Thursday,
August 3, 2006
These beautiful puppies are growing like little weeds and are now 6.5 and almost 7 weeks old. I cannot believe that my time with them is now so short and they'll be leaving for their new homes very soon. It is a bittersweet time when every litter leaves me but this one will be special indeed. They will be carrying such a legacy and the fulfillment of a dream that we could have hardly imagined 5 1/2 years ago. How fast the time goes as we get older. And my wish is that each of these precious puppies enriches the lives of their people as Monroe has enriched our own.
These little ones have the sweetest personalities and are not nearly so time consuming as some past litters because they entertain themselves and always seem to be very happy and content. We have had no terrible incidents with upturned trashcans, invasion of the pantry or opened cupboard doors, as they are just as happy to play with all of their toys. They delight in attention and company is always welcomed without being mobbed, as some litters of pups are apt to do. It is almost as if they understand that there is some regal bearing in their heritage that holds them to better behavior :-)
Many are responding to their names and they are very responsive to the old warning in that deep guttural tone of " aaagghhhh" when inquisitive in an area where they don't belong. They actually listen! And chasing the mop is just waaaay too much fun as they try to help me clean up after them.
While the honor of "top dog" seems to fall upon a different puppy almost daily, I see no clear signs of a need for dominance from any one individual. They are extremely alert and I find them to learn very quickly as they explore and search out new things to see and do.
Their bodies are going through much in the way of growing and transition. I watch them daily and yes, I see changes, believe that or not. They are very well put together and I see nothing that would stand in the way of a conformation championship on any puppy. I know that almost sounds as if I am looking through those old "kennel blind" glasses but other breeders and owners who have come to visit and see them have seconded my feelings and evaluations on more than one occasion. I have never been so arrogant as to guarantee "group winners" and "best in show" puppies as some breeders do, but I would feel comfortable in saying that there are more than a few potential "specials" in this litter. Of course that would be any breeder's dream.
I feel that the homes chosen for this much anticipated litter are special in themselves and my hope is that no matter what achievements, wins and awards happen in the future, that they always will be treasured and loved in their respective families for the wonderful shorthairs that they are.
This has truly been a special litter and having them has been an honor in so many ways.
Friday, July 14, 2006
This is a very alert and very active crew!
Everyone eats with gusto and they are up and runnin' so they certainly keep me busy. They are growing very fast and every day provides me with endless smiles and chuckles as I watch their individual personalities develop. They bark their disapproval when lunch is late or when Monroe does a "cleaning run" without stopping for a "fuel up" (nursing). They will likely not be all too happy in the very near future, as they will be totally weaned from Monroe in the days ahead. That always provides me with some complaints from the group but Monroe will likely be relieved as they have teeth now and nursing is becoming rather uncomfortable.
Singe was the first to wag his tail and he does so very enthusiastically. I have seen a few others follow suit in recent days as well. Most days are now filled with playing with their toys and social interaction is often and quite amusing. Ears, tails, feet and anything else that provide something to bite are quite popular. They miss nothing!
Bodies are quite chubby right now and they still haven't begun to look like little dogs but more often resemble full bellies with short legs. It doesn't slow them down normally but Singe did seem to eat more than his fair share this morning and was a bit uncomfortable as a result. It took a bit of cuddling to make him feel better as I am quite sure that his tummy was a bit tight. Seems that I'll have to pull him from the food pan a bit early from now on to avoid his urge to over indulge himself. As you might have guessed already, I feel he is going to be a real character and possibly the "class clown."
They are 4 weeks old today and doing very well. We are thrilled with how uniform they appear to be overall and how outgoing they are in personality and temperament. They seem to know that they really are "Hot Stuff." Love that attitude!
Friday, July 7, 2006
All eyes are open and the puppies can now see one another easily. They are beginning to play and interact with one another and it is so funny to watch. Grabbing ears and tails and an occasional leg seems to be great fun and every day finds them spending more time awake and involved. It is really so funny to watch them as they are walking and though they are quite adept for such a young age, they still stumble and fall over as they forget that speed isn't yet their strong suit.
Steadiness on their feet will come more as the days pass.
We've had a few "escapees” from the litter box and it looks as if it is time for me to assemble their yard for playtime and piddles. The y are very interested to see what lies outside of their bed and several have taken to exploring the dining room on their own. Monroe just very patiently follows and watches over them as they take their little stroll which usually ends up with some cries for help as they find themselves out of their familiar territory.
They are growing very fast and I am fascinated as I watch them develop. We now have "barking” as they have discovered their voices and they openly voice their likes and dislikes from time to time. Their structure and conformation appear to be exactly what we had hoped it would be at this point in time and so we are right on track in that regard. Little bodies that are changing in coloration in only days and I suspect we're going to have a few variations in overall color as weeks and months go by. Face blazes are beginning to narrow quite a bit and spots are blending while some others are just becoming more obvious.
I have already introduced them to their puppy gruel, which they enjoy quite a bit. The thick, pasty substance provides endless opportunity for mutual cleaning and an occasional chew on a sibling's ear, face or feet after a meal. Monroe keeps them and their box neat and clean and I think she enjoys cleaning the residue from their little bodies and considers it a rather tasty "treat". We aren't doing a communal feeding dish just yet but that will come soon after I am sure that everyone has the eating through the mouth and not the nose routine down fairly well.
The puppies are all very alert and very aware of their surroundings and they know instantly when I approach their box. They seem to love their cuddle time with me. They show their appreciation with much licking that exposes me to that wonderful puppy breath and it gives me a re-newed energy and a complete understanding of why I love the whole process of birthing and raising these beautiful little spirits that will share their lives and love with deserving families in only 5 more weeks.
Thursday,
June 29, 2006
Everyone is anxiously awaiting the posting of photos of the newest puppies and we are trying to accommodate as quickly as possible. It is extremely difficult to get really good photos of puppies so young and especially this crew since they are so busy and constantly on the move. They are very active and though eyes are still closed that doesn't seem to hamper their ability to move freely around their box and they do it often. Their noses are continually sniffing their surroundings and they can easily be heard across the room when noses go into "sniff mode."
They are growing rapidly now and are quite aggressive feeders, which keeps Monroe in the box much of her day. They are developing and changing daily as they grow.
They have a great deal of bone and substance though I feel quite sure they will all be "standard" in size. Little bodies are darkening in color, as most will surely be roan or dark ticked like Monroe and Shain. They have "neck" and we love it! Pretty fronts with good depth of chest and good length of upper arm and none seem to be overly long in body. Heads are a mix of "style” and I see characteristics of both parents. I cannot wait to look into those beautiful little faces when their eyes open for the first time and that should happen within days now.
Grandma Patty arrives on Monday for a visit to see Monroe and her 10 beautiful puppies. No doubt the "oooohs and aaahhhhs" will abound and she will have great fun cuddling and kissing every one of them for hours on end. Naturally, every single puppy will be " exquisite!!" in her eyes and we would surely have to agree.
Friday.........June 23, 2006
The puppies are doing wonderfully as they spend most of their day nursing and sleeping
-- for the time being. They are growing rapidly and I can easily see the formation of little eyes that will soon open. They are responsive to smells as they always sense when Monroe or I am near their box.
They move around quite a bit and are quite strong. All are trying to stand upright even at this early age though still not quite there yet. They love to be cuddled close and spoken to in soft tones. And though I know that their ears are not yet open I sense that the vibration from my voice and touch assures them of something pleasant and they are responsive to it.
Monroe continues to be a fabulous mother and they are kept immaculately clean and well fed as she nurtures them and is a
terrifically devoted mother who seems to love being with them
for hours on end.
Surely in the weeks ahead there will be more to report. What more can I say than they are content, well fed and appear to have beautifully developing little bodies; everything we hoped they would be and more.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Most breeders know and accept the fact that there will always be a chance that some puppies will fail and there is little we can do to stop nature's will.
It is many times more difficult for "the public" to understand because it always seems that breeding and whelping puppies is a joyous and fun-filled event. It isn't always so and the reality is that losing a puppy shortly after birth is a difficult thing to get through for every breeder. But, it happens and we accept it when God takes a few back "home."
Two puppies, a male and a female, experienced some difficulty in digesting and absorbing their food and consequently we have lost them. It was terribly sad but they were held, cuddled and given soft loving words as they passed back over to God's hands.
We have ten beautiful, strong puppies (6 females and 4 males) that remain and all are doing fantastic!! Monroe is truly an exceptional mother who carefully cleans and nurtures each and every puppy in a devoted and loving manner. No surprises here as she has always been and continues to be a breeder and owner's dream dog in every way.
Tails and dewclaws are done and so they are "officially" GSPs! We are so looking forward to raising this outstanding litter of puppies who are simply breathtakingly beautiful as we expected they would be.
More "Pup-Dates" to follow soon --
5/16/2006
Pup-Date
A sonogram on Tuesday, May 16th. confirms that "we have multiple little heartbeats" and are now awaiting the arrival of some much anticipated little "princes and princesses" from the breeding of Monroe and Shain. Everyone is very excited! Due Date is 6/15/2006.
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