Eleven weeks today! Homebound this weekend!

As is typical of early spay and neuter surgeries, the pups don't miss a beat! They are frisky, energetic, hungray and wanting to play, play and play some more. I kept them confined until this morning. Once breakfast was down, they were off and running outside to burn off steam - lots of it!

As I was grooming another dog, I put them back into their space so that I did not have to think about which one was grabbing the dropped furballs and who was I going to step on!

Later today, back outside they went and then they had kitchen time. Boy are they growing!

Skidder/orange 10 1/4 lbs.


Lucia/red 13 3/4 lbs.


Lexi/lavender 12 1/4 lbs.


Tug/black 12 1/4 lbs.


Benzi/green 13 1/2 lbs.

Surgeries are done!

Hello!

Lucia, Skidder, Lexi, Tug, and Benzi had their surgeries, bloodwork and microchips today. They all did great! They left this morning at 8:00 am and I picked them back up at 5:30 pm. Boy, are these pups terrific car riders! Not a peep and no upset tummies - even after anesthesia! WOW!

Once settled I fed each one individually to make sure they got their pain med down and didn't eat someone else's!! I will give them another small meal later tonight as I know they are still hungray. They were without food for nearly 20 hours as their last meal was last night at 9:30 pm. I did that on purpose because I knew surgery would not start before 10 am. and they could not have breakfast. :+(

Right now, they want OUT of their confined space. Confinement is necessary to prevent too much wrestling too soon after surgery. These pups want to play!

I will get pics tomorrow!

Our 10 week pics!

The pups are REALLY growing now. They investigate and chew everything. Nothing is left 'undiscovered' by those teeth! They look sooo innocent in these pics. :+)

WE ARE ALL NAMED - WHOOPIE! I also FINALLY have a confirmation on Blue Boy, who does have the official name of Annabelle's LIAM O' KIERAN. Liam was placed in his guardian home early and is not pictured below. He, along with Annabelle's PHINEAS T. BARNUM are future Annabelle Doodle stud hopefuls.


LUCIA is always in the middle of things. Although she is lying down, she is strategizing. She has topped the boys in weight this week at 13 lbs.! Time to substitute yougart for lunch, Lucia!


Don't let this dollface fool you! SKIDDER LOVES life and intends to enjoy it to the fullest. Skidder is beginning to catch up to the others and is a solid 9 lbs.


Phineas T. Barnum is about as opposite from his namesake as is possible. A nice analogy on opposites. Phineas has a Guardian Home and is 12 lbs. this week.


BENZI has the cutest head tilts on the planet! He weighs in at 12 1/2 lbs.


'TUG's personality (Black Boy) is as gentle as his eyes. A very sweet pup. A perfect 'medium' weight of 10 3/4 lbs.


LEXI (formerly Lavender Girl) is a princess and holds court at every opportunity. She now weighs 11 lbs.

Crates and Food for your new pup.

Hi,

I am getting a number of questions about crate sizes and food choice. I just sent all of you an article from The Whole Dog Journal about food. It is their 2008 version but still holds true. Read it carefully to understand what is in food and why they make the recommendations.

Other breeders tell me that Orijen is another quality food and you should ask for it by name if your doggie store does not carry it. Although many vets recommend Science Diet, it is not a great food except the ID which is for dogs with digestive issues. It your dog has good digestion, then try a different food. Unfortunately, Science Diet changed hands and the quality of the food was affected. Also, your pup will need to be fed PUPPY food three times per day until about 6 months or when it begins refusing the noontime meal. After 6 months +/-, switch to twice a day and after a year to adult food.

Decide how the crate is going to affect your new member. Will it be its permanent bed? A place it will always go to for safety and 'quiet' time? If so, get the 36 inch. If it will be just for training purposes and then will be moved to a doggie bed type situation, then purchase the 30 inch crate.

Hope this helps!

We are almost 10 weeks and LOVE playing in the kitchen!

Hello!

Yesterday, we added our gate to our kitchen so that the pups could come in and have another area to play in. I like them to be underfoot for a couple of weeks prior to going home.

Also, I said 'good-bye' to Annabelle's LIAM O' KIERAN? (not 100%) as he was taken by his guardians to a new home and environment. He does have a 'big brother' to play with, but it will be sometime before they can REALLY wrestle! Liam is a big guy but his buddy is MUCH bigger. :+)


Red is now LUCIA and she still enjoys our boot rack. The laces of our boots have been enjoyed by many, many teeth!


Doesn't it look like SKIDDER is doing the raspberry??? Thanks for the name Wendy!


Lavender Girl looks like she is soooo ready to pounce on someone!


BENZI has caused lots of mischief and is taking a short break. :+)


Using the boots like an umbrella, Black Boy is keeping an eye on things.


Annabelle's PHINEAS T. BARNUM awaits a family to call his own. I am looking for a local guardian placement. He rather enjoys tugging on the leash.

Temperament Testing is complete and assignments made!

WHEW! It was a day of surprises for sure! Thankfully, everyone is happy with their new family additions.

I thought you would enjoy shots of the pups going through some of the criteria used for assessment. It actually went very well as the pups are a great group.

Some of you have names picked out and others are still thinking. Once pups are assigned, I need to receive name choices as soon as possible as I have a ton of paperwork to do as well as inform my vet of their names for the up-coming spays and neuters. So........... :+)

This is Lavender Girl participating in the 'Retrieve Segment'. I think she may like to play ball.


Blue Boy enjoying the 'Sight Sensitivity' portion.


Red Girl is a great 'Follower'.


'Stability Recovery Time' is not a problem at all for Black Boy. He is inquisitive.


The 'Elevation Test' shows acceptance in a position of no control. Orange is very compliant albeit wondering where the floor is!


Ahhhh....Do you think Green Boy has any problem with being 'Social'???


Turquoise Boy has no issues whatsoever with 'Restraint'. Can you say 'relax'?

We had our Eye CERF's today.

We braved the weather and managed to dodge most of the mess. :+)

You all are very, very lucky in that these pups ride like a dream in a car. They have been on four car rides so far of at least a 1/2 hour and these pups are so quiet - not a peep! A very rare thing to happen. I had Blue and Green with a little bit of muzzle wetness from a bit of anxiety for their 8 week shots last week, but that did not even happen today. Really terrific riders!

There was no eye disease found in any of the pups which is a Godsend, but the two that I was most interested in keeping in my program had slight imperfections that will keep them from getting official CERF certificates. I feel very strongly that my potential breeders must have this certificate. That is going to make several people happy because both Green Boy and Lavender Girl are now pet quality only. Makes me want to cry that I cannot include them in my program. That also means that I am now picking two new choices and won't make these selections until after the second temperament test on Wednesday.