The holidays are over and it is time to get on with the new year.  Sir Hil is recovering from his broken leg....the trip to L.A. ended up costing a lot.  The dogs are all wishing for nicer, dryer weather.  They would like to be out in the big yards but they aren't impressed when I insist on baths before they come in the house.  We have a Canine Good Citizens class to evaluate tomorrow and then the Thursday mornings will become puppy classes.  The kitchen remodeling is still going on....grr!! The weather has been extreme but we haven't had a lot of accidents.  That makes it a bit easier on our ambulance crews.  Roza is due to have puppies on Monday.  As usual I'm always glad when the litter is on the ground and everyone is healthy.  Hope all of you have a wonderful 2008.

Thanksgiving was a bit quiet here.  Our kids won't be home until Christmas.  We are remodeling the kitchen....a little project that has turned into a major one.  I've started clicker training the standard pups.  They are also beginning to run with the adult dogs in the house.  This is a time when they begin to make new friendships outside of their litter mates and mother.  The toy pups joined the group two weeks ago and they are starting to understand that standards are furry beds on cold winter nights.  The ambulance has been quiet over the holiday.  It makes for very long shifts but it is nice that no one is sick or hurt.  If my truck gets fixed, I'm planning a trip to So Cal to visit with my Mom.  Seems like there is always something that has to be done before something else can happen.  Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. 

standards

Maddie's puppies and Race have gotten a couple of extra runs in the big yards today.   It was supposed to rain which means that the covered runs would be used but the rain didn't listen to the weather man.  The pups are trying to level the yard.  There is a hill where a tree had been removed many years ago and they are trying to dig it out.  Maddie likes to carry toys around.  She keeps stealing the puppy's toys.  Last night the standard puppies stole all of the toy puppy's toys.  Guess that is inherited. 

The shows in Salem were fun and actually dry most of the time.  It did rain Friday night.  Maddie's brother Marquis finished his rally title.  Gryff had fun visiting and getting used to the sights and sounds of a show. 

The toy puppies joined the house group tonight.  They are going up and down the stairs now and can go to the kennel when they need to.  They aren't quite as brave when they are loose as they were in the puppy pen. 

Standard litter
Maddie's standard poodle puppies are 3 1/2 months old and are full of energy.  They love to run and play outside....the leaves that are falling are lots of fun.  They have enjoyed the rain softened ground...much easier to dig in.  Maddie likes to play with the pups but gets tired of their energy.  The big dark apricot male wants to hog the attention.  He keeps trying to climb in my lap.  When they were wormed on Sunday he weighed 26 pounds.  Tomorrow will bring another round of clipping and grooming.  The pups are all really easy to work with.