Maple Sugar leaves for her Guardian Home tomorrow.

I really don't know who will be sadder - Maple, me or my husband Carl. Maple is such a character and I will really miss all her antics. My husband really bonded to this little girl and will miss how she would greet him so happily everyday and sit patiently for him to give her bunches of pats and kisses.

Maple, along with Mommy Annabelle, Auntie Harriet and Cousin Willis enjoyed romping in the house & yard; playing 'toy take away'; and waiting their turn for 'leftovers' from Carl's dinner plate. :+(

Thankfully, she won't be far and we will see her often. Maple has been to her Guardian many times and thoroughly enjoys her second cousin 'Toby' who lives there as well. Life will be good, but I can't help feeling a bit sad knowing I won't get up to that animated face each morning.

I think Santa may grant our wish!

Hello!

Last weekend was quite the 'honeymoon' for Annabelle as two suitors vied for her affections. :+)

The rendezvous with Trout (Artificial Insemination) went exceptionally well as the healthy semen arrived early, the vet's office was ready and Annabelle was very cooperative. Later that day, the arrival of Rumple Sticks sent all the girls into a flurry of flirtation but he only had 'eyes' for Annabelle. Again, a successful mating. For assurances, Rumple spent the day on Monday 'courting' Annabelle.

According to the 'Calendar of Events', Annabelle should have a litter in mid December for homes in mid March. Naturally, I will update as the drama unfolds. :+)

Smitty has a Guardian Home. :+)

Smitty's unusual eyes, gentle personality and sweet nature have completely won over Pauline and Frances. Their other gorgeous Labradoodle, Augie, thought Smitty was the best gift ever and both boys have been inseparable.

His Guardians are training him to their Invisible Fence System, continuing with puppy manners started here and enjoy his 'melt in your hands' nature.

Thank you both for welcoming Smitty into your lovely home!

What is a Guardian Home?

Annabelle Doodles is not a 'kennel facility'. We don't keep our dogs in crates, or barns or dog runs. We only have four Labradoodles that live with us permanently - Annabelle, Harriet Potter, Olive and Willis McParti.

In order to keep developing new lines and prevent in-breeding, we utilize the Guardian Home philosophy. There are benefits to both parties involved. Annabelle Doodles has exclusive rights to breeding(s) and a family has a dog to love .

Here is what I look for:

• A love of animals and the willingness to do training & keep the dog groomed.
• Bonding and time to be with the dog either through home businesses, flexible work schedules or be able to take the dog to your employment.
• A fenced in yard is a major plus but Invisible Fence is fine in most situations.
• It is important that you not live any further than an hour radius from our home. (exceptions have been made dependent on vet facilities available)
• A willingness to embrace and follow my vaccine protocol; not use chemicals on lawns where the dog will be; and utilize a high quality non grain diet. (raw or 'homemade' is preferable)
• Contracts are custom made and confidential so a good repore with each other is important. Regular communication about the dog, pics, health questions, coat issues - all these points need an open discussion that benefits all involved.
• A car harness restraint that is approved is a must. Dogs need to be as safe in a vehicle as humans. Crates or Barriers are also acceptable.

These are some of the more important issues. I have several dogs in Guardian Homes at the moment and all are willing to discuss the arrangement with any approved applicants.

Annabelle is in heat!

Hello!

As expected, Harriet who began her cycle last week has thrown Annabelle into heat - yeah! I checked Miss Annie this morning and am now making plans for her breedings. She is just in the early stages and it won't be for a week or two until matings take place. If all goes well, I am expecting puppies to be delivered in mid December with home placements in mid-March or so.

Exciting times!!

We are asking Santa for a new litter :+)

Hello,

Annabelle is feeling rather frisky and enjoying all the attention that pre-cycling brings. We, on the otherhand, are conferring with Santa's elves about a late December delivery. If all goes well, a new litter of pups should be homebound just in time for Spring's early flowers in March or possibly April.

When Annabelle is ready, we plan to breed her to that wonderful redhead, Trout from California, who is also Maple Sugar's daddy.

Then there is Rumple Sticks, my gorgeous hunk of chocolate parfait who is ready, willing an able to perform his stud duties.

The old breeding approach of many sires impregnating a female is still frowned upon, but a 'duo sired' breeding has been sanctioned by the AKC for a while now. I am attempting to do just that with this breeding. Success is not overwhelming, but with the scientific advances of DNA for identifying parentage of puppies, I am hoping to beat the odds and get an assortment of colors. So those pups from Trout would all be red or dark apricot and with my stud Rumple Sticks - chocolates, blacks and creams. I am very excited and so is Annabelle. :+)

I should mention that all the resulting pups will be third generation labradoodles.

(Click pics below to enlarge.)

Our stud, Rumple Sticks, is a chocolate/cafe standing 20 inches tall and weighing 27 lbs. He is an Australian/American multigen with an impressive record of health and fabulous good looks. Hopefully this will be a natural mating.



Annabelle, a lovely non-shedding apricot second generation American Labradoodle, will be courted shortly by two handsome studs. She is a rugged girl weighing in at 38 lbs. and 18 inches in height. She loves squeaky stuffed animals and being a mother.















Pictured below is the very handsome, Trout. If his glorious coat and color wasn't enough to peak my curiosity, his health testing had me totally convinced - this was one great stud! I loved the fact that he comes from American lines, as I look for that specifically when breeding.

Placements - Part II

and to continue....

Marcia and Carl were my first contacts for a puppy and even sent me (well, Harriet actually) flowers when the litter was born. :+) For many weeks, Carl pushed a carriage around the North End with pics of Beatrix in them. Finally, he has Beatrix Potter (Flower Girl) in the flesh (or fur) to push now. The 'arts' are big in her neighborhood and Beatrix is partaking of it all with finesse and flair. Marcia has her baby girl and is thrilled beyond words. I should note, Miss Annabelle was not moving while her belly was being rubbed, so is included in this pic - just a tad spoiled.

Murphy, Red Girl found a wonderful home with the Donnelly Family. Murphy is full of life, laughs and kisses and shares them all with relish! From where I sit, it was a perfect placement.

Sweet, soft, complient Lily (Purple Girl) basks in the adoration of her owners, the Arnolds. Lily is the type of pup that needed a family who understood her nature and personality. I could have searched the U.S. from end to end and would not have found a more loving family to adopt her. I was so pleased when they asked me to put them on Willis' list for another puppy to join their family next year. :+)

With a heavy heart from the recent loss of their beloved pet, the Alvarez family contacted me. I was captured by the calmness and gentle manner all of them had - especially Tori. Rosa - 'Pink Girl' fit into their lifestyle like a glove. Rosa has a bit of a soft side and would do best with a structured household. With a large, extensive family to care for her every need, Rosa will heal the sad past and promise a bright future. :+)

Unfortunately, I did not get a pic of the last pup to leave. Little Poppi (Multi Girl) traveled, via car, back to Wisconsin through Canada! And.... she was one of the pups that DID NOT do well in a car. However, Kris stated that she did great and definitely overcame her car sickness and learned crate training during her trip. Quite the achievement!!

Her owner did say she would send me one of the hundred+ that they took of her during the trip and visit here. :+)

Hopefully, many of you will post me new pics of all these babies as they grow. I especially would love 6 month and year old pics. HINT! HINT!

Don't forget that I am here to help you in any way I can. A phone call or email is all it takes.