Cait here - I'm back

It is official. I am with pup(s). Due date is June 20. Haven't noticed much difference yet, but I did put on a pound over the last week. This final stretch is when I will really lose my waist line.

We were up to the island for some hiking and swimming.

I think I am more relaxed about all of this this time.

The picture is of Trim (my boyfriend) that was taken this past spring.

New Homes

Back from the farm late last night after two weeks of puppy socialization and lambing.

David suggested I title this entry, "The Final Chapter" (yuck, gag me with a spoon). Due to continual whining it has been necessary to confine the pack leader to the big crate. I have never witnessed such severe separation anxiety in either dogs or humans. Hopefully he will get a grip before tomorrow morning when he is scheduled to return to that day job thing he does in Toronto.

Cait and Pups Explore the Lake shore

at the Farm

It was a spectacular two weeks. The first two pups went last Friday, with the other two following on Saturday. I know that it was time for them to set out on new adventures with their chosen humans. They are all lucky little pups to have gone to very good new homes --- which made it easier for me to say goodbye.

The Girls on a Romp

We spent the last couple of weeks investigating all the farm critters, exploring the fields and lake shore and meeting lots of new people.

Here are some recent pictures and the new homes that were selected for my pups.

Island Jade

(aka #1, T-Bone)

Island Jade has gone to live with Barry and Colleen Fenton who live near my weekday home outside Brighton. She will enjoy a spectacular country life with her border collie pack mate "Ace".

Island Maggie Playing with Mom

(aka #2, Sticky)

Maggie will be living with Reta Brown, the neighbouring farmer on Amherst Island. David says she looks and behaves a lot like I did when I was eight weeks old. We are going to work with her on sheep when she gets a little bit older. Maggie is the pup David decided to co-own.

Island Benny (aka #3, Belly Boy)

Benny has gone to live with Rachel and Eric Frid-Snyder in Kingston, Ontario where he will join a very active extended dog family with border collie experience. He was the first pup to go and I must admit that I did whimper a little bit when he was dropped off, but I know he has gone to a very loving home and will be provided with lots of challenging activities.

Island Meg playing with Silken and Faolin (aka #4, Millie Jr.)

Island Meg has gone to live with Gail and Peter Cunningham in Ottawa. They have raised many border collies and are planning to explore sheep herding and agility with Meg, just as they have done with the previous border collies in their charge.

We hope to have a web site up and running sometime this fall (after a summer of farm work and activities) where I will report on the pups development.

Before signing off on this blog, I do want to thank you all for your interest and participation in this excellent adventure. It was great watching sister Tap raise her first puppies at the same time --- I finally had a chance to check out the last two weeks on her blog this morning and her puppies are very beautiful (and will be heading off to their new homes later this week).

So that is all for now. Have to go and check whether David requires water. The whining has stopped and hopefully he is having a little nap.

Vet Visit

It was off to Northumberland Vet Clinic for examinations, microchips and first shots this afternoon. Well the pups were there for that --- I was there to meet my public. As you know, the last time I was there for a visit I was somewhat indisposed --- didn't do much schmoozing on March 19th given the collision that was happening inside me. But I digress ... I certainly made up for it all today.

The pups did very well for first timers. Lots of compliments on how well I have raised them, with weights ranging between 8 (Jade #1) and almost 10 pounds (Belly Boy #3 and Millie Junior #4). Sticky (#2) tried to make a run for it with two pig's ears --- I was so embarrassed. The others, thankfully, were a little more restrained.

At any rate, we're back home and will head for the farm first thing in the morning. The pups will sleep well tonight. It has been a big day for them. We went for an almost 15 minute walk through the woods first thing this morning.

We had another first today --- absolutely no protestations about being in a crate and going for the car ride to the vets. They are ALMOST well enough behaved for the Tim Hortons drive thru.

Six weeks old

Pups on the Prowl

My pups are now going for short little walks in the woods. They love playing hide and seek, and investigating all the plants and activities --- birds and squirrels are definite attention grabbers.

I also saw the first signs of herding/stalking behaviour over the last couple of days --- heading humans, other dogs and toys.

Each of them have tried to use their "eye" to get me to stand still enough to nurse, but I'm not falling for that. They are eating well enough. I am still spending time with the pups first thing in the morning and last thing at night --- I allow them to nurse a little bit, but I'm spending most of my time on bite inhibition. The weaning process has begun.

The pups have been going two at a time for car rides, playing with Devon (our three year old next door neighbour) and generally meeting lots of different sorts of folks.

It will be off to the vets for their first visit tomorrow. Then to the island for two weeks of new experiences, socialization and rest.

I'm preparing myself for my pups heading off to their new homes in a couple of weeks --- I've done my best with this bunch, and it will soon be time for their human companions to take over the training.

David, on the other hand, is getting just a little bit too attached. I'm watching him very carefully in case he heads for the car with a passport and puppy food.

As promised, some six week old pictures taken today follow.

Jade (formerly known as T-Bone/#1)

Sticky (#2)

Belly Boy (#3)

Junior (#4)

5 1/2 Weeks Old

My puppies have settled into a good routine. They continue to grow, I am in the process of weaning them (although I must admit early morning and just before bed cuddle time is still happening). David is going to weigh them later today, but estimates that they are all above 6 pounds now.

I love all the pups, but am growing particularly fond of my little fella (#3). He nurses and then makes sure he cuddles under my chin and gives me little kisses. Millie Jr. (#4) and T-Bone (#1) eat and run --- both of them are getting pretty fast, and together with Sticky (#2) they spend a lot of time playing hide and seek in the woods.

We will all be heading for the farm for two weeks starting on Friday. I will try to get David to post some new pictures before we go. There will be a longer than usual break on the blog because we don't have computer access on the island.

I'm looking forward to getting back to some sheep herding, swimming and fetch. It will be nice to spend some good quality pack time with all our friends there.

We will make sure that we let everyone know about all our experiences when we return.

Here are the latest pictures.

Mom, Junior (No. 4) and Silken

Sticky (No. 2) Carrying a Big Stick

Sticky (No. 2) Sticking to David's Shoe

T-Bone (No. 1) Allowing the Big Dog (Silken) to Sniff All She Wants

Belly Boy (No. 3) Taking a Sit Break