Puppy Steps

Yep.... they are growing!!! It seems daily that the puppies are changing and maturing and doing just a little bit more than they were the day before. They are coming out of the pen more and more and venturing farther away from the security of their blanket. Paper training is in its very early stages but probably 25% of the time they will hit the paper. They are learning to play with the other yorkies in the house (Autumn loves it)!!

Going after Bailey, who was desperately trying to divert the attention away from the puppies and onto to herself...anyone who has ever met Bailey knows what I'm talkin about!

Love this shot!!! Absolute picture of health!!

They have started to eat a bit on their own, here they are stealing some yogurt that I had given to Sadie.

Crashed!!! After a big play on the floor, here is where I found them! Oh, how I love having puppies!!!

Remember...

Remembering September 11, 2001

A day that started out just like today,

The peaceful skyline of New York City before. We should all remember today and take a moment to think of those who lost their lives this day 7 years ago. I remember where I was 7 years ago, the kids had just gotten back into routine at school, a beautiful fall day. I had popped in to visit my mom and she was mentioning some explosion or something that happened in New York. How little we knew until the news reports started coming in. We watched in disbelief as the 2nd tower was struck. How incomprehendible that other human beings could inflict such terror and hatred upon its fellow man. I remember watching the news casts all day showing the planes crashing into the buildings and thinking what sort of people could do such terrible things. I don't think there are words that can describe the enormity of their actions, it is just too unexplainable why people would do such a thing. It changed the world, it changed how we feel, and it shook our calm exsistance into knowing exactly what hatred can do.
Without those majestic buildings...

We should never forget...


As the news broadcasts kept coming in, we were amazed at how Canadians helped and did their part, by helping the stranded air passengers that were grounded for days. All those planes coming across the Atlantic than needed to land somewhere. How proud I am to be Canadian and knowing that fellow Canadian opened their homes and gave of themselves at a time where there were some people of the world who showed exactly how evil they were. It was not about borders or race but merely human compassion and the goodness to love another man.


We remember the men and women on board the flights that crashed into the twin towers, the pentagon and aboard the downed flight headed for the white house. We remember the men and women inside the twin towers, the firefighters, the police officers, health workers and good samaritans all first on the scene who lost thier lives valiantly trying to save the lives of others...

God Bless You and we Salute you...

Happy Birthday Autumn!

Thought I would do some more blogging as my floor dries...ya I'm getting back into the swing of things today...still not too sure what was up with me??? PMS...maybe?? Anyway back in a mode of cleaning and getting things done!
Today is Autumn's birthday!!! I usually don't remember birthdays of theirs but hers is quite memorable in several ways. The date alone makes me remember.
Her delivery makes me remember. She was born by c/section along with her siblings. Avery's delivery was not progressing so off to the vets we went. The vet confirmed that something was not right and decided to do a c/section. Avery was shaved and iv was put in and anesthetic was given. Around the a previous c/section there was alot of scar tissue on the inside, when the vet finally got to her uterus, she found that all the puppies were stressed and all had meconium in their sacs. Long story short....there was the stress issue with the puppies and there was a mumified puppy in there as well that had died a few weeks before in utero. All the puppies were not doing well upon birth, she had 5 live puppies as well as the mumified baby...6 in total...an insane litter for a yorkie. We got the puppies breathing and all seemed to be going well until 1 by 1 they started gasping again. Within an hour of birth I lost 3 of the puppies and a girl (Autumn) was not looking so good either. They administered straight oxygen to her and she started pinking up again. After careful observation I was allowed to go home with 2 babies. I felt completely defeated and really sad for the puppies that I had lost. I felt sad for Avery and I felt sad that she would never know these babies of hers. Avery was spayed on the table which was my intention to do eventually anyway. This is the absolute worst part of breeding, people who think it is so easy to just put 2 dogs together and away they go are so wrong. Being a good breeder means you put your heart and soul into each litter starting with the planning, breeding, pregnancy, birth, post partum for mom and babies, and the nurturing of the puppies. When things go wrong it is devasting and I usually take it personally like I could or should have done something different.
However getting back to my story... the next few hours seemed to go ok and the puppies were nursing and I was monitoring their weight and it seemed like things were going to go ahead. Avery was doing ok too which was a relief.
By the time the puppies were about 18 hrs old I noticed the girl (Autumn) was not looking so good, she looked dehydrated and her weight had dropped a 1/4 oz...both not good signs. I started tubing her which is basically inserting a very tiny tube into their stomach...this is something that is not just as easy as reading a text book to learn. You can easily insert into their lungs and that is fatal. You have to go by intuition and experience to know when you've got it right. Anyway every 3 hrs I tubed Autumn. Her weight maintained for the next 12 hrs which made me optimistic. The other female was doing great by this point and gaining steadily. Autumn was looking better but I was still tubing her and she didn't seem to want to nurse..not sure if it was fading puppy syndrome or what but this is a very frustrating part of breeding. So for 5 days I tubed her every 3 hours, I had to go to work and came home on my breaks to feed her as no one dared to try at home. Finally at 5 days old she took hold of a nipple and I walked in to feed her and she was attached! What a beautiful sight! After that she never looked back. She was about half the size of her sister but quickly caught up and eventually passed her!
So in a sense, Autumn is my miracle baby! She is completely spoiled and I know this and I don't apologize for it! She has matured into a gorgeous girl, I love her temperment!
So here is a small peak at her photo album, I have lots more but you can see her as she grew.
Here she is at 3 weeks....I guess I didn't take birth pictures of her...
With her sister Carli Dawn...rocking with tissue paper...8 weeks old
Already a lap dog at 12 weeks...

Absolutely no fear, she would have crawled right in Reece's mouth if she could have reached...
Christmas time...3 & 1/2 months
5 months old...first top knot..

8 months old...
Autumn as she is today. Her head is completely cleared, she has a gorgeous blue steel coat and wonderful tan/gold. I love her eye rims. She had a perfect top line and nice movement. She is doing some training for the show ring. I hope to enter her in a couple of shows this fall and see what she does.
Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!

Kind of a slow week...

It seems like it has already been a long week. I am not totally sure why but on Monday I thought it was Wednesday and its been like that all week? I am almost apprehensive to say that I am getting bored? I don't believe I have been bored in months!!! I have got alot of stuff caught up that needed to be done so that is good. Today I even did up pedigrees for the puppies which is a time consuming job but hey at least now its done! Got some gardening done on my ever expansive jungles that are taking over out there, paperwork and bills sorted out which is always a good thing too. Did some dog bathing and housework but really the week seems like it is dragging on and I really don't know why? Do you ever find when you get out of synch then it is really hard to get yourself back in there? That is kind of where I am right now....I do have lots that I could be doing but seem to content to not to want to do anything? That make any sense?? Maybe its the kids being back in school is the reason??
Anyway there is always the puppies to play with and that is lots of fun. They are starting to bark and growl if they hear a noise that startles them. They are starting mouth at our hands and fingers. Sadie's babies are enjoying their plays out of the pen which I change the bedding.
This is Dexter getting a tummy rub...

Then rolling over the chew on my finger!

Here is all the puppies out of their pens this morning. Sadie's puppies were all over but Sienna's were totally bewildered. It was so funny to watch the 2 litters interact with each other. They just stood there and looked then barked. How awsome! You can see Sienna's piling up for comfort as they were getting scared! The first one of hers off the blanket to explore was Cruiser, I am really liking what I see so far in this boy! Sadie's are the ones that are more spread out and going off to explore.
I even made dog food this week. Bailey and Autumn are loving licking out the pan.

Bailey is right in there.....as bad a kids wanting to lick the beaters huh!!!
The only other thing I have been doing is running a free taxi service for the kids the past little while. Drop one off then pick one up and then back to pick up the other one....I truly believe they think my van runs on air. How I wish!!!

Sorry I don't have anything more exciting to blog about....just been a really slow typical week!

Duck Tales...

Well apparently they had alot of tales to tell me. This is the reception I got after collecting the eggs and locking the sheep in. They were literally right in front of me and I couldn't take a step without stepping right on them! They obviously wanted fed, which they do everytime I am at the barn. They will leave the pond when they notice me there...
I happened to have my camera in my pocket and snapped a few pictures while chuckling about their persistance.
Walking away disgusted after I wouldn't feed them again....telling more tales I'm sure. Can't forget the rooster. We have 2 that have been exiled from the hen house.

Why We Fight....

I wanted to put up this poem on my blog as well after reading it on my niece's blog last week. The poem has struck a cord within me since I read it. I thought of it again today as I watched the news at work on my supper break about another fallen soldier...just way too many that have fallen....
I continue to think and pray for my nephew's safe return later this month from Afganistan and still admire the work that these brave people are doing over there.

Sorry if you have already read the poem on Christy's blog but I thought it was too well written not to repost...

THE following poem, titled Why We Fight, was written in Afghanistan in 2006 by Cpl. Andrew Grenon of Windsor, Ont., one of three Canadian soldiers who died Wednesday during an ambush in the volatile Zhari district. It was released Thursday by members of Grenon's family.

Why We Fight

I've often asked myself why we are here. Why my government actually agreed to send troops to this God-forsaken place. There are no natural resources. No oil, gold, or silver. Just people.
People who have been at war for the last 40 plus years. People who want nothing more than their children to be safe. People who will do anything for money; even give their own life.
I look into the eyes of these people. I see hate, destruction and depression. I see love, warmth, kindness and appreciation.
Why do we fight? For in this country, there are monsters. Monsters we could easily fight on a different battlefield, at a different time. Monsters that could easily take the fight to us.
Surrounding these mud walls and huts is a country in turmoil. A country that is unable to rebuild itself. A country that cannot guarantee a bright future for its youth.
Why do we fight? Because, if we don't fight today, on THIS battlefield, then our children will be forced to face these monsters on our own battlefield.
I fight because I'm a soldier.
I fight because I'm ordered.
I fight, so my children won't have to.

Please continue to support our troups with your thoughts and prayers...

Growing like little piggies..er..yorkies!!!

Well here is another boastful post about my babies...ok I really can't help myself cause we are just so in love with these babies and are enjoying them so much! It is a lot of work though, I honestly don't know how people rear multiple litters. The dog laundry is insane!!! Socializing is SO important right from an early age but if you had alot of puppies I don' t know where I'd find them time! I make a point of handling them often even if it just for a quick kiss and off I go! Put your feet up and enjoy the newest pics of these lil darlings!!!

Sadie's litter @ 4 weeks...

Here we have a group shot. From l to r we have Ava, Dexter and Sophie. They were all a bit tired and ready to fall off to sleep. That was exactly my plan as to get them together when they are just awake is near impossible!

This one below is of Ava (left) and Sophie (right)...Dexter just couldn't hold out any longer and slipped behind for some zzzzz's. This week they got their ears, bums and nails trimmed. In hopes their ears will start to go up on their own, I like to have them up by 6 weeks or so, if not I continue to shave and tape them until the muscle is strong enough! They are up walking around now and more steady on their feet. They are starting to play and "mouth" each other. They will react to our voices and move towards it.

Their weights at 4 weeks are:

Dexter :: 1 lb 10.5 oz::

Ava :: 1 lb 4 oz::

Sophie :: 1 lb 8.5 oz::

All very, very good weights for sure!!!

Sienna's litter @ 3 weeks...

Another group shot, this time of the younger litter!! From l to r we have Maya, Lainey and Cruiser. They too were "dog tired" and just about to drop off to slumberland!!! This week as well seen them getting their ears, bums and nails trimmed. As you can see their eyes are now open, they just opened last weekend and they are already up on their feet but still quite unsteady yet and giving us little barks and growls. They have made some great gains too.

Their weights at 3 weeks are::

Maya :: 1 lb 1.5 oz::

Lainey :: 1 lb 2 oz::

Cruiser :: 15 oz::Everyone is doing so well! Momma's are looking great! I am feeding them my own homemade mixture of hamburger, rice, potatoes, zuchinni, other veggies, egg, garlic, and a holistic flour especially made for dogs! There really isn't anything in there that humans could not eat! When I make it in a big roaster, the kids come home and think I've made them meat loaf! The only other thing I put in there is a half a cup or so of Royal Canin puppy 33 food. Here is what the mixture looks like!

They love it! This week Sadie's litter will start on some food of their own. A rice pablum mixed with evaporated milk to get them eating on their own. I have already caught them sneaking a taste of their momma's food so its time! This too eases the burden on mom for not having to solely feed them.

If you're looking for individual pics, will post them on my website...

Foal update...

To say the least this years foals has been more than I bargained for and literally "less" than I bargained for. Shortly after their birth I was informed that both my foals were dwarfs. Awsome if I was breeding for pets but really bad for show/breeding purposes. You don't want to breed a dwarf and I have heard that breeders will deny ever having a dwarf and even "dispose" of it when one is born. Dwarfs can come with a multitude of health problems and hopefully these 2 babies of mine will be ok since they are minimal but who knows? I was so ga ga when they were born that I didn't even think there was anything wrong. Their size measured off the charts on the under side and still I didn't clue in. That being said these babies are awsome and they were obviously put here in my care for a reason so I will love them and look after them like they deserve.
Echo, a beautiful little palomino colt was born 17.75" at birth and according to the "charts" he should mature in the 26-27" range. He is a character...very loving and friendly. He seems to be ok thus far and is up on all of his hooves. The only out of the ordinary thing I can see with him besides being small is that his bite is off. He walks fine and seems to graze fine too. I have been told that the combination of mother and father will always produce a dwarf however Echo is a repeat breeding of a gorgeous palomino pinto born 2 years who is totally fine...so I am not sure on that one.
Here he is with Tanner...they are fast becoming buddies...if you can imagine how little he is...Tanner is about 32" at the withers, Echo can walk right under him!

And here we have Vision or V for short. She too is a living doll. She was just 17" at birth and should mature 25-26" range. She is a little more timid than Echo and if your movements are too fast she will back away but she loves to come for a scratch and any treats that I may have. Her bite is off as well and she seems to be having a few more issues with her hooves or staying up on her hooves but I am hoping with corrective farrier work and possibly some magic shoes that I have been checking into from Texas we can keep her up on her feet! When she was born I was over the moon, a little buckskin pinto filly...my dream horse...how I love buckskins!!! She still is a treasure but for obvious reasons she will not be added to my breeding program.

Both the dams and the sire have had babies for me before so why I got 2 in one year is a mystery. I do believe they are here to serve a purpose and just last week got a call from a wonderful man whose daughter has just been diagnosed with a permanent nerve disorder and they are looking for a pet and someone for her to love. Is that why I was blessed with 2 "little" angels...who knows? Maybe this little girl was put here to be angel for a child suffering with a permanent disability. Echo is tentatively reserved to a good friend of mine who deems my animals as her therapy and I know Echo will be as good for her as she will be for him.

I hope next year will be a better year for me. Better in that I can produce healthy show/breeding horses for myself or someone else. I do believe that in life we are thrown curve balls every now and then and it is up to us if we want to duck or swing.

She aint what she used to be...

This ol girl is pretty much over the hill. She is over 10 years old and man has she cut alot of grass! This summer she has been used repeatedly over and over and with the rainiest summer on record that grass just keeps growing! I feel like I should have her surgically attached to my behind because that is just where my behind has been most of the summer!

She is looking a little ratty...

A flat tire that needs to be blown up every time we use it.
She has been giving us grief alot of the summer...something about the fuel line or carborator or something mechanical like that? She may have to be put to rest soon. She has done alot of service for me but I think she is over the 2nd hill and declining....

Camping..Labour Day Weekend

A little late but better than never!!! We finally managed to get the trailer out for a weekend of camping! We went to Keene on beautiful Rice Lake. A little place called Shady Acres. We were in for a lot of R & R!! We got a gorgeous weekend...likely one of the nicest weekends we have had all summer..temps in the high 20's and not a drop of rain! It was nice to kick back and relax! We went with friends Bob and Stacey who just purchased a 21 ft fifth wheel this summer. This is our site.
Below...Casi with sketch pad never too far away...

Britt and Stacey having a round of horseshoes. We played for fun and the next day we had a game of shuffleboard...can honestly say I have never played shuffleboard but it was kind of fun!

Of course some of the dogs came with us! I could never be completely dog-less especially with having wee babies! The 2 momma's and Autumn loved camping too! They didn't much like their mini version of a dog run...this small x-pen but it served its purpose!!!

Autumn out for a stroll. I only walked Autumn around the park, I was too worried about the momma's picking up virus' with the puppies so they stayed close to the trailer.

Sadie's babies in their pen in the trailer.

Obviously camping agrees with them!!! They are flaked out!!!

Here is Britt with Ava...she is completely off in puppy dreamland!!

Dave... master cook...
Yummy, yummy fresh corn on the cob cooked in the turkey roaster...wow that thing really works good!

What is camping without a camp fire???? Of course and roasting marshmallows!
Britt and her smores....
Another of Britt trying her hand at fishing...

A gorgeous sunset over the lake.
We had a fabulous time! It was too short however but I had to work Monday afternoon so we packed up mid morning. It did get a little tense on the drive home when Dave's truck started overheating!!! The guys made a McGyver adjustment to some hose going to the thermostat into some reservoir and filled it up with all the water we had and bummed some more from a local house and fingers crossed we were good to go!

We made it home with a 1/2 hr for me to get the puppies in and momma's fed, change and get to work!!!!

Hoping we can make it out some more next year and possibly do a further away trip...who knows???

Back in School!!!

Wow!!! Where did summer go??? All of a sudden the kids are back in school! Only the 2nd day in and I'm finding the house is eerily quiet. The past few years I have not had the occasion to say "oh I can wait until the kids go back to school". There seems to be always something going on or something to be done and it is always appreciated when they help (willingly or otherwise bribed!) I would have liked to do more things with them but it was a hectic one and we did what we could when we could do it!

This year we have 2 in high school with James entering his gr. 11th year and Cass into gr. 9. Britt is our last in public school just starting gr. 7.

Should be an interesting year as they join different activities and sports and hopefully get a bit of learning in as well! Good luck this year guys!