NOT MUCH TO REPORT WITH ALL THE HEAT, HUMIDITY AND RAIN.

It has been a pretty miserable summer for the dogs. They just do not do well with heat and humidiy. We have not been able to play agility with the humidity. The dogs really pant in the humidity and don't feel like running in the agility area. I started to get the equipment out one day and maybe got a third of it and it was just plain too hot to do anymore. I hope to have it all out by mid September and maybe we will be able to have a Sheltie play day in September. 

I have been having cataract surgery and will be all done by mid September. My Sheltie friends have been helping out with taking my puppies and one adult dog. The help is wonderful and I so appreciate it.The first procedure is done and it has been so nice to be able to see better. Next week the second procedure. It should go as well as the first. Then all done and no more worry about bending and lifting. 

I can't wait to start training again with Flash. He loved training so much and he is so smart. He just picked up so fast and remembered so well. We really had fun in his class. 

I don't travel much in the winter so I need to get to a class soon.

We did go to a dog show in June. It was fun and alot of work. Bathing and grooming Flash and packing up all the equipment to take to the show. Flash behaved really well and handled the environment really well. This was the first show he had ever been to. He was the only one in his class so he did get a ribbon but did not go further. I was really pleased with his behavior, he acted like he had been  showing for a long time. Actually the obedience training is much more fun. He really loves the obedience and I think that we will stick with that. We need to have fun together.

 

                                                  

•                                         FLASH

FOUR MONTHS SINCE I HAVE TOUCHED THE BLOG

 It sure has been a long time since I have written here. Just plain too busy. I had a litter of nine pups born in mid December and boy that was a lot of work. Two smaller pups needed to be hand fed which was very time consuming. I was going to keep one of the bi black boys but decided that I did not need another boy. 

I have a lovely sable female that came from Wanderlust Shetland Sheepdogs. She is 10 weeks and a little doll. We are starting to learn some tricks so when she is four months old she can earn her tricks title. House training is on going and she is catching on quite well. Lots of paying attention to what she is doing but I am catching her most of the time.Right now she is under the table. She is sound asleep and that might last for 20 minutes. I spend time lots of time with her but she is so smart and I don't want to lose any time with her

Flash is with a friend of mine to practice conformation show training. There are two shows that he will be entered in late June. Will be his first time in a conformation ring.  We are looking forward to the day. He also sired another litter with our blue girl Quinn. A friend of mine whelped her as I needed a break and she is handling the placement of the pups. There are two tri boys still available. She has a page on FB called Wanderlust Shetland Sheepdogs. There you will see some pictures of the tri boys and you can get an application for a puppy. She is Caitlin Foster, and the pups are with her. 

They are not ready to go for another 2 to3 weeks. They are so cute.

I have been taking Finn to class once a week and it is a good hours drive but it is so much fun and Finn is learning alot. Hopefully I will be able to keep this blog up only if a paragraph of what is going on here at Jopavist Shetland Sheepdogs. 

I hope to get some of the agility equipment set up this afternoon. 

It is time to start playing agility with the dogs again. They love it and it is so good for them.

All for now, hope to be back tomorrow.

Jody

 

                                                   FLASH 

                                             Sire of the pups.

A LITTLE LESS THAN A MONTH, NOT TOO BAD.

This has been a busy month, with the Holidays and new pups being born.  Now the pups are four and a half weeks old and are slowly being weaned. They are eating soft puppy food with a little baby cereal. Actually they have huge appetites and doing very well. Even little Pippi who I tube fed for the frist few days and then a bottle for a week. Now she is strong enough to get in there with her brothers and sister. And she really pushes her way through the whole bunch and gets a good place to nurse. She is so tough and now very strong. This little girl is not available as she still needs more time for catch up. She will be living with Beverly, the co-owner. We may have one or two pups available. I won't know for sure until people start making their choices. People are coming to see the pups and get an idea of what they like. They are now old enough for visitors. I hope to get current pictures this weekend. I am up one or two times a night to check on the pups and to let Maggie out to go potty. Trudy has been waking me up at 4:30 in the mornings to go out.I thought she might have a UTI and took a urine sample to the vet and that is the problem, So in about two weeks she should be clear and maybe sleeping longer. I sure hope so, as 4 to 4:30 in the morning is getting hard to live with. The miracle of life is so amazing. So is watching the pups grow and develop and personalities coming out soon. I am trying my best to not consider keeping a pup. I really have my hands full with a 5 month old and 6 month old pup. Lots of work there. This weather sure has not made it easy with the adult dogs, no one likes going out in downpours. Nor do I. Lots to do.Pups need cleaning after eating as they will walk through the food, stand in the middle of the bowl and sometimes lie in the bowl. So a little grooming after each meal but they get used to being handled and that is so good for them.

The time goes fast and before you know it they will be in homes with their loving families and bringing joy to the home. They will be your best friend for life. Such a fun time raising a puppy. 

Everyone take care with the Arctic blast that is coming our way. Don't leave the dogs out in the bitter cold. They need to be in with you. 

 

                          Maggies puppies, these are the boys!!