her.  Well, yesterday he was making a rare appearance and sleeping on the coffee table.  My sister come over and looked at him funny and asked who he is.  We told her about this fantastic stray cat that we named Zaps (because he is the opposite of a spaz).  She looked funny and whispered "That's Mike".  Mike was her cat that ran away a few months ago.  She was kind of glad because she didn't like him all that well.  He was not nice to her other cat, Zac the Cat that we rescued and gave to her.  I laughed so hard.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.  We just love this cat, he is a great fit for us.  I hadn't thought is was Mike because this stray cat is neutered and her Mike was not.  She is certain it is the same cat.  Seems someone took him in and had him altered between the time he ran away from her and came to us.  We do let him outside a couple times a day.  I don't want to keep him from going home if he chooses to.  (We live out in the country).

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August 20, 2004...

Lady has a real name now, it's Zoe.  She is going home Sunday.  She and Zac are both doing well with "sit" but not with potty training.

So far we have done well with keeping Deni and Koby separated.  We don't want any Oopsie Doodles.

Ellie keeps getting into the dog and cat food and eating it.  It doesn't seem to bother her at all.  She does just fine eating dry food.  She sneezes after she eats anything liquid and it comes out her nose.

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August 19, 2004...

Koby is a new dad again.  His long distance girlfriend had 6 puppies this morning.

Right now Velvet is sleeping on the coffee table, Deni is sleeping on the floor by me, Koby is sleeping in the bathroom, Zac and Lady are sleeping in the big cage in here, Ellie is sleeping in the whelping box, and Zaps (the cat) is in Bryony's bed. They play hard and they sleep hard.

Lady is doing very well with "sit".  They aren't doing as well with potty training as I would like.

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August 18, 2004...

I just got off the phone with someone who called to inquire about Ellie.  She got my number from The Gift of Sunshine, Inc.  The place I called to see about donating Ellie to their program.  This person called them to see if they had a dog for adoption that maybe didn't pass the program due to health issues or something.  They referred her to me about Ellie.  She likes the idea of rescuing dogs, but really doesn't feel comfortable rescuing a stranger from the pound for her program.  She does pediatric pet therapy.  She also has a 2 yr old who is allergic to dogs.  After talking for awhile, the only potential problem may be the possible vet bills.  The therapy she does is volunteer so she doesn't have a lot of money to spend on ongoing vet bills.  I told her it will be several weeks before we will know about Ellie's future health.  She has surgery a week from today (the 4th on her palate, and 5th surgery all together).  I'm really hoping that even if the surgery doesn't work that she won't have ongoing health problems anyway. This could really work out.  She wants a dog that will be good for the therapy, good with her 2 year old, and that she can take everyplace with her.  She wants the dog to be a cherished part of her family.  Sounds like someone I can feel good about donating Ellie to.

Speaking of Ellie... I have to address a question that I keep hearing and that bothers me.  That is "Don't you want to keep her?" and "How can you give her up after all this?"   Yes of course I want to keep her...and...It's going to tear me up to give her up.  Something that puts it in perspective for me is that we adopted our human toddler when she was a newborn.  We met with her birthmom face to face between the time she had the baby and when the baby was placed with us.  She was in so much emotional pain it was truly heart breaking.  Still, she did what she felt was best for her baby and also for her.  Giving up a puppy is absolutely nothing compared to giving up a human baby.  If she could do what was best for her baby, I can do what is best for Ellie.  Yes, I do really love Ellie.  So will another family.  If I let her go to a therapy situation she will be a very rich blessing to others.  If she stays with me she will just be a loved pet. 

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August 17, 2004...

A potential care family came to visit today.  They have 4 children ranging in age from about 9 - 13 or so.  I need to line up several care homes here in my town.  (please note that I want them here by me, not in another state).  I need another stud but he can't stay here.

It's official, Deni is coming in season.  I have read research that says it is best to breed from the first cycle.  Our  vet even said her long bones have finished growing.  Still, she is a puppy.  She is not all mellow yet like Velvet.  I just can't see her laying there and cleaning puppies and  spending the time with them that she would need to.  I will not let her breed this cycle, maybe next time.  That should be February.  In the meantime she and Koby are being kept apart.  When Koby is inside he stays in the main bathroom.  That is his den and he likes it in there.  They take turns going outside.

Koby's long distance girl friend is going to have puppies very soon.  We are very excited, he is pacing the floor.

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August 16, 2004...

Ellie went to the vet today.  Her surgeon is still on vacation so she saw the other one.  I took her because I thought her mouth was infected.  Turns out it isn't but he says she needs another surgery.  I knew that.  I told him I am ready to give up because it seems she is not getting any better.  I also confessed I'm out of money.  He said I can make payments that she is making improvements.  sigh   Her surgery (the 4th on her mouth and the 5th surgery all together) is for next thursday.  She weighs 5 pounds 2 ounces today.  The vet and technicians kept going on about how big she is getting.  The vet said she may weigh anywhere from 20 - 70 pounds when full grown.  He doubts very much she will be 70 lbs but said maybe when she overcomes this cleft palate she may catch up with her littermates.

Lady and Zac started out looking just like Lab puppies.  Now their coats are getting long and wavy.  They are really adorable.  Their personalities are also not what I thought they were going to be.  I understand why many breeders do not bother with temperament testing.  The puppies change as they get older and as their situation changes.  Lady was the most docile and got pushed around by the others.  Now she loves to romp and play with the big dogs.  This evening Koby and Deni were playing (roughly) and Lady was right there barking at them and getting in an occasional nip at Deni.  She stands up to Zac very nicely.  Don't get me wrong, she is still very sweet and not aggressive.  Zac is not nearly as "alpha type" as I thought he was going to be.  He is becoming more laid back than I thought he was going to be.

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August 15, 2004...

Slight change of plans.  Lady's new mom is not well enough yet for a puppy.  I'll be taking her to Michigan next weekend.

I've already been to the other breeder's website to look at my new puppy.  The picture is just of a pile of newborn puppies.  I still wonder which is mine.  If her color stays gold we will name her Solid Gold, "Goldie".  

A family is coming over Tuesday so we can interview each other and see if they want to be a care family.

Oh my goodness, what did I just do?  Well, I'll tell you...I just shaved Deni down, face and all.  She looks just like a poodle now.  I didn't think she had the poodle snout, but now that it is shaved that's really what she looks like.  In fact, now I'm not so sure I should breed her to a poodle.  I'm afraid the puppies would be too much poodle.  The reason I was going to breed her to a poodle (besides that is what Angela told me to do) was to correct the coat.  There is more to a doodle than the coat.  I don't want a bunch of skinny framed long pointy snout puppies.  Oh, well, we still have another 6-12 months to worry about that.

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August 14, 2004...

Lady just had a bath, shampoo, conditioner, nails clipped, and hair on feet trimmed.  I'm just finishing up getting her paperwork all done and all her stuff packed.  She is moving home to Michigan tomorrow.  She will live in a family with 4 boys.  It's a 4 1/2 hour drive each way.  I'm making Bryony go with me to keep me awake.  We have to take Ellie too since we will be gone so long.  I'll need to feed her.

The enticing aroma of doggie liver brownies is wafting through our house.  I just made a double batch.  Actually Bryony and I do like the smell, but we love livers.  These are the best treats ever.  Lady "sat" right away.  She will need lots of reinforcement of course.  At least she has the idea.

Ellie is so cute.

We are getting another puppy from another breeder.  I'm so excited.  She is an F2B, medium, gold.  She is only a few days old.

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August 13, 2004...

We took Lady to the pet supply store with us today.  She rode around in the shopping cart with Jill.  I ended up having to have 2 carts, one for Lady and Jill, the other for all the stuff.  I bought 2 wire crates with dividers, among other things.  I will leave one with Lady when I take her to her new home.  She was supposed to go home tomorrow but her new mommy got sick today and won't be up to having her tomorrow.  The new dad is hoping they can take her Sunday.  We also did some other errands.  Lady like Doritos.  

The Gift of Sunshine, Inc special Dogs Assisting Special People sent me a request to donate a puppy.  I called them right away to talk about Ellie.  On the one hand she sounded very interested because of how well socialized and how much Ellie has been handled.  However, she had to decline Ellie because it is unknown if she will have ongoing vet bills.  We talked about what kind of puppy makes the ideal service dog.  I'm going to keep her information so I can call her with the next litter and donate a puppy.  I want Ellie to be a special blessing to someone.  The vet suggested I hold off on finding a home until we have a better idea of her future health.

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August 12, 2004...

How exciting.  Today 2 books that I ordered arrived;  Therapy Dogs - training your dog to reach others by Kathy Diamond Davis, and Smoke Alarm Training For Your Dog by Anders Hallgren.  I look forward to reading them and trying them out.

We also received a telephone that I ordered.  It's for the garage.

Lady's new family called today.  They were at the pet supply store and wanted to know exactly what they should get for her.  They are so excited.  I'm delivering her to their house on Saturday.

Lady and Ellie are playing and romping here in the living room.  Lady thinks it's great fun to play with a puppy that has a funnel on her head.  Poor Ellie just thinks it fun to play with another puppy.  Zac is outside playing with Deni now.

A couple who breeds another breed of dogs came here today.  They stayed for a couple of hours talking, asking questions, and looking at our dogs.  They live in a nearby town.  I'm hoping to be able to develop a good working relationship.  It would be nice having another breeder close by.  

Hey parents!  Don't forget, the Yu-Gi-Oh movie comes out tomorrow.  *oh boy

 

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August 11, 2004...

Today we went to the surgery clinic to get more of Ellie's special tube food.  They chastised me for not bringing in Ellie so they could visit with her.  I was afraid of that, but we stopped there after Bryony's dentist appointment (no cavities) that was right across the street.  Ellie's next appointment isn't until August 29th.  Bummer, she has to wear the cone all the time until then.

Zac (green boy) and Lady are getting so big.  They have lots of fun playing together.

Today I found out that 2 of the puppies that are going to be breeding girls have eye infections.  I can't help but wonder if they got it at the doggie eye doctor when they went there for their CERF.  When Velvet went there this past spring for her CERF she came down with a double eye infection the following week.  I really think I need to call them and say something.  This makes me look bad to have puppies with eye infections.  I didn't see any sign of it when they were here.

 

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August 10, 2004...

Have I mentioned yet that Ellie's surgery didn't work...again!?  I noticed when I first brought her home that she was doing that familiar snorty-breathing and when she drank water she sneezed and the water came out her nose.  I'm thinking she will just have to learn to live with a cleft palate.  At least it won't be as large as it was before all the surgeries.

Lady found a home.  She's moving to Michigan on Saturday.

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August 9, 2004...

We took Ellie with us when we went to PetSmart today.  We bought everything needed for a cat.  That stray cat is still hanging around.  The neighbor across the street told Bryony they are going to call the dog pound (a kill shelter) to come and pick him up.  Yikes! We can't have that.

We took Green Boy (Zak) with us when we went to my mom's place today.  He did very well.

Ellie sits in the kitchen sink while I feed her.  This morning I worked with her on "sit" as she was in the sink.  That was kind of finny.

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August 8, 2004...

I'm working on potty training 3 puppies, an 8 month old pup, and a human toddler.  Deni was pretty well trained until the puppies came along.  Guess she's like a human toddler and reverted back to her babyish ways.

Now I need to go take new pictures of the puppies and Koby.  The longer his coat is getting the more handsome he is.

So far I have approximately $58,000.00 invested in these dogs/puppies and this business.

Ellie, Jill, and I have been going for several walks a day.  When Ellie looks down at all, the rim of the cone (yes, let's admit it and say it out loud:  Ellie wears a cone around her head) catches on the ground making her trip and do a partial flip.  It's not so bad walking on the cement.  So there we are looking quite a site walking down the middle of the road:  me with this fluffy little 5 pound puppy with a "lampshade" on her head trotting along, and Jill with a slightly too-large tank top, a diaper, and no pants on.  Oh, and for some reason, Jill was carrying a pair of shoes.  A few times Ellie was following Jill and nipping Jill's diaper and pulling on her shirt tail.  Other times I was looking all around me, only to look directly down at my feet and seeing that Ellie was there all along healing like a pro.  During one of our walks today we managed to pick up a following.  The neighbors a few houses down were shooing a stray cat off their property.  Bryony saw them doing that and went over to check out the cat.  He seems like a nice guy, he looks healthy and he is neutered.  He is friendly and even let Jill pick him up.  I told Bry that he surely belongs to someone else.  The neighbors report that he has been hanging around for a couple of days and they think someone dumped him there.  So this cat starts following.  Then my sister's cat sees that cat and starts following him.  (My sister lives 3 houses from us).  Well then another neighbor's cat sees Zac the cat and is following in the distance.  Let's recap;  there's me, Ellie with a cone on, bare foot Jill carrying shoes, a stray cat, Zac the cat, and the other neighbor's cat.  I felt like the pied piper.  

It was one year ago today that Velvet and Granite arrived here from Australia.

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August 7, 2004...

We got to bring Ellie home yesterday.  She has been gone so long it was like bring home a new puppy.  She isn't as calm as she was when I took her there.  I have to feed her through a tube every 4 hours.  I am so tempted to just find her a new home now instead of waiting until she is completely fixed and "normal".  I am torn between selling her and giving her away.  I have spent over $2,500 on her in vet bills.  I am really tired of people inquiring about her because they figure she is an easy cheap way to get a multi gen.  I will not let her go to a home like that.

Does anybody know how to obedience train a puppy without using a collar or any type of treat?

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August 6, 2004...

Bryony and I just got back from New York City and delivering Mera.  

Mera's new mommy sure seemed pleased with her.

Velvet, Koby, and Deni were sure glad to see us when we got home.  Oh, and Jill was glad to see me too.

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August 5, 2004...

It's almost 3:30 in the morning and we are getting ready to leave to fly Mera to New York.  She will be living in New Jersey actually.  I better run now....

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August 4, 2004...

Mera is doing great.  She has gained 2 pounds on this other food.  She plays and romps like any other pup.

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August 3, 2004...

Ellie had surgery today instead of yesterday.  She is doing fine.  I will bring her home friday.  She will need to be fed through the tube in her neck every 4 hours for at least the next 2 - 3 weeks.  Hmm, I was going to go back to work next week.  I work 12 1/2 hour shifts.  I will have to figure this one out.  I really do need to go to work since my puppy money is gone.

The 3 remaining pups went to the vet this evening.  Mera gained an entire pound today.  We saw a different vet this evening.  This vet said she is not concerned about Mera's weight.  She said large breed pups going through a growth as these pups are will be thin.  She said to continue feeding the pups as much as they want.  All three pups checked out just fine.  They all 3 got their booster shots.

I visited Ellie today.  She seemed very happy to see me.  I can't imagine she remembered who I am.  She has been there for 2 weeks.

I made our hotel reservations in New York City.  We are going to be across from Central Park.  Bryony really wants to go horse back riding through the park.

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August 2, 2004...

Ellie's surgeon called today.  She said Ellie's mouth is healing very well except for one very tiny spot at the very front of her mouth that just opened this morning.  The surgeon checks Ellie every day and today when she checked she noticed it had opened.  I'm so glad Ellie was still there.  ... so she had her 4th surgery today.  The surgeon was going to take some skin from inside Ellie's cheek and graft it on the opening.  Hopefully this will do the trick and she will be normal after this.  She assured me that the techs get Ellie out often and she is being well socialized.  Her vet bills are probably past what one of our pet pups cost.  This has helped me not be as attached to her as I was and it will be easier to let her go to a new home if (when) I find the right situation for her.  We get to bring her home Friday.

Mera went to the vet today.  It cost a hundred dollars to find out she is too skinny because she is hungry.  Her fecal exam and physical exam come out completely normal.  She has been pushed away from the food bowl enough to be conditioned not to eat much.  I keep food in the bowl at all times (that is just for puppies, I wouldn't do that for adults) so never gave it a thought that she wouldn't eat.  Now I'm feeding her by herself in a different bowl in a different area, and giving her prescription canned food.  I'm doing that 3 times a day and giving her all she wants each time.  I will be taking her back to the vet each day this week until she (Mera) goes home.  It is an hour drive each way (to the vet, not to NY).

Today I put more of an effort into potty training the puppies that are still here.

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August 1, 2004...

Purple Girl went home today.  I met her new family halfway, in southern Illinois.  They are going to train her to be a hunting dog.  When she is not out hunting she will be a house dog pet.  She already has a brother (standard poodle) waiting for her.  He is 2 weeks older than her.

Now Lady and Ellie are the only ones without families waiting.  I'm am not going to consider any home for Ellie until she comes home from the hospital and I know what her future health is expected to be.

Rick and I shampoo'd the living room and hallway carpet today.  Tomorrow I am going to take down and totally disinfect the whelping box and weaning pen.  Then I will do the bedrooms.

Shhh...don't tell my husband...I'm on the prowl for another stud.   No, no, no...a doggie stud for the puppy girls from this litter that we will be breeding.

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July 31, 2004...

Orange Boy's name is Wrigley.  He went home today.

Red Girl went home today too.  Her  name is going to be either Ruby, Lucy, or Lilly.  Her mom's last day of work was Thursday, so now she can be a stay at home puppy mom.  I think that is so great.

We are going to co own Farm girl.  Her new name is ... oh, how is that spelled?  it's that real good rich people chocolate... something like Ghiradelli.  I think she is going to be called Della, not sure.  She went home today too.

I just got Purple girl's paper work ready.  I'm taking her home tomorrow.  I also got Lady's paper work ready.  Purple's new mom wants me to bring Lady and she will look at both of them and decide for sure who she wants.  I can't see Lady being a hunting dog.  I really think she will pick Purple.  

Poor Koby.  He wants to go on a date with Velvet so bad.  He is such a good boy and never tries to mate with anything but Velvet.  He has never "done" legs or furniture or anything, just Velvet.  Velvet is such a good and patient girl.  She stands there until Koby tries to get serious, then she simply sits down so he can't get to her.  Then he just looks at her like "oh man, are you sure?  Well, o.k." and he walks away only to try again a few minutes later.   Hmmm, you know...I better check to see if there is a reason why he is so interested.  Be right back...  Hmmm, very interesting... Velvet is not at all swollen (didn't think she would be, it's too early).  Deni, on the other hand, is a little swollen.  Thank goodness Koby is leaving her alone.  She is too young to breed yet.

Well, better go answer the emails and then get to bed.

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July 30, 2004...

This morning I fell asleep on the couch.  Something startled me awake.  I opened my eyes and Koby was licking my face.

Green Boy has a new home to go to now.  He is going to live in New York.  His new name is Zak.  Bryony and I will be escorting Zak and Mera next thursday.

Now Lady (and Ellie) need homes.

It's after midnight now and I better get to bed.  I just got Red Girl, Orange Boy, and Farm Girl ready to take home tomorrow.  I am driving 3 hours each way to meet their new families.  One of the families is driving 4 hours each way.  I got their paper work all ready the best I could without them having names yet, and gave them baths.  

I also bathed the other pups and, man, is one of them ever skinny.  She is so fluffy that I didn't realize she is skinny.  I gave her some of Ellie's canned extra calorie food.  She wouldn't eat so I force fed her.  She is runny around and acting fine.  Maybe she just has more of the poodle build.  I will still take her to the vet sometime this weekend.

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July 29, 2004...

10:00 a.m. - We landed in Chicago around 1:00 a.m.  They had cots set up for us and the dinkiest pillow (worse than hospital pillows) and blankie per cot.  I laid down at 2:00 a.m. and was sure I was going to dream about the automatic walk way coming to an end, or the Chicago Police Department removing unattended luggage.  The security woke us up at 4:30 a.m. so they could take down the cots.  My flight was due to leave at 8:00 a.m.  I asked to be put on standby for an earlier flight, and got on.  Yeah...

Now here I sit with Jill on my  lap helping me do this.  

I need to go get Ellie from the hospital.  Also need to call the families I'm meeting saturday to deliver their puppies.  I need to tell them where to meet me.  Also need to get their paperwork ready.  better run...

9:00 p.m. - I didn't get to bring Ellie home today.  *sigh   She got exposed to parvo at the hospital last night.  The vet wants to keep her there until sometime next week.  Poor thing, it's one thing then another with her.  I've had some human patients like that.  We did get to visit with her.  She has gotten so big.  Her coat is really getting long and fluffy.  She looks like a poodle.

Speaking of coats, Deni is getting dark roots.

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July 28, 2004...

Jolly and I flew out to Dallas today.  We had a layover in Chicago.  He did so well.  The flight from Chicago to Dallas was went quickly.  There were a bunch of Mary Kay consultants on their way to a convention.  I sat next to one and we chatted the entire way.  I'm technically an Avon beauty advisor (yeah right, I don't even wear make up) and we compared companies.  Jolly sat on my lap much of the time.  He was really tired since I got him up at 2:30 in the morning to leave for the airport.

Once I got to Dallas it took entirely too long to get a shuttle to take me to the hotel.  Finally, after 1 1/2 hours, we got to the hotel but couldn't get in since it was way before check in time and the rooms weren't ready yet.  Jolly's parents and I met up out in the parking lot.  It felt like we were doing shady business exchanging goods and money (not really) in a Super 8 hotel parking lot.  Jolly took right to them.  His mom took him on a walk so he could do his "business" while his dad and I reviewed the paper work.  I forgot to leave Jolly's smelly blankie with him.  I felt really badly about that when I realized it.  My mom made up some blankies for each of the pups.  I rubbed them all over Velvet and over Deni, Koby, and the other puppies.  That way could have the scents to comfort them.  I'm thinking that if I mail it now, it won't be much comfort.  The first few nights are when he would need it most.

After Jolly left (I felt sad) I got to go in my hotel room.  I ate a delicious lunch that Jolly's parents brought for me.  Then I took a nap, then soaked in the tub.  It was relaxing.  I ate the rest of the lunch then called for a shuttle to take me back to the airport for my return flight.  It was raining and the shuttle driver told me that ATA canceled some of it's flights and I might as well go back to the hotel.  I just laughed it off and thought he was teasing....I was wrong...

My flight was supposed to leave at 7:30 pm.  It kept getting pushed back a little at a time.  Finally at 11 pm we took off.  My connecting flight in Chicago left without me at 10:00pm

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July 27, 2004...

4 puppies went to the vet this morning for a post op check.  They are doing great.  2 of them wore a collar and used a leash.  It was funny because it was the first time they used a leash.  I had to half drag them at first.  

I was worried about Orange ribbon boy for awhile.  It kinda looks like he is losing hair.  Upon closer inspection it is just that his coat is coming in much lighter and a bit straighter.  I sure hope Angela knows what she is talking about.  She said he is going to have a wool coat. 

Lady and Purple Ribbon girl just lost their outside privileges.  They squeezed out under the fence.  Lady did it first and Purple followed.  

I'm getting Jolly's stuff all packed up for his move home tomorrow.  I'm flying out to Dallas with him.  

The neighbors across the road had a new driveway poured today.  Oh my, what if Deni and Koby get out and run over there?  

 

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July 26, 2004...

We made it home.  I missed Jill so much.

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July 24, 2004...

This morning the 3 other puppies went home.  Their families came to our hotel room.  (that was something having 3 puppies staying in our hotel room).  2 of the pups went to the same family.  I'm glad they have each other.  The other pup went to a guardian home for Sierra Vista.  I can tell they are going to spoil that pup...I'm so glad).

I got a doodle inquiry while I was standing on the beach in the Bay.  Purple ribbon girl has a home now.

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July 23, 2004...

We (my husband, 12 yr old daughter, her 11 year old friend, my mom, and I) went to San Francisco today.  We took 4 puppies with us.  My husband, being the man that he is, was appalled that we were to take them as our carry on in the plane with us.  He acted like I never mentioned that.  Of course we were taking them on the plane with us.  Why else would we be going?  I didn't realize that my drivers license was expired.  The Indianapolis airport people were all over that.  I had to go through the extra security line.

The puppies did just fine on the plane with us.

Oski was the first puppy to go to his new home.  His family was waiting for us at the airport.  *sniff* my babies are growing up.

Ellie did just fine in her surgery today.  They were even able to repair her soft palate.

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July 22, 2004...

8:30 am - Ellie has to go to the surgeon in an hour.  Her incision is coming open at the front of her mouth.  I tried to de worm her yesterday but it came back out her nose.  Any soft food or fluid comes out her nose.

I am scurrying around trying to get things done before I take 4 of the babies home tomorrow.  You know, if I would quit paying attention to my human 2 and 12 year olds and quit playing with the puppies, I could get so much more done.  I had all these grand hopes of what I was going to do for the puppies and the puppy buyers.  I was going to write a booklet of training tips and how to's and what to look for with the Labradoodles.  Well...I fear that is not going to happen.  This has really been bugging me and weighing heavily on my mind for the past month.  I think the best I can do at this point is tell people to read Tegan Park and Rutland Manor's puppy tip and training pages.  I could cheat and just print them off and hand them out, but that would be dishonest.  *excuse me for a moment...my 2 year old wants me to play with the magnets on the 'fridge with her.*  Now I need to bring in the dogs.  We are going to take the 5 puppies who are going on a plane soon with us when we run around this morning.  We are going to put them in the travel carriers to help them get used it.  * excuse me...I hear my 2 year old playing in the fridge

3:00 pm - We just got home.  Ellie stayed at the hospital.  She is going to have surgery tomorrow.  She will stay there for one week.  The surgeon is going to repair the roof of her (Ellie's, not the surgeon's) mouth where it opened.  She will also try to repair more of the soft palate.

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July 20, 2004...

Orange Boy, Green Boy, and Lady went in, got de sexed, then came back home  today.  Jolly and Purple girl come today from being de sexed yesterday.  Deni, Farm girl, Zena, Kiwi, Socks, Mera, and Ellie all went to the doggie eye Dr for their CERF exam.  That is an extensive eye exam done by a board certified vet eye doctor.  It has to be done every year.  The reason I took these girls in is because (except for Ellie) they are all potential breeding girls and they had to have it done.  Ellie went for a follow up from when we thought she was blind.  She has very minor cataracts probably from the formula she was on.  They do not affect her vision.  She sees just fine.  All the puppies tested clear with no problems at all.  I thought it would be a great idea to take all the puppies at once.  I figured I could take 7 as easily as I could take 2.  Boy was that a stupid assumption.  Good thing Bryony went with me.  We had to wait for over an hour to be seen.  I had 7 forms to fill out that took me forever.  It was way too hot to leave Bry and pups in the van.  Since Deni was a singleton puppy she is not too comfortable around strangers and other dogs (or maybe she was nervous because she felt protective of the pups and doesn't like others around them).  She growled when other dogs got near us.  The puppies were crying because they were in the carry bags.  It was just too much.  Then I realized with dismay that we would get to do it all again this afternoon when they go to the regular vet for a check up.  One of the technicians is interested in a Labradoodle puppy eventually.

I picked up Jolly and Purple girl.  They are doing very well.  The vet technician wants one of the puppies she like them so well.

Zena, Kiwi, Socks, Farm girl, and Mera all went to the same vet for a check up where Orange, Green, and Lady are.  Everybody is just fine.  No problems.  Well, they found what looks like a maggot in Lady's stool.  It is not an internal parasite.  It appears that Lady ate something with maggots on it.  Yuck!  How/why would any creature do that?  Because she's a dog, that's why.  He said it is not something to be overly concerned about.  He said to watch her for a couple of day and it she acts like something is wrong then bring her back.  I have been trying to figure out how/where she got a hold of something with fly eggs in it.  I let the puppies outside for the first time 2 days ago.  She must have found something out there.  Maybe she took a bite of dog poop that a fly laid her eggs in.  oooo gross, do we really need to have this conversation?

Sleeping arrangements:  Because we have 8 puppies at 4 different stages of surgery recovery, plus a stud dog, we have to have 6 different places for them to sleep.  Lady, who had a hysterectomy today, slept in the bathroom off our bedroom.  Green and Orange boys who were neutered today slept in our bedroom.  Ellie who is recovering from her stuff slept in her cage.  Jolly, Purple, and Red slept in the whelping box and weaning pen.  The rest of the pups (Oski's incision is healed) had run of the rest of the house.  Koby slept in the main bedroom.

   

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July 19, 2004...

Oh my goodness.  What did I do?  I'm a bad nurse, bad nurse, bad nurse.  Today when I changed the dressing around Ellie's feeding tube I was trying to be so careful.  Even so, when I removed the dressing, the tube came out.  It had been stitched, and somehow It came unstitched.  I know I didn't do that, but I still feel responsible.  I immediately phoned the vet hospital and they said to bring her right in.  As soon as we got there the surgeon carefully examined Ellie then said it can stay out.  She said Ellie is healing nicely and is ready to eat soft food by mouth.  Yeah!  I was sooo excited.  The vet said to watch her and if the food comes out her nose (Ellie's nose, not the vet's nose) then she will probably need another surgery.  I was so excited because before the surgery I did let Ellie eat hard food and she didn't have problems.  I gave her canned food this evening and it came out her nose.  Bummer   She wouldn't even eat more than a few bites because it was giving her troubles.  What an up and down roller coaster.

Jolly and purple girl had their surgeries today.  The technician called as soon as they (the doods, not the vet people) were waking up to let me know they were doing well.  I get to pick them up tomorrow - Tuesday - at 4pm

The vet called to let me know Koby's Pennhip scores are back.  He said they are the best he has seen in a long time.

The vet opthmamologist's office called to remind be to bring in 7 puppies tomorrow for testing.

I called the regular country vet's office today to schedule 3 doods for surgery tomorrow.

The vet reproduction's office called to see how Oski and red girl are doing.  They are doing well.

The online vet supply store called today about an order I placed.

That makes 5 different vet places plus the supply store that I talked to.  Man, the money is flying out of my hands faster than it is going in.

Tomorrow's schedule:

  8:00 - Orange, Green, Lady go to the vet to be de-sexed

  10:30 - 7 puppies including Deni go to the opthmalogist for CERF testing.  That vet is 1 1//2 hours from the first vet.

  4:00 pm - Pick up Jolly and Purple in a town an hour away.

  5:00pm - Pick up the 3 I dropped off this morning.  Take the rest of the puppies in for a final vet check.  This vet is 1 1/2 hours from the prrevious vet.

I need to go to bed, I'm seeing crossed eyed  

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July 18, 2004...

Oski and Red ribbon girl are still doing well.

Ellie is doing great today.  I feed her every 4 hours.  2 hours after each feeding I give her water through her tube.  I take outside to potty before each feeding and watering.  She is doing great with potty training.  This evening she was actually scampering around.  That is the most active I've seen her all week.  For awhile today I sat in the whelping box with her and let Lady in to play.  Lady is such a sweet calm girl.  She is the only one I trust with Ellie.  They played for awhile until Ellie got to vigorous.  

The puppies (except for Red, Oski, and Ellie) spent most of the day outside today.  It was such a beautiful day, warm but not hot and not too humid.  They had a great time.  

Jolly and Purple girl get de-sexed tomorrow.  

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July 17, 2004...

I picked up Oski and Red Ribbon Girl this morning.  I couldn't believe they actually had surgery.  They were running and scampering and wagging their tails.  I picked Red up to look at her belly just to make sure she really did get spayed.  I can't imagine having major abdominal surgery and acting like they are.  I'm supposed to keep them calm for the next 10 days.  Ha   I'm keeping them in my bedroom away from the others.  That's the best I can do.  

Ellie is doing just fine today.  She has been staying in a big cage in the living room so she can see everything that's going on and play with the others through the cage wires.

Maybe the pups are a little bit helpful with house work.  Jill spilled grape juice on the kitchen floor and the puppies came swarming on it and licked the floor clean.

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July 16, 2004...

Oski and Red ribbon girl are at the animal hospital in Indianapolis (the reproduction specialist vet) getting spayed/neutered.  I triple checked their micro chip number to make sure I took the correct pups.  I scanned their chips when I took them out of the bedroom and put collars on them, scanned again when I put them in the van, and scanned again when we were in the vet's office (like different pups could have magically appeared in the van when we arrived).  I should be able to pick them up again in a couple of hours.  This vet is really expensive, it's going to be around $700.00 for these 2. 

I have made the arrangements for Oski, Zena, Dot, Spot, and Jolly to go home. 

The pups are not very helpful when it comes to doing house work.  Can you imagine trying to sweep the kitchen floor with at least 6 puppies helping?  The whole time at least 1 pup was biting and pulling on the broom, 1 stayed in the way of where I was trying to sweep, at least 1 was chasing the broom, 1 stayed in the dirt pile, 1 was eating the dog food that was in the pile, and 1 was pooping on the floor.  They are so cute.  Right now there are 8 doodle puppies sleeping on the kitchen floor.  One is sleeping on the floor by me.  Hmm, that is only 9...someone is missing...better go find her.  Found her, she was sleeping in Bryony's room.  Now Bryony is holding her.

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July 15, 2004...

Ellie got to come home today!  She has really grown since I last saw her.  Well, maybe she hasn't, but it seems like she has.  I guess it's like when you are away from your children for a few days.  They just seem so much bigger when you see them again.  Anyway, she is doing fine.  The vet admitted that she was really worried about Ellie yesterday but thinks she is doing fine now.  She looks pitiful.  Her neck is wrapped up and the feeding tube is looped up and sticking up like a periscope.  The key to recovery is to not let her get ANYTHING in her mouth, not even a soft toy.  That is going to be tuff because we can't let out of the cage unless we are holding her and can't let her play with her littermates.  That is too bad because this is a crucial time when they are learning to get along with others.  The food I am giving her in her tube is like a runny canned food.  The vet said it is not uncommon if the incision did not heal in all the places and she may need another surgery.  She did say that hopefully in 2 weeks Ellie will be all healed, she will be able to eat by mouth, the feeding tube will be able to come out, and she will be a normal puppy with no further problems.  This is a really expensive pup, she has cost around $1,200.00 in vet expenses alone so far.

Red ribbon girl has new parents waiting for her.

Velvet seems to be feeling great.  She has much more energy, is a bit bouncy, has no discharge, and does not stink.  Her milk is drying up and she is getting her girlish figure back.  She still wants to look after and nurse the pups but we can't let her since she is still on that medication.  

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July 14, 2004...

I just called the hospital to see how Ellie is doing.  I am a bit concerned because of the way the technician phrased it "Ellie is doing o.k." with the emphasis on saying O.K.slowly (not fine, well, great, etc).  The surgeon is not overly pleased with the speed of Ellie's recovery.  She says Ellie is depressed, she is not referring to her emotions but her physical being.  She is going to keep her in the hospital for at least another day.  This is very different from what the head surgeon anticipated.  He thought they would do one surgery and she would go home the next day.  This has become 2 surgeries and she is staying at least 3 days.  He did say, however, that we need to be realistic and this may not be a quick fix. (He also said she would make a perfect therapy/companion dog).  Jeepers...this is going to cost more than my last hospital visit.  I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel my trip to the Florida breeders seminar and romp.  I really wanted to go but I would rather just stay here and do what it takes to get Ellie all fixed up.

Today we took Zena with us when we ran errands.  First Bryony had an appointment with the neurologist (we should have taken Jolly).  I know that Dr from work (I work on the neuro/peds unit of the local hospital).  He jokingly asked if he could buy Ellie for an office dog.  That isn't a half bad idea.  I would be willing to talk about it with him.  Anyway, then we went to unit of the hospital where I work (should have taken Oski).  I don't want them to forget about me.  I haven't worked since the pups were born.  Our next stop was my mom's house.  She lives in a retirement community.  Zena got petted by a bunch of people.  She did so well.  All the places we went people kept asking if all the pups were as calm as her.  I was so proud.

 

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July 13, 2004...

Ellie is doing well this evening.  She had another surgery today and remains at the hospital.

Farm girl went with us to the horse farm today for Bryony's riding lesson.  She did great.  We wanted to expose her to the sights, sounds, and smells of a barn.

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July 12, 2004...

Ellie is having surgery today to repair the cleft of her hard palate.  The surgeon says we don't need to worry about the cleft of the soft palate now.  He says this may help her "but we need to be realistic about this" it may take more than one surgery.  I will update tonight (unless I fall asleep) to let you know how it went.

Update - The surgeon just called, Ellie made it through the surgery.  They were able to repair the entire hard palate.  They are afraid she may have aspirated some blood and have her on IV antibiotics.  Tomorrow they are going to put a semi permanent feeding tube in her and it will come out her neck.  That will stay in for at least 2 weeks so I can tube her without having to stick the tube down her throat every time.  That will protect her mouth until it heals.  ... so.. right now we are praying she doesn't get pneumonia from aspirating the blood, and that her mouth will heal so she doesn't have to have this surgery again.

Jolly and purple girl (she is available again) went to the vet today for pre surgery blood work, general check up, and de worming, and shots.  The staff there just fell in love with them.  of course they have

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July 11, 2004...

We got back from Chicago at around 10:30 pm.  Jill was already in bed.  As much as we wanted to see her, we didn't go wake her up.  Velvet was sure happy to see us.  She was bouncy and really excited.  My mom and sister did a fine job making sure the puppies has food and water.  Their toilet area was full and it took me a long time to get it clean.  We moved the puppies back in to Bryony's room.  I gave them all a rinse bath.  I think they gained a pound over the weekend.

The breeders seminar was great.  I learned stuff and met some great people.  Angela and Joelle from Tegan Park were the presenters.  It was held at Chicago Labradoodles.  Bonnie and her husband from Heartsong Labradoodles were there as were two new breeders from alabama...umm..can't remember their names, sorry.  Amy and her famous Greta, Darby, Lovy doods were there.  Greta is Koby's daughter.  There were several people who are still looking into breeding this breed.  The dogs had a great time.  They stayed next door where Shauna's (Chicago Labradoodles) son and a few other older kids looked after them.  I'm afraid to say they (doods, not kids) trampled one section of the landscaping.

The romp was lots of fun too.  Koby got in to a ... disagreement... with another intact dood.  That male had not been used as a stud yet but will soon.  It was interesting that Koby got along just fine saturday at the seminar and today at the romp until that other stud showed up.  After that he was really on edge and I ended up putting him in the basement.  Even Deni didn't act right after he showed up.  Several times she went looking for that stud and yelled at him.  I think she was trying to fight Koby's fight for him since he was not able.  Before all that we entered Koby in several competitions.  He did really well.  He was entered in one more competition after HBK showed up.  Since Koby was banished to the basement Bryony used Syndny (Chicago Labradoodles).  They won first place in that category.  I met lots of people there.  I'm afraid I'm not used to needing/wanting to talk to so many different people at the same time.  I hope I didn't walk away from one to talk to another without excusing myself.  Farm Girl's (light blue ribbon) new parents were there, as was Orange boy's new mom and boy.  

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July 10, 2004...

For  some reason I've not been able to get in the administration area of our website to update it.  Hopefully I can today.

We are just getting ready to leave for Chicago for the romp.  My mom and sister are staying here to puppy sit.  

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July 9, 2004...

Oops, I didn't realize how long it's been since I made an entry.

Busy, busy, busy.  This puppy business is running me ragged.  

I weighed them again and I really need to update their weights on the puppy page, that'll have to wait.  Jolly is the biggest for right now.  

We are going to Chicago tomorrow for the breeders seminar, then to the romp on Sunday.  I wanted to get Deni and Koby bathed and groomed, but didn't get a chance.

Sounds like I'm whining, sorry.  Actually I enjoy all this.

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July 6, 2004...

Ellie weighs 3 lbs now.  That is wonderful, especially considering she only weighed 7 ounces at birth.  She is going with us to Chicago this weekend.  She is doing very well with crate training.  She doesn't "go" in the crate.  As soon as I take her out of the crate I take her outside and she goes potty.  She is such a smart girl.  

The pups are getting just so big.  They are too big to all be in the same place now.  I took 5 of them and put them in the puppy play pen.  Ellie lives in a separate area because the others pick on her too much.  Poor Sophie Two (purple girl), one of the other puppies bit the very tip of one of her ears and made it bleed.  Doesn't it just figure that I was talking to her new mom on the phone when it happened.  She's just fine.

Deni does very well with the puppies.  She is going to make such a great mom.  Velvet is a wonderful mom.  

Speaking of Velvet, poor thing.  The vet called today and said the results of her vaginal swab came back and he had to change the medication she is taking.  She had to switch to a stronger medication that comes out in breast milk and would be bad for the puppies.  They can no longer nurse now, that's very important.  I took a big t shirt and cut some holes in it for her back legs and tail..  I put it on Velvet and she didn't protest one bit.  That is keeping the pups off her.  I still need to keep her away from them most of the time because they still try to get at her.  They are 6 weeks old and eating solid food and drinking water just fine.  It was time to wean anyway.  I asked the vet if we needed to worry about the puppies having this bacteria.  He said no that they are fine.

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July 5, 2004...

Koby had his hips tested via PennHip method today.  (his hips were tested in Australia and are excellent, we just want to have it done this way too).  The vet thinks the results will come back very good.  Of course Koby barfed in the van when we were almost home.

The puppies had another bath today.  They are all so cute.  They run around in the house and pick up and play with Bry and Jill's McDonalds toys.

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July 4, 2004...

Happy Independence Day!

The puppies are all doing so well.  They are growing so fast.  I weighed them all again today.  I will put their weights by their pictures on the puppies page.  Very soon they will be able to climb out of the whelping boxes.  Green boy just about reaches the top when he jumps.  

The pups didn't seem to mind the fireworks.  Deni, Velvet, and Koby were not too thrilled with all the noise and the extra people who kept going in and out of the house.

We still have 5 available pups.  I set us up so we can take PayPal for verified users.

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July 3, 2004...

Deni and Ellie are playing at my feet now.  They are so cute.  Deni seems to have some mothering instinct already.  She is really good with Ellie.  The other puppies are just too rough with Ellie so I'm not going to put her in with them anymore.  

The other puppies are just getting so big and so cute.  They are doing very well on the hard food and drinking water.

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July 2, 2004...

Great news!  The canine opthamologist does not think Ellie is blind.  He thinks she is a few weeks delayed due to oxygen deprivation during her labor and delivery and due to initial malnutrition.  She also has very small nuclear cataracts in both eyes.  They were caused by the formula she is on.  He said they are too small to affect her vision and they will not get any bigger. He thinks she will be fine and wants to see her again when the other puppies go in for their CERF exam.  Ellie has an appointment with the surgeon in 10 days.  Hopefully she will have her cleft repaired.

Lady had a CERF (eye) exam today too.  She is just fine, nothing wrong with her eyes.

We are dog sitting this weekend.  

Happy 74th birthday Mother.  I love you.

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July 1, 2004...

Koby and Velvet went to the vet today.  They had a pre PennHip examination and blood work.  They both had hip testing done before they ever bred in Australia.  I just want to have the Pennhip done as a comparison.  Anyway, I told the vet that Velvet is still bleeding and she stinks.  (I called my country vet and told him about it about a week ago and he said it is normal).  This vet did a vaginal swab and found an infection.  She is on antibiotics.  If it doesn't clear up this could be serious.  I felt so sorry for her.  She was bleeding from her back end and since we were there so long, she started leaking milk.  I remember what that feels like.  She weighs 77 lbs (I don't remember what that feels like).

Koby is very healthy.  The vet commented on how he is perfectly built.  He said Koby is very solid, not fat, very muscular.  He wanted to know what food I'm feeding.  I am kind of proud that he is raw fed.  He weighs 73 lbs.

Ellie went with us, just because I take her almost everywhere with me.  The vet was astounded at how well she is doing.  He thinks she is not blind but says it would be wise to keep her eye dr appointment for tomorrow.  She was scampering around the exam room with no limp or anything.  When Velvet laid down, Ellie ran over and started vigorously nursing.  Well, she acted like it anyway, she didn't get any suction.  The vet said it is great to see how vigorous she is.  She weighs 2 lbs 5 oz.

Today all the puppies got a:  bath, shampoo, blow dry, nails trimmed, ribbon changed, weighed.  Light blue ribbon girl is the biggest, Jolly is next largest, green boy is the 3rd largest in the litter.

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June 29, 2004...

This morning I called 4 different vets.  Ellie and Lady have appointments with the doggie eye doctor for this friday.  Deni, Mera, pink girl, Zena, and spot all have appointments to be CERF tested in 2 weeks.  I tried to make an appointment for Ellie with the surgeon but they said I had to have the referring vet call them.  This is just like dealing with human doctors.  I also talked to my regular vet about something.

7 of the pups are spoken for, that leaves 5 plus Ellie that need homes.  

Poor Deni, 13 cute puppies came along and now I hardly ever talk about her in the diary.  She is doing very well.  We are letting her around Velvet and the pups when we are watching closely.  Deni likes Ellie, she gives her baths.  I was so proud of Deni yesterday.  Blue girl and Ellie were in the living room.  Deni was very interested in both of them and treated them different from each other.  She tried to play with blue girl, then turned around and bathed Ellie.  I was impressed that she seemed to know how each needed to be handled.

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June 27, 2004...

I promised I would write more details about Ellie's vet trip yesterday.   Actually, there were 2 vets there and they both went in together and examined her and talked about their findings with each other. Besides the cleft, there were a couple of other issues I was concerned about.
His findings:

1) The cleft in the hard palate in the roof of her mouth is very minor and closing on her own. She has a large cleft in the soft palate at the back of her mouth. I didn't know about that cleft. We need to make an appointment with a specialist for surgery in one or 2 more months.

2) For some unknown reason she does not like to use her left back leg. She can and does use it on occassion. She does not exhibit any neurological deficits in that leg. We will need to take her back in one or 2 months for x-rays.

3) They strongly suspect she is blind in both eyes. I am to take her to the doggie eye doctor for confirmation.

Bryony is so sweet. She said having a blind dog is cool because she can be an inspiration to others. She said Ellie can go visit the blind school or children in the hospital. Well, that may be true, but who will adopt her? This is the breeders nightmare delima. I have brought her too far to put her down. That is not an option for me.

In other news... We are working on the puppy allocations.  5 puppies have been allocated.  There are 2 families left on our current waiting list.  After they have their puppies then we will know for sure which puppies are available.

 

 

June 26, 2004...

Just a real quick update for now, will tell more later.

I'm so sad.  Ellie went to the vet this morning.  This makes the 3rd different one she's been to.  This one found her cleft to be much more extensive than we thought.  The hard palate (roof of her mouth) has a very minor cleft that is closing on it's own.  However, at the back of her mouth on her soft palate is a wide "v" opening.  That will need surgery when she is 8-12 weeks old. ... Also....he suspects she is blind in both eyes.  I have been suspecting that since her eyes opened but have been in denial.

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June 25, 2004...

Ellie went to work today.  It is my hope and prayer that she will be able to bless others by being a therapy dog.  Since she is being hand raised and fed she is very mellow and things don't bother her.  I have taken her many places and she has been handled by so many different people.  My mom lives in a retirement community.  I took Ellie there this morning and let some of the residents pet her.  When we left there we went to my work (hospital) and let my fellow co workers see her.  We were there for about 1/2 hour.  I think it is good to expose her to the sights, sounds, and smells of the hospital.  Ellie actually fell asleep while we were there.  What a mellow doodle.  

Speaking of work.  I haven't been since before the pups were born.  They keep calling and saying they are short staffed and asking if I will work a shift.  I told them I will not be available until August.  

Later in the day I took red ribbon girl to see a few people where my mom lives.  She did well too.

All the puppies were de wormed today.

Green boy and Jolly are the biggest pups in the litter.  Not including Ellie, the black female with the blue ribbon with white dots on it and the black female with the ladybug ribbon are the smallest.

Ellie has an appointment in the morning.

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June 24, 2004...

Today  Jolly was very well behaved.  It was Green Ribbon boy (available) who was onerey (how is that spelled).  Rick even caught him on film.

All the puppies have their microchip in now.  Tomorrow they get dewormed.

I got a really good picture of Ellie's cleft palate.  If you are dying to see it just email me.  In order to really see the cleft the picture has to be really big.  It would take a long time to down load to a dial up service.

I'm so sleepy, must go to bed now.

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June 23, 2004...

Help!  I can't get anything done except play with the puppies.  They are just so cute.  They play and play-fight with each other and they play with me.  They also give me puppy kisses.  

I thought I was going to have to call Jolly's new mommy today to tell on him.  He was play-biting me then he kept biting my shirt and tugging on it.  All the while he was looking up at me as if to say "come on let's play".  He was so incredibly cute (but it won't be cute when he does that when he's 70 lbs). 

Ellie has an appointment with a vet this Saturday. It is not the same vet who keeps trying to get me to put her to sleep.  I want him to look at her cleft palate and evaluate her to see why she doesn't walk well.  I was waiting for her to get well enough and strong enough that I am no longer afraid she is going to die.

Koby and Velvet each have appointments with that same vet to have their hips tested with the pennHip method.  Don't freak out now, they both have already been tested in Australia.  Koby has excellent hips and Velvet's are good.  I just want to also have them tested here, just for comparison. 

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June 21, 2004...

Today I made our hotel reservations for our stay in Chicago during the breeders seminar and doodle romp.  I'm looking forward to that.  Rick, Bryony, Koby, Deni, #11, and I are going.

Speaking of #11...Her cleft seems to be closing on it's own.  She gets really excited when I put the tube down her.  She acts like the others when they eat.  

The other puppies are getting pretty good at eating the canned food.  They are really messing eaters, it's so cute.  They are all getting their teeth.  Velvet doesn't care much for nursing them these days.

We still have available puppies.  

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June 20, 2004...

Wow, another day spent mostly away from the computer.  I'm going through withdrawal.  The washer and dryer are in use all the time now, and the clothes line is always full.  Now that the puppies are eating food 2 times a day now they are pooping even more and it is smeeeelllly.  Poor Bryony, she has officially given up her room to the puppies.  It stinks too bad in there for her to sleep in there.  I change the padding and clean the puppy boxes at least 4 times a day.  I think I must be getting used to it because I could spend all day in there with those incredibly cute babies.  Their coats are getting longer.  Oh oh! did I mention they are getting teeth now?  No wonder Velvet hates getting in there with them.  Imagine 12 sets of teeth and 12 sets of razor sharp nails on that sensitive area.

#11 is continuing to gain weight.  I have noticed another problem with her.  She is not able to walk on all 4s without falling over.  She also cannot sit for more than a few seconds before falling over.  I have been working with her to try to improve her balance.  Both her eyes are finally open.

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June 19, 2004...

Everybody is alive and doing well.  #11 weighs 1 lb 1 oz.  She seems to be gaining about 1 oz a day.

The puppies are getting teeth.  Poor Velvet.  I gave the puppies food this morning and again this evening.  They love it, but make such a terrible mess.

Call the puppy police.  I am the most horrible person ever.  I microchipped some of the puppies.  They yelped when I did it then immediately returned to normal.  It's just like getting a shot. 

I'm so tired, I'm falling asleep here.  I better go feed Ellie then go to bed.

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June 18, 2004...

Everybody is alive and doing well.  Last night I wasn't able to get to our website administration area.  They must have been down.  

This morning Jill was crying and wanting to go in to see the puppies.  The way we do that is I lift her up and put her in the box that has the fewer puppies in it.  I sit in there with her and place a puppy beside her and closely watch her.  

One of the less curly girls is getting a longer coat already.  She has a tuft that is sticking up.  They are all so cute.

Oh, I didn't weigh #11 today.  I'll go do that right now...Whippeeee!  She weighs over 1 pound now!  She is 1 lb 0.4oz.  She is getting stronger now and a little more difficult to hold still to tube her.  That is a good thing.

I am so excited, I got the microchipping kit yesterday.  It is the exact same kind that my vet has.  He has shown me how to do it already.  Now I just need to find someone who will let me practice on their dog or cat.  Think I will ask my sister if I can microchip Zac the Cat.  Remember him?  He is the baby kitty that Bry and I rescued from the pound.  He was so tiny and young that he would have died.  We rescued him and took him to the vet several times and nursed him back to health then gave him to my sister.  (He also needed hand fed every 2 hours.)  Anyway, he is big and healthy now.  We had him neutered a couple of weeks ago.  Hmm, I think I love the challenge of nursing someone or something back to health that others have given up on.

I fed the puppies canned food (don't tell my fellow raw feeders - they would kick me out of their circle).  Although I do feed my dogs raw, I don't "require" my puppy buyers to do the same.  Anyway, they loved it.  They made a mess then licked each other clean afterwards.  Poor #11 tried to eat too.  She really wanted to but it got up in her sinuses.  

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June 16, 2004...


Today Koby went to the vet so we could get a collection to send to his (Koby's, not the vet's) long distance girlfriend.  He had a hard time getting and staying in the mood today.  I don't blame him, I wouldn't have been in the mood either if I were him.  First, the vet removed Sneaky Girl's dew claws and boy did she scream.  Koby was standing right there watching and listening to the whole thing.  Then the vet left the door open when he was tending to Koby.  Koby was able to hear all the talking and noises going on in the rest of the place.  I finally let go of him so I could shut the door.  He is a modest dood who likes a bit of privacy.  that seemed to do the trick.

The sneaky girl pup went with us to the vet.  She is the one who managed to escape having her dew claws removed last time.  She wasn't so lucky this time.  Man, this time I really did almost ask the vet to stop after he removed her first claw.  

Sorry about skipping an entry yesterday.  I fell asleep before I got to the computer work.

#11 is up to 14 oz today.  She seems to be getting stronger.  Her cleft seems to be getting smaller.  I gave her a bottle one time yesterday, but she couldn't handle it.

I bought a dremel tool today and came home and sanded all the puppies claws.  It really didn't work very well.  I put on one of the rougher bits and tried one of my toe nails.  It worked much better so then I tried sanding down one of Bryony's finger nails as practice.  oops, bad idea.  I got her finger tip and that hurt her.  I'm a bad mom.

I signed up for the ILA - International Labradoodle Association, INC.  As soon as I get a registration # I will register all our doods and pups.  One of these days I will sign up for LAA.

Time to go feed #11.

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June 14, 2004...


The puppies are starting to play now.  When I picked up one of the boys today he gave me puppy kisses on the face.  He is such a cutie boy.  Their coats are changing and getting more and more curly, except a couple of them.

I ordered the micro chipping kit today.  I'm so excited.  It comes with the scanner and stuff for 25 implants.  I think I will practice on my sister's cats and the neighborhood dogs.  I also bought some bathroom rugs and some fake sheepskin to put on the bottom of the boxes.

#11 had another bath this evening.  She was all dirty and poopy.  Poor Velvet, now she has 3 boxes of puppies to check.  When she goes in the room she usually goes to #11's box first.  She seems to understand that she only has to clean her bottom and not worry about feeding her.

I'm so frustrated.  I took new pictures of the puppies last evening.  I even managed to get them on to the computer and thought I had them on the web site.  I noticed that for some reason most of them did not show up.  Well, this evening I got them up and then tried to arrange them boys on one side and girls on the other side.  For some reason they won't arrange right and now that page looks like a mess.

Deni has been sleeping by the computer for over an hour now.  She is doing so well with house training.

 

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June 13, 2004...


#11 is continuing to gain weight.  She is up to 12.1 oz.  She is living by herself now.  Since I'm taking her so many places with me thereby exposing to all kinds of things I don't feel comfortable putting her in with the rest of the litter and passively exposing them too.  When we got home from the romp last evening I bathed her and gave her a blowdry.  She has a little box with a comfy floor and a stuffed animal for company.  I gave her the heat lamp.  Yesterday Deni kept give #11 baths doggy style.  Guess she is practicing to be a mom.

Today is my brother's 49th birthday.  teeheehee  Happy birthday Ted!

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June 12, 2004...


What a day.  

Took my sister to the airport at 3:30 this morning.  All the way there we talked about breeding Sphynx, the naked cats.  They are so cool.  I prefer to focus on my doods, so she is going to do the cat breeding.  

I pureed up some raw chicken livers and yogurt and dipped my finger in it and let the puppies lick it off.  Man, they loved that, even #11.

Koby went to work again today.  That's 2 days in a row for him.  He just loves his job.  Today we went to our country vet.  He showed me how to ... um ... some things I prefer for the vet to do.  This vet really likes to explain things and teach.  He would make a great professor.

After the vet I picked Bryony and her friend up from a sleep over.  Then we rushed to the shipping store to ship Koby's "essence of Labradoodle".

Then we went to the transracial/transcultural picnic.  That was great.  It is neato meeting other families who look like ours.  Invariably the moms of the little girls end up swapping hair care tips.   sorry, this has nothing to do with doodles.

After that we dropped the girls and my mom off at home and rushed to Indianapolis to the doodle romp.  Rick, Koby, Deni, #11 (Ellie), and I went.  We had the only Labradoodles there.  I was thrilled to be able to finally show Rick a goldendoodle.  I just love them.  There was the most beautiful black goldendoodle there.  If I could find a care home for a Golden Retriever I would breed those doodles too. I was so pleased at how perfectly behaved Koby and Deni were.  I was afraid that since Koby is a working man he might get into trouble.  Of course he didn't, he's such a good boy.  There was another Indiana breeder there too.  He has Sunshine Acres in Wolcott, IN.  He breeds Goldendoodles, and I believe F1 Labradoodles.  

#11 (Ellie) is getting to be very well socialized. 

It's after 9p now.  Good night.

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June 11, 2004...


Their eyes are opening!  The puppies are growing up so fast.  They are getting better at toddling around.  Several of the pups keep getting out of the whelping box.  Very soon I am going to have to attach the two boxes together so they can't get out.  When I do that I'm going to need to put a stool in and one out of the box so Velvet can get in and out.

Koby had a job today.  This is rather like a doggie soap opera.  You see, Koby has a former girlfriend whom he has had puppies with before when they lived together in Australia.  Well, this lady is living with another stud in the States now.  Her new  stud stepped out on her and had a litter of pups with a younger lady.  His current girlfriend was none too happy about that and called the other lady a few choice names.  He said he didn't cheat on her since he just shipped his "stuff" to her.  He claims he has never even seen her in person.  Well, that didn't fly by her.  Now she wants to give him a taste of his own medicine and called Koby up this morning to ask if he would  send some of his "stuff" to her.  Koby, being the gentleman that he is, was very happy to oblige.  We went to the repro vet and she collected and packaged up the goods.  Evidently the other stud has some spies in this area who don't approve of what Koby is doing.  At 2 separate times in the waiting room 2 different male dogs growled at him and expressed their displeasure with him.  The human of one of the guys was very surprised and said she has never heard her precious Snoopy growl before.  We will go to a different vet for tomorrow's collection.  Koby is afraid of running into more of the spies.

All three of the doods had a bath, shampoo, conditioner, comb-out , and ears cleaned.  That was no quick feat.  Now I must feed #11 and go to bed.  I have to take my sister to the airport at 3:30 in the morning.  It is 1 1/2 hours each way.  Other plans for tomorrow:  Koby's collection, transracial/transcultrual adoption picnic, doodle romp.

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June 10, 2004...


Did you know little puppy tails do wag when the puppies are nursing?  It is so cute.  The puppies are toddlers now.  They walk around and fall over all the time.

I hate to jinx anything, but it's been at least a month since Deni has had an accident in the house.  We are letting her run around loose in the house more and more now.  She is starting to go through the coat change.

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June 9, 2004...


Wow, amazing what a difference momma's milk and some extra prayers makes.  #11 gained almost 1/2 oz just over night.  This sure is an emotional roller coaster.

The puppies are starting to walk on all fours instead of slithering around on their bellies.  Soon their ears and eyes will open.  Their paws are pretty much healed up from the dew claw removal.  hey, did I mention before that one of the girl puppies managed to escape having her dew claws removed?  I don't know how that happened.  She must be really sneaky.  I saw both the vet and the assistant check all the puppies (except #11) to make sure they didn't miss one.  I'm not taking her in now to be done.

We now have a link near the bottom of the pricing and policy page to the health warranty and sales contract.  There are separate contracts for pets and for breeders.

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June 8, 2004...


Today I ...um... milked a dog.  Really I don't know why I haven't been doing this all along.  Well yes I do, it's weird.  Now I milk Velvet and tube feed that to #11.  I am really worried about her.  I'm just not sure she is going to live much longer.  Today as I was trying to take a nap I kept thinking about how big the puppies are getting, all except for scrawny #11.  Then I wondered how much that is because she is store-bought-formula fed and they are all breast fed.  I'm such a breast feeding advocate (I even breast fed Jill when we adopted her) that I couldn't believe how obvious it is that I should have been milking Velvet all along for #11.

We took and posted new pictures of the puppies today.  Most of the black ones are available.

I finally finished writing the contracts.

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June 7, 2004...


Great news at the reproduction vet today!  This is not just a canine reproduction place this vet works at.  It's also an acute care veterinary hospital.  Her specialty is canine reproduction.  Anyway, I said that just so you know she does other things too.  I took #11 for a 2nd opinion.  She said it has been a long time since she has seen such a mild cleft in her office.  She said this one is so mild that it just might close on its own.  If is doesn't close on its own then she said it is certainly fixable.  She said as long as #11 is acting fine (and she is) there is no need to put her down.  I just love this vet.  She has a standard poodle boy at home.  She said #11 has a poodle face.

Koby went today for a practice collection.  We wanted to make sure the vet would be able to collect from him without having a female in heat in the room.  Koby is such a good stud.  He gave it up right away.  We won't need to go back in for more practice.  I got to look at the semen under the microscope.  It looked like a million little swimmies in just one drop of the stuff.  

One of the chocolate boys now weighs 2 lbs 4.3 oz.  He is one big dood with a big blocky head.  The others are growing nicely as well.  One of the little black girls managed to climb out of the box today.  She is getting around rather nicely.  sigh, my babies are growing up so fast.

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June 6, 2004...


We had a family gathering at a local state park today.  I took #11 with me so I could continue to tube feed her every 2 hours.  She is doing well.

Koby has an appointment in the morning with the reproduction specialist.  She is going to attempt a collection from him.  He has a job coming up in a couple of weeks.  I'm also going to take #11 to her for a second opinion.

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June 5, 2004...


Last night I set up the weaning pen.  That is a box that is just like the whelping box except without the pig rails.  It attaches to the whelping box and when the puppies are a little older they can climb over to it to play and pee and poop.  Last night I set it up but did not attach it to the whelping box.  I set them facing each other with enough room  to walk between.  Poor Bryony, this takes up almost her whole room.  Anyway, I split the litter into 2 litters.  Now Velvet seems more willing to get in and lay down without my help.  I slept much better last night and only got up 2 times.  

#11 weighs 8.9 oz today.  She is as active as the others.  I held her up to the breast and she tried to nurse.  I'm not expecting she will get much nutrition that way but it should be good for her anyway.

I'm really surprised at how much I like the black puppies.  Before we had this litter I didn't think I liked the black ones as much.  Now after seeing these guys in person I love them.  They are adorable.  In fact, I have pretty much decided which one I'm keeping back for our breeding program.  We will be placing her in another family home and sharing her.

Since Velvet had a singleton litter last time I was reluctant to take very many deposits for this litter.  We only have 7 of the puppies spoken for (we are not including #11 in any of this).  I suppose I should announce somewhere that we have 5 black puppies available, 1 male and 4 female.  The females will likely turn silver.

I noticed that I need to update some of the other pages on this site too.

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June 4, 2004...


The paws are healing with no signs of infection.

I went to bed after midnight thirty and Velvet and the pups only got me up 3 times after that.  I got up at 7 am when Jill woke up.  I felt more rested this morning than I have.

#11 seems to be a little more active than the others.  That's a good sign.  

Today's my birthday.  I didn't think it would bother me but it does.  I'm ...uh...I was born in '64.

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June 3, 2004...


Yeah!  #11 broke the 1/2 pound mark.  She weighs 8.1 ounces.  Of course the bigger pups weigh 1 1/2 pounds.  

When Velvet was pregnant she just loved liver and wouldn't touch kidney.  Now it is the other way around.

I'm working with another breeder on getting an adult chocolate female lab and a standard adult poodle stud so we can start our own line.  I think I've found a care home about 1/4 mile from me for the lab.  Now I just need to find a care home for the poodle.

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June 2, 2004...


Did I mention yet that we got Deni's PennHip scores back?  She has great hips, we are so excited.

I'm too tired to give a full report on today.  Maybe I can go in to more detail tomorrow.

What was I thinking?  I took the puppies in for dew claw removal today and the vet showed me how to do it.  He did a great job explaining everything.  I was going to watch him do a few then do a couple of them too.  I figured there is no reason I couldn't do it next time. Well, as far a the technical skills go, yes I could do it.  What I didn't take into account is these are my babies.  There is no way I could go cutting on my babies.  It's just like with my children, I might as well not even be a nurse, let alone a pediatric RN when it comes to my own children.  He wasn't even finished with the 2nd puppy when I was biting my tongue to keep from telling him to stop.    We did not remove #11's.

The vet tried his best to get me to put #11 to sleep.  He said cleft palates are fairly common but almost all breeders (he said) put the puppies down and don't even mention that they had a bad puppy.  I'm not budging, as long as she seems to be getting better I will keep trying.  I called Angela at Tegan Park where Velvet and Koby came from.  She said neither one has ever had a cleft palate puppy before.  

Today is Rick's birthday.  Happy birthday Sweetie I love you!

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June 1, 2004...


All's o.k., everybody is gaining weight - even #11.

Still no sleep for Velvet and I. 

We go to the vet tomorrow for dew claws removal and another vet check.  I probably won't have #11's removed.

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May 31, 2004...


All's o.k., everybody is gaining weight - even #11.

Still no sleep for Velvet and I. 

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May 30, 2004...


Everybody is doing really well.   The puppies are all (except #11) fat and shiny and healthy looking.

#11 is getting stronger and making mewling sounds.  Another breeder sent me a link to a Labrador breeder's site with a page on how to take care of a cleft palate pup/dog.  The info is great.  It sounds that she likely won't need a repair.  I probably won't grow back, she will just have to be careful with what she eats.  I need to feed her every two hours.  I'm already wondering how in the world I will be able to give her up.  I wanted to call her Blessing (because she will bless someone's life), Bryony wants to call her Heaven.  I'm resisting the temptation to call her anything except #11.

I'm getting very little sleep, only short naps.  Last night Velvet woke me up about every hour.  She wanted in and out.  I ended up just closing Koby in another bedroom and leaving Bry's door open so Vel could come and go.  That didn't do much good.  Before Velvet will get in the whelping box she waits for me to arrange the pups.  I'm kind of whining about that but really, I'd rather she did that then just lay down and maybe squish one.  

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