Camden and her three week old pups.

This past week, I did move Camden and her pups but not to the pup room. Instead, I put them in a corner of my kitchen to introduce them more to household noises and life in general. In my office, they are somewhat isolated which is great in the beginning but more light and exposure is needed once two weeks of age approaches. I may extend their area once I see them really using the potty box better - there has been improvement but it is very slight. Heck, these blimps hardly walk!!

On Nov. 8th, all of Figgy's pups will go home and that is when these babies will be moved to the Pup Room and Camden can have all the space to herself including access to the fenced in area. At the moment, I take Camden out on a leash many times a day.

As I was cleaning the pup pen, I placed the pups in a laundry basket and Camden promptly jumped in!

Red Boy is 2.5 lbs.

Grey Boy is 2.3 lbs. and sports the white goatee and chest flash.

Glitter Girl is 3.2 lbs.

Copper Girl is 2.12 lbs.

Blue Boy is 2.7 lbs.

Plum Girl is 2.4 lbs. and will have liver pigment.

Green Boy is 2.10 lbs.

For the most part, the girls are the heavier weight group right now.  It will be interesting to see if that changes once they are started on regular food. So far, all are doing well. Every now and again, they do start to interact with each other but it is of very short duration. This coming week will bring many changes and developments. Their eyes begin to really 'see', legs become stronger and they are stimulated by the environment. I find it to be the cutest phase.

Here they are, here they are! Figgy x Dublin 9 week old pics!

Sorry, busy day with hubby doctor appointments as well as eye CERF's for the puppies. Was really wondering if I was going to make it before it got too dark. Golly, the light is leaving us way too early!!  I did this batch with a mirror so there is a reflection of their backs in most of them.

Pups did very well on the drive to Portsmouth, NH with only minor crying that did not last long at all. On the way back, they were very quiet and all went to sleep. Thank you, puppies!  :+)  As is typical, people waiting for their appointments had to come over and pat the pups as I carried them in and out two at a time. All were very willing to be touched and held.

The exams went without a hitch and I got home in time to get the snapshots done.  Now it is time to get dinner for everyone, including the humans!

Phoebe is 8 3/4 lbs. 

Crosby is the big one at 10 1/4 lbs.

Peach is now Fiona Bailey and is 10 lbs.

Dainty Chloe is 7 3/4 lbs.

Monty is 8 1/2 lbs.

We had a visitor today - Montaque's (Monty) family came to visit. Also some pics of his siblings. :+)

It was wonderful to see the smiles all around for this very special puppy and how he will bring lots of entertaining activity to their household.

The Figgy x Dublin mating produced a super nice group of puppies.  I may have to repeat it!

Monty's happy family.

Looks like Peachy has a hangover and Phoebe is sympathetic.

Chloe is all alert as Crosby relaxes.

Monty enjoying a rest after all that cuddling from his family.

Oh my...Camden's pups are blimps at 2 weeks.

Bless Camden's big heart, she has been providing some exceptional milk for her babies. I guess all that very rich chicken soup I have been making for her is doing the job!

It won't be long before I will have to move these pups into the pup room but I still need to create a space for them. It appears I had better get on the stick!!!

At two weeks old, most of them have their eyes open and I have even heard a bark from one of them! Funny, I don't generally have a lot of litters where some of the girls are bigger than the boys but this is one of them.  All of them are quite plump.  :+)

Glitter Girl is 2.5 lbs.

Red Boy is 1.12 lbs.

Grey Boy is 1.9 lbs.

Plum Girl is 1.10 lbs.

Blue Boy is 1.13 lbs.

Green Boy is 1.13 lbs.

Copper Girl is 2.1 lbs.

How to entertain puppies during nasty weather.

Here are pics of Figgy's pups (with Haddie) playing with a box in the pup room. It took them about 15 minutes to even go near 'the big bad box'. Seeing their concern, I went in and began talking to them and all of them came to me but kept one eye on that 'naughty looking' box. After I stepped out, Crosby, who was the one who ran to the far corner initially, got brave and stated chewing on it. Naturally, the rest followed suit and had a wonderful time chewing it to kingdom come! It kept them all busy for more than an hour.

These pups do not mind the rain and the wind. They went outside to potty all day and even played chase in the rain. A mess for me but that is the price you pay for brave little souls enjoying Mother Nature.  :+)

Guardian for Haddie McGee. Why be a guardian?

Haddie is a mini Labradoodle - she will be approximately 25 to 28 lbs. at maturity. This is not your typical 'fragile little dogie' as Haddie is solid as a brick. She has strong boning, a square stance, non shedding, wavy coat coupled with quite a bit of confidence but respectful as well.  My trainer said Haddie is a very smart Labradoodle with good energy and would require an active household with dog experience and I agree.  Obedience training is a must as Haddie loves to learn and interact - she is a very quick learner.

A full time working situation is not the best placement for Haddie McGee, as she is quite social.  So an active, dog experienced home with children (or another dog) would do nicely. Or an active couple (retired or otherwise) that enjoys the companionship of a furry friend.  Lastly, those that have a home based business is also ideal.

Haddie loves the outdoors, children, people and is respectful of other dogs. Loud noises do not bother her like thunderstorms or the like and she is much more tolerant of the vacuum than she use to be. I continue to expose Haddie to new people, places and things weekly.

Haddie at 12 weeks. Weighs 10 1/2 lbs.

Haddie Mc Gee at 11 weeks of age. 9 1/2 lbs

Why be a guardian for ADNE:

PROS:  To be picked for a potential breeding candidate, I look first for temperament, training ability and structure. So each pup has to meet this criteria foremost. I then seek the opinion of my trainer that assesses all my pups from each litter - we have to agree on the outstanding puppy from her perspective as well. Think of it as 'my pick of the litter'. Although a a completely fenced in yard is a plus; it is not required as Invisible Fence is acceptable provided you are responsible.

When we talk about price, keep in mind that if this candidate does become a breeding doodle for ADNE, your $1,250.00 deposit is returned to you and you own the Labradoodle free and clear after only three litters. I typically never breed any of my girls after they are five years old, so many times, there has only been two litters born. There are other incentives as well that would be explained in the contract.

As far as routine vet visits, you can do most of the normal stuff with your favorite local vet.

CONS:  You need to live close enough to me to make the contract do-able for both of us. Most of the time, the guardian home will be driving (to me) or to my vet in Rochester, NH for testing. When it comes time for breeding, the dam typically goes to the stud 's home or my vet. This needs to be factored into your schedule. Sometimes, it may interfere with your life at home but with good communication and flexibility, it works just great. I have been known to meet you at a convenient spot when timing is an issue. If you have common sense and a flexible nature contact me!

You will be gone from your pet for several weeks when she delivers and weans her litter. However, I am quite accommodating with regard to you visiting often and highly encourage it. My requirements are quite high which means 'average' generally is not acceptable. Of course, this has NO reflection on the pet quality of the Labradoodle!

If you have further questions, please contact me. I am happy to discuss any and all points.

Eight weeks old - just two more weeks to go before Figgy's pups are with their families.

With the placements of Tate's litter and the very busy CERF/Heart Clinic behind me, things are rolling along nicely here at Annabelle Doodles.

Figgy's litter is a carpet of fluffy, happy, active doodles that follow Haddie Mc Gee everywhere. Haddie has really taken on the role of the 'older step sister quite nicely.  I bet in two weeks, most of Figgy's litter will be bigger than Haddie, who is a mini.  I bet Haddie keeps all of them in line though!

I actually took the litter for a ride in the car today just to see if any of them would be uncomfortable or show any signs of stress, like salivation.  None did, they all did quite well with just a couple of weak complaints. :+)

Again, Mother Nature kept the rain at bay and I finished my photo session staying dry. I had to lighten both Crosby and Monty so you could see a bit of their eyes. They are beautifully black.

I love her white toes and chest.
She is a  9 3/4 lb charmer. Waiting for her name!

Chloe (Lime) is the smallest and almost as quiet as Monty.
All 7 lbs. of her wants to be cuddled 24/7.

Phoebe (Lilac) is very sweet with bursts of energy. Pheebz
loves belly rubs. 8 lbs.

Monty (Red) is the most laid back, intuitive pup I have
ever had the pleasure of watching grow. 7 3/4 lbs.

Crosby (Teal) loves life. He is inquisitive yet loving - such a
perfect blend of  'naughty and nice'.  A hefty one at 9 3/4 lbs.

Tate's litter has been picked up. Here are the happy families.

I had a very busy day yesterday so am a bit late getting these done but here they are now!  :+)

BAROLO! From what I hear, an exceptional red wine.  I am sure he will soon be
the 'Toast of the Town'!

KEEFER has had many visits from his guardians.
They certainly are taking him everywhere for socialization!

James has waited a long time for his best buddy, BEAU.

Oh GUS! I just know that this family will be totally entertained by
their new pet!  Gus has much 'gusto' to share.  :+)

An excellent article on what to look for regarding Pet Insurance

This post was copied from the Mercola site.

By Dr. Becker

Currently, there are over a dozen companies in the U.S. and Canada offering pet insurance, and if you’ve tried sorting out the differences between them, like many pet owners, you probably wound up more confused than when you started.

As is the case with insurance of any kind, pet healthcare coverage is a wonderful thing to have if you need it -- and providing there are no big surprises when you submit a claim for reimbursement.

Here’s the scenario you want to avoid: you faithfully pay your monthly premium for years and enjoy peace of mind knowing your pet’s health care will be paid for in the event of an expensive illness or emergency. When that dreaded day unfortunately arrives, you submit a claim to your pet insurance provider for reimbursement… and learn that the illness or injury your companion has suffered isn’t covered by your policy.

So now you’re out thousands of dollars in premiums, and the substantial debt you’ve just incurred to treat your pet or save her life is your burden to bear, and yours alone. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence for people who don’t fully understand the exclusions and other limitations of their pet insurance coverage.

The 5 Most Important Things a Pet Insurance Policy Should Cover

Here are five things every pet owner should consider before investing in healthcare coverage for furry family members.

1. Chronic disease
Chronic diseases typically appear in middle-aged and older pets and are considered incurable. They include problems such as heart disease, chronic kidney or liver disease, diabetes, endocrine system disorders like Cushing’s or Addison’s disease, etc.
Look for a plan that covers chronic diseases, preferably without exclusions. Chances are good that if your furry companion lives long enough, he’ll develop a chronic health problem of some kind. Your pet healthcare plan should be designed to cover such eventualities.
Also be sure you’re informed about any limits on reimbursement for specific diseases.
2. Ongoing coverage for chronic disease
Just as you want your plan to cover chronic diseases, you also want to make sure it covers ongoing diagnostic testing and treatments for any chronic illness your pet may develop. Some policies only reimburse for tests and treatments for the year in which the condition was diagnosed, which means you assume the full cost after the first year.
Imagine your beloved pet develops chronic kidney disease, and after a year has passed, you’re still paying your monthly insurance premiums PLUS all the expenses incurred to treat her ongoing illness. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, so try to avoid plans that limit continual coverage reimbursements.
3. Congenital and hereditary disease
Your pet healthcare plan should cover congenital and hereditary conditions – the kind that are present at birth, as well as those that develop later in life. Examples include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation(floating kneecap), entropion (a disorder of the upper eyelid), liver shunts, etc.
Try to avoid plans that cover one but not the other, as some pet insurance providers consider congenital conditions “pre-existing.” A good rule of thumb: the more confusing the language in the policy, the less likely you are to be reimbursed. If you’re having trouble deciphering what is and isn’t covered, come up with some “what if” scenarios involving your pet, then call prospective providers and ask if those situations will be covered.
And again, pay attention to maximum payouts and any limits on reimbursement for specific diseases.
4. Breed-specific and species-specific disease
Many breeds of pets, dogs in particular, have medical conditions they are more prone to than other breeds. For example, Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop cancer than other breeds; small and toy dogs are more prone to patellar luxation.
Also, dogs as a species are more likely to acquire certain conditions like arthritis, while kitties are more apt to develop hyperthyroidism or chronic kidney disease.
Your policy should provide coverage for problems that may arise specific to your pet’s breed or species.
5. Cancer
Sadly, cancer is common among veterinary patients these days, especially certain dog breeds. And it isn’t exclusively a disease of old age. Traditional cancer treatment for pets (typically surgery and/or chemotherapy and other medications) can get very expensive, so make sure the pet insurance you’re considering provides coverage in this area.
Insure you understand reimbursement limits, and especially if your pet is a breed genetically predisposed to cancer, consider opting for a plan that provides the most comprehensive coverage available.
Also, keep in mind that older pets and those with pre-existing conditions may not be eligible for full cancer coverage, so you’ll want to get those details nailed down even if it requires phone calls to various providers.

Camden's puppies are one week old and doing quite well. :+)

Camden has been doing so well tending to her pups but really looks forward to our short walks and numerous 'pee stops' on leash.  She did have some issues with diarrhea which a quick vet visit took care of right away. Pups continue to gain and Camden continues to eat.  :+)

There is certainly a variance of size in this litter which I expected as Emmett is smaller than Camden. I am happy to see the differences.  Glitter Girl was the first born and a big one! She continues to wear the heavyweight crown at a week old. We will see if some of the boys don't catch up as they grow.

(Please note that the pups look much larger than they are because I use a close lens for facial detail.)

Grey Boy is 14 & 7/8 ounces.

Blue Boy weighs 1.2 lbs.

Plum Girl is exactly 1 lb.

Green Boy is 1.2 lbs.

Glitter Girl is a hefty 1.7 lbs.

Copper Girl is 1.4 lbs

Red Boy is 1.1 lbs.

Tate's 10 week olds in the pumpkin wagon!

Ready for action!

The week has been incredibly busy and it will get busier as it progresses.  On Monday, Gus, Barolo and Beau had their early neuters with micro chipping and toenail clipping.  Their siblings, Keefer and Haddie had to take their microchip without anesthesia but were brave.

When I returned home with Haddie and Keefer, I had to re-arrange the pup room into 'stalls' so when the group returned, they would be two to a space similar to a crate.  This arrangement keeps them quiet for continued healing and it works quite well.  Yes, all of them complained for a couple of hours that evening but now settled down quite nicely each night.  The recovery for this early surgery is truly remarkable. The pups barely miss a beat and are ready to 'rock and roll' right after the anesthesia wears off. I do include the option for 'Laser Light Healing' to speed up the cellular repair of the incision site.

The very next day, Tuesday, I packed them all up for their trip to my CERF vet, Dr. Cassotis, for an eye exam.  I always have my pups examined to see if they have any eye disease; and before 12 weeks is the best time to see behind the eye where a severe eye disease will show up. Thankfully, none was observed on any pup. Epithelial and Persistent Pupil Membranes were noted, but those will never affect their sight or cause any eye issues. Most of them are absorbed as they mature. So a good trip with lots of 'oooohs and ahhhhs' from clients and vet techs on how cute they all are.  :+)

Today, after I spent a good part of the day breeding my mini, Hazel Mae to Emmett. On my return,  I set up a spot to take pics for the last time of Tate's group before you all pick them up on Friday and Saturday evenings. I am still working on your puppy packs but all will be done for pick ups. Tomorrow are Figgy's litter temperament tests with assignments and Sunday is a Health Clinic many of my guardian doodles will attend at my vets. I am so looking forward to Monday and a bit less 'action' here at ADNE.  :+)

Barolo, can't wait to run and play!  11 lbs.

Beau, waiting for his best friend to arrive.  9.6 lbs.

Gus, who wants to investigate every nook and cranny.  10 lbs.

Keefer thinks he is King of the Pumpkin Patch!  11 1/4 lbs.

Haddie, sitting pretty for her potential guardian home to appear.  8 1/4 lbs.