Rough week...................

Well, this is proving to be quite a week so far. Laura got sick over the weekend, however tested neg for strep on Monday. Has a sinus infection plus a viral thing going on, slight fluid on one ear. As of last night, her eardrum ruptured..........last night was really rough. It's very hard when your child is in SO much pain, and you have done all you can yet you still can't provide them with any relief. I was about to the point of thinking we were gonna have to head to the ER for something for pain and to calm her down. It was just awful, felt so bad for her. So we were back to Dr this morning for yet more meds. And now she appears to be getting pink eye! I'm guessing her eyes will look no better in the morning and we'll be heading back to the Dr once again. Just keeping fingers crossed that no one else here gets this stuff. I just want my princess to get better. :(  Here's hoping the new year brings better health! Goodnight ya'll.
Amy

Miss Mattie

Just wanted to share a few pics of Mattie. I had them all a little treat yesterday.......some leftover gravy, ham and some chicken.......they don't get table scraps very often. Anyway, Mattie got right under my bowl as I was pouring her some out, and right smack on top of her head most of it landed! So, she enjoyed coming in for a while in the house to get cleaned up, think she just absolutely loves the attention and being inside. She checked out Smoky, our little rabbit, thankfully she didn't see him as a lunch option!! All she wanted was to see if he'd dropped any food crumbs anywhere. She's sneaky when it comes to finding some crumbs somewhere. I believe she made several trips around and under our table! LOL That might be a good idea, keep her under the table while the kids eat.......she'd sure keep  picked up after them! Still not sure about a pregnancy, but she definitely didn't like me touching her belly yesterday. She'd tighten up and let out this long groan as long as I was feeling her belly.........she didn't like it. She's so furry too, that I can't tell if she's just fuzzy wuzzy, or getting a little bit of a belly or weight gain on her. She's normally a very compact, slim gal. She does seem just a bit more loving and cuddly. With her first litter I didn't know until probably 3 weeks before she was due.......just one of those that are hard to tell. So, let's keep our fingers crossed! 


It's a beautiful day out, however a bit chilly. I'm attempting to clean house. It's always SUCH a disaster this time of year. And too, Laura is sick. I'm sure she's got strep and another ear infection, since my nephew just had strep earlier in the week. Guess we'll be heading out to the Dr in the morning. Let's hope the boys don't come down with it now! Ok, I am going to leave you with a few pictures. Enjoy your day!
Amy

Just wanted to say.....................

Merry Christmas to all!!

A Cougar????

Well, the snow is slowly melting. Hate seeing it go! I found what appears to be.........cougar tracks going across our front yard, towards the road, close to the mailbox!! Also a lot of deer tracks and probably skunk as well! Our hemlock trees must be the gathering place! LOL  I do know there has been a cougar in our area, it was seen a little over a year ago by my brother and my mom, and several others. So, he must still be roaming. These tracks are HUGE........measuring around 4" by 5 1/2". No claw marks, just pads, so everything we've researched directs us towards it being a cougar. Evidently the tracks have been there for just a bit, most were kinda melting and looked like snow had blown over them somewhat, however the main one we noticed was still in pretty decent shape, but started melting quickly with today's sun. It's exciting, although a bit scary too. Of course, now the kids are like freaked out, scared to death and afraid of every noise they're hearing!! LOL  Maybe now that explains why the dogs get into such barking frenzies at night sometimes...........it's hard telling just what's out here roaming the yard at night!!!!
Amy

Dogs in the snow!

Howdy all! Just a quick post here with some pics of the dogs playing in the snow. Think they were loving as much as we were! Ended up with close to 9". We had a whole weekend full of non-stop sledding. I'll add some of those pics as well. The sun is finally out today and the snow's slowly melting away. I'm cooking and getting things ready for the next few days, so I better get back at it.........enjoy!
Amy

Yee haw!!

As of about 9pm we had 7 inches of snow!!! I'm as excited as the kids! LOL We haven't had snow like this in some time now, probably 6 yrs or so? It's so beautiful! Has created a lot of chaos though. It took Chris about an hour and 10 minutes to get home from work......his office is only 10 miles away! There have been cars in the ditches left and right. We had to go kick the dogs' fence as there was so much snow stuck on it that they couldn't even see out! It was one solid wall of snow. We went out for a couple hours sledding. We've got some great hills here to do that on........and it's so much fun at night time! I think we all had a blast! It definitely wore the kids out and they all went to bed early. Cole was just mesmerized by everything. He's really never experienced this amount of snow or even sledding like this. So when he came in, he was eating a snack and he said "boy, I never in my life seen snow this deep before"! Remember he's 4 1/2. I'm looking forward to heading out tomorrow to grab some pics! For now, I'm trying to wind down my excitement so that I can attempt to fall asleep. Goodnight ya'll!
Amy

My brother's smoker

Just thought I'd show off my brother's smoker that he built. Everything was custom built by him, including the trailer. We got to sample a bunch of meats he smoked on there the other day..........SO delicious! He did a whole turkey, whole chickens, ribs, pork shoulder & butts, salmon and a ham. You can't beat that meal. It was just wonderful! Of course we're still eating on everything too! LOL He's hoping to go into some competitions this spring/summer. I have more pics, but this is the only one on the computer at the moment. Take care.

Snow is coming!

OH BOY.........snow is in the forecast!! I hope it dumps a good one too! LOVE IT! It's definitely a mess out there right now, heavy rain that is now turning to sleet. They keep changing the forecast, so I've heard anywhere between 3 to 10 inches........who knows. We're all ready to go sledding though!

Haven't seen much of the dogs today. Think they're all snuggled up in their houses, keeping warm. They'll have a blast tomorrow in the snow......I'll be sure to have the camera handy. Cookie sure loves to catch snowballs, way up in the air. 

The last 2 days Bella has dug her way back out. I think I have her fixed for a while now........found some big field stone that now fills her holes! She's just full of mischief like her mama was. Jasmine has chilled some in the last year though, not "into" as much as she once was.

Mattie's eye is looking a lot better. It really looks like she scratched it somehow. At least it's improving. Still not sure of a pregnancy yet. Probably another week yet, IF I can tell then. Hopefully I'll feel a bunch of little marbles in there. I know with Cookie's last litter, I felt a TON of little balls in there........she ended up having her biggest litter so far of nine. I think the bigger the litter, the easier to just feel them period. I'm excited to find out!

Kids started their Christmas break today. I can't believe it'll be here next week! Of course, they are all so excited! Well, let's go watch the sleet and check the forecast. :) Ya'll have a great weekend!!
Amy

Pets for presents.......................

I happened across this little article and felt it worthwhile of passing on. 

http://news.holidash.com/2009/12/15/why-holidays-are-the-worst-time-to-get-a-pet/?icid=main|main|dl7|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.holidash.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fwhy-holidays-are-the-worst-time-to-get-a-pet%2F

This is an area that I do wish more people would really *think* about. Too many rush out, just to get whatever animal, then it's forgotten about all too soon, mainly because the animal is not a good match or the receiver really didn't want the care and responsibility of a pet. It's sad for the animals. I have had many people in the past who've contacted me, just wanting a Heeler "because they think they look neat" or "they saw one somewhere and they are so cool", just all sorts of uneducated buyers and reasons........I do not sell to those who know nothing of this breed nor have not researched the breed. As you well know, these dogs are not suited to everyone.  I do appreciate those who take the time to really look into this breed (or any others for that matter) before making their decision. Also, when we have puppies, I encourage anyone who lives close enough, to come visit the puppy as many times as you like. We're always open to that. And for those who can't make that happen, I always keep you updated on your puppy's changes and growth, their personality, what they like to do or play with, and you guessed it..........LOTS of pictures too! So in a sense, you do already know your puppy. Let's just remember our pets during the holidays. They count on us just as much as we count on them........life just wouldn't be the same without our Heelers. Ya'll have a great day! :)
Amy

A few pics

Just sharing a few pictures here, from the snow last weekend.

 

 

And these are some very weird clouds just a few days beforehand! It was definitely scary looking out that evening. It was like one side was yellow, the other side of the sky was blue.

 

 

 

 

I'm going to get Bella!

I tell ya, Bella is just about to drive me crazy!! She's been getting out here again with all this soft ground. She's now digging into Mattie's side, only to turn around and dig out from there!! At least Mattie stays put and doesn't follow Bella slivering through her hole. To look at what she digs, you'd never think she'd get out UNDER the fencing.....she must flatten down to nothing to get out! I hear them all barking at the moment....what do ya bet that she's totally out again, running around?? I can usually tell by their barks that something is up, and by their tones I'm usually able to guess pretty good at what's up! LOL  They all have their own unique voice and bark, and I know each and everyone of them......I can tell you exactly who it is that's barking. 

I've been letting Ace bunk up with Jasmine the last few days, trying to keep him from neighboring with Cookie, since she's still in heat. He'd be in her pen in a second if he was closer to her! Trust me, he eyes Cookie all day long!! LOL  He's desperate to get out, but he's in a pretty secure fence at the moment, and I don't think that's gonna happen. 

Still have a little bit to tell with Mattie, whether she's pregnant or not. She was quite loving the other day though when I let her out to run. She actually SAT down, QUIETLY beside me to be petted! Not the norm as she's go go go. I'm watching her eye because I think maybe when Ace was with her, that he's scratched her eye, or quite possibly she could've scratched it barking and biting between the fences like they like to do. Kinda looked like it was cut/scratched on the lower inside lid, kinda toward the outer corner. She wouldn't hold still long enough for me to get a good look at it today, have to check better tomorrow. I think she's alright though. Jasmine is actually missing just a tiny bit of the tip of an ear due to them snapping at each other between the fences.......they're crazy! LOL 

It's been quite a hectic week so far, and it's just the beginning. I just can't seem to get it all done. Thankfully my mother in law is coming so that I can have a break and get out of this house, have a day in town ALL TO MYSELF!! Hopefully totally finish up what shopping I have left to do. And I think the kids are *finally* on the mend.....*knock on wood*! Oh gracious it's just been never ending this year, since school started I think. I better finish up some picture orders here and herd the kids to bed! Ya'll have a good night! Take care.
Amy

You go girl!

Mattie is the biggest tail chaser I've ever seen!! She is totally hilarious to watch, especially when she gets too drunk from spinning that she loses her balance and goes stumbling around! Yesterday morning, I'm not kidding, she was spinning SO fast, that she was just this blue blur, going round and round. A lot of times, she really does catch her tail, like half of it, so here she goes spinning, round and round in her pen, with her tail hanging out of her mouth. She is just so full of bounce and energy!! ALL the time!
Amy

Playing musical pens.........

These dogs, I really think they just love to play games on me! LOL  I look out, and of course Ace is still in with Mattie, so all is good. Few minutes later I take a double glance to see that Ace is on top of Jasmine and Bella's doghouse, and the girls are just standing there looking at him. I'm telling ya, he thinks he's the king or something around here! Well, not much later, when I look out again, I see that Ace has gone back over to Mattie, as had Bella! So they're in there playing around, just having a good ol' time. At the moment, I think they have situated themselves back to the way they should be........but I'm sure it won't last long. It's cold and the ground is pretty frozen, so that'll be fun trying to fill that hole in. Wonder how in the world he got it dug in the first place, as cold as it is?? We had a nice 18 degree morning! 
Amy

Over the weekend

We had a great weekend. Woke up Saturday morning to SNOW!!! Our first for the season and ended up with a couple inches when all was said and done. Beautiful snow that stuck to everything around! I've got pics, but, I can't find the spare second to get them loaded and posted! The kids were in the Christmas parade, so that made it all more fun, but they did about freeze in the back of the truck. We came in that evening and I made a big pot of chili and homemade cornbread.......it was SO good and hit the spot! Oh and thankfully Laura doesn't have pink eye, just some sort of a reaction, probably something she got into or got in her eye and on her face, and had a reaction to it. She ended up with an itchy rash down her cheek. It was weird, but leave it to her to get into something like that! LOL  

Sunday I helped with my sister's baby shower. This will be her 3rd and she's finally getting a baby girl. Seems we're overtaken with testosterone in this family! LOL  When we were growing up, it was all girls. Now, all us girls are having all boys......crazy! She's due in 5 weeks, if she can make it that long.......I'm excited!!!

The dogs are doing good. We were greeted this evening late when coming home from town, by Bella. Yep, she had dug out, yet again, and was running around. Think she had like a ton of pretty fresh manure on one side of her!! WHY do these dogs like that stuff so much???? I felt sorry for her because she didn't understand why nobody wanted to pet her. The kids were running from her like she was some kind of a monster, she did stink pretty bad I'll have to say! LOL  So I had to head out in the dark and find the hole she dug and get that thing filled in and blocked up. We're supposed to be getting some pretty heavy rains in tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be filling in a few more holes before the week's over! :)  I think Ace has now figured out that Cookie is in heat as well. I've caught him several times eyeing Cookie from Mattie's pen! I'm hoping he STAYS in Mattie's pen and doesn't get out. I think Mattie is in the last part of her heat as Ace isn't quite as interested as before. But they're still lovey dovey, so cute, they'll sit there and lean against one another, and just lick each others' ears........you can just see the love and respect in their eyes for one another, so sweet. Funny yesterday as they both tried to get out of the doghouse at the same time.......took them about 3 times to figure out that ONE was going to have to wait and go behind the other! LOL  Jasmine, well, I'm thinking Chris is right in his diagnosis that she's just gotten fat. She's not changed much lately and really showing no signs of anything nearing. She'll be 9 next week, so she's getting up there in age. 

Ok, it is insanely late and my brain is no longer functioning. Hope everyone is starting off to a great week! Goodnight ya'll!
Amy

Our busy days.....

It has been one heck of a busy week here! I have so many beautiful scenery pictures to share, but until I get them loaded, it will be a couple days. We had a beautiful morning a couple days ago. Had a very heavy frost, every thing was frozen over, just gorgeous. That was one of those mornings you'd like to go drive around and take all kinds of pics........but Cole was still asleep and I didn't want to wake him. Then we had some really bad winds the other night, kinda scary actually! We've got 2 trees down and that always scares me that one will go over on the dogs, or even come through the house. It's pretty cold now and hopefully we'll get the snow they're calling for for tomorrow. That will make the Christmas parade that the kids are in just that much more perfect! I love the snow!!! 

I've been covered up with pictures.......have done 8 sessions in 12 days! So tons to process here. Still have lots of Christmas shopping left to do as well. I'm finally feeling better with my sinuses. Found out I had an ear infection as well. Now I'm back to the Dr with Laura......don't know what she's got going on with her eye, just hoping it's not pinkeye. We were just there a few days ago with Clayton's coughing. It's been a crazy year for sickness. 

I've got to make a run to Petsmart sometime today, get Laura's little rabbit some more food. He's an inside bunny, so sweet. 

Mattie is out here barking, trying to get Ace's attention. Looks like they are the only ones up and at 'em this morning! She's actually on top of her doghouse, chasing her tail, Ace is just sitting there, quiet calmly, watching her!! LOL  I love that I can see all the dogs from the house. We have a breakfast nook connected to the office here, it's all windows so I have a wonderful view of most of the yard and all the dogs. It's funny because they can see us too.......it's like they wave at us with their tails or something. :)  

I am going to run here. Lots to do. Hopefully I'll get those pics loaded and on here soon. Need to get more of the dogs too don't I? Have a great Friday!
Amy

The "BOSS"

I  don't think we realized at the time, when we named Ace, of just how much his name would be true.....Badace Boss Man..........he could not be more bossier!! He takes his job just a little too serious sometimes, especially when it comes to the feeder and toys.......THEY ARE HIS!! We had a good laugh yesterday at his little antics over a new toy. Of course he's in with Mattie, so we threw 2 identical toys, different colors, in there for them. Well, he immediately thinks they are both his and doesn't want to share. He's guarding these things with his life, in this stance, ears down, tail hunkered and growling at Mattie, daring her to even move a muscle. We look over to see him with one toy in his mouth, and the other, he puts his front paw on it, scoots it a little closer to him, and then stands there, holding that toy to the ground with his foot. LOL  I think they argued over those things the rest of the day!

When one starts................

so do all the rest! Ace was attempting his escape, only because he was jealous of Bella being out. So he's out there chewing and pulling on the fence, trying to get to Bella's side because he knows SHE'S already gotten an easy hole dug.........easy escape, or so he thought. I put a damper in his plans! LOL  Man, is it a MUDDY MESS out there. I scrounged up some large wood pieces (hope it wasn't anything Chris was planning on using!) and a humongous cinder block.......they were in the woods so I consider them fair game to take, right?? Hopefully they are all securely in their pens now. If Bella moves those things outta the way, there's something wrong! She'll probably just move onto digging another hole somewhere else. I now look like I've rolled in the mud with the pigs......mud on my face and in my hair, actually probably a mixture of mud/pee/poo and while I was digging, a huge blob of this mixture landed a little to close to comfort.......right beside my lips! YUCK!! And the misty rain at the moment doesn't help my naturally curly hair that I always keep straight. Boy it's pouring at the moment! I guess I better go make myself presentable for my doggie photo shoot I've got here in like an hour. I look like I just need to stay in a barn somewhere! LOL 

Bella, Bella.................

she is definitely back to her "old self" now. I have put her up umpteen times since yesterday evening. She has realized with all the rain we've had, that it makes escaping her pen so much easier! She just acts more normal now, her milk is disappearing, drying up and what little bit of a belly she had, is now all gone. Her attitude is different than what's it's been, but more "her". Guess I'll be seeing what I can find to stuff into the fence to keep her up until we can get yet another few bags of concrete mix! LOL I can see her while I'm sitting here typing, appears she's found a mole in the yard to try and dig up.........I noticed there had been one around..........these dogs never give it up, do they?? 

Mattie and Ace are getting along great. At least Ace is a little "pre-occupied" at the moment to even notice that Cookie is also coming into heat! LOL Maybe Mattie will keep his mind off of getting to Cookie.....they seem to be such lovebirds! Hopefully we'll have a nice litter from Mattie. 

I guess I better get on my mud boots here and tread out to put this gal up.........AGAIN! At least before she gets into too much meanness! LOL  Then I've got a  photo session with a sweet little Beagle soon. She's coming to have her Christmas pictures taken!  Ya'll have a great day!
Amy

Another thought

Something else I have thought about, is could Bella have possibly absorbed her fetuses earlier on? I've heard of this in dogs and since I'm just positive I felt the little "marbles" at the correct time frame, from what I've read up on, seems this also could be a possibility. I've done this many times and know what I'm feeling early on. This is new territory for me. Here is one excerpt I have found regarding this issue: 

"Ultrasounding is normally done day 26-28, when the heart starts beating on the puppy, so we can monitor viability as well as pregnancy. Absorption can occur up until around day 37-38. Now that we are ultrasounding, we are REALIZING that absorption is not uncommon in the bitch, but ultrasound is only diagnosing it, it's not causing it. Just as x-raying a bitch at day 52 does NOT cause cataracts or whatever in the bitch; it gives us a WHALE of a lot of information about how many pups, their size, their positioning , and their health. That is an urban legend. Absorption is most commonly caused when the uterus is not able to support the placenta and give nutrition to the puppies; genetic problems that stop the puppies from developing; there can be some viral of infectious causes; there have been some toxins identified in large animals more so than in small animals. Trauma probably plays no role, such as palpation or jumping off the porch."

Ho hummm...................

Ok, I'm really bummed. As more time passes, and no puppies, I'm thinking Bella is having a false pregnancy. She is seeming to be loosing what little bit of a belly she had on her, her milk is no longer increasing and she's quite active and seeming more like her old self. She is showing no signs of nesting either. I've been bringing her in and watching her closely, and seems all her signs are fading. I'll probably give our vet a call, just to see his thoughts on false pregnancies or his thoughts overall. I just REALLY wanted a litter from Bella.........as I know everyone else was anxiously awaiting. I know she could still have a few days left, but as each day passes, so do my hopes, and her signs. 

At least we do have Mattie in heat here. I'm planning on putting her and Ace together within the next couple of days. They had some exceptional pups in their first litter last year! 

And about Jasmine......I don't know. My husband just thinks she has gotten old and has gotten fat. She will be 9 in a couple weeks, so maybe she's just getting that "middle age spread". Like I've said in the past, I think Jasmine has some health issues anyway, especially hormonal........I think that's why she always seems to "mother" her piece of wood that she carries around all the time. But she's a sweetie and we love her! 

It's yucky weather here today. Pouring the rain. And I think I'm off to the Dr for some antibiotics for these crazy sinuses of mine...........2 weeks of throbbing headaches is enough! LOL  I will keep ya'll posted! Enjoy your Monday!
Amy

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is here! I hope everyone has a wonderful day......we have a lot to be thankful for.

The days are drawing closer for the dogs, or at least Bella I should say. Jasmine, I'm still up in the air about her! Bella just can't wait for me to get in her fence when she sees me coming. She gives such big hugs, wants to lick you all over the face......just the biggest sweetheart!! She actually sat on my lap earlier today! She's just about too big to be doing that! LOL  She's showing some signs of the time nearing. I'm just going to throw out a wild guess that we'll have "Black Friday" pups. We'll see. She seems to be tiring a bit more lately, sleeping a lot. I'm going to be bringing her in starting tonight, keeping a close eye on her from now on. I'll probably start keeping a good eye on Jasmine next week, just to try and sort things out with her. If she really is expecting or not, she's definitely throwing me for a loop!! I'm trying not to worry that she's got a growth or something in there that's not supposed to be. I just don't know how she could have this bulge, especially when she sits, and not have something of significance in there.......hopefully puppies instead of a tumor or something. I just wish I wasn't so confused with her. 

On another note here, Mattie has just come into heat, so we will be looking at breeding her with Ace next week sometime. That would make somewhere around the first part of Feb pups. They threw some AWESOME pups last time!! I'm VERY pleased with how they turned out! So, the excitement contiues!! LOL Oh but I love every minute of it!

We have been enjoying some beautiful weather here this week. Doing a lot of stuff around the house too. Just hard to  think that the holidays are upon us once again...........the past year has gone much too fast. Have a great day everyone! I will definitely give you the first notice when I know Bella's in labor! Until then....
Amy

Calculated days.........

Ok, I sat down, went back over my calendar and have done some figuring on due dates here. 

Bella could be due anywhere from November 25 to December 2. So maybe she just didn't take until later in her cycle, hence her small belly. She is really becoming quite lazy, sleeping a LOT and seems just drained. I have started feeding both her and Jasmine puppy food, for that extra protein they need.


Now Jasmine, IF she's preggo, I think would be due somewhere between December 8 to December 15, more likely the earlier date. Due to her gash she got on her hip and her stitches, she was kept up in the house for the most part of her heat cycle, only being put back out the last 5 days or so. 

Well, I guess we wait and see!

Some pics from the day

Just wanted to share a few pictures I took today. :)

Here's beautiful Bella......note the very small belly.

And Miss Mattie......LOVE this first one!

 

 

 

Here we have Ace giving Bella the usual look, daring her to come his way.........he guards EVERYTHING!

 

And one of Jasmine and her wood......she carries this piece of log around with her everywhere, all the time. It use to be a fairly large piece of wood, but she's whittled it down pretty good. She's so funny with it!

 

 

A peaceful day

We are having yet another gorgeous day, sunny and warm, in the 70's. Can you believe we have farmers around the area cutting and baling hay still?!? Crazy for November!

Well, I do believe I have felt a puppy in Bella!!! After I watered earlier, she was just sitting there, and since she loves belly rubs, she rolled over and was kind of on her side, and I'm pretty sure that hard little handful of a lump I felt was puppy. Hopefully there's more than one, but we'll take what's been given to us. I have noticed her starting to lay on her belly, front legs stretched out with her chin laying on the ground......a sign she's getting the puppy/puppies lined up for birth. So she's right on cue with the little symptoms I'm picking up. And I have noticed her getting up under the doghouse and hiding out, something she normally wouldn't do. There's definitely been a lot of digging going on under there! LOL And Jasmine, yes, I'm still confused with her! I need to get some recent pics and compare with ones from 2/3 months ago.........I just don't think she's putting on THAT much "winter weight". Oh I'm so excited and just can't wait! I have a very busy photography schedule coming up, so I'm hoping to not be birthing pups on a day I have a session scheduled. I have never missed any of my dogs' births. I've spent many a night, sleeping in the garage!! LOL  

Anxiety, anticipation and...............

total confusion! LOL  I can get so worked up and SO excited with an impending litter coming. You'd think I was awaiting my "own" baby arrival or something. Just ask my hubby! 

It's been a fairly quiet week. The dogs have behaved themselves the entire time, believe it or not! I think they have been totally enjoying the warm weather we've had towards the end of the week. They all sprawl out on top of their houses, sunning it like they are in Hawaii somewhere on vacation. Ahhh, a dog's life, sounds nice sometimes, don't it?

Cookie can't figure out whether to get her winter coat on or continue to shed out more. She blows her coat so bad after she weans a litter. She shed most all of it out, then it turned cold for a spell, so she started growing a good coat in, now she's shedding somewhat again. Poor gal!

Well, onto baby news. Bella, I'm really thinking she has a small litter, VERY small litter on board.......or she's hiding them up in her rib cage! She is not growing much and is actually quite small, but she is producing milk and I can notice a little more fullness every few days, which is at least a good sign. I'm just going to guess she might have a couple. But these dogs are good to have tricks up their sleeves ya know! She could really blossom out here now though, with 3 weeks left at the most, more likely 2 1/2. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that all is ok. Now, on to something that is just absolutely, tee totally confusing the heck out of me!!! And I'm not putting much into this, yet anyway, seeing will be believing, but................I think Jasmine is pregnant! HOW?? Probably between the chain link fence!! Her and Ace are neighbors and that is the ONLY way it could've happened. They were not put together during her heat cycle, nor did either one escape during that time period. It's just the only option. Course who knows, Jasmine is good to let herself out and put herself back up.........when she wants to! I did not see anything happen or going on, but boy, does she ever appear to becoming largely pregnant!  I noticed this last weekend, of course Chris thinks I'm crazy and imagining things, but she continues to get just a bit bigger and I had Laura to look at her today and she was like, "mom, oh my gosh Jasmine has gotten fat!" Like I said, I'm trying not to get too wrapped up in this at the moment but I can't help but be just a wee bit excited!!! Jasmine has difficult labors and that's one reason we quit breeding her. So let's hope everything works out for the best. I don't know what to make of it myself, but I'll definitely keep ya'll posted! Do these dogs like keeping you on your toes or what?!? Goodnight ya'll!
Amy

The maternity corner is ready to go!

We had such a beautiful and very warm day yesterday! I spent 4 1/2 hours outside, cleaning the garage and washing up all my towels and birthing rags and such. Have the birthing box all set up, paper lined and ready to go.........the countdown is on! I know she's still got a ways to go, but I don't think she's going to have an overly large litter. She is still jumping around like a kangaroo, easily clearing the top rail of the fence! Luckily she's NOT figured out that she can go on "over"! 

I went through too and put extra bedding in their dog houses. Now they have like 8 inches of shavings in there! I'm sure the enjoyed burrowing down in there and snuggling up for a good night's sleep. By the time I went inside, I could hear them in there, scratching around, making a nest. 

So, all in all, yesterday was just a wonderful day. And we had lots of fun playing with the dogs and getting ready for the next babies!! Also, little Sooky got a new home. We're so happy for him. More later. Have a great Monday!

Figured you might as well meet us all.................

so here are a few recent pics. I've got a new web page in the works, to meet us and see our beautiful scenery here, it's proving to be a slow go though. These will do for now.

Me and my wonderful husband of 18 yrs........

And our 3 kiddos........

Mattie's up and at 'em!

Boy, Mattie is rearing to go this morning. She's been up, playing around, checking out her gate to see if it's locked or maybe how she can escape. She just bounces around everywhere. She's SO full of energy, all the time! I think she's anxiously awaiting for her "neighbors" to wake up.........that is Jasmine and Bella. They have slept in really late this morning. I actually just now see Jasmine has come out of her doghouse, Bella must still be curled up inside. It is a pretty cold morning here of 29 degrees! I don't blame her, I'd like to still be snoozing myself. This time change is wreaking havoc on me! LOL I better finish baking some cookies for my daughter's class and then head out to check on the gang. Ya'll have a great day!
Amy

NEWS FLASH!!! : )

News that everyone has been waiting for!! Bella IS expecting!! I am SO thrilled and excited and totally looking forward to these new little ones. I would expect them somewhere around Thanksgiving. These will be some gorgeous pups for sure! I've been thinking that she was and seeing a few subtle signs, but just didn't want to "make the announcement" until I just saw for sure. Well, it's funny how 2 days makes a difference in telling. She has the poochiest little belly on her and appears to be getting in some milk. So yeh, it's for real!

I have many people waiting on this litter, so anyone that is interested in placing a deposit now, to hold your place in choosing your puppy, PLEASE let me know asap as I'm only accepting 4 deposits until I see how many she'll have. Stay tuned as they'll be lots more updates on the excitement!

Beautiful morning and all is quiet

Nice start to a day here.........sunny, but very foggy so far. It's so pretty, with all the colorful leaves peeking out from the fog. All the dogs are beginning to stir. Actually seems as if they've slept in this morning as usually they're done up by now. They're out nibbling on their food, couple of them are soaking in what little bit of sun they can get from laying on the roof of their doghouse. Ace is taking survey of things by sitting on his little front porch of the doghouse, looking like a statue. Cookie is the early riser in the bunch, she's always been the first one up. And funny, but Jasmine is always the last to get up, always has been. She likes her sleep! LOL They had a fun day yesterday, getting to run around and play. The last couple days it had rained and was so messy. So going out to feed in that weather is always an adventure. I come in looking like I've just gotten down and rolled in the mud.......but I love all their hugs they give me, no matter how much mud gets on me.

A few pics of the gang

 

 

 

And they did it again!

Bella and Ace...........what a "Bonnie & Clyde" team they are. Once again, they have escaped their pens while I was running errands. I pulled into the driveway, only to be greeted by two dirty, manure smelling, tail wagging, very excited heelers. After dodging their jumping and attempting to keep off the fairly fresh manure they had rolled in from getting onto my nice, clean clothes, I made my way down to the pens to find that they had both dug out. Recently Bella has been digging INTO Ace's pen, only to dig out from there. I guess we've got her pen a little more reinforced, so she's outsmarted us and realizes, "hey, I can get out of Ace's pen a little easier!" I also saw that they had been over to my mom & dad's house, as they had carried over a small bag of trash and proceeded to "trash the place" here. Thanks mama for leaving out the trash! I had tons of paper plates, plastic forks, cups, napkins and who knows what else to pick up (we had just had a cookout the night before, hence all the plasticware!). I finally was able to get all the holes filled in and put a few extra logs or whatever I could find at the moment to block them off from hopefully digging back out................so far, so good!

I'm still in the air as to whether Bella is or is not pregnant. She would have about 4 weeks left to go, guess we shall see. Sometimes they won't really show until about 2 to 3 weeks before birth, but I'm kinda leaning toward YES! Since it's her first, I'm not sure how she responds or what to expect.

Since I have sick kids AGAIN, I'd better go play Dr here and tend them. Then it's off to the dogs! Ya'll have a great day!
Amy

A blog for me............and you!

I've been tossing this blogging thing around for a while now. I really love writing and think this is a wonderful way to keep you informed and updated on our day to day activities and all the mischief these dogs seem to get into. Not to mention all the excitement as a new litter draws near! So, for now, this is just a quick post, to get things going. I'll for sure be back really soon with all sorts of tidbits and fun! Until then, have a great day!