Dreamer

We are very sad at our house. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Dreamer, died Monday morning. He wasn't with us for very long, but he was a member of our family from the very beginning. He was a clown and made us all laugh. I will miss his sense of humor and his companionship. Run free sweet boy. You will be greatly missed. We love you.

The following is something one I have always found touching and I want to share it:

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Hmmm Hmmm Good!

The puppies had their first tast of solid food today. Actually, it wasn't exactly solid as I soaked it until it was very mushy. While they still prefer their mama, they quickly figured out that this stuff wasn't too bad and proceeded to eat like little piggies. After they'd had their fill, I let Libby in to clean finish off the food and clean the puppies up.

Their bellies are full, Libby has cleaned them all up...

it's time for a long nap!

After dinner, there's nothing like taking a nap in the puppy bowl.

Several trying to crowd in for a rest. I don't think
they are going to fit!

Mama finished cleaning up lunch, and the puppies
have decided to play king of the hill in the dish.
Mr. Orange is king!

There is always one who has to lay across the bowl.
We won't mention names - Mr. Red!!

1st taste of puppy food. They are lovin' it!

Puppies and Kids

My girls are really enjoying the puppies. They love to get in the whelping box and let the puppies climb all over them. As you can see, the puppies love the girls too. It's wonderful to have such great puppy socializers! And of course the puppies are well used to children by the time they leave for their new homes.

Peek-A-Boo, We see you!

The babies are three weeks old now and this has been a week of change for them. They all have their eyes open. It's been a lot of fun to watch them discover this big new world. They are getting around better and better each day. They are also playing, rough housing, barking, and whining when they see mama outside the box and they can't reach her ( a few of them howl, and always at 4am!). I have also seen them try and climb up on the pig rails. It won't be long before they are trying to escape their whelping box. I put toys in the box for them to play with and I think Libby had more fun with the toys than the puppies did. In fact at one time, she gathered them all up and had them tucked under her chin. The puppies are also getting teeth (Poor, poor Libby) and can now reach mama when she's standing up.

Today they had their first dose of wormer and didn't think to highly of that. They let me know in no uncertain terms that it was disgusting! We also traded in the yarn collars for real collars. In another week, we'll start them on puppy gruel and see how they like it. We'll also start taking some trips outside during the day and let them explore.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow above. For your information, when we refer to the puppies as green girl or orange boy, etc. we are referring to the color of their collar. My girls would love to name each puppy, but then the girls already get very attached and naming the puppies only makes it harder when it's time for them to go to their new homes. I always remind them that we aren't keeping them all and not to get too attached, but they usually have a favorite picked and it's always a bittersweet time when they go home.

Puppy Updates

Well, the puppies are two weeks old now and growing fast. They have all more than doubled their birthweight and look like fat little piggies. They are up and walking (a little unsteady) but they are getting around better each day. Their eyes are also opening and they are getting their first glimpses of the big wide world. Ok, so not the big wide world, just their whelping box and their mama at this point, but that's all they care about. In another couple of weeks, they'll get to take some trips outside and start to experience a lot of new, different things. I will try and get some pictures of them soon and post them so everyone can see how much they've grown.

Contentment!

I don't know if you'll be able to hear what I was saying on this video clip, so I'll sum it up here. The puppies just finished dinner and were all sprawled out and sleeping. The pink girl was flat on her back with her legs in the air - the picture of utter relaxation. It was too funny, so I got it on video. One of the boys sleeps like that quite often to. They are a contented bunch of puppies. Of course you can see from their bellies that Libby produces milk like a dairy cow! She's keeping them very, very well fed.

Puppy Pictures from Today

Pippa's baby Girl

Libby's Girls

Libby's Boys

At the Milk Bar

Just a short video I took on my phone of Libby and the babies. They are little pigs! Please pardon the background noise. Megan was watching the puppies. They are so fascinating to her.

Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures I took of Libby and puppies. If you count, you'll see that there are seven puppies in with Libby. Pippa was having a hard time settling so I put her baby in with Libby and she is right at home. Libby didn't even hesitate to add another puppy to her family and is being a wonderful surrogate mom.

Pippa's Puppy

Well, Pippa did indeed end up having a c-section. She only had two puppies - a boy and a girl. Unfortunatelly the boy was still born so now we have a singleton girl. She is beautiful and doing really well. Pippa is recovering nicely and we are home getting settled in. I'm sure the baby girl will end up being spoiled - only children often are! However I'm thankful she'll have Libby's litter to play with so she won't be lonely.

I'm off to take a nap now and I'll post pictures late this evening (of course that all depends on if I can find the camera).

Libby's puppies

It looks like the final count for Libby's litter is three girls and three boys. Mom and babies are doing really well. I was quite worried about the last little girl, wasn't sure she was going to make it, but she is doing really well now.Libby is a fantastic mother and really loves her babies. I can hardly get her out of the whelping box. Iwill post pictures later this afternoon or this evening. I've been up for over 24 hours now and I'm not sure when I'll get to rest. We are still waiting on Pippa's puppies. We have a c-section scheduled for 1:00pm today, so if nothing happens in the next little while, Pippa will be having a c-section. I will be so relieved when all of the puppies are here safe and sound. Then the fun really begins.

Libby X James Puppies

Libby's puppies have started to arrive:

#1 Female 13.4 oz 7:00pm
#2 Female 13.2 oz. 8:49pm
#3 Male 12.6 oz. 9:06 pm
#4 Male 15.0 oz. 9:25pm
#5 Male 15.3oz. 12:05am
#6 Female 12.5oz 12:45am

Libby is being a fantastic mother. I am amazed everytime that they just naturally know what to do. It's amazing.

Further updates as events warrant!

Waiting

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Today is Pippa's due date, but I don't think today is the day. Maybe she'll prove me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath. She seems perfectly relaxed and content to wait. She's probably just waiting for Libby! We'll see how the night goes.

On x-rays, we actually could only see one on Pippa's, but I think she has at least two. On Libby's we were able to see six.

Getting Ready

Well, the due dates are fast approaching. I'm keeping my fingers crossed both girls stay on track and whelp on their due dates. I would really prefer not to be whelping two litters at once. I do have back up help lined up however.

The whelping boxes are set up, the whelping supplies are organized and we have begun taking temperatures (the girls waddle off as fast as they are able when they see me coming with the thermometer - can't say that I blame them. It's not my favorite activity either!)

Pippa isn't very big, and we were only able to see a couple of puppies on the ultrasounds. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she is hiding a couple of more in there. Libby on the other hand looks like she swallowed a small watermelon and is growing larger each day. I have x-rays scheduled for June 17th so I can hopefully get a better idea of numbers.

I need to dig out our old camera, my nice Kodak, unfortunately met with a serious mishap. My youngest daughter dropped it in the tub - which handily enough was full of water at the time. Did I mention Kodak cameras are not water proof? Thankfully I had downloaded all of the pictures already.

I will update tomorrow after the x-rays. I will also try and take pictures of the girls so everyone can see how they have blossomed. I know they are feeling ready. They give me that pitiful "Why did you do this to me?" look and I feel so guilty every time I look at them.

Puppies!

Hurray! We had ultrasounds done for Libby and Pippa today and saw puppies for both! I'm thrilled and now I am going to be getting ready for puppies due the end of June! I actually got ultrasound pictures of the puppies this time (a first for me). Now to start getting ready for the big events!

Libby's due date is June 24th.

Pippa's due date is June 22nd.

Keeping fingers crossed for smooth easy, daytime whelpings!

Puppy Updates

I just wanted to update everyone on our upcoming litters.

Pippa and Libby came into heat together (two months earlier than expected!) Pippa was bred to CH. Lubberline Martingale . Libby was bred to CH. Beechcroft Study's Top Secret. I am thrilled with the chance to include both of these boys in my breeding program. The litters will both be all black and will be due on June 24th. It could be a very eventful day if the girls decide to have puppies at the same time. I'm hoping they give me a break and space them a day or two apart.

I am glad to be having summer litters this time around. It's great to be able to let the puppies spend some time outdoors and because the weather will be warm enough, we will get a chance to introduce them to water, which is always fun to watch.

On another happy note, I had a great time at the Beehive cluster this year. Ellie and Dreamer both did well at the show. Dreamer showed like a champ for his first show at just seven months old. Also, all of the dogs passed their eye exams and Macey passed her heart exam as did her litter sister Bunny.

We have an ultrasound scheduled towards the end of May, so we can determine for sure if the breedings were successful. I will keep everyone updated on our progress.

A Funny Looking Labrador?

I know what you are thinking. You are thinking "that's the funniest looking labrador I've ever seen." And you would be right if this sweet boy was actually a labrador. This sweet little boy is Crumpet's Dreamweaver and he is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We are thrilled to announce that he is going to be joining our pack as soon as we can make arrangements to fly him from Alabama to Utah. Many thanks to his breeder Linda Lashley for sharing this sweet boy with us. We are thrilled with this opportunity and are looking forward to getting him out to the spring shows here in Utah.

I've wanted a Cavalier for quite awhile now. I have been patiently waiting for just the right dog - and I think I've found him! Can't wait for him to get here! I'll have to keep you updated on his progress and post pictures of him again soon.