Gunny x Lil Abner 'dates'

I am happy to report that our mating pair had two successful 'dates' and I should know if Gunny is pregnant in 30 days.

Lil Abner is such a gentleman and wooed Gunny with gentle sniffs but knows his job and got it done. What was rather funny is that both of them wanted to have 'privacy' and preferred being outdoors in our alley that goes from the pup room to the outside play area. HOWEVER, it has been incredibly cold here and there was no way I would keep them outdoors on frigid cement for 20 minutes! So, myself and a helper picked up both doodles during their 'tie' (the exchange of sperm) and brought them indoors to complete the process.  It was way more comfortable and I am sure appreciated but if my neighbors happened to peek out their window while we physically moved them as 'one unit', I am sure it was a rather bizarre observation.  :+)

Looking forward to sharing positive news in a month!

Wahoo! Gunny has ovulated!

Happily, today's progesterone results prove Miss Gunny has ovulated and will be bred Tuesday and Wednesday - right after Christmas Day.  Thank you Gunny for perfect timing!!

If the breeding goes well, pups will be expected mid February and go home in May sometime. I am very happy with the way this all panned out time-wise.  :+)

Well, well, well. Update #1.

About a week or so ago, Daisy began her cycle. I spotted some blood on my floor and checked her. I knew I would be passing on breeding her this time. However, this week, I was seeing bright blood which tells me it is 'new' blood and immediately checked Miss Gunny and she is now cycling!

My plan is to breed Gunny to Lil Abner again as their first litter together was quite lovely and sweet. Maybe the Christmas Spirits will sprinkle some 'magical' dust and a phantom girl might be born! I think I will make some Christmas wishes.  I have been a good girl.  :+)

My guardians for females know how 'lovey - dovey' they become when cycling and this picture just speaks volumes.

Gunny loves to use Carl's 'belly' for a pillow. Both are quite content with the arrangement.

If all goes according to my plan, pups would be expected in mid to late February and go home in early spring.

Update:  The first progesterone test shows she is very early in her cycle. Blows the myth that dogs are ready to be bred when they will stand to be mounted. Daisy Mae and Gunny have had a marathon of 'humping' each other for at least five days now.  Each is hoping the other would 'get the job done'! Oh my!!!  Another test will be done on Friday. Will keep updating.  :+)

Update #2:  Gunny is almost at ovulation; I bet tomorrow's progesterone will show she has met the mark. If this is so, I will be breeding her on Tuesday, Dec. 26th and again on Wednesday the 27th.  :+).  Thank you Christmas angels for allowing us to have an intact Christmas Day! 

The joy of color patterns.

For many years, the 'phantom' pattern was not one that I had considered placing in my program. It took me a while to STOP associating that color pattern with aggressive tendencies.  It is wrong, I know and not fair to any breed representative of that pattern.

When I visited some lovely Bernese Mountain Dogs, which have a similar pattern, I realized how silly I was in my thoughts. I LOVED their look and realized how much I wanted that pattern and set on a course to produce some. 

After many DNA pattern tests, my first one was born and I was over the moon. Molly was everything I had hoped for. A gorgeous coat, perfect phantom pattern and a temperament to die for - except she had an underbite. I was beyond disappointed but had to let her go as a pet.  Health still has to be the first requirement for keeping a breeding candidate.

A couple years later, two phantoms were produced in the Gunny x Lil Abner litter and voila - Thaddeus Dood captured my eye and my heart.  I am so hoping he will test out well in a year or so; but in the meantime, I enjoy sharing his pic from his awesome guardian, Paul.

Thaddeus Dood showing off his new groom.

There are many genes that must 'combine' to produce particular patterns. You just can't randomly breed doodles and think it will happen. It is a deliberate process and may take years to achieve. I saw my first Labradoodle with a 'tri' pattern twelve years ago and fell in love.  A tri pattern includes white within the phantom coloration. Look up a Bernese Mountain Dog and you will see what I mean. I have been working towards that pattern for a long time and hope within a couple of years, I will achieve it.

Breeding is certainly a labor of love, dedication and sometimes, heartbreak!

Wyatt enjoying a new toy.

I love this boy's looks and personality. So excited to see what he will bring to my program.

Why I always encourage my customers to follow a different road when it comes to vaccines.

Of course, I cannot force any of you to follow this protocol, but at least download it and READ it because it just may add many years to your canine companion.  It might also prevent a lot of health issues. Lastly, you just might want to subscribe to this magazine.  :+)


http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/what-every-vet-should-know-about-vaccines/

Merry Christmas to all!

Joyce & Carl and all of the Annabelle Doodles here at ADNE:

Annabelle Potts
Harriet Potter
Willis McParti
Olive Oyl
Daisy Mae Duke and lastly,
Minnie McGuinness aka Gunny!

We are having our first snowfall. I love it.

However, it appears another one of my future chocolate hopefuls also enjoys the snow AND her ball. The video her guardian sent me was so funny to watch.

All I can share here is her cuteness as she experiences her first snow.

Sweet mini Demi Tasse enjoying her first snow.  :+)

I do have one doodle in heat but...

it is Daisy, not Charlotte!  Daisy has had two litters and I am skipping her this cycle. She will be bred on her next one which should be in June for summer pups going home in early fall.

I expect Gunny to cycle right behind Daisy and will breed Gunny and hope Charlotte cycles about a month later so taking care of two litters will be a bit easier.

Sitting pretty after her first grooming.

Ms. Sadie Benz is 16 weeks old now and her guardian decided she should be all spiffed up for the Christmas holidays so she was groomed.

Sadie did super well and the groomer was so pleased she said 'Sadie is like an old pro'!  So nice to hear those words because grooming can really be a nightmare for young dogs.

Looking good, Sadie!  Daisy x Emmett litter.

I just have to boast!

Please congratulate our boy WYATT SLURP on passing his Canine Good Citizenship test!  Great going Wyatt and Beth. Thanks so much for continuing his training.  :+)

Wyatt is an F2 Labradoodle that does not shed. He is all 'gussied' up for his award.  :+)

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us....

We are looking forward to the holiday season! We hung our outdoor lights and ornaments and will soon begin decorating indoors as well.

The boxwood has been cut so I can make a wreath for our door and perhaps a kissing ball as well. I love this time of year.

I don't have enough doodles living with me, so I had to buy a lighted one for outdoor Christmas 'patrol'.

A pic of Charlotte 2-Step at 16 weeks old!

She is definitely a girl that loves the fall and pumpkin pie! 

We are looking forward to her last litter of puppies for ADNE this winter.  A bittersweet moment for me. Charlotte is a sweet girl that embraces life to the fullest.  :+)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

A scheduled break.

Annabelle Doodles of New England will have a break from breeding and puppies until around December/January when we hope to breed Charlotte 2-Step for pup homes in the early spring. I already have several applications in her file so don't know if any more will be available until she whelps. Of course, you can send in applications any time and we will see what Mother Nature provides.  :+) 

I am not positive who her mate will be yet. Hopefully Wyatt which will bring a litter of blacks, chocolates and creams in a medium size.   If I use Lil Abner, it will be a mixture of minis and mediums in apricots.  I may also use an 'outside stud' from another breeder if one interests me. The best part of breeding are the many stud possibilities to choose from! I feel like a matchmaker at times.  :+)

It will be one of the very few times I do not have puppies during the holidays and we are looking forward to visiting family and friends during this break.  Last year, I had Christmas dinner in the oven while whelping a litter of pups from Miss Charlotte!

So I am wishing all patrons past, present and future a wonderful and safe holiday season!

I am so pleased to post this pic.

This is Ms. Sadie Benz and her new Guardian Family. We had to wait until dad returned home to welcome them to the ADNE program. 

Thanks to all linemen who work so many long hours to restore power to our communities!!  :+)

Ms. Sadie Benz

I am beyond 'over the moon' with the guardian family who visited to meet myself and Sadie on Monday. It could not have been a more perfect applicant. Ms. Sadie will be dropped off at her new home in Rochester, NH on Thursday morning.

Some things are just worth waiting for.  :+)

Daisy and Sadie playing together.

Sadie (10 weeks) is always trying to play with the adult doodles around here and typically just gets bowled over by them.  Today, I had the opportunity to have just a 'Mother and Daughter' playdate. Sadie was thrilled to have her mom all to herself to chase, tug  and wrestle with.

Daisy Mae is a wonderful mom and very gentle but in some of these pics you would think they are killing each other!! 

Sadie looks like she has a strangle hold on Daisy!

Sadie taunting her mom.

'Oh, I love you sooooo much'!

'Play nice, Sadie or mommy will leave.'

'Okay mommy, I will - I promise.'

Such cuties!

Ms. Sadie Benz is still looking for a Guardian Home.

What a great pup Sadie is. Calm for a girl just 10 weeks of age (8 lbs.).  She is doing very well with sitting in front of you when called and sitting for her meals.  This little girl is a miniature Labradoodle who will be about 25 lbs. at maturity. She is learning to calm down quicker when placed in her crate area. Each night there is less and less objection - maybe 3 minutes.  :+)

I was away for about a week and upon my return, she was cheerful and engaging, not shy or reclusive. Sadie is not a hyper pup but does love attention and cuddles. She likes to play with a ball and loves interacting with all the adult doodles here.

Sadie would truly love another dog to live with but would also acclimate easily with someone who is home and wants furry company. She would do great with well behaved, gentle children. 

Ms. Sadie Benz has a soft, sweet (not timid) temperament and completely settles when held.

If I don't answer right away.... UPDATE!

I will be taking a few days off attending a 5 day Labradoodle seminar in NYC!  Hubby will be in charge of doodles while I am gone.  So, please be aware I may not respond as quickly as normal to questions and such.  It will be a hectic but fun time!

:+)  Joyce

UPDATE:  Although I will be gone again tomorrow through Monday to attend our grandson's birthday party in another state, I think I will still be able to answer emails. It sure has been a whirlwind few days! I can't wait to get into my bed tonight.

The DAISY X EMMETT LITTER GO HOME!

After an incredibly busy week, today has culminated with all these families meeting each other and enjoying their new addition to their family.  Hopefully, all will go well over the next few nights in their new home.

After everyone left, I had another family visit for my spring litter and then I laid down! :+)  Here are the pics of all these furry babies with their owners.

Louie -  Louis has been adopted by the Jones family.

Simba joins the Kasell family.

Little Rosie joins the Prellwitz family.

Ziggy Stardust is adopted by the Blumbergs.

Montana joins the Swartz family.

Lots of big smiles as Piper joins the Walsh family.

Barrister will be an armful indeed for the Farzan family.

Maggie Lutsk will be the special companion for her owner.

Ms. Sadie Benz and her Guardian Family.

Enjoy your babies as you all venture into the world of puppydom!  It is challenging but incredibly rewarding.  :+)

Surgeries today! MORNING AFTER PICS!

Early this morning, eight of the pups and I traveled to my vet for their surgeries. This was their second 'big' car trip this week. Friday is their last trip before they go home.  They have done very well in the car, so I am happy about that!

I picked them up early this evening as they also need to recoup and be able to urinate before leaving the vet facilities.

In the meantime, Ms. Sadie Benz has been home alone but she is such a good girl and kept herself perfectly entertained with toys and put herself in a crate for a nap. She happily watched me vacuum the pup area of leaves and debris, disinfect it and stack the play-yard toys in one area for their winter location.

Now that the pups are home, their play space will be quite limited until pick up. They will need to be monitored for 10 days which means more quiet time than 'rough-housing'. Yes, walks are fine and holding is fine but children definitely need to be supervised as the surgery heals.  They bounce back very quickly and want to wrestle and rock and roll, but 'surgery is surgery' and having them with their owner is far better for healing than the temptation of wrestling with 9 siblings!  It truly is impossible for me to prevent them from frolicking.  I guess if they were locked up in a crate all day and night and that would limit their space but just promote anxiety and loud barking - both of which I want to prevent.  Gentle playing is just fine, you just don't want them running hard for a ball or jumping all over the place as that will impair healing and possibly open up the surgical site and cause an infection. So, please follow the instruction sheet provided to you at pick up.

It is too late to post pics but I will tomorrow so you can see that they are all fine.  Rosie, Maggie and Piper are still under the effects of anesthesia and did not want to eat, just sleep.  This is when you follow their lead and leave them in an open crate.  I will offer them some food later if they are up.

Once again, I am grateful to my vets and their technicians for their surgical expertise and kindness to my pups.

UPDATE:

The sun is shining and they are outdoors enjoying it.

They will only have access to these outdoor pens until they go home to keep their activity to a minimum.

Ms. Sadie Benz

What a great puppy!  So happy I chose her to be a future hopeful for ADNE. Sadie was home without her siblings all day (they were getting their surgeries) and was nary a problem. So self entertaining - played with toys, watched me work outdoors putting stuff away, had lunch and put herself in a crate for a nap afterwards. No barking, no crying, no complaining. She is so stable.  :+)

I took some pics of her because she is so photogenic and was happy to participate.  We are still hoping for a local guardian home for this great girl but in the meantime, Carl and I are enjoying her wonderful self.  My bet is that she will lighten as she ages and have a fabulous wavy coat.

Hi,
My name is Ms. Sadie Benz, after that 'fancy' car.

My mommy says 'I have great lines' - not sure what that means.

She says 'My front grill is nice and wide'.

Then there is this thing she calls 'balanced'.

Sometimes, I think she is confused as to what I am!

This little charmer is 8  1/2 weeks in these shots and will grow to about 16 inches and 25 lbs. Her temperament is truly wonderful - focused, gentle and willing.

DAISY X EMMETT LITTER IS EIGHT WEEKS TODAY!

By this time next week, the pups will all be in their new homes except for Sadie, who I have not found a guardian home for yet.  :+(  She will not be lonely though as she can then hang around with my adults.  Good exposure for her.

The pups are really growing now and a couple of the boys have now overcome Ms. Sadie for the heavyweight in the litter. Simba is now 7 hefty pounds and you can feel it when you pick him up!

Teeth are growing and in a few weeks will be replaced by their adult teeth so lots of chew toys will be needed. Don't forget those wonderful Kongs for filling with food & freezing for nutrition and entertainment.

This week's prop is our harvest basket. However the cutest 'vegetable' is your sweet puppy!

Maggie Lutsk - 8 wks., 5 lbs.

Ziggy Blumberg - 8 wks., 6 lbs.

Rosie Prellwitz - 8 wks., 4  1/4 lbs.

Piper Walsh - 8 wks., 6  1/4 lbs.

 

Ms. Sadie Benz - 8 wks., 6  1/2 lbs. (Guardian Home Candidate)

Montana Swartz - 8 wks., 6  3/4 lbs.

Louie Jones - 8 wks., 5  1/2 lbs.

  

Barrister Farzan - 8 wks., 6  1/4 lbs.

Simba Kasell - 8 wks., 7 lbs. He is a chunka chunka!

DAISY X EMMETT - NINE LITTLE RUGRATS!

I took some casual shots of the pups this morning. They literally make it impossible to walk normally outdoors with them clinging to my pants or shoes! They are certainly becoming rowdy at times and full of themselves the rest of the time.  Fortunately, they still like to be held and view me as their 'Chef n Chief'.  :+)

Pens are rearranged again getting ready for the upcoming, crazy busy week.

The Play Box is back down and Louis enjoys it.

Wrestling is pretty non-stop!

Entertaining themselves.

They like to play on and around the caterpillar.

Annabelle still likes to visit with the pups.

Thinking about taking a nap.

Well, maybe not.  

AVAILABLE FOR A LOCAL GUARDIAN HOME ON OCT. 14TH.

MS. SADIE BENZ

What can I say? This girl is such a great example of what I like to keep back and breed from if she passes testing at a year of age.  Although her yummy chocolate color may fade, her lovely personality will just continue to 'age like a great wine'.  I love that she has retriever instincts, likes to chase a ball, enjoys cuddles and focuses well.

When Sadie was born, I was taken with how well she was 'put together' even as a newborn. She was rock solid sturdy and beautiful.   She and her siblings come from really healthy lines with an excellent family tree.

Mercedes Benz - known for its quality and great lines - just like Sadie.  :+)

I love her broad head and her rear end is also well 'designed' with a nice wide stance - she is very balanced. This lovely vehicle and Sadie have a lot in common hence the twist on the name. Can't beat quality, great style or workmanship.  :+)

Sadie will be a small medium of about 30 lbs. and perhaps 18 inches in height. She is a nice blend of calm and playful. Impish enough to make you laugh and hearty enough for hiking, swimming, walks and just the perfect size for easy baths and traveling.  Sadie will not have a curly coat, it will be long and flowing like her mother Daisy Mae but in tones of chocolate/cafe. She will not shed.

If you live within an hour of our location in North Berwick, Maine, Or Southern Maine Vets in Lyman, Maine; or the location of my vet in Rochester, N.H., I would love to hear from you.