Happy Holidays!

Welcome Back, Fern

Fern finds Max's greeting just a bit boring.
 

Fern Louise is home after a three week absence while she was in season.  I don't normally send the girls away, but there was just too much going on here during that time.  She came home looking perfect, and in a good frame of mind.  Karen says Fern was a good girl, and Aussie Talley will miss her running buddy.  We'll be sure the girls get a chance to say "Hi" at the January shows.

I was surprised at how pleased Josie was to see Fern, and how quick she was to remind Fern that she Josie was the Queen.  Josie has never been much into pack structure, preferring to sit back and let the others work things out, but she seems to understand that pushy Fern has aspirations of being Queen and needs a reminder from time to time.

The boys gave Fern the Royal Sniffover, and Argus is not quite convinced it's too late.  I'll keep them separated for a few days when I am not around to supervise.  Fern is still flirty, which doesn't help things either.

Fern was thrilled to see the puppy, and has had a fine time herding her around and explaining that all toys are hers!

Winding Down

One puppy left and I'm playing catch up.  No visitors scheduled, no road trips with pups, no vet visits, or interviews on the agenda.  One of my Christmas trees is finally decorated - the small live spruce in the living room has red lights and Dal ornaments.  The artificial "Charlie Brown tree" on the porch has lights and I'll add all the fish ornaments that were given to me by a friend with a strange sense of humor.  I've still got a few gifts to buy, but we're not exchanging many this year so there should be plenty of time to get that done.  Christmas cards were completed yesterday. My brother Al arrives from Costa Rica this evening, and my friend Laurie arrives from Virginia on Tuesday.  It's time to get ready for Christmas!

Stephanie picked up Schelly yesterday morning, and they will be moving to Texas after Christmas along with Tate who is a Josie son.  She's raised two Dals, but Nena was 4 months old when she arrived, so this is her first puppy.

Fulton left yesterday as well, and will be part of a family that includes three kids and one of his "Uncles", a liver Dal boy called Mojo.  I know they will do a great job with this special puppy.   If he turns out well we will show Fulton, and if not he has a wonderful forever-home.  Totally a win-win situation for all.

Summit remains with me for now.  She has a show home waiting, but I just want to be sure she's as good as we all think she is.  Summit was the one with the fuzzy spots, but they are clearing nicely now and her spotting is looking better than I had expected it to look.  She's got so much angle, I just need to be sure she can handle it all and trot smoothly.  Fortunately she has a beautiful front and shoulders to go with all the rear angle.  Love the front and topline, the way she carries herself, her perfect tail and the charming disposition.  It's temping to keep a puppy this nice, but she will be in good hands if she goes to Sharon.  It's so nice to have good show homes waiting for special puppies.