Jaxon celebrates Halloween.

Once I got the costume on Jaxon, I knew I would need something very yummy to keep him focused. Jax is not particularly crazy about 'dressing up'. He is looking at me as if to say 'What is your bribe for this get up?'



Jaxon's says, 'Yes, bacon is good!"


Definitely worth it. :+)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CLARA X CHICO BABIES - TWO YEARS OLD!!!

I can hardly believe that two years have gone by already! Time surely does fly, but I am always surprised when I get an email telling me one of the babies is having a birthday. Over the years, there are quite a few! (Thanks, Lucia!)

So, I hope Lucia, Lexie, Skidder, Liam, Phineas, Benzi and Tug are all getting extra hugs, kisses and well wishes today. :+)

Your mommy will be having her third and last litter in 2012. We are hopeful to breed her next month and then she will retire. I hope to add one of her baby girls to my program. Clara Belle is too sweet to not continue her legacy.

:+) Gram

VACCINES, again....!

It is my hope that many of my customers check here every now and again for updates. Vaccines are a huge part of your doodles vet visits and it is my hope that you will read this link and perhaps rethink your yearly vaccine protocol offered by your vet's office.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/08/04/when-it-comes-to-vaccinating-your-pet-less-is-more.aspx

I know all of you want to do what is best, but sometimes the adage 'less is more' is exactly what needs to be done. As you all know, I am not an advocate of excessive vaccines. I do embrace a holistic approach to most issues and believe that building strong immune systems provides your pet with the best weapons for fighting issues - not vaccines or topical preventatives.

Joyce

Jaxon had a very busy day.

Today was a milestone for our little boy. He had a very important appointment with his Canine Ophthalmologist for his C.E.R.F. eye exam. Good breeding practices for a potential stud require a passing C.E.R.F. exam from a certified canine eye vet. During this exam, the vet looks for eye folds, PPM's (Persistent Papillary Membranes), Distichiasis (extra eyelashes), cataracts and many other issues that can be passed onto pups. Some of these 'dents' have minimal impact while others render the pup ineligible for a breeding program.

Happily, the vet said that Jaxon had 'beautifully healthy eyes - perfect!' Music to my ears for sure!!!

I have to share that Jaxon was such a hit because he is so very, very social to both people and other dogs. So many people (and dogs) came up to him to have some interaction and he loved it. :+) His favorite by far, is to come up to you wagging like crazy and then slump down on the floor to have his belly rubbed. He has this down to an art form.

As you can see, he really worked the room and is totally exhausted.

Jaxon is here!

Late last night, I drove to the Jetport to pick up my new stud hopeful. There was a crate waiting for me on the Continental counter and I almost missed it, because he was so quiet. I took him to the Ladies Room to take him out of the crate and boy did his tail wag! I am assuming it was because he was happy to see me but I do believe it was more because he was out of that tiny crate! Nonetheless, Jax is a VERY social, well tempered, lovely pup and a charmer. :+)

After our vet visit this morning, I took him into our playground and he was so happy to have some freedom!

Here he is sniffing the new Maine air.


He found a stick and happily chewed on it.


Then he found a second prize, a pine cone and pranced delightedly carrying it every which way as if he thought he had to keep his littermates from getting it.


Running full speed with his prize!


The joyfulness of a pup with freedom. :+)


What an adorable face!


Jaxon was also quite interested in the playground obstacle course.


Such a cutie! Loves his pine cones. :+)


............and he loves to steal socks!













I think Jaxon is quite content with his kingdom! He looks like he is surveying it. :+)

An introduction to Jaxon - Parts 1 and 2

Part 1:

Due to my husband's hip surgery, I did not breed two of my girls this spring. Carl is healing slowly but consistently which has given me a lull in my breeding program. It also afforded me the extra time to research for the addition of a possible new stud for Annabelle Doodles.

I would like you to welcome 'Percy Jaxon'. As with all my dogs, his name has a story. If you have avid young readers in your home, you may be familiar with the trilogy 'The Lightening Thief'. The young hero is named Percy Jackson, but I prefer the more unique spelling of the young hero's last name. Jaxon has a light red and white 'tuxedo' pattern and should weigh 18 lbs. or so at maturity. I expect him to be about 16 inches in height.

Jax is a second generation Cockapoo. The experience of integrating my first generation ALAA approved Cockapoo, 'Coriander', into one of my lines has provided me with valuable experience with regard to using this foundation breed infusion. I used him twice but only kept back one pup named 'Holiday Figgy Puddin'. She is gorgeous.

So many people do not realize that in order to be an 'Australian' Labradoodle, there MUST be genetic DNA material by at least three different foundation dog breeds. From heritage DNA done by many breeders in the U.S., we found that the majority of breeds that comprised the Australian Labradoodle were the Poodle, Labrador and Spaniel varieties - hence my interest.

(Please read about what constitutes an American vs. Australian Labradoodle
on my Home Page.)

To be honest, I have always liked the looks of a well balanced Cockapoo. The heads have a nice broadness with a shorter muzzle; the eyes have a soft expression; the coat is silkier and the body has a nicely squared, sturdy confirmation. It is also a breed that is considered 'allergy' friendly - an essential element.

When considering the introduction of a foundation dog, it is extremely important to be able to trace the AKC pedigrees on both the Spaniel and the Poodle that produced the Cockapoo. If you are lucky enough to find Champion stock in both lines, this shows correct confirmation and type for each breed. Jaxon's foundation lines show 14 Champions scattered throughout five generations. His Cockapoo father, Koala Mars, is in the ALAA's Labradoodle Registry database as an accredited infusion for the Australian Labradoodle's breeding criteria. To date, his progeny have been shown to have a strong, solid health foundation which is so important for the future health of the Australian Labradoodle. His Cockapoo mom, with the romantic name of 'Juliet', has numerous Champions in her American Cocker Spaniel lines.

As with all our doodles, Jaxon will need to pass our stringent testing protocol before being used as a stud at Annabelle Doodles. He will, however, be available immediately for a guardian home.

Part 2:

I thought you would be interested in Jaxon's parents and what they look like.


Comments from her breeder:

'Juliet' is a beautiful, friendly, outgoing dog. She wants to play with everyone - adults and children - and gets along very well with all the other dogs. She is curious and playful, yet very sweet and obedient. Juliet had her first litter of puppies in Feb. 2011, and she is a wonderful mama to all 8 of them!'

Juliet - 17 lb. Height: 15" to back; 20" to head
F1 (1st Generation)	Apricot - BBee
CERF clear	DNA tested
patellas normal	AKC traceable

Mars, Jaxon's sire has a very social calendar and rightly so, he is definitely a favorite of many furry females.

Comments from his new owner:

'Mars is a beautiful red tuxedo F1 (first generation) Cockapoo. He joined us in November 2010. He came to us from a labradoodle breeder in OR, and he is a sweet, friendly dog. We love him! He is fully tested for health and genetics. '

Mars - 16 lb. Height: 14" to back; 18 " to head
F1 (1st Generation)	Red tuxedo BBee
AKC traceable	OFA certified hips, elbows good; patellas normal
CERF clear	DNA tested

When something is not what it seems....

In yesterdays mail, I received this very nice letter from the 'National Association of Professional Woman' - NAPW explaining to me that my 'membership' was approved. Huh?

This just makes me wonder how I 'became invited'. I was never contacted nor did I ask to be considered. Since neither occurred, I asked myself just how 'special' is this letter? Is it sent to thousands and thousands of women across the country at random? If so, it diminishes its impact and is definitely misleading as I did nothing to warrant this invitation.

Perhaps other women/breeders would be gushing with enthusiasm to have received such a glowing invite . I guess, I am so traditional, that I believe you need to earn such recognition through much effort and achievement not simply as a result of a mass mailing!

Oh, did I mention that it included a stamped return card to join its membership? I had to smile that any woman would see this as anything more than a marketing ploy.

I wanted to post this here to show the general public that 'not all accolades' published on a website have value. Sometimes, it is just more marketing rhetoric.

I 'filed' it in the circular bin. I much prefer a personal communication from my clients telling me they are happy with the quality and service of my program. :+)