The face of a mother....

Hi all,

At some point today, I will be saying goodbye to Cadbury. She is such a gentle, loving Labradoodle. Cadbury is very close to her guardian mom and follows her everywhere - whether it is 3 feet away or in another room. She does the same thing to me. Wherever I am, you will find Cadbury 'attached'. :+)

Cadbury's coat is simply amazing to care for. In the five plus weeks she has been here, maintaining her coat has been a breeze. Easy to brush or use a comb on; and soft to the touch. I give her guardians much credit to the ease with which I can cut her nails, clean her ears or give her a bath - she is incredibly cooperative.

Many dams will not allow dogs anywhere near their pups, but Cadbury's gentle and soft nature showed early protection but never aggession. In less than 2 weeks, she had no problem with any of them being near her brood - especially that pesty Olive!! :+)

I chose this mating with lots of consideration. Aside from health, I wanted softly curled coats, gentle temperaments and a medium boned, perfect confirmation. The uniquely beautiful cafe or lavender color will be a bonus in those puppies that will express that color gene. The pups have shown excellent acceptance of strangers, enjoy being held, have very nice structure and show delightful coats. Jackpot! :+)

'Thank You' Cadbury and Rumple, for this exceptional litter - you have passed both gentle natures and confirmational beauty to all of your offspring!




As you can see, Cadbury is delighted to see her 'mommy'! See you again soon Caddie! You are a delighful guest!

A wonderful poem that explains what breeders go through.

There are times when purchasers always question why a breeder does this or that. I like to post this poem to put things into perspective. This lovely, but sad poem, explains a lot. Have some Kleenex nearby.

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I love my little puppy; she makes my house a home.
She is my very sweetest little friend: I never feel alone.
She makes me smile; she makes me laugh; she fills my heart with love.
Did some person breed her; or did she fall from above?

I've never been a breeder - never seen life though their eyes;
I hold my little puppy and just sit and criticize.
I've never known their anguish; I've never felt their pain.
The caring of their charges, through snow or wind or rain.

I've never waited the whole night through, for babies to be born,
The stress and trepidation when they're still not there by morn.
The weight of responsibility, for this body in my hands;
This darling little baby, who weighs but 60 grams.

Should you do that instead of this...or maybe that was wrong?
Alone you fight and hope, one day he'll grow up proud and strong.
You pray he'll live to bring great joy to someone else's home.
You know it's all just up to you - you'll fight the fight alone.

Formula, bottles, heating pads, you've got to get this right.
Two-hour feedings for this tiny guy throughout the day and night.
Within your heart you dread that you will surely lose this fight....
To save this little baby, but God willing...you just might.

Day one: he's in there fighting, you say a silent prayer.
Day two and three, he's doing well, with lots of love and care.
Day four and five ...he's still alive; your hopes soar to the heavens.
Day six he slips away again, dies in your hands, day seven.

You take this little angel and bury him alone,
with aching heart and burning tears and an exhausted groan.
You ask yourself, "Why do this?....why suffer through this pain?"
Yet watch the joy your puppies bring and everything's explained.

So, when you think of breeders and label them with "Greed",
Think of all that they endure to fill another's need.
For when you buy your puppy, with your precious dollars part,
You only pay with money...while they pay with all their heart.

Author Unknown

A crate and a new litterbox is introduced.

So much has gone on this week as the pics below share. :+) The pups have been adjusting to a new water system, potty area and housing! They love to chase my broom when I sweep in the pen, they are not upset when I use the loud vacuum in their area and the mop is an evil thing that needs to be given a wide berth!

We upgraded to the 'potty pool' and I wish I could say that they are using it REALLY well, but they are not. :+( As you can see, it appears they think it is a playground!


Or maybe they think it is a wrestling arena....


I do believe Chocolate Girl IS using the new rest room, as Pink Girl watches and hopefully imitates!


Of course, most water fountains are located near 'restrooms' , so it is at Annabelle Doodles! They have mastered the Lixit Water bottles far more quickly than their bathroom skills.


After a nice drink, back to the wrestling arena.


I also included a crate this week for 'discovery' and after all that drinking, pottying and wrestling - Chocolate Girl has found a nice spot to take her ever loving beauty sleep!

Here we are at five weeks!

Cadbury will be leaving in a few days to go back to her guardians and the pups will be raised with the aid of three aunts and grammy Annabelle. They are totally self-sufficient now and enjoy their meals fully. Milk is no longer needed but 'doggie manners and training' will continue.

Auntie Olive has been such a pest doing her best to clean them and initiate play. Of course, I am always there for supervision. (I can't wait until Olive becomes a mommy!).

The pups have had their first experience with several visitors and will continue the exposure until they go to their homes. All of their vet appointments have been set up and soon I will have to start on all the paperwork that is involved. Until then, I get to have kisses and cuddles and the privilege of preparing their meals and cleaning up the messes. :+)


Red Boy continues to be a dark chocolate but I am guessing he will become a cafe` like his mom in time. (4.4 lbs.)



Green Boy was the first to show the color changes and my guess is that he will be parchment in color - so as I take pics from week to week you will really see him lighten to his eventual color of
a creamy tan. (4.8 lbs.)



Chocolate Girl LOVES her naps and it seems I am always waking her up to take a pic! (4.2 lbs.)



Pink Girl continues to be a pip squeak amongst the litter but has a big voice when it comes to holding her own at the bowl or with playmates. (3.4 lbs.)



Purple Girl certainly has a 'ticked off' look in this pic. Another sleeping beauty that was disturbed. I hate to think what she was calling me. (blush) (3.8 lbs.)



Teal Girl was slightly panting as the room had bright, warm sunshine coming through. It felt so good that I actually turned on the fan to give them more air. (4.12 lbs.)



Is this not the cutest shot of Orange Boy? I believe he will have a curlier coat than the others. Beautiful spirals, I bet. (4.4 lbs.)



Always placid (so far anyway), Black Boy sort of stays where I put him. We will see if that continues! (4.12 lbs.)



Charming Blue Boy. He too will become very light. So, if any of you people were wanting 'creams', trust me - many of these dark looking pups will NOT be dark at maturity. (4 lbs.)

New pups meet an old friend.

Each week I will be introducing a new toy or 'stranger' to help stimulate the pups to investigate new things. This practice usually helps pups to learn how to overcome obstacles later in life.

So an old friend came out of hiding for them to explore and not a one of them cringed or cried. There were a couple that were sleeping but when they woke up to something new in the pen, they walked over and introduced themselves. :+)

'Teal was playing when her siblings cheered ..


look what all of a sudden appeared!


Chocolate was quick to sniff without fail...


as her brother grabbed onto his sibling's tail!


They climbed and peeked around and under..


while this little boy was deep in wonder.


Green boy watched all the commotion going awry..


along with some spectators keeping an eye...


on the new stranger to enter their midst.


There was some yanking, pulling and genuine taste testing..


while Chocolate Girl continued her much needed resting'. The End. :+)

A cute pic of our stud CHICO!

Hi!

I know that Cadbury's litter is the focus of this AnnaBlog right now, but I just cannot resist posting this pic of our guy 'CHICO'. He has such a silky, easy care coat and I am so looking forward to when he and Olive mate. Those pups should have such scrumptious wavy coats that will look good with just routine brushing.

Chico is a borderline mini stud. He is just a smidgen over 17 inches with excellent boning and build.

We look forward to the pups that Olive and he will produce sometime this year.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The pups will be a full four weeks once the sun rises! Tomorrow company will be arriving so I was able to get pics done today and up for you to enjoy for the weekend. I love the fact that they now look like puppies! No teeth yet, but I can feel the nubs coming. They are eating a more solid mix rather than a milk mix and are awake just a wee bit longer. They tire easily, which is why visits are short. I can't believe how much their coats are changing as well. Lots of curls and waves along with more thickness. What lush coats they will all have.

I know when you all come to visit that you can't help yourself with picking favorites, but please know I will be picking a chocolate girl (maybe two) for possible inclusion in my program. I am not telling you which ones are my pick so continue to make lists because I have changed my mind many times!

Teal is the largest girl at this time. 3 lbs. 8 oz.


Black is the biggest boy at 3 lbs. 10 oz.


Purple girl is 2 lbs. 10 oz.


Chocolate girl is 3 lbs. 4 oz.


Red boy is 3 lbs.


Orange boy is 3 lbs. 2 oz.


Blue boy is 2 lbs. 12 oz.


Green boy is 3 lbs. 6 oz.


Pink girl is the tiniest of all at 2 lbs. 4 oz.

Some misc. pics of the group!

Just thought all of you would enjoy some pics of the pups as they are finally turning from newborns to puppies! :+)

A shot of their new arrangements. Some pile on the stuffed animals, others like the pad and then there are those who enjoy the lumpiness of the pellets. Go figure.


Can you see the color changes beginning on Green Boy? Like 'golden' highlights. He will be very light at maturity.


Look at how chunky they are getting since on 3 prepared meals a day plus mom!


I swear Pink Girl was posing.


Black Boy cuddling with the ratty doggie and his sis Chocolate Girl.


A cute shot of Chocolate girl.


Teal Girl is comfortable in the potty box. :+(


All the pups are happily drinking water and lots of it! (Black Boy)


A trio of white and milk chocolate delights.


Look at this mumbo jumbo of stuffies and puppies!


Yes, they are learning about where to go potty but make lots of mistakes still.


All are looking for their perfect napping spot.