Daisy is an agility champion!

After way too loong, but still a nice, casual journey, we finished Daisy’s CPE agility champion title last month. Sweet!

Happy birthday

Six years ago today, Daisy and her littermates were born in the very same laundry room where her puppies were born back in May.

The occasion went a little differently back then, or so I imagine, because Chase delivered her 7 puppies in her crate with no one watching or helping. At least old Uncle Hobbes was in the next crate to offer moral support.

Fortunately, Chase delivered just fine, on her own. We came home to a big, early surprise. Everyone was healthy and Chase was a wonderful mom.

When Daisy’s time came, I vowed to be there for her, and kept my promise.

Happy birthday to Daisy, George, Nelli, Cozi, Rusty, and Maddie. Be good dogs. Love your humans.

B

Fan club

Daisy went to the Livonia library today to work her shift as Reading Assistant. She was a little squirmy at first, wanting to visit her fish, but eventually settled down and by the end was curled up quite content to listen to the readers.

She has built up a fan club of 5 regular readers who come to read to her frequently. They were attending her in force today, greeting her enthusiastically when we arrived. There’s one little girl who reads the same book every time, memorized so she doesn’t even look at the words. The kids are all characters and really enjoy reading to Daisy.

Evaluations

I took a few photos of the puppies getting evaluated last week, at Dr. Nancy’s house. Sharon drove from Toronto to also evaluate 2 other vizsla litters (the Lacko’s, up in the Thumb), so she had her hands full. She uses a technique called Puppy Puzzle, checking angulations, sprung hocks, how they hang, a whole lot of stuff that I couldn’t keep track of. She and Nancy were bantering back and forth all kinds of techno-speak that was way out of my comprehension. But the bottom line was they tested well, some better than others, on a scale of 1-10, most around 9’s and 8’s.

She also tested for temperament. How did they react when I (the familiar person) handed each one to her, the stranger, who craddled them in her arms? They all did well again, looking up at her almost immediately and giving a puppy lick.

Green

Green

Squirmy Green

Blue

Blue

Red getting hung

Red

Red

Squirmy Red

Red getting some love

Yellow

Yellow

Squirmy Yellow

Yellow

Yellow

Pink getting hung

Pink

Pink

Shoebox

I’m digging through the shoebox (or camera card) for puppy photos to upload. Here are a few you may not have seen yet:

Doorway to the great outdoors

Meeting Grandma Chase.

Hi Grandma!

Ouch, that must hurt!

They are gone.

The last puppies left us this morning. Daisy let them nurse for the last time, and gave them their last nuzzle. It was a little teary to see her be so loving to them, knowing that her time with them was ending.

I’ve heard from the girls’ new home; they are doing well, adapted nicely to the household and older dog. They are taking their business outside already.

I am honored to be instrumental in adding to the joy and happiness of 4 loving families. To the families: thank you for giving this little puppy project a wonderful ending. It was well worth it.

Being a dog, living in the now, Daisy seems to have handled the departures well.

Pup prep

Bathed — check

Ears cleaned and treated — check

Toenails cut — check

New collars — check

First shots — check

Microchip — check

Evaluations — check

Everyone get ready for a drastic change in your lives, mine included. It’s been a wonderful experience to watch these little guys grow and blossom, and to watch Daisy transform into a wonderful mom.

Adios mis amores.

Stylin’ in a phone booth

Time to move to king-size?

This is a puppy version of that ’50’s craze of jamming as many teenagers as possible into a phone booth. I added this container into their pool a few weeks ago, and they took to it well, but now, two weeks later, they are beyond cozy.

There really are 5 puppies in there.

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"We be stylin!"

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Then, the big news from yesterday is: official, store-bought collars! Still color-coordinated, of course. No more frazzled ric-rac ribbon.

Family outings

Yesterday the Beeson’s came for a visit, and we all went outside. Pink and Yellow Girls are going to be living with them.  The Beeson boys had a great time enjoying the puppy antics and watching them nurse. Daisy was quite calm and relaxed and not in the least worried having these strange people so close while her babies nursed.

This afternoon her kids spent more time outside, so that I could tend to their living area. The weather is gorgeous today and all the big dogs were also outside soaking the sun.

Daisy looks on

"Come on in Mom, we's hungry!"

Nursing at a sit, Daisy's "ready to bolt" position

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Today’s big accomplishment was individual “field shots” of the 5 of them. With no help, it wasn’t easy!

Green Boy "in the field"

Pink Girl "in the field"

Yellow Girl "in the field"

Red Boy "in the field"

Blue Boy "in the field"

Last call before the bar closes

Daisy may be shutting down the Milk Bar.

I had Green and Red Boys outside exploring a shady area and she decided to join us, and then laid down for them. It was a peaceful, relaxing session, and may be the last.

Since yesterday, she appears adverse to lying down with all 5 of her babies, but today she did stand in one spot while they latched on from below for a meal. Green Boy got a boost up when I placed a cardboard box next to her for him to stand on.

They spent some time outside today when Will and Jack came over for a visit and to help keep an eye on them. My yard doesn’t have a wooden fence, and I couldn’t have all 5 out there loose without some help in herding.