3 week pictures

Here they are - The WWII Litter at 3 weeks of age - One note - 3 week old puppies don't like to stand still for pictures (GRIN). We will be deciding on better names soon......

Zorro - Black and White Male

Dot Dot - Brindle male

Dot - Brindle Female

Possible name - Rosie the Riveter

(not cooperating with this process)

1/2 and 1/2 - Brindle Male - Mismark

Frosty - Black and White Girl

No Dot - Brindle Male

(Also not cooperating with this process!)

Ziggy - Black and White Female

We could not get a decent head shot of Ziggy.

Rudy Update

Since I had to be in court this morning, Rick had to take Rudy to the Vet and my information is a bit sketchy. Rudy has two bulging discs. He was given a steroid shot and is now on a muscle relaxer and oral steroids. He is on crate rest for at least a week and cannot do steps - which is a problem in our house...Guess we will be carrying him in and out of the house for a while. We will be calling in the holistic Vet that does Chiropractic adjustments and Acupuncture for treatments as well. Our Vet feels that he should make a full recovery. I guess his herding days are over now. Any suggestions on how we avoid any future problems for Rudy would be greatly appreciated.

Help! Need advice

Rudy (our red Merle rescue) is down in his back. He started limping 2 days ago and yesterday had trouble getting up steps. Today he can lift his front but has a great deal of difficulty getting his butt up. I carried him out this morning to do his business and he has not moved from the spot I set him down in. I have given him some aspirin and that seems to help the pain some. I have never had to deal with this before - any suggestions on how to make him more comfortable till we can get him to the vet tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

Almost Daily Cute

EARLY MORNING FACE FIGHTING!

I LOVE MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS
BROTHERLY LOVE

Almost Daily Cute

Most of the puppies eyes are open and they descend upon poor Kate as soon as she enters the whelping box. She lets them all latch on and then plops on her side. Puppies squirt out on both sides but somehow never let loose. They are so cute, I can spend hours watching them. I have been late to work everyday this week.

Our theme for this litter will be World War II - we are thinking of:

ROSIE THE RIVETER

ENOLA GAY

MEMPHIS BELLE

WINSTON CHURCHILL

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

PEARL HARBOR

I SHALL RETURN

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR

Any suggestions..........

Daily Cute (well almost daily)

The puppies will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. ALL are doing well. They are now raising themselves up on wobbly little legs and staggering around the whelping box. I expect to see little eyes looking back at me anytime.

I will try to post pictures of each puppy later this week.

Daily Cute Resumes

Our little one has bounced back and is on it's way to a full recovery. Woo Hoo - puppies are so resilient! Here are a few puppy shots taken this morning!

Scary days

On Monday one of our puppies was injured in an unfortunate accident (involving my 80 year old step-father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer's). The vet diagnosed a mild concussion. After several harrowing days, the baby appears to be improving. We are not out of the woods yet, but the puppy is nursing on her own. Once things settle down, we will resume our daily cute shots. Keep your fingers, toes and paws crossed for our little one.

Daily Cutes

There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping puppy

I think we may have some reds in this litter

Early Daily Cute

AHHHHHH - Nothing like an early morning breakfast at the milk bar!

Daily Cute(s)

First just let me say that it is really hard to take head shots of 3 day old puppies. I did my best....the names are temporary

Dot - Bitch - Brindle/red? - has 1 dot on neck

Dot Dot - Male brindle/red? - 2 dots on neck

No Dot -Male - brindle/red? no dots!

Pirate - male - black/white - lots of white but not a mismark!

Zorro - male - brindle/red? - Z shape mark on neck

Ziggy - Bitch - black/white - Z mark on shoulder

Frosty - bitch - black/white - white tipped ears

As you can tell Frosty is showing what she thinks of this process!

Mom and babies are doing well - Everyone gaining weight.

Daily Cute - Day 2

Here are the puppies on day 2 !

Day 1 Picture

Here is a picture of the babies - Stats are below!

Born at 8 am this morning:

Girls:Black/White - 11 7/8 oz
Black/White - 10 1/2 oz
Brindle - 9 3/4 0z

Boys: Brindle - 11 1/4 oz
Brindle - 10 5/8 oz (may be a red??)
Brindle - 8 1/4 oz
Black/White - 10 7/8 oz

Mom and babies are doing great!
I will do my best to post daily cutes......

PUPPIES!

Seven beautiful, healthy puppies arrived this morning by C-section - 4 boys, 3 girls. Kate was spayed at the same time. Mother and babies are doing well - Rick and Laura are EXHAUSTED! Will try to post pictures and stats this evening!

Update

Kate's temp. dropped this morning and she is nesting like crazy - I may have puppies for my Birthday yet! Keep you fingers and paws crossed for an early evening delivery!

Kate

Day one of training is over and no signs of an impending whelp - Ok Kate...hold on 3 more days then Mom will be off for 5 days.

Day 59

Ok Puppies - you can come anytime now!

X-Ray results

We just got back from the Vet. Kate's X-ray clearly shows 7 puppies. On closer inspection, we could see an 8th spine. We had trouble locating the corresponding head and finally decided it was blocked by Kate's organs. So for all of you that voted 7-8 on the poll - you were right! Now the count down begins....
OK, Kate ------Think easy whelp, nice healthy puppies.......

Kate - Day 52

Something tells me the puppies may arrive sooner than I thought. She was bred on July 1st making day 63 September 1st. She clearly ovulated before her breeding so I am expecting puppies to arrive as earlier as Tuesday - She will get X-rays that morning to see how many we are expecting...... The poll is pretty even between 7-8 or 9 + . Poor baby is ready to get those puppies out - she has to have help to get up the back steps now.

Puppies are coming!

Here is poor Kate on day 49 - She looks as if she is about to explode - How many puppies are in there - take our poll! Something tells me she may whelp before September 1st!

Memphis Trip

Jill didn't do anything on Saturday and went reserve on Sunday. No points for Jill this weekend. So, Jill will be going to the Chattanooga and Murfreesboro shows looking for those lat 2 singles. I was honored to show Scout in Group on Saturday where we got a look, but no group placement.
Janet and I had still had a fun weekend despite an interesting dinner at the Texas Roadhouse on Saturday night. It's always nice to see old friends and make new ones, so the trip was not a loss.
My one complaint is I woke up this morning with one of the worse allergy attacks I can remember. I am so congested I sound like I have a bucket on my head. Thankfully, the District Attorney General took pity on me this morning and did not make me testify in any of my sentencing hearings.
Tonight will be a nyquil night..... as we say in the south "for tomorrow is another day"

Off to Show

Well, Janet and I are off to Southhaven MS (Memphis, TN) for a show today. The entry is small, maybe Jill can pick up those last 2 points!

Calming down

Whew, I need to retire - can I make it 5 more years? I have always tried to take the approach at work of "not sweating the small stuff". Of late, I seem to have a harder time applying this technique. I have been working for the State for 24+ years, and I've never been told to go to training or else, so it's hard to adjust. With the current budgetary problems, things in my dept. have been stressful, with workloads increasing at an alarming rate. Maybe I am just too old to adapt. Who knows... ANYWAY...after a long discussion with Shirley regarding Kate's impending whelp it appears things will work out. She pointed out that it is highly unlikely that Kate and my friends 2 bitches will all whelp on the same day, so help will more than likely be available. She also offered to jump on a plane and fly from MD to TN for the week if needed. What a jewel of a mentor she is!
Thanks to all my blogging buddies for enduring "my red neck melt down". I appreciate your wise advice!

Stressing Out - Help!!!!

Oh boy I am stressing out right now. My employer is absolutely insisting that I attend 4 days of intense training starting August 31st. Normally, I would not mind this but Kate is due to whelp on September 1st. Now, if she's a sweetheart and delivers at night - no problem - I will be there. My husband will be home during the day on Monday through Wednesday, but he has never whelped a litter on his own. He has to work on Thursday which leaves Kate alone. I have asked several of my breeder friends for help but keep running into obstacles. The breeders I trust the most all have bitches due the same week and obviously can't commit to anything. The OCD in me has got me freaking out. Should I schedule her for a C-section on the 28th (day 59)?? - I really hate to do that but I am running out of options. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Lesson Learned

My husband learned what not to do in a dog fight last night! We rarely have a fight in our house. To exit our backdoor you have to go down two steps into a small closed in area. This has always been a problem when letting our dogs out. The girls like to butt bite the boys as they go out. the boys get ticked, and bite who ever is next to them - to the girls delight! Last night, the butt biting started a fight between two boys. Rick ran out and stuck his hand between the biting mouths and.....OUCH!

Kate's favorite perch

Day 38 - Kate's favorite place to lay is on the top step into our den. I think she's having a hard time fitting her expanding belly on the step.

Pickles & Ice Cream

Day 34 - Kate's morning sickness has subsided and she is HUNGRY! She wants to eat everything - I am sure that would include pickles and ice cream if I would let her have them. She is just as happy with yogurt and raw liver!

I snapped this picture a few moments ago. Kate loves to lie on the cool concrete - I do believe there are puppies in there!

Here goes...

Well, I bit the bullet and entered Jill in the Southhaven shows (Memphis). I think she has finally grown enough hair back to try to get the last 2 points. I have decided to not enter Atlanta the weekend after. Southaven is a smaller show and I always enjoy Memphis. I've missed showing and this will be my last chance to get Jill finished before Kate's litter arrives.

Is she???

It's day 27 and I do believe I detect a slight baby bump! What do y'all think? As you can see by the look on her face poor Kate is still having bouts of morning sickness. If she is true to form, this will pass in another week or so and she will be back to her bossy little self.

On the Mend!

Spike is on the road to recovery and has been such a good boy - no e-collar. The best thing is the lab agrees with the Vet - no cancer. Here are a few shots of our crazy OCD dog!

Spike Update

Spike is home and seems no worse for the wear, despite having a nasty looking hole on his right hock. Our wonderful Vet had trouble closing the hole and had to add some wire mesh to make up for missing skin. The best thing is - no cancer! Our Vet sent the wart off just to be sure, but he is 99% sure it was not cancer. Spike has been through the wringer today, all his shots, removal of the big wart and another smaller wart on his muzzle, teeth cleaned and he got what my Vet calls "a show cut" on his nails. I will not have to dremel his nails for weeks! He is doing amazingly well and, no e-collar for now...... thanks for all the well wishes. Funny how the silly, obsessive dogs worm they way into your heart. We never intended to get Spike. Our crazy neighbors had several Pit Bulls. One day the cutest little white puppy with blue merle spots just appeared at their home. It became apparent to us pretty fast, he was being raised for bait. Spike, despite his treatment, always ran to the fence for us to pet. The final straw came when he got hit by a car and they refused to take him to the vet. This threw me into what I call "probation officer mode". I headed next door and told them what I thought. An hour later they brought Spike to us and he hasn't left my side since. That was over 8 years ago and I still get furious when I talk about it!

A new Cardi Blogger

Hi guys, here is a new Cardi Blog to follow - Everything Counts - http://twiggyr.blogspot.com/ Debra and her family got their puppy from us and boy is a corker. Lyberty's the Buck Stops Here (Truman) now called Mugen is from our presidential litter. This is the litter where our Bitch (Star) got an e-coli infection and her milk went bad. We lost half the litter and the surviving pups were raised by a pointer! The pointer milk did Mugen good and he is on his way to being an agility dog! Check out the video from his recent agility class on her blog.

Spike

I dropped Spike off early this morning for his surgery. True to form, he has licked and chewed on his bump until it is raw and bleeding. I am glad that it will be removed today. Although the thumb size bump is classified as a wart there is always a chance it may be cancer. I am a little worried since it tripled in size in a matter of weeks. My dear old Spike, you're just an old mixed breed mutt, but I do love you so....Keep your paws crossed.

Surgery

Poor Spike has to have surgery on Friday. We inherited our crazy Jack Russell/Blue heeler mix from an abusive home about 9 years ago. To say he is an obsessive compulsive dog would be an understatement. He is a sweet boy who is totally and completely devoted to me. Whenever Spike gets a boo boo, he will not leave it alone. He has been known to chew a hole in his rear when his skin allergies are acting up. He has developed a huge wart (about the size of my thumb) on the back of his left hock and WILL NOT stop licking, chewing, gnawing, etc.....on it. As a result it has become quite inflamed. So...it is coming off on Friday. As an added bonus, his teeth will be cleaned and the Vet will clip his nails as short as he can while he is asleep. Until then, it's the E-collar for him (and I am sure for a few days after surgery). Poor thing - he looks so pitiful with it on.

Kate's answer

A few days ago I posed this question to Kate - Are there babies growing in there? Well, Today I think she gave us a hint. Early this morning Kate started throwing up. We grew concerned when she started vomiting thick, foamy stuff so off to the vet we went. He ruled out bloat (whew) and determined the most likely diagnosis was morning sickness! Poor baby.... I know it's only been 10 days, but I think she answered my question. Of course, this is not a definite indicator so we will keep our paws crossed a while longer.

"Y" Litter Update

Shirley just sent me the latest pictures from the "Y" litter. They will be 4 months old on the 12th. First up is YumYum, 2nd is Yippee, Yogi's picture didn't come through.

YumYum is a gorgeous little girl who is fast and intelligent. Shirley thinks she would be perfect for an agility home - Anyone out there looking???? Let me know....

Yippee continues to be the star of the litter - What a cutie. Shirley is hanging on to him for now.

Yogi is also nice, I hope to get a picture of him soon....

Jill

Oh boy, we get Kate bred and out of season - and in goes Jill. Wonder how long it will take Star to come in....they like to be in season together. Poor Lego......guess he will be a raving, hormonal, idiot for a few more weeks.

Puppy Fix

Janet S. and I are heading to Jeri's house tomorrow for a puppy fix. On our way, we are making a stop in Lynchburg, TN for a much anticipated lunch at Miss Mary BoBo's.
This eatery is located in the original Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding house where Jack Daniels, himself, ate many a meal.

http://www.jackdaniels.co.uk/tennesseetable/boarding.htm

The meals are distinctly southern and served family style, just like Miss Mary did when she was still with us. Oh and did I mention that at least one dish will be made with Jack Daniels...mmmmmmm.
We will be "as full as ticks" when we leave and totally worthless for the rest of the day. Good day for snuggling puppies!

Tick Tock

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, oh the waiting - Is she or isn't she? I look into Kate's soft brown eyes every morning and ask her - you got babies growing in there, girlfriend? She just stares back at me intently with eyes that say - I'm not telling - you just have to wait....the little stinker (GRIN).

Heroes fall

It is sad when heroes fall. It appears that Steve McNair's death was a murder/suicide. McNair (age 36) was found sitting on the couch with multiple gunshot wounds to his body and head. His 20 year old "girlfriend" was found on the floor in front of him, with a single gunshot wound to her head. The gun was found beside her body. How sad - His image as a great football player, philanthropist and family man will be forever tarnished. McNair exhibited such strength and dignity on the playing field and he now he will be remembered for his tragic death while cheating on his wife. I feel so sorry for his wife and sons and for the family of this young lady.

Sad day for Football fans and Nashville, TN

It is truly a sad day for Titan's football fans and for Tennessee. Former quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death at around 1:30 pm. The investigation is in full throttle so no further details are known.

I was not a football fan until my husband and I bought season tickets to the Titan's when they came to Nashville, TN. That first year was so exciting as the team went undefeated at home and on to the Superbowl. The team was awesome with Steve McNair as the leader. Even after McNair left the Titans for the Ravens and then retirement, he kept a home in Nashville. He was know for his philanthropic work in the community and his free football camps with kids. McNair was 36 years old and left a wife and several kids. What a sad day.

The clock is ticking......

The deed is done - Lots of active little swimmers! Now the waiting begins....

Shirley and I realized that Kate was bred on Shirley's birthday and day 63 will be my Birthday - too funny - It would be cool if it happens that way. Do I sense a Birthday theme......better not get the cart before the horse...... too soon to think of that!

Shipment

The shipment from Tex has arrived and will be "introduced" to Kate this afternoon......keep your paws crossed!

Birthday Greetings

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHIRLEY HOBBS! Shirley is my other mentor in the breed. Sue took me to Shirley to get my foundation bitch. I chose 6 mth. old Kate and fell in love with 8 week old Lego. Shirley graciously let me have both. I am so lucky to have these dogs and the wonderful Grangefield line as my foundation. Shirley never tires of my breeding questions and is a wealth of information. I love to go stay at her lovey home in Maryland and pour over the handbooks she has (dating back to the 60's).

Puppies in a box

After a few, ahem, misfires, Tex was collected today and "puppies in a box" are winging their way via Fed-ex I write this. If everything goes as planned, Kate will be bred tomorrow afternoon with a follow-up breeding on Friday. We should be expecting puppies around Labor day - just in time for my birthday!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Sue Stockslager! Sue has been a wonderful Friend and mentor. I met Sue at my first dog show where she promptly took me under her wing. A year later Sue invited me to go to "The Garden" with her and Otto. She introduced me to Shirley Hobbs on the way and I came home from the trip with Kate and Lego.

Stranger than fiction

This article appeared in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette (Tennessee) This absolutely proves what I have been telling you all for years - "I work with stupid people" Yes, one of the alleged perpetrators is on felony probation!


Arguing couple does no damage with Cheetos Wednesday
June 24, 2009
By Brian Mosely

A local couple arrested on domestic assault charges Sunday had an unusual choice of alleged weaponry -- Cheetos.
Warrants filed by Cpl. Kevin Roddy, of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, stated he responded to a call at a home on Pass Road, where 40-year-old James Earl Taylor and Mary S. Childers, 44, were allegedly involved in an argument.
According to Roddy's report, the pair became "involved in a verbal altercation" with each other "at which time Cheetos potato chips were used in the assault."
"There was evidence of the assault," the report read, "however no physical marks on either party and the primary aggressor was unable to be determined."
Both Taylor and Childers were charged by Roddy with domestic assault. Both posted a bond of $2,500 and will appear in Bedford County General Sessions Court on July 15.

Can't wait to hear what the evidence is...........................

Kate

Our Sweet Kate definitely has a mind of her own. She lives up to her nickname "Miss Priss" at every opportunity and going into season is no different. She was due to go in season in early May. Ever the Diva, and always demanding to do things her way, she waited until I was in Florida before deciding to come in. Everything is in place to breed her to Tex when she's ready, hopefully that will be sometime next week.

Mini Vacation

Woo Hoo!! Janet S. and I are heading to Orlando this afternoon for a well deserved mini vacation. Of course, this does involve a dog show. I'm not showing anything as Jill is still naked (or as we say in the south "nekked as a Jay Bird") so I will go as Scout's cheering section. I sure am ready for a break - work has been especially crazy.

Puppies

Ohhhhhh I have puppy fever too. Jill's litter went to Shirley's at 8 weeks and I am missing out on the best times. Kate is being stubborn and refusing to come in season - guess that's why they are called Bitches (grin).

Getting Crafty

I just finished this Birth announcement for my supervisor's first grandchild. It's been awhile since I did any X-stitch and it made me realize how much I miss being "crafty". Maybe this is the answer for the burn-out I have been experiencing at work. Good thing - I just found out I am going to be a Great Aunt again!

Jury Duty

Today I was called for Jury Duty for a DUI case. I showed up promptly at 9 am and took a seat with the rest of the Jury Pool. In walked the Judge, defense attorney and Assistant DA. As each entered, they did a double take when they saw me sitting in the courtroom. The Jury selection began and , yes, I was picked as Juror #6. Then the voir dire (or questioning of jurors) began. We, as a jury, were asked if we could be impartial. Can I be impartial, yes, I do believe that I can be. What was today's outcome......you guessed it - I was the first Juror excused by the defense. What, they didn't want a Probation/Parole officer on the Jury?!!?! I personally think, the defense attorney made a mistake. I certainly have a better understanding of the arrest procedures and what "beyond a reasonable doubt" means than the average citizen. Over the past years I have worked with a lot of guilty people, however, I have also worked with some where I was not so sure they were. I think it's sad, that because of what I do, I am automatically thought to be pro-prosecution. Don't get me wrong, I do think people should pay for the crimes they commit, but I also believe that just because you were arrested does not mean you are guilty. Oh well, at least I have the rest of the day off! I know several of you are attorneys...would you let a Probation/Parole officer stay on your jury?

Coming up for air

Whew, I am coming up for air after being besieged with summer allergies for the past two weeks. I awoke Saturday morning with a bad sore throat that just didn't seem to go away. Since I had court on Monday afternoon, I drug myself into work. I managed to secure a morning appointment with my Doctor who promptly told me - You look awful! Uh, HELLO, Tell me something I didn't already know, please. She then proceeded to tell me that I waited to long to come in for my spring time "snot shot". For those of you that don't live in the south (the allergy capital), that is a steroid shot that "dries everything up". She then proceeded to tell me that I not only had a sinus infection but an ear infection to boot. An ear infection!?!?! I am 53 years old, I'm too old to have my first ear infection!!!! She fixed me up with the "snot shot", antibiotics and a mild painkiller for the aches (bless her) and sent me on my way. I headed on to court where I had to sit through an incredibly long sentencing hearing with a Judge who loves to hear himself talk. Four hours later....I crawled into bed and slept 12 hours straight. What a difference a day makes (isn't that in a song?). Today I am much better, except bending over makes me dizzy! I am sure the dog hair has noting to do with this (grin). Now don't you all want to move to Tennessee......

At least the birds are happy.

Poor Jill is going through the post puppy coat blow. It always amazes me how naked a bitch can get after having puppies. I took Jill outside and brushed out yet another bushel full of hair from her. The bright side to this, all the finches, wrens, robins and mocking birds were diving wildly for snippets of her hair. Guess the baby birds will appreciate Jill's warm undercoat when they emerge from their eggs.

Kate has a new boyfriend! Ch Grangefield Kiss Me Kate will be bred to Ch Grangefield Rob Roy.
Tex is a lovely red boy with loads of bone and beautiful head piece. He is a young dog in the picture and has only improved with age. Now if Kate would just go into season......

Ch Grangfield Rob Roy "TEX"

Puppies

The puppies and I had a chance to catch a ride to the DC area with my brother. So, off we went. three 7 week old puppies and I in my brother's king cab truck pulling his big fishing boat. The puppies did amazingly well on the 12 hour ride. They fussed very little and no one, not a single puppy, pottied in the crate! Of course we had lots of potty stops, but I was very proud of them. We arrived safely at Shirley's home in time for a scrumptious dinner! Shirley was very pleased with the litter. I am anxious to see how they grow up. I flew back to Tennessee Monday evening to a puppy-less home. Sigh - I already miss the puppy breath!

See Ya'll