Saturday, November 23, 2013

Nellie Bly and my grandson.

Nellie loves kids and people - big or small.
What a bond these two have after such a short period of being together.
A more adorable pair would be hard to find.  :+)

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It was love at first site for Nellie and our grandson.  Both of them played outside together and snuggled in the Lazy Boy and climbed through the dogie door as well.  Kids and puppies simply have the best times!  Nellie has an exceptional demeanor.  :+)

I am so looking forward to her being placed in a Guardian Home so she can have lots more training and undivided attention.  Although Nellie loves to be patted and fussed over, she is just as content playing with a toy by herself.  Amazing for a 14 week old pup.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Dublin is visiting today and so enjoying all the ladies... big and small.

Dublin watching over little Nellie Bly.
Don't you just love the colors?
What a palette of furry crayons!
'Come on' says Dublin.  'Let's play chase'!
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Dublin is here to get his one year health testing done.  What an amazing fellow he is!  His guardian, Cynthia has done a wonderful job of training him.  You have to be impressed when you have a stud who does NOT lift his leg to urinate!  He was taught to only squat so no shrubbery, flowers, buildings or wheelchairs are ever marked!  What a wonderful bonus that is!!

This boy was easily embraced by all my girls as the above pictures show.  Dublin's temperament is Divine and he easily meshes into any place, person or animal.  He adores little Nellie Bly and plays with her gently. 

We are all pulling and praying that this boy will pass his testing with flying colors because to not use him to produce offspring would leave a great hole in the world of breeding.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

A definition I embrace...

Recently, I was reading articles about different breeds and came across a very common sense definition of what a dog breed is:

The following excerpt from the University of Oklahoma's website:

"...this definition from The Genetics of Populations by Jay L. Lush helps explain why a good definition of "breed" is elusive.

"A breed is a group of domestic animals, termed such by common consent of the breeders, ... a term which arose among breeders of livestock, created one might say, for their own use, and no one is warranted in assigning to this word a scientific definition and in calling the breeders wrong when they deviate from the formulated definition. It is their word and the breeders common usage is what we must accept as the correct definition."

Sometimes, when I read something, a light goes on in my head.  The above quote makes so much sense. When man met dog, it was 'a convenience'.  Both could offer something to each other which was of benefit. It was not defined by some 'expert' sitting at his computer to tweak how the next 'breed' should look. Each dog type developed a relationship based on need, companionship, ability, intuitiveness, structural design and temperament. How sad that this incredible journey between man and his beast has been reduced to a beauty pageant by organizations such as the AKC and other dog fancier clubs.  I often wonder why such organizations place so much on 'looks' rather than health.  What these show boats have done over the years is create slumping spines on Shepherds, breathing difficulties on English Bulldogs, cranial issues with King Charles Spaniels..... the list is endless, all in the name of a 'look'. What happened to the DNA that each original breed contributed to its offspring that defined itself as a sighthound, for instance?  Or a herding breed?  Or a foot warmer, for that matter!

The common sense expressed in the above quote gives me hope that the future of our breeds will be allowed to go back to their roots and be rewarded for historic value based on performance. I doubt it will ever happen but that is why I breed Labradoodles - a hybrid that DOES allow breeders, like myself, to make breeding decisions not on how many champions are in a pedigree but instead on complimentary temperaments and solid health scores.  I am so grateful that hybrids such as Cockapoos, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Schnoodles, Maltipoos and others are winning over the general public BECAUSE of their diversity.  Let's not forget how cute they are as well!

Get a cup of tea or perhaps a pot of tea and watch this video for a real eye opener about the negative impact shows and clubs have done to dog breeds.  It is long, disturbing and so true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jROjFPAis&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

NELLIE BLY


Miss Nellie Bly was my pick from the Maine Coast Labradoodle litter of Sadie Smiles and my stud, Percy Jaxon.  She is an adorable dark apricot/red beauty with a white chin and patch of white on her chest.  I don't expect her soft wavy coat to shed at all.  She is bright, sweet, cuddly and has a nice conformation.  Nellie's size stats will be around 25 lbs. and 16 inches. I am hoping for great things from Nellie Bly - who was the pen name of a famously spirited American Journalist/reporter in the 1800's.

Nellie Bly is a character and loves to be with people - big or small. Nellie is not a terribly gregarious girl, but not shy either - a very nice blend who would do well with anyone.  Loves to be held and patted and is a very good girl when being groomed.  Great combo of genes in this girl.



12 wks.


It is evident that Nellie fits like a glove with her family and they all pitch in to take her for walks and playtime outside - along with cuddles and training!  For a first time dog family, they have all done an exceptional job.


7 months.
12 wks.
















WORDS FROM HER GUARDIANS:
 

We received Nellie Bly in 2013 and feel blessed to have her in our lives. We were intrigued by the guardian dog arrangement for two reasons: first, it was a more affordable arrangement for us; second, and more importantly, we knew we would be getting the pick of the litter, a puppy that Joyce thought was so special that she would want her to reproduce. Indeed, Nellie has a wonderful temperament and we have loved having her as part of our family.
Joyce makes her expectations explicit and clear and works to make appointment times and breeding times manageable for all involved. The guardian relationship is not for everyone as there is work involved but Joyce does a great job of explaining everything that is expected. If you want a spectacular puppy and dog in your life, this could very well be the way to go.



STATS and CERTIFICATIONS:
  • DOB:  August  15, 2013. NELLIE BLY is from the mating of Percy Jaxon, a second generation Cockapoo and Maine Coast Labradoodles Sadie Smiles. Nellie is a lovely dark apricot wavy fleece non-shedding coat. 
  • Size/Color/Coat: Approximately 16 inches tall and 23 lbs. Color DNA is: BBee, at/at, DD, Kb/Ky, Em/E and S/S. She does not carry the parti gene.
  • DNA test results: Normal/Clear for Exercised Induced Collapse, von Willebrand's Disease, Degenerative Myelopathy and CBP for Progressive Rod Atrophy.
  • Thyroid/Blood Work/Chemistry's and TgAA - Done 1/20/15 with Hemopet - Normal.  TgAA is below 1.
  • Hip Structure: PennHIP 60% (.48/.43) and OFA Prelim is 'Good'.  Done at 17 months.
  • Patellar Luxation (knees) - OFA certified Normal.
  • Elbows - OFA Prelim of  'Normal' at 17 months.
  • Legg-Calves-Perthes - OFA certified Normal.
  • OFA Eye Exams (annual test) - OFA certified Normal on 11/19/13. On 10/28/15 shows E1 Cataract - Significance Unknown. This does not represent current potential compromise of ocular comfort, vision or other ocular functions per OFA's definition.
  • Heart - OFA#HY-CA1406/26F/C-VPI. No evidence of congenital cardiac disease. 10/27/15
  • IC - Normal for correct coat gene.


Monday, November 11, 2013

I am back!

I had a nice little break once the pups all left and visited my daughter and her family.  Every time I visit, we do a small painting project together.  This time, we finished the hall and completed painting the mopboard around her large kitchen.  It is so nice to finish projects.

My grandson and I built many structures with blocks and 'magnetic tiles' which were pretty awesome!  All in all, a nice break.  Came home to numerous phone and email messages which took several hours to address and am now going to eat dinner and snuggle with all my girls, including little Nellie Bly.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

My hectic 'dog' days will soon be a thing of the past (for a little while).


 
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This morning I met Rafael's (Black Collar) new owners in Portland, Maine as I was also meeting Dublin's guardian for some testing and a visit.  Rafa's family pic has been added to the 'Going Home' post of Phineas x Muddie Pearl's litter and is a wonderful end to a great group of pups.

After Dublin had his 'perfect' heart exam, I enjoyed some tea at his home (which is beyond warm, inviting and gorgeous!) and wanted to share the above pic.  What a joy this large medium boy is.  So friendly and gentle natured.  His long, fluffy, curly soft coat is a lovely shade of light red or dark apricot depending on your eye.  Dublin is a lap dog and any lap will do - all 19 or 20 inches of him manage to drape on you.   :+)  
 
Our fingers are crossed that this hunky stud will be servicing our girls soon for solid medium puppies in shades of apricot, cream, red and black.   I do believe his 'dance card' will fill up quickly.





Saturday, November 2, 2013

This is the weekend that Pearl and Phineas' puppies go home.

Lilly was the first to go.  It was a day to celebrate!
Flynn is going to be such a fun addition to this active family.  
This is one happy couple!  Quechee is finally going home!
The Bruce family happily adds Rafael to their home!
Okay, Barbara is definitely outnumbered by all these males.  There are two more sons at home!
And Milo is a male fur baby!  I don't think she minds though.  :+)



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I do hope that all of the above families enjoy their new addition.  It is never an easy task to bring in a new puppy into a busy family but if you 'grin and bear' it for a few months, consistent training will erase the first tough weeks in no time!  Enjoy the ride.

:+)  Joyce