BACK TO NORMAL, MAYBE????

 Things are beginning to settle down a bit. I am adjusting to the loss of my good friend and my wonderful sheltie Keeper. 

The pups are really getting the idea of house training.This sure makes things a little easier. Callie is growing and I can now take her out to the small pen with Skye to go potty. They are not 100% but really close. 

Topaz's pups are growing like weeds, now if she just would sleep through the night. I guess she just needs to know that I am there. I come down to her at least three times during the night and each time I go back up she is good for a couple hours or so without having to see me. Sometimes she needs to go potty but mostly wants to see me. When she is not with her babies she is with me. She is one of the most bonded dogs here. 

So I spend a couple of hours in the morning with the dogs. I have my coffee and they get a few cookies. They are really good and just find a favorite place to lie down. The minute I stand up it is chaos, they all jump up, thinking we are going somewhere. Just time for breakfast and I better get it in a hurry. They all know the word wait but they are not very patient.  They are ready to eat and right now. After breakfast the young dogs go out to the large fenced yard and spend the rest of the morning outside. It is good to get the fresh air and sunshine. The girls particularly need the sunshine to help keep their reproductive system working properly. Mother nature really knows what is needed.

Even though it gets chaotic at times the dogs really keep me sane and active. They do keep me young, I can't imagine being retired and not having these kids to keep me going. Especially when times are hard. 

Quinn was given to me by my friend Kathleen and everytime I look at Quinn I think of Kathleen. Quinn is a pretty blue merle girl and very attached already. I will do a story of Quinn another time. 

Well, it really is time for their breakfast, and their clocks are starting to remind them. 7:30 in the morning they need to eat.

 BEAUTIFUL BABIES, GOOD MOTHER!!

TAKE THE PUPS OUT, BRING THE PUPS IN

 If you want to get some good exercise all you need are two pups to house train. And they don't have to be real close in age. I kept the little tri female, who I had hand raised from Bonnie's litter. She is a smart one and was doing so well with house training, really catching on. Then I was left an 8 week old pup when my friend Kathleen passed. This little girl needs constant watching and taking out to potty. Thankfully I have two dog yards, one is fairly small and right off the kitchen, the other is much larger and out the back door. We have a walkout basement so have to go down a flight of stairs to get out.I tried taking both pups to the small area as I did not have to do the stairs. Well that did not work, all they wanted to do is play, no way would they concentrate on what they were supposed to do .And Skye who was almost five months and just about totally trained made it impossible for Callie to concentrate and learn the words "go potty". They had to be separated so I had to do the stairs. Callie finally learned the words without Skye to bug her. Now that Callie knows what is expected maybe I can put them together again, Skye says" no way, she is my toy and I am going to play with her." So the stairs are part of the routine. I have lost three pounds which is great and the exercise is actually good for me. So thanks to Skye I am getting into shape. House training two pups is not fun, but we are getting there.Once Callie grows a little more she will be able to hold her own when out with Skye. It seems like pups take a long time to grow and develop, but not really. Looking back the time actually goes quickly and before you know it you have a gangling teenager with no hair. But it sure feels good to have pups that get all excited when you ask them to go out and potty.

Do as much training as you can at this young age. Their little brains are like sponges and absorb everything so quickly. What you train now they will remember the rest of their lives.It is so rewarding seeing them learn so fast and remember everything. Puppies are so much fun.

 CALLIE AND SKYE

SO MUCH LOSS

 It has been a hard month, the loss of Keeper and then the loss of my best friend Kathleen. She lost her three year battle to cancer. She is so missed!  Her daughters have split up the Shelties and Alicia has taken the largest group to her home in W Virginia. . There she is continuing with her mothers passion, the breeding and raising of quality Shelties. The younger daughter also has 6 Shelties and will continue on in Fryeburg, Maine. The girls will work hard to keep their mothers passion going. 

Kathleen left me an eight week old pup. I certainly could not refuse such a gift. She has become best friends with Skye! The two of them keep each other going most of the day. House breaking two young pups sure is a challenge. Although Skye is almost trained and about ninety percent reliable. 

Topaz is keeping me in suspense as she did with her previous litter. I keep saying any day now. She is ruling my life. I can't leave her alone for any length of time. She is getting me up at least once during the night, hopefully we will have strong healthy pups and everyone will sleep during the night. I am so ready, these four thirty am mornings are getting very hard to handle. 

Once Topaz's pups have left, and I do plan to keep one this time, I plan to take a year off and see how I feel about breeding. I am ready for a very long break. 

Our Sheltie club has been in existence sine 1982. A long time and most of us who are still members are getting older. We need some new faces and new ideas to keep the club going on into the future. We would love some new people who are interested in learning more about the breed. We have programs for everyone's interest. We have educational events, fun events, some of the members show in conformation and obedience. Many are involved in agility and just having fun with their Shelties.  First and foremost they are our pets and friends. 

Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings and most meetings our Sheltie friends can also attend.

I hope to be more active with the blog. I am happy to answer any Sheltie related questions. If you need help with something, don't hesitate to ask.