Amber's ear...W. York-Patten photos

 

 July 4, 2013. We have take off!


  

Amber's ear

The Geology litter

On May 20, 2013 eight pups came into the world. five girls and three boys. Kate free whelped without problems. She is a "rock" star!

The puppy parents are Caleb and Kate.

We wanted "old" style without losing the good of the new.  I wanted bolder wider head. Caleb had the lines I was looking for in his pedigree. Kate had the promise of "fixing" what he needed fixing, and he could do the same for Kate. And so it was. 
  

We decided to go with geology as the theme. We considered volcanoes, as in Pacific NW volcanoes, or mountains...and would have gone with that had they come two days earlier, which would have been the anniversary of the eruption of one of my favorite childhood camping spots Mt. St. Helens. But Kate decided to wait for a couple more days. I think she was waiting for "Auntie Linda" to come.

Kate doesn't give classic signs of labor. There is no nesting. One must watch carefully or her pushing is easily missed, as did happen with one of the pups, who came and we didn't see it. He was brought back from "the light" by his very persistent other Grandma. Thank goodness.

We expected red pups. What a surprise when the very first out was black with minimal white. The ending color tally was two brindle, a boy and a girl, and six black and white with brindle points. Two have the fairy kiss on the top of the head, also a boy and a girl. One had white ears, and several have white splashes on the backs or edges of the ears. All have big ears, and nice jaws. Their bites have been great from the beginning, but so it was also with the sushi litter. Thank you Kate!!

So without further adieu, I give you the geology litter. Jade, Flint, Drift, Topaz, Tephra, Amber, Opal, and Ralph.  Yes, we have a Ralph. He is the "Grout" of this litter. He is named for the hero in the movie "Wreck it Ralph" which is a favorite of both grannies. Most of these photos are from the camera of Wiccan York-Patten, who is Caleb's favorite person, and chief feeder, and the pups' human Grandma.

Amber

Drift

Flint

Jade

Opal

Ralph

Tephra's swoosh

Drift

Opal

Drift

Flint atop Topaz

Ralph

Drift meets Caleb

Drift

Opal

Ralph

Opal

Tephra

Ralph

Topaz

I hope I got photos of all up. Evaluations will be in two weeks and we will be able to figure out who will go where. At this point, six weeks, we are learning personalities. Boy these guys are busy!!! Not

a one is laid back and quiet. They will need very active homes with a firm hand on keeping them in line. At the same time they are such fun to watch. They are problem solvers. They were walking before they had eyes and ears and found a way out of the box at two weeks. They will be interesting to place. There may be a few staying on for a while as this is a show ring litter. Of you are on the wait list please have patience. We have to as well. I really don't know yet who will be staying here, and I really don't have a favorite. OK. I lie. I have a different favorite every day. Really.                            

 

                          

My Three C's

I have been thinking about my dogs. I have new insight now that they are dealing with the cats. It has really brought their personalities out, and helped clarify not only who they are, but the roles they play in my life.

In the order they came into my life:

Kate. Dear, sweet Kate. Caring. Plain and simple. Or perhaps very complex. Kate cares with every fiber in her body. Kate showed her colors the day I brought puppy Nugget home. Her intense ritual behaviors calmed. She adored "her" puppy.

Nugget. My protector. Compassionate. Almost to a fault. I often wish he had an "off" switch.  But he is who he is. Anyone, or anything, that needs protecting is where he can be found. He is a bit of a wuss. No big strong macho guy here. His heart is bigger than anyone I know. From rearing pups to rearing me...he is one of a kind.

And then there is Ginger. The pick puppy. Celebration. Her life is a happy, cheerful party. My life is one of delight as I wake each morning to converse with her cute face. She cocks her head left and right as if in full understanding of any conversation I may start with her. She is cute, calming, and a comedienne.  She is as coy as they come...or wants me to think that to be true.

 

 

 My life is forever changed by these silly clowns. The lessons I have learned. The people that have come into my life. Few things have impacted me as much. I look forward to my future and all that it may hold.

 

My greatest gift has been Ginger's other Mom, my voice of reason and of sanity. I don't let many into my inner sanctum. She holds that key. Thanks, Simon (and Matt), for introducing her to me, and for sharing her.

Merry Christmas!

 

Last week my neighbor called and invited me to bring the pups to her office for photos with Santa. They were badly in need of baths, but we went anyway as their social outing of the weekend. The place was crawling with kids. I signed in, while the dogs remained in the car. My name was immediately called, as the others had apparently not seen the "Sign in here" sign. We quickly realized that Santa could not sit in his chair with all three dogs, so snuck behind the screen. The photographer then quickly learned that three corgis loose in a chair will not stay in that chair if a toy is squeaked! Many pictures were taken and the dogs put back in the car while I went in to see the proofs. By then many in the office were viewing the photos, and I requested that they choose a favorite. This is the choice, and my way of wishing all a very Merry Christmas from my house to your house.

 

Galena Cardigans
 

Nancy, Nugget, Ginger and Kate.