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'.