Week 14:  One-by-One

7/13/09

7 a.m. - We're down to FIVE from nine and the house feels so empty! The good news is that by all accounts every single one of those who have left are doing great in their new homes and have made their transitions with cofidence.  This makes me so happy because my goal as a breeder is to produce happy, healthy, confident puppies and so far it looks like I've done my job well. Of course, I miss each and every one who has left, but I'm confident I've found them wonderful homes where they'll be loved and doted upon by their respective families.

It's time to start introducing the pupsters to the world so I've been intensifying their leash training and will begin taking them to handling class and entering them in matches as soon as they've had their last shots at 16-weeks. In the meantime, I've taken them on a couple of road trips to get them accustomed to riding in the car, and will begin taking them out on short trips to the pet store and around town and to dog shows to help get them socialized.

Bobbi is being prepped to resume her show career at Harrisburg, PA in mid-August. I will also be showing Reggie and Twiggy from Bayowulf Kennels at these shows. Bobbi and Twiggy need both majors and single point to finish, Reggie needs one major and a few singles to finish.  Waiting in the wings to be shown is Goody, who already has a couple of Reserves to her credit. I'm looking forward to showing her soon. Goody is a half sister to my puppies.

In other news on the show front, Artie (Ch. Topsfield Pop Art o'Bridi), Smokey's brother, won his first Best in Show up in Massachusettes a couple of weeks ago!  Woo Hooo - way to go Artie!