Friday, February 17, 2012

Puppy Planning


Things are going pretty well here, despite having two girls in season at the same time.  Am guessing Letty would have been breedable yesterday, as Argus kept trying to lead me to the basement so we could go down and "visit" her.  Letty and her big sister Lucy are getting along well in the basement, and they are out with me when I am doing fish chores.  Otherwise they are crated, but go out to the dog yard every couple of hours.   Argus stays upstairs and goes for walks 5 times a day which he enjoys, 4 short walks so he can empty his bladder and his normal long walk in the evening.  It's important that male Dals not be forced to hold their urine for too long as that is one of the things that can cause urate bladder stones.  (We've always been very conscious of that and have never owned a stone former.)

Lucy had her brucellosis test and her first progesterone test yesterday.  Everyone who saw Lucy gushed that she was the most beautiful Dal they had ever seen.  She really is pretty, and just as sweet as she is lovely.  Also a very good guest.  Progesterone levels still quite low so we don't have to go in again until Monday.  Because we hope to do a natural breeding, weather permitting, we don't need to be quite as precise on timing as we would for a chilled semen breeding, and or especially for a frozen semen breeding, but the tests will allow us to identify the optimum days for breeding.   I talked to Indie's owner John last night, just to be sure they had access to a reproductive vet if we HAD to do a chilled semen breeding.  Although the Weather Channel is just predicting rain and warm temperatures, the local weather folks are talking about the possibility of significant amounts of snow.  If the roads are bad we'll have to do a chilled semen breeding instead of a natural one.

Time to get back to the people on my Possible Puppy Home List!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Breed Bashing


Westminster is history, but the commentary is ongoing, and much of it is quite offensive.  Each of the Group winners was a lovely dog and they ALL showed well in the final line up.  The Dobe and her breeder-owner-handler put on a fabulous show and were very popular amongst the watchers, the German Shepherd folks are fanatic about their breed, the Irish Setter was lovely and showy, and Ian the Dal did us proud.   They all looked great, but the Peke won, and did everything right.   His win was no surprise.  It's much easier to appreciate showmanship is large flashy breeds, but the Peke was just as showy (for a Peke) as the others, and top judges have agreed that he is an outstanding dog.  Please, no more Peke Bashing.

Hopefully we all survive the next couple of weeks!  Yesterday I picked up Lucy and she moved into my basement.  Letty moved down to join her since she is very close to being breedable.  Lucy isn't there yet as she came in a few days after Letty did, but of course the other dogs are aware of her presence.  Poor Argus is showing the stress of having two in season bitches in the house, and Letty is not impressed with being shut in the basement.  Wish I had a larger house or could afford to board someone out!  If Meribel was not in season too, I'd ask Jess to take Argus for the next ten days, but things are no better there!  Normally I hand walk the girls in season rather than letting them use the dog yard, but with two girls to deal with it's easier to let them out in the yard and hand walk Argus.  He likes that part of the situation.  Lucy will need to visit Indie in Nebraska some time next week - so of course there is snow in the forecast. Knew that would happen!  Fingers crossed.

Sparkle went to her new home yesterday on approval.  Hope this works out.  Seems like a perfect place for her.  Her new owner is in to structure, which is precisely what smart, pushy Sparkle needs.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Dalmatians Rule!


How cool was that?  Ian the Dalmatian winning the Group at Westminster.  We had assumed we would be cheering for our favorite Standard Poodle last night, but the Poodle who was one of the favorites to go Best In Show lost the breed to a Poodle who didn't even place in the Group. What a shame.  I personally didn't think there was any comparison between the two Poodles, but that's dog shows.  But back to Ian, a very silly, super happy kind of Dalmatian, handled by a professional who knows how to get the best out of a dog.  Ian just sparkled out there.  As a longtime Dal breeder I was VERY proud of him.  Dogs like Ian, with exceptionally nice personalities, are great PR for the breed.  The Wire Doxie Hound Group winner was a gem as well, radiating the same extra good attitude.   Love that in a dog.

Argus and I will be cheering Ian on tonight.  Argus remembers Ian as the dog who edged him out for Best of Breed at Westminister last year, but he's a good sport about that.  Ian has gone on to have an excellent career with some very nice wins.  Good Luck tonite, Ian & Michael (handler) & Barbara (owner) & Connie (breeder/co-owner)!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Too Much A Happenin'


Whew, hope I survive the week!  Heading off in a few minute to visit Mary-with-the-magic-hands as we are doing another chilled semen contribution for Story.  The Friday shipment, used Saturday, was probably just a bit early according to Saturday's progesterone test so they are doing a second breeding.  A lot of money already invested in this litter-to-be!

Then off to work, but in the evening I'll pick up a Pizza and head over to Mom's to watch Westminster.  No cable or satellite TV here, and this is the only time I really need it.  The second night of Westminster on Tuesday.  When I get back from Mom's have have two dogs to walk and fish to tend - and it was just two years ago tomorrow that I slipped on the ice at 11:15 PM and broke my ankle . . .

Wednesday I drive to Duluth to meet Patti and pick up Lucy & Sparkle, then probably drive to Elk River to drop of Sparkle in her new home.  Lucy and Letty will move to the basement and poor Argus will go crazy.  On Thursday Lucy will go in for her first progesterone test and a brucellosis test. 

Busy, busy, busy.

Actually watched and enjoyed part of the Grammy last night, especially the Beach Boys!