Going to enjoy the rest of the summer. :+)

I will have a short break before September puppies arrive. Will take this time to visit grandchildren and read a book or two.  We have a grandchild's birthday party to attend and visitors to enjoy.  I am grateful for the short break in the summer months! It is a rare occurrence!!

GOODBYE TO THE FIGGY X KEEFER LITTER!

A hot morning welcomed the excited new owners of Figgy's adorable pups. The day had finally arrived and everyone had big smiles. Very willing hands patted and cuddled their soft hair, cooed at their cute faces and enjoyed them playing.

A BIG THANK YOU to Chris for watching over the children and pups while parents and I were in the house going over the pile of paperwork. It was so appreciated by all - especially me!

I LOVE having a group pick up as while going over the information, many great questions pop up that everyone can benefit from. Thank you, Martha for discovering the pedigree error - new ones will be in the mail by tomorrow morning!

As you engage in your new life with your pup, I say 'Goodbye' but not with regrets. Each family is wonderful and I know Jackson, Dobby, Sage and Rocky will have a lot to learn about rules but will also enrich your lives with laughter and antics along that learning curve. Heck, all of you witnessed the 'fun' my group had destroying that poor pillow as we were having our chat!  :+)

I hope all my past doodle families will welcome the new ones and that each of you will stay in touch to discuss training, coats, mistakes and the wonders of having a new pup. Don't forget to read the overview after the pics!  :+)

The Park Family with Rocky.

The Gilberti Family with Sage.

The Alexis-Janvier Family with Dobby Granger.

Martha and Jackson family.

As always, there is so much to go over when picking up your pup so I wanted to provide an overview:

• Visit your groomer often BEFORE you actually need one - remember treats and to hold your pup the entire time. Let the groomer introduce herself and try to clip just one nail initially. Remember, your pup will be visiting her routinely just about every six weeks, so now is the time to develop that positive relationship! Brush and comb weekly and touch your pup everywhere so they know your touch is a 'good' one. Your vet will thank you.  :+)
• Crating can be either wonderful or a nightmare. We went over what to do right, now you need to continue that practise. Do the exercise 4 times a day so that the crate becomes his favorite spot in the house. Children - you must leave your furry new friend ALONE when he is sleeping in his crate or elsewhere. Waking a sleeping puppy can startle him so greatly he could try to bite you. Be sure to wake him up gently by calling his name, tapping on the floor near him and letting him know you are there. Puppies need their sleep!
• When you take your pup to the vet for his checkup, please bring a stool sample. At this visit, you can give him the Kennel Cough Nosode but nothing else until he is 12 weeks old. Follow your vaccine sheet provided.
• The pup's 'safe zone' can include a potty box when necessary due to circumstances but should not be provided 24/7. If you do not take your pup outdoors often after eating, drinking and playing, every accident will hinder him being potty trained. If you are holding your pup and he WAS relaxed but then became 'wiggly/whiny', take him outdoors for a potty break! Use the bells so he makes an association and don't forget the treats AFTER he finishes.
• Your pup has left his only home, expect him to be a bit stressed (could provoke some diarrhea), as well as quite a bit of whining. Don't coddle him but let him be close and provide comfort but not too much.  You want to help them cope without smothering.
• YES! The pups will more than likely cry tonight. Try to deal with it. The sooner you allow them to self comfort themselves, the better off you will be. Be sure to take them out at 10 pm but be prepared to get up around 5 or 6 am. DON'T talk to them when you take them out of their crate in the morning! You will 'relax' them right into doing a piddle. Open the crate, scoop them up and THEN once outdoors, ask them to potty in a high pitched voice of excitement. I can guarantee you, they will piddle immediately. Defecation takes a bit longer but not by much - say 5 to 10 minutes at the most. After eating, they need to do both again. It is much more comforting for them to sleep in a room with people rather than totally alone.
• Remember a safe zone is not a crate - it is a space where the crate can be but also toys, water, soft bed, etc. is. The safe zone is where your pup should be when you cannot watch them 24/7. It should be located in the most busy area of the house so the pup gets use to watching you come and go and learns that not seeing you is okay. You don't want your dog to become anxious when not with you. Confidence begets a happy, well adjusted dog.
• Look for a trainer that uses positive methods - no choke collars, etc.! Doodles are sensitive creatures and it simply is not necessary or correct. 
• Don't forget about Day Care! It is good for you and them to have some time to yourselves.
• Initiate the Trupanion Insurance sheet immediately because you have 30 days free coverage from ADNE. You can always change your mind to another insurance if you wish.
• Do the same for the Microchip info! Don't procrastinate with either of these!

I am sure I have forgotten a few things but you know how to find me!  :+) Enjoy this journey.

Whew, the last vet visit is completed. (FIGGY X KEEFER LITTER)

Once again, pups were packed up for a trip to my vet for Health Certificates and to have their surgery incisions checked. All is well!

• puppy bags are packed
• paperwork is completed
• pups have been checked and rechecked
• vet visits are done

We are prepared for Saturday!  I look forward to our chat.

The pups went to see the Canine Ophthalmologist this morning!

I packed up the car bright and early complete with teething rings, Buddy Bowl for water, camera, stroller and eye forms.

The pups actually do very well in the car - no vomiting or wet muzzles; however, they do whine often. I guess if they had someone sitting with them, they would be fine but I am in the front and they are in the back.  :+(

We drove on the highway with big tracker trucks whizzing by along with all the cars and motorcycles. No howling at any of the noise. When we arrived at Port City Vets, I loaded them in my stroller and off we went!

'Is the doctor in?' asks Rocky.

'You are soooo cute!! ' Jackson, Sage and Dobby getting kisses from the vet tech.

'Ummm, that looks like a long way down' states Dobby.

The group agrees to just sit and be patient.

Dr. Cassotis was delighted to see the group (he always is) and stated that all the pups were wonderful patients and very cooperative.  That always makes me smile.  :+)

8 WEEKS OLD AND COUNTING DOWN! FIGGY X KEEFER LITTER

The pups are doing just great! They have eaten breakfast and lunch with relish and are in the smaller pen outdoors enjoying the sun and breezes.

They do not appear sore and are playing normally. The small pen keeps their energy level in check. I want them to move around but not excessively. The playground toys inhibit their ability to run too fast or for too long which prevents stressing the surgeries.

Of course, it is warm and beautiful and I know they would have enjoyed the pool but that can't happen for 10 days as the incision sites heal.

This is what they had to say when I gave them the news.

'Whaaat? No swimming? Awwwwww.............'
DOBBY at 8 weeks and 8 3/4 lbs.

'I like ice cream, can we have ice cream then?'
JACKSON at 8 weeks and 8 1/2 lbs.

'Where is the sunscreen?'
SAGE at 8 weeks is 7 3/4 lbs.

'If we can't go swimming, or have ice cream...can we at least watch 101 Dalmations'?
Rocky, the smallest pup at 8 weeks. 7 lbs.

Busy, busy, busy.....

Three trips to my vet for various reasons is a lot of driving! I am glad to finally be home for the evening.  :+)

The pups are resting after being at the vets all day. Both Jackson and Rocky were the last to have their surgeries so are a bit more sleepy than Sage and Dobby. In an hour or so, I will give each of them a bit to eat. I know tomorrow morning they will be full of themselves, so am enjoying the down time right now after a rather hectic day of breeding Tate for the last time and doing puppy needs.

Tomorrow, I will take individual photos of them and do the updates. For now, here are a couple of pics of my patients.  :+)

Rocky on the left, feeling a bit sleepy still and Dobby or the right who I may have to put a cone on if
he won't stop licking his incision. He won't like that at all, but might be necessary.

Bright eyes Sage is letting Jackson rest like a good girl.

You might wonder why I don't put the sleepy pups together. It is to prevent 'recovered' ones from interacting a lot with each other. A sleepy pup will not engage the other so both get the rest they need for recovery. Tomorrow is another day. Tonight, it is rest and relax time.

On Monday, the pups go for their eye exams and Tuesday they get their vaccine pinch and check ups to be sure they are healing properly. Before you know it, Saturday will be here and you will be going home with your new fur baby!  Did you puppy proof your house yet? Order your Snuggle Puppy? Contact a trainer/vet/groomer???  Decide on which food to give? Get a crate, Kong, gates, etc? Time is running out!

:+)

Happy to report that we finally had a mating between TATE X EMMETT this morning!

Hopefully, all will go well and pups will be arriving around the second week of September.

This mating has the potential to produce a myriad of colors: Apricot, Caramel, Red, Chocolate, Cream and Black! Sizes should range from 15 to 17 inches and weights 22 to 28 lbs. All is determined by Mother Nature even though I try to tell her 'which of what' I would prefer, she never listens.

Pups will be non shedding, some with curl others could be wavy - all will be fleece.

Temperament Testing finished on the FIGGY X KEEFER litter.

So far, it has been a busy week and it is not done yet but assignments have been made and all went well! Whew!

• Red Collar Boy's name is - DOBBY GRANGER (after the Harry Potter books!) He has been assigned to the Janvier Family,
• Royal Collar Boy's name is - JACKSON, named after a dear friend and is destined to be a therapy dog for the Meier Family. 
• Green Collar Boy is - ROCKY and will be the best friend for their 8 year old son in the Park Family.
• Teal Collar Girl is - SAGE and will entertain the Gilberti family with her antics.

Thank you all and welcome to the Annabelle Doodle Family!

Temperament testing.

We have it scheduled for Tuesday, July 12 in the morning. I will call you each personally for your assignment by noon.

WEEK 7 OF THE FIG X KEEFER LITTER!

Today, the pups have finally figured out how to open the dogie door to go outside - a milestone! Although we had numerous showers today, it did not dampen their spirits to go out to play.

We also had visitors and the pups thoroughly enjoyed the attention, handling and ball chasing. They are all a friendly bunch and enjoy interactions with people of all sizes. Once the excitement is over, they take a nice long nap. :+)  They all are rather close in size and weights - quite a uniform litter of medium Australian Labradoodles. I expect Red Collar male to be the biggest when an adult - closer to his dad, Keefer at around 36 pounds.

Pics were taken indoors due to the showers.

Red Collar Boy at 7 wks and 7 3/4 lbs.

Green Collar Boy is 7 wks. and weighs 7 1/2 lbs.

Teal Collar Girl is 6 3/4 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Royal Collar Male is 7 1/2 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Temperament Testing has been rescheduled for the FIG X KEEFER pups.

Due to my trainer's work schedule (and my breeding needs for Tate), we have to re-schedule the pups temperament testing date. At the moment, we are working on the details. I will post when I know for sure when it will be during the week of July 11th.

I know all of you are anxious but I am confident it will all work out perfectly.

Yea! Nellie Bly and Emmett Piccolo have mated!

Happily, Nellie has ovulated and is ready to be bred. Both Emmett and Nellie were very excited to see each other and an easy mating was done. If all goes well, Nellie will be whelping in early September.  Home bound in November before Thanksgiving.

Update:  After today's successful mating (7/8/16), Nellie is back home with her guardians in hopes that she is now 'incubating' her fertilized eggs. We will know in about a month!

Just some misc. pics to make your day! (Fig x Keefer - Week 6)

A gorgeous morning and just the right light for some quick pics of how the babes are doing.

Their Great Grandmother Annabelle, 13 1/2 years of age, loves to go into their pen and 'steal' their toys and walk around with them as the pups follow. She does this often and it is quite charming. Annabelle gives them the dickens if they try to take it away and these are very valuable dogie lessons for them. Adult 'respect' lessons are the same in dogs as it is in humans. :+)

Gunny is always playing with the pups. Here she is with Green Boy.

Now with Red, Green and Royal boys.

Miss Teal with a wet face!

Annabelle trying to run away with the pups' toy!

Red Boy will lighten to a lovely cafe or lavendar. He certainly has his mom's color genes.

Green Boy.

Royal Boy.

WEEK SIX - Figgy and Keefer litter! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

It is the Fourth of July weekend celebration throughout our nation and I am sure children all over are so excited to hear firecrackers, light sparklers and watch fireworks! I am so thankful that these pups will not be exposed to much 'celebratory noise' at our home. It is typically rather quiet around here.

This past week, the pups have had several visitors and play outdoors every day. They really like to play 'peek a boo' using the ramp outside the door to their room - barking and chasing each other over and under and then collapsing under it for a nap after all that activity.

The adult doodles still interact with them - mostly Gunny and Daisy. Annabelle stills gives them a 'talking to' several times a day though.

They are very friendly, happy pups that really enjoy chewing your toes, shoelaces, fingers...........

Red Male is a hefty 6 3/4 lbs at 6 weeks. He is the biggest pup.

Green Male is 5 lbs. at 6 weeks and is the smallest pup!

Teal Girl is 5 1/2 lbs. and keeping trim. Six weeks.

Royal Male is not far behind his brother Red. 6 1/4 lbs. at 6 weeks.

The pups all wish everyone to be smart and safe during this holiday weekend!