Collars and Colors

The Sleeping Red Collar Girl
A Goat Named Paisley
The Newest Toy
Everyone Into the Pool!!!


Well today was one of those busy days. Early morning feeding went well. The day looked overcast, but no rain at that time. The pups were still asleep when I got there around 6:30 a.m. After I fed them, Kayla nursed them and I then I opened the pen in the ell, and low and behold, they ran out into the run and did pee and poop out in the run!!! Yeah!!!
I went back home and had breakfast with the grandchildren. We started out at the goat farm. The pups love the goats milk and the grandchildren love going to the farm. Today we saw the goats being milked, watched them line up and go up the ramp, each taking their turn in line. I guess years of repetition makes it seem as if they know their place in line and seem to teach the younger goats. While we were standing there one of the older female goats, Paisley, "cut the cheese", as my older granddaughter announced! We laughed and laughed! The picture of the goat is Paisley.
After that we went up to Marion's and fed the pups, then we put the collars on. One of the boys has a "Harley Davidson" collar. We had picked out a bunch of colors and the granddaughters helped decide which pup got which collar. It went smoothly for us, but you would have thought we put electric shock collars on them. They screamed and raced around, and then scratched and wriggled until they finally calmed down. Then they went to sleep, so I'll be interested in seeing if the collars lasted until tonight.
This afternoon it rained and rained, so the pups had to play indoors, but they had access to the outside run, so maybe when it stopped raining, they poked themselves outside, I'll have to ask Marion.
We have Alice to thank for the puppy in the pool and the puppy with "new toy" pictures (the goat picture is mine) and my granddaughter took the puppy with the red collar picture--the village at work folks!
Tomorrow we are going to be at a all day party so I'll do the early morning feeding and the late night feeding. We think that some friends will stop by to see the pups tomorrow, and we know some are coming Sunday, so it will be a busy weekend.
Probably talk to you Sunday night.
Pam

Potty Training!

Are you sure this is the spot?
It seems that in all species "potty training" is a must! Well our "paper training" is going well. The pups eat, then drink some goats milk, and off they go to find the paper. Some make it to the center of the paper, others get their front paws on it, and the rest seem to go if they are in sight of it!
The pups are sleeping through the night, eating wonderfully, and racing around the back yard happily. It's always a good feeling to know that the pups are right on target with their "growth and development".
Alice spent the night (thanks again Alice) and I went up to print out some material for Marion to hand out. It started raining and the thunder and lightning was horrendous, so I stayed put for a bit and helped with the "bedtime snack". It was fun to be doing things for the brood with Alice again.
The pups had "company" yesterday and today. People from Mass and Maine came to watch and play with the little darlings. With all this loving attention, they are getting more demanding when I come in to feed them. Usually if I have time, I get on the ground with them and I "talk" and "play", while they bite and chew! I just think that it is important that they have actual physical contact often, and after food, but before nap time seems the perfect time for me to talk to each one and run my hands over each one.
Tomorrow I am going to get some pictures of their playground and some of the pups playing. Hopefully it won't be raining, but no promises.
Talk to you tomorrow night.
Pam

Easy as Pie!

Well we (the pups, Kayla and I) have taken two lifestyle-change hurdles with ease. The pups spent Monday night in the ell. I had moved their pen and crate, put down the linoleum flooring, and positioned the x-pen fence around the set-up. I did sleep at Marion's that night with the kitchen door open "just in case". Nothing happened and I slept the whole night (from 10pm-5:30am. Last night I put the pups and Kayla to bed and went home. I got back up there around 6am. All was well. I put Kayla in the pen to nurse the brood, and went to get their breakfast ready. I heard a bang and Kayla had pulled the fencing down and all the pups were heading into the kennel area. When I got to them they had all gone out the dog door (how very smart!!) and were out racing up and down Run #1. It was so incredible, as I was planning on "introducing" them to the run and have them stay out there during the days. So today they will be outdoors (at least until the thunderstorms come late this afternoon) and then we'll put them back into the ell. I don't like leaving any dogs outside during the thunder and lightning storms!
The pictures I've posted are pictures that I "have in my head" of my mom, Marion, as she gets to know each pup. she always sits quietly with the litter, watching each pup, picking up one then another. She runs her hands over them, talks to them, evaluates them and they always respond by settling down around her chair and waiting their turn. I can close my eyes and see in my head that same picture with each litter. Thought you all might enjoy sharing this with me.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Pam

Oh Sunny Day!!

Oh the luxury of a pedicure!
Aren't they Cute!
Ahhhhh, just kicking back!

Well after "years" of rain, we finally are blessed with two beautiful days--Saturday and Monday (Sunday was misty, but warm)!! Saturday was wonderful and as you can see Emily and Alice had the pups out in the sun, playing, clipping nails and just "kicking back"! Following that lead we have made the move to the outside play area. Today four of my granddaughters helped set up a play area out in the back yard and set up the sleeping pen in the ell off the kitchen. We are so glad to have some great weather that is at least warm enough for the change. These pups were getting chubby just laying around and eating. They need to run and play hard and having them outside will provide that opportunity!
Each day we are seeing a change in them...their interaction with us and each other, as well as the exploring new venues. It is amazing to watch. Kayla continues to keep an eye on them, and this morning was leading them around the back yard. They were following, but peeled off here and there to check out a new object.
The time is getting close for some of the potential owners to come for a visit. Two familys are coming this week. We have friends flying in next week and other friends coming this weekend, so the crew are going to be well socialized!
I'll be taking more pictures in the next few days. Talk to you soon.
Pam

It Takes a Village!

Tessa is off and running!

Thomas is right behind her!

Thomas has got Makayla's number- do it again!

Now we have Sydney playing the game too!

Boy, that was hard getting those cousins to play right!

Hillary was right! It does take a village---and I'm lucky to belong to a great one. Today was one of those days. I had stayed overnight at Marion's home to make sure no pups excaped. I was able to finish up the morning chores, get over to my granddogters home, let them out, give the oldest her medicine and both some fresh water, and then home to have breakfast with my Makayla and Sydney and my Mike. Then back up to the pups with some fresh supplies, accompanied by Makayla and Sydney, who helped feed the pups lunch, cleaned up the pen, played with the pups and threw a ball for Mom-Kayla. We set up the outside playpen, put a large mat down and pulled the tent out. Running out of time it was --back in the car for the trip home to catch up with other grandchildren (the twins) and their mom, Debbie, who were going to meet us at the house so all could play. As I left Marion's I passed (and stopped to talk to) our dear friend (and my next "adopted daughter") Emily Pikul, who was on her way to help cut puppy nails. Her comment was "don't sweat it-enjoy the kids", and then "take a deep breath"! We had a great afternoon with the grandchildren and all of a sudden I realized that it was late, so I called and Emily told me that "everything" was under control. Alice was up there, and she and Emily did the puppies' nails, took everyone out for their "first ever outdoor play time", fed them their afternoon meal and had cleaned the indoor pen and put all pups back. Plus Emily brought up a great camera and I'm sure Alice did too. Of course in my hurry, I didn't ask if they got the pictures, but I'll know by tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, it's another day of visiting. I have been asked to "judge" a fun "puppy match" for some friends who have Irish Setters. There will be seven siblings there and I'll try to pick the best one. Little do they know that I'll pick the one that smiles the most! (lol)

Well, I'll probably try to "clean up" the blog and get back on tract by Monday.

Talk to you then.

Pam

Up, Up and Away!

The Goat that Escapes!

Kayla just wants to play!

After an hour of play with Makayla and Sydney!

Good morning everyone. It's a beautiful Saturday!!! Sun, Sun, Sun! Our grandchildren from North Carolina have settled in and we are enjoying every minute with them. They are getting into the swing of things with the puppies. We went to the Goat Farm (again) and took time to play with one of the goats (a little female) who had learned to jump over the pen fence. Strangely enough one of our pups has also learned the same trick. I've been calling her Pandora, as she certainly has "opened the box"! She loves to explore the 1st floor when she does escape. Her tail is wagging the whole time. She reminds us all of Kayla, who can open anything that has a hinge! In that same vein, she also reminds us of her Grandma, Emma, (Kayla also has this trait) who would eat anything not under lock and key. Pandora noses around the "big dog's dish" and has been seen sharing her Mom's food. I hope to get that picture once, but it seems that I'm always away from my camera at that exact moment. Today we hope to stack them all and get some pictures at the same time. Also, they are diving into the food so need a quick wash. It should be hectic. Emily Pikul is coming up to take the pictures. I spent about 1 hour in the pen this morning, just playing with them and cuddling. They have chewed every part of me and I have puncture marks in the strangest places. Oh well, things will heal.

I'll post the "Family Pictures" tomorrow- that is if we are able to get any of course!
Talk to you then.
Pam

Hectic Week!

Ashley gives Makayla a hug and balloon!

Sydney, Rachel, Makayla and Ashely (left to right)

Sorry I've been "quiet", but this week has been hectic. All this week I'm "dog sitting" our two grand-dogters, Zoie and Haven.They are big German Shepards, so they are at their house and I just go over and let them out to their kennel, and feed them etc. Monday I put my husband, Mike, on a plane for North Carolina so he could pick up our two granddaughters and bring them up to New Hampshire. Makayla is 8 and Sydney is 11. They will be with us for a month. The puppies will have two new playmates! Tuesday I put my brother, Dan, on a plane for Seattle (his home) with a big thanks for all he had done at Marion's house. Yesterday, Wednesday, Makayla, Sydney and their Papou (Mike) arrived (plane was on time--honestly!) and two other granddaughters, Ashley, 8, and Rachel, 4 went to the airport with me and we surprised them with balloons and cheers!

The pups, 5 weeks old today, are now eating/chewing on "puppy biscuits". This is a god send, as they can be demanding when waiting for me to get my act together to feed them. If is ever stops raining we are going to put them outside in their play yard with some climbing toys, tunnels, slides, and cots that we use for their "King of the Hill" games. Those pictures should be great, if we ever get to do it! This weekend is supposed to be nice, so we are going to try for Saturday.
Tomorrow Makayla and Sydney are going with me to get the goats milk at the goat farm, so we should be having a few pictures from that trip.
Talk to you then.
Pam

Monday, Monday

What Beautiful Blue Eyes You Have My Dear!

More Blue Eyes - A Little Less Weight.

I'm Just Shy.....

Anyone remember the Mamas and Papas? Well I've been humming their tune, Monday, Monday all morning long. (My morning started at 5:30 am). The pups are growing and growing. This weekend we introduced a more "solid" meal of rice cereal and then oatmeal (baby cereal) to them and they gobbled it up. I wanted to get pictures of them after the meal, as they were "white faced" with it and had it on their paws and tails and backs, but my camera was upstairs at the computer and their Mom, Kayla, went right in and cleaned them up (plus snacked on any left overs). She nursed them for a short while, cleaned up the poop in the pen while I changed papers and put clean rugs down. Now they are napping and so is Kayla. The pups are playing with the toys more and interacting with each other a lot. And as in a big family there are squabbles, which at a certain point, Kayla interrupts and things smooth out...it's fun to watch her nose them away from each other. I've posted some of the babies' faces for you and this week will try for close-ups. I meant to tell you all about Kayla's growing appitite....yesterday I fed her about 8 a.m. and she wolfed it down. I had set up 3 other dishes for the other adult dogs here, and went to "shuffle" them around. When I got back to the kitchen, Kayla had taken all three bowls off the counter and finished off every bit of the breakfast for them. I figured that all toll she ate about 8 cups of food!!! All she did is burp in my face and smile...what a dog! Tonight my brother, Dan, from Seattle is on puppy watch so I can get some sleep at my house. Talk with you tomorrow.

Pam

Our New Digs!

Help! Send Help! We are being held on trumped up charges!

Sooooo These are our new digs?

You left me alone in this prison!

This is the mauling you deserve for leaving us here!

Today was a day of change. The dining room is now an apartment for the pups with a large crate, rugs around, papers strategically placed, toys sprinkled about and a pretty Fence! Alice and I cleaned everything from the floor on up--all equipment, all toys, rugs crate and x-pen fencing, all while the pups slept after breakfast. Then we introduced them to the wonderful new living area we had created! Our smiles and back-patting slowly turned to frowns as the "kids" screamed and pulled at the x-pen, mewled and cried when we tried to wait them out--finally we gave in and got into the x-pen with them and they quieted down immediately! Spoiled?--No, not our pups! Well after a "second helping" of lunch, they finally quieted down and played around for a long time. Then nap time, they all found a comfortable spot and settled in. At 3:45 pm they are still asleep--the little angels!

Alice's husband, Paul, came for a visit and brought "Aunt Maddy". She and Kayla were happy to see each other, as Kayla has been gone from their home since June 17th. Paul also brought Kayla a treat and present, a MacDonald's hamburger, which she happily wolfed down.

My brother, Dan, from Seattle, is here and is re-wiring our "el" so that the pups will have convenient electrical outlets for their various equipment (heating pads, lights, etc). No more extention cords draped across the ceiling suspended by hooks..darn, it had such a "make due" feeling to it, now it will look professional.

Hope you like the pictures of the new digs. We are weighing them all today and doing nails this evening, so I'll post those pictures later.

Pam

Summertime,Summertime, SumSumSummertime!!

Mom said it's a toy moose-sure looks like one of us!

Hey guys, I found a bone!

If I'm not to play with it, why put it down where I can get it??

Wish I could sing that song for you....but finally a day with sun and temperatures in the 70's!! It just felt good to move around and walk outside in the sunshine. My "lifting/moving help" did not come early today as I expected, so I didn't change the sleeping area. But the pups have had a ball with some new toys and more freedom. They are almost gleeful as they romp around the dining room! As it is with most "kids", give them a new toy and they play with the box. One picture I have posted is the pups racing around with the paper happily in their mouths instead of peeing on it, they are dragging it all over! Increasing their diet is going well...one of them put his head in his mommy's bowl and ate some meat/veg mix and then had diarrhea, so I'm watching them closely tonight. I feel sorry for Kayla as all the pups are getting those wonderful sharp "baby" teeth! I have some toys made to help them with teething..one's you freeze and a few that are made for pups to chew, not to mention all the little stuffed toys they were given.

Did I remember to wish Alice and her husband Paul a Happy Anniversary. They celebrated their 39th this past weekend. Alice is coming tonight to puppy sit. My brother, Dan, is coming from Seattle tonight, so it will be a full house. I'll put up pictures of the pups new digs as soon as we get it set up.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Pam

To the Dump, To the Dump, To the Dump, Dump, Dump

Girls just wanta have fun!

That's better, more room!

So this is summer?!

Ok, I thought it was summer, but this morning it was in the 40's at 6 am. It did get into the 60's, but really, where is the heat??!! I thought it was fitting that Kayla's first "outing" in the car was to the Bradford Town Dump! And then to the town library, both favorites around here. Everyone at the dumps has heard of Kayla and her pups. A few townies even follow the blog! Kayla was the perfect lady when people came to look at her. She stayed in the front seat (driver's side of course) and with a regal bow every now and then accepted all the laud and praise given her!

The pups have graduated to a larger bowl, and are doing beautifully! We are changing the sleeping box to a crate tomrrow and will see what happens..hopefully they will get the message and sleep in one spot and play in another. They are doing well with the paper training for pee, now we need to encourage the poop go there too.

I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.
Pam

Hanging in There

Hanging in for the first course!

Second Course right on time!

Play time everyone!

Don't you just love the "old" rhymes. Kayla dilivered on a Thursday, so the old Mother Goose Rhyme goes:

Monday's Child is fair of face

Tuesday's Child is full of grace

Wednesday's Child is full of woe

Thursday's Child has far to go

Friday's Child is loving and giving

Saturday's Child works hard for a living

But the child born on the Sabbath Day

Is fair and wise and good and gay.

Anyway, the crew is plugging along (pardon the pun). They are "hanging" from Kayla to eat the first course, and then they head over to me and I put the second course down (the feeding dish). We take them out of the play pen for about an hour each feeding time. They are all barking, starting to run at each other, pull tails, bite ears and faces, and drag the stuffed toys around, shaking the ones they can and growling at the others. If it didn't go down to 40 degrees each night we would be putting them out in the "el" off the kitchen. It has cement floors and their nails would get worn down naturally. Unfortunately it is just too cold, so we are planning a "nail clipping" session tomorrow. We would also like to get them out onto the grass, but that will be next week. When they go outside they will have plenty of opportunity to explore. We have slides, tunnels, tires, beds, balls and various other toys and equipment for them to learn on and explore. Today's going to be busy, so I'll close.

Talk with you tomorrow.

Pam

Check Please!

Bowl? Where is it?

Talk about a "blur of activity"!

Man, that was a great meal!

Well this morning was "D Day" (dish day). Kayla fed the pups around 7:45 am and then I let them out of the box to play. Well they all went after Kayla and seemed to still be hungry, so I took the cleaned small puppy wheel feeding dish, put some warmed goats' milk in it, put it down and stood back. They all headed right for it, and within a minute it was empty, so I added more and they finished that. I didn't want to overdo it so I just let them run around after that while I cleaned the box. I put them back into the box at about 9 am and we haven't heard a peep from them since. (It's 10 am now). We will do another dish feeding at bedtime tonight, then do am and pm feedings tomorrow with just the goats' milk. Wednesday we'll ad in cooked rice cereal or pureed oatmeal. By next weekend they should be on their 4 meals a day, plus being nursed. We'll see how Kayla does with all this change this week. This morning she joined in the scrum for milk, but stood back after I told her no. She really is a great Mom!

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Pam

What a Day for a Daydream

They are as friendly as Dogs.

And as curious!

Oh wow, today is the type of day that you remember from your childhood, sitting out under a tree, reading, drinking lemonade and doing nothing. Blue skies, a few white clouds and it's finally in the 70's!! Outside of scooting down to Chester NH and picking up Rosa, our new IWS Mallyree AKC Champion, and then going to the farmer's market in our town, I have goofed off. I did manage to download the pictures I took of the goats at Mrs. Hall's goat farm yesterday, so I've posted them today. I've been on the floor playing with the pups and now I going to finish that last chapter of the book I've been reading. We are going to grill some steak, have some wine and enjoy this evening!

Probably won't get onto the blog until Monday.

Pam

Billy Goats' Gruff

Today Alice and I went to the goat farm. We needed to stock up on goats milk. Our 10 Little Indians as I'm now calling them (they hoot and screech now) are starting to need just a bit more to "eat". Plus soon we will be starting some Rice cereal/goats milk mash. We got 18 quarts to freeze. I know that seems like a lot of milk, but it lasts a while being frozen, plus after a week they will be "chowing down" 4 times a day and that takes quite a bit of milk. While we were there my friend Patty asked if we wanted to feed two of the kids their bottles. Of course we jumped in to help. It was fun. Did you know that the goat kids wag their tails when they are happy. They like to run in groups. They come when they are called. Patty says that they are really a lot like dogs. Alice took some video and a few still shots for our "history" of the Kayla's Pups. It was such a beautiful day today that Mike (my husband) took Alice, Marion and me to lunch on Lake Sunapee. We had a great time and it gave us a chance to leave Kayla with her pups and see how it went without being gone too long or going too far away. When we got back, all was quiet. Kayla and the pups were napping. Everyone woke up within an hour and then we had them out playing and running around. This is the really cute time. Mom's still feeding them but they like to roam and enjoy being picked up.I forgot to mention my "chin hickey" (for those who are too young to know, it is a mark left on a neck - or other body part- when you are kissed with "suction") anyway--I had one of the pups up near my face and he started "nursing" on my chin. I just thought it was cute and didn't pull him away immediately. When I looked in the mirror a little while afterwards, low and behold, a hickey on the end of my chin....large one too. It looked like a huge birth mark--I immediately went for the Arnica cream (holistic stuff) and within 12 hours is was much smaller and not as noticeable, but it is still there three days later!

Well that's it for now. Time to feed the adults!

Pam

We are Three Weeks Old Today!

They are eating more, more often and I'm enjoying it less!

Quiet day today for the pups third full week of life. Weather reports say it's going to get sunny, but right now it's grey and cloudy and around 60 degrees. Oh well, this winter I couldn't wait for it to be 60, so I guess I had better be thankful! Looks like the temperature will be heading up this weekend.

The pups are starting to explore their environment. I put some toys around, they just climb over them or cuddle with them, but it's a start. Kayla is taking more rest time, as the pups are demanding more food! We will start with some rice cereal and goats milk this weekend and see if it's something they will tolerate. They have to learn how to eat, so it should be a sight! I'll try for some pictures of the mess! (Kind of like the babies first meal eating by themselves-food everywhere except in the mouth.) I'm headed home and Alice will be here overnight. Kayla really misses her, so it's great that she can do this!

I'll chat with you this weekend.

Pam

Marion's Birthday

Don't worry, just ignore it, it won't bite!

Ashley, 8, and Rachel, 4, are waiting for them to wake up!

Kayla is keeping an "eye" on the company!

Today, July 8th is Marion's 93rd Birthday! It started with Breakfast in Bed on a sunny day! Family is calling, her granddaughter and 2 great-granddaughters came and brought lunch. Friends have sent cards via email and snail mail. She is really enjoying this day!

The afternoon has turned cloudy, with rain and threat of thunder showers, so we are reading books and will play some "Scrabble" in a bit.

The pups are celebrating today also. They have gained some new freedom. In order to clean up the playpen, I have to put them out on the play rug. Soooo, they are moving around, barking,

getting into what ever they can, and generally driving poor Kayla up a tree, as she like knowing exactly where they are. We put two soft stuffed animals down for them to climb onto, bark at and snuggle up to, and they seem to be interested in them. The pups have been sleeping longer at night (3-4 hours between feedings) and a bit longer between feedings during the day, as we want them to play and move about. Kayla is doing a bang up job of this, as when they first get up she no longer jumps right in with them. She noses them and "woofles" at them and then walks away while they move around a bit. She really is a gem!

I have found out why I can't get the videos to upload. They are not in the right format apparently. I'll see if I can change them and then I'll post them. Talk to you tomorrow- the Pups will be three weeks old then.

Pam

Wonderful Day to Stay Inside and Play

So youngster, What's up?

Snuggle, kiss, kiss!

Hey you Monkey, let go of my Nose!

It's raining again, dark, gloomy, cool and damp. And it's thundering! But it's been a great day. Alice came up to play! We had a fantastic time with the pups. They are so funny, running (ok-stumbling), barking and trying to climb out of the whelping box. Many are able to, so the box has become a pen now. I really like this whelping box as it is so adaptable. Alice, Marion and I had lunch- broccoli soup, toast and tea. Alice brought some fantastic peaches up. Her family brought them up from Georgia and they are juicy, ripe and delicious! Then we got on the floor and played with the pups. We held them and loved them and they "latched onto" our noses, chins and fingers. Couldn't think of one other thing that would be as much fun! Everyone is napping now, Alice is on her way to rally class with Maddy, her other Irish Water Spaniel. I will be going to classes too as soon as Rosa gets back from her shows. Rosa is now an AKC Champion, she obtained that status this weekend winning some shows. So now it's on to Rally titles for her. Alice and I are going to the Rally weekend in Belmont July 26,27--so wish us well! Kayla is also a rally dog, but will have to wait until she is done "raising these kids".

Hope your day has gone well.
Pam