ALL PUPPIES RESERVED!

(But you can get on our waiting list if you want. It isn’t unheard of for something to come up that prevents a puppy from being adopted, in which case the waiting list gets called.)  Here are some shots at 6 1/2 weeks of age. I honestly couldn’t tell you which puppies these are. I made the mistake of sleeping in between taking the pictures and posting them, and I can’t remember. I was so sure I would remember.

Our children brought some puppies to play in their play room. The two puppies (dark one from Kadee’s litter, light one from Tana’s) were content to sit in the box of dress up clothes and watch for a while… then they wanted to explore.

The kids have heard us talking and realized that their time is short, so they are taking every possible moment to play with the puppies, and every possible opportunity to argue for keeping them… all 17 of them.=)

The puppies had their 6 week vaccinations this past Monday so they can go out and play in the yard now.  They are loving to chase each other and us all over the place, to roll and romp in the grass, and to investigate all the new sights and sounds and smells.

Namesakes

So we got them all lined up and named now at 5 weeks.  Tana’s females are (left to right) Hula, Mele, Wendy, Izzy, and Scarlett O’Hara.  Can you tell what book I just finished?  I spent 4 years of my childhood in Hawaii, and so had to give a shout out to my Hawaiian “roots.” Mele is Hawaiian for “merry” or “music.”  And she is very merry.  Hula is a sweet, happy girl who does seem to be dancing around much of the time.   Scarlett is the darkest reddish color.

Scarlet isn't that dark, but she's the darkest of Tana's girls.

Wendy, Izzy, Scarlet

Tana’s boys were not terribly cooperative in terms of smiling for the camera.  This wasn’t the BEST shot of anyone, but it showed them all, at least. They were born on MLK Day, Jan 16.  Guess what their names are?  Yep- (left to right) Marty, Luther, King, Rev, and Junior.

The puppies were more interested in the helper than the photographer. (King, Rev, Junior)

Martin Luther King

Marty

Kadee’s girls seem to have the most variety of color.  We named them all after various flora… (Left to right) Briar, Rosebud, Clover, Thistle, and Pumpkin.  Pumpkin is one of the darkest and also the most rolypoly of the bunch, so her name is fitting.  Rosebud was named by Ben (age 3).  Before they were born he begged to name one Rosebud, after the Buddy movies (a series of cute movies featuring golden retriever puppies, which began with Air Bud). He wanted to name others Mud-Bud, B-Dog, and Budder-Ball, but we had to draw the line.

 

Rosebud with her light features and Clover with her dark features are both beauties.  If you are curious what Rosebud will look like grown up, look on our website for our retired girl, Sage.

When asked how I do it, with 4 kids and 17 puppies, this may give you some indication…  Pumpkin is so cuddly.

And last but not least, Kadee’s males: Willow and Cedar.  You can see how easy they are to tell apart.

Outtakes:

Libby was laughing so hard she nearly fell over. There were 5 puppies (Tana's uncooperative males, to be specific) in the wash basin, but just as she would get one or two at the rim, looking at the camera and go for a 3rd and 4th, 1st and 2nd would hop down to go exploring. Over and over. It was like a reverse game of whack-a-mole.

Ooh! What's out here? Curious puppies make photo shoots so exciting. For every lovely picture like the ones above there are 10 more like this one.

Starting to be Photogenic!

The puppies’ eyes have finally been open long enough to take in the world around them at a glance.  They are cuddled every day, getting new teeth and trying them out, swarming us when we come in, making cleaning more of an adventure.  They are soft as fleece, some dark, some light.  We won’t see varying personalities for a few more weeks, at which point we’ll start to name them and get to know each one’s traits, but at this point they are all friendly and affectionate.  If they were any more well fed by their mamas they’d have to go on a diet!  And they are starting to get an opinion, too.  If mom is nearby but not accessible, and someone is hungry, we can hear it clear across the house.

Three of Kadee's puppies, a sampling that represent the vast variations within the color yellow.

Tana's puppies didn't want to look at the camera as much. They are a little smaller and snuggled down inthe basket.

We were surprised by a few dark faces in Tana's litter. We expected them in Kadee's, since she is dark. After nearly 10 years breeding, there are still surprises in every litter! This fox red is a rare and desirable color, and we have a couple of them!

The puppies will be ready to go to their new homes March 9.  There are still females available in both litters, and one male in Tana’s litter.    Get in touch with us if you have questions.

Two weeks old!

Both litters of puppies have their eyes open, but with a 2 day lead, Kadee’s pups are showing off their baby blues a little more.  Their eyes open gradually, starting with a small slit that gets a little bigger each day, until they are wide open.  Then it takes even more days for their eyes to come into focus and the puppies to truly be able to see and react to visual stimuli.  These puppies are SO SOFT!

As you can see the puppies are well socialized from day one.  We sometimes climb in with the puppies to make sure everyone is getting their fair share…  and to get our fair share of puppy snuggles!  The first two weeks go by pretty much without event, generally. The puppies eat, sleep, and poop.  Oh, and they grow. Every morning we walk in and they seem to be bigger.  At this age, beyond warmth and nourishment, the major need is just to be with mom and litter mates.

Trying to get a shot of eyes open on Tana's puppies. It isn't a framer, but at least you get the idea.

When a dog (or a person for that matter) lactates, a hormone called prolactin is produced, which among other things, washes mom in a wave of relaxation. It think Kadee’s must be particularly strong, because as soon as her puppies  latch on, she gets a glazed, hypnotic look, no longer hears anything said to her (although I think if I was saying “want to eat?” she would still respond), and doesn’t want to move.  See her sleepy eyes?  She is checked out for the next 15 minutes or so.  Then she returns to reality and commences the laborious licking process of cleaning all her puppies, her bed, and herself.  Aren’t you glad you’re not a dog?

We still have plenty of yellow males and females available.  Get in touch if you are interested in reserving one.  They will be ready to adopt March 2.   (See up there on the right? Click “Reserve a Puppy”)

The Puppies are Here!

Kadee's Rosebud snuggling in mom's paw.

Mama Kadee smiles for the camera.

Mom and day-old puppies snoozing.

Kadee’s litter arrived through the evening and night Saturday, January 14, 2012.  She had 8 puppies, all yellow, 5 females, 3 males.

Then Sunday we could tell Tana was in labor, and stayed up with her through the night.  She didn’t have any puppies until 5 am, Monday morning.  Rich had taken the shift from 12-5, so he went to bed while I helped Tana with the puppies.  Monday morning was my first day teaching 2 Spanish classes, but I helped deliver 7 puppies and got myself and the kids ready for school before 8, when Rich took over again. Fortunately he had the day off for MLK day, or I would have had to miss the first day of my classes.  No sleep 2 nights in a row, but it is well worth it, because we now have 18 strong, healthy puppies on the ground.

On the 16th, Tana had 10 yellow puppies, 5 males and 5 females.  LOTS of yellow puppies.

We are now taking reservations.  Call soon to get your pick!  We are as tired as parents of a newborn.  But we will answer the phone. =)

Geez! That's a pile of puppies!

Kadee

We’re on edge waiting for our new litters any day now.  We could even have two litters on the same day! (I hope not–can’t monitor them closely enough.)  Tana and Kadee look like they are about to pop, but they are troupers and don’t even seem uncomfortable. I know I would be!  Kadee sat on the porch watching the squirrels the other day and I got some cute shots of her.  She knew her dinner was waiting inside, and made it obvious when she was done.  You’ll see what I mean!

 

Puppy News

So, Teddy was adopted by a family who had another of our “puppies” from a few years ago. In fact, two puppies went to families who already had one “Red River Retriever,” and one went to a family to whom we were recommended by friends who have one of our dogs.  There are no compliments like repeat customers and word of mouth recommendations!

In other news, our break between litters is very short lived. Tana’s litter is due sometime this week, and Kadie’s litter is due next week, sometime between the 11th and the 16th.  They will be ready to go home mid-March.

Just reminiscing about Tana as a puppy since she is about to have hers. Soon after we got her we took her with us on a camping trip to Petit Jean State Park... on the hottest days of the year.

Tana and Ben decided to cool off by watering the plants and the patio. Tana tried to pull Ben by the diaper, Ben tried to ride Tana, and after the water was poured out, Tana laid down in the wet patch to stay cool. She was such a fun, easy puppy.

Teddy

After all the puppies had been reserved, something came up with one of our adopting families, and Teddy is now available again.  So he is featured in this update!  He is now 7 weeks old, and will be available to go home Dec. 23 (next week!).

The largest of the bunch, Teddy is also the biggest snuggler. He is happiest as a lap dog, but wrestling on the ground runs a close second.

Teddy was either chasing the kids around the deck or leaning on and licking them, still in their pajamas, this morning.

More Puppy Pictures- 6 Weeks

Sasha’s Lucky had a ball last Friday, which was unseasonably warm, chasing leaves and playing with our cat, Moses, who is barely more than a kitten himself.

Feeling kind of feisty, Lucky was throwing leaves (really!), racing around in circles, having the time of his life.

So actually, Lucky is 6 1/2 weeks old and Ginger and Teddy are 5 1/2. They had their noses down in the grass sniffing a lot so I didn't get near as many good pictures of them

 

Ginger started her time in the yard by snuggling with our 6 year old on the front porch.

Look at those "puppy dog eyes!"

Ginger and Teddy

 

Puppy Time!

Everyone got into their Christmas jammies and there were just enough puppies to go around. Libby got Ginger, Ben got Lucky, and Addie got Teddy.