Happy New Year & More

Dallas wants to say Shana Tova to all our Jewish friends. May this year be the sweetest one yet! Is she adorable or what?

This is Safi (Saffron) practicing her stack today. Of course licking your lips is not supposed to be a part of it. heh

Sorry but I am making this a no click day. No gallery etc. It's lousy outside. The dogs are getting grungy and I have to keep cleaning them up. It's just a futile attempt at cleanliness and sanity so we will instead allow you to have your imagination.

Soon I will start updating the mother's pages on a more regular basis but Roxie is finally eating better but only if hand fed. We did buy her wild boar.

Now Roxie is the most low maintenance, unneedy dog ever but get her pregnant and she goes ah ha I know how this works. That's okay. It is the only time we do it. 

Adele just says FEED ME NOW! But as I have said she is ahead of Roxie and it has become obvious to me that I believe its a week difference but we shall see. Two weeks two days till Xrays.

On another note Harper just arrived and will be getting spruced up before departure. Teddy went home. The other Teddy I swear he's a Spice dog in action though Spice is not his mom. I do up his hair. Nathan does it as well and he's a mess 2 minutes later. Marlee and Jazmyn I took their bows out and put them back in as they were so cute but I imagine by Monday I will eliminate them as they do get matted in that area. Gad ar those 2 gals lovees. Oh and Ziggy my lap is yours every tv time. I just adore his 2 legged dance - saying treat for me! It's a FUN, FUN house. 

Still no sandpaper and a sub rate sander but its raining off and on so I can't do it. But I will next week. Time is slipping away till puppies. Still waiting for the rest to come into heat. All in due time.

i AM lEARNING

Yes, the title is perfect as it is meant for a juvenile. Murphy runs around the pool and plop she falls in. Can't go around corners without paying attention, little one. But she is learning. She now lets the crazy pack run around the corner, she waits and then she runs. Once she fell in she just swam with ease and decided to do a few circles and then she came out. I am not sure she cared one bit. She was living in the moment. But....... She wasn't pleased that while everyone was eating she was getting blow dried and then she got to eat. I am sure she would have eaten wet but it was cold this morning. Lousy weekend weather, they say. <sigh>

Have you heard of the term pack mentality? Well we have a couple of dogs that like to ramp up the excitement when they go out. What that means is they crowd out the others to get out and then wait as they come out to pounce and run like mad increasing everyone's excitement. Then you have the moms trying to correct the behavior. One would think why not let them have their fun but it can escalate so now we keep the ones that ramp up the excitement out last and the others slowly get let out. It changes the demeanor of the dogs. It's called an interruption of excitement. Why interrupt? As it can get ramped up where it becomes a habit and gets out of control. 

We use redirect and interrupt behavior when we see excitement leading to too much barking etc. It works. 

Today was a no groom day. You will see the ungroomed lot today. Only Murphy got brushed and dried off. I will play catch-up tomorrow. Teddy goes home tomorrow so he will get spruced up. He's been playing quite a bit. That will leave one Teddy. 

I didn't get to sand. It's raining off and on and well we can't find the sandpaper. Don't laugh. I am trying not to be miffed. There's next week, I suppose. I did get part of my desk cleaned up. 

We are still working on my computer but the Jukebox is finished. The BBQ works and Nathan is cooking on it every chance he gets. He loves the BBQ. I am now down to 253 letters to read and create rules for. 

Oh, and Roxie ate today when her Daddy hand fed her. Adele is eating really well. But Adele is ahead of her.

We were hoping to have company this weekend but its going to be too cold for the pool. So, we will have to reschedule for next week during the week or next weekend. Looks like only this weekend is brrr cold.

Happy Third Birthday

Huge happy Birthday to Magic, Finn, Joey and Tangles. Magic got to spend some of her birthday with us getting spa pampered. 

Here is today's gallery. Ignore the ones with me and Ziggy. He looks like he is saying what the hey are you doing to me lady but he was loving the cuddles. He's on my lap every single tv time.

So today my F drive went on my computer and get this we can't find the new sandpaper we bought for the sander so tomorrow Nathan has to get some more. I am hoping I can sand tomorrow.

Saturday or Sunday we hope to get to the Newmarket dog thing posted on the events page in this site. 

We are also hoping to get Clarity and her mom over for a swim but its looking like cool weather so it may have to be next weekend. Still hoping.

Smiles

This is Teddy. He's not one of ours but he visits us from time to time and we just love him. This was Teddy outdoors watching Dennis put a BBQ together. Dennis went from computer to BBQ and its turning out that the BBQ assembly is worse than Ikeas. Ikeas you can at least follow according to Dennis. This is directions for 4 models and you have to guess which one applys to you. It's day 2 and he's mumbling if we ever get another BBQ it best be assembled. I think he's on step 11 of 18 and he is mechanically inclined. Imagine if he wasn't?

Teddy loves Dennis and was smiling as wide as he could watching and hanging out with him. 

I was grooming and had a few baths and cuts to do so photos were not a priority. 

Nathan took dogs for walks and well I kept working. I ate inbetween doing then jumped in the pool to do some laps. Got out and went brr its cold. 

Here's today's gallery.

The Odin departs tonight. He will be missed. Our Teddy will be coming tomorrow. So we will have 2 Teddy's visiting. Think they will get confused when we call them?

The dogs had a great day. Not so hot. Still managed to play crazy silly. 

Swimming Video

Here is the Weekend video but it also includes the day before. 

Look at the photo I found. Amazing what you find when you are too busy finding everything after a rebuild.

This is a no gallery day. I just feel the need to have a day off from galleries.

Murphy has departed. Ty is visiting here for the day. Kathy dropped by with a lot of baskets, ribbons and all the things you forget you need to build the baskets for rescue. My deepest appreciation!

Oh Cooper you have eternal beauty. :-)

Ella and I managed to get in the pool. Nathan took a nap while we did. With this rain and allergies he's not getting much sleep.

I need to start baths starting with Adele and sand a door. Both I am procrastinating with in a big way. I hate sanding and staining but got to do it THIS week.

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and wasn't too overheated.

Roxie ate her first good size meal - steak cut in pieces and hand fed to her. It's going to be a LONG pregnancy. Adele is past it. Hoping Roxie gets there too.

Fun Swimming Day

The home is getting emptier. Here is today's gallery. I have video but can['t do it tonight. It will be tomorrow. I have the pups swimming. I have Ziggy swimming etc but Dennis needs the comouter again and with me doing today's gallery I took too much time. hahahaha

We had a fun time with friends. I had baths and brushouts to do. Now to watch tv and chill with my hubby and the dawgs. Now that's living. heh

OH and Adele swam too. Videos TOMORROW!

Semi Up and Going

Think this photo says it all. Here is a gallery finally after my hard drive death. I am adjusting to the latest Office and Windows 10. I find it irritating and still have to adjust and learn but I have yet to have any serious time with it as Dennis is on it. After my blog, he is back on it.

But here is today's and yesterday's gallery combined. No chance to even look. It's just a cut and paste.

We had a really good day and tomorrow Helen, Suzie, Hugo and Milo are coming over and we will see how Inula does with stairs jumping with Hugo. Then come Tuesday it gets mighty quiet and I start seriously making an effort to gather a sander, sandpaper and find a stain and stain the doors. 

Patches, Chewie, Riley and Tia came for the day. Reggie will depart shortly and then tomorrow gone. After a very stress-filled couple of days I look forward to the swimming company. 

As we have Ash and Grey here the dogs have been exposed to the schnauzers. That's a bonus as they get along with everyone.

Kat was in rare form today playing his heart out with Inula. It was a riot. He's always in a good mood when no one is in heat. We welcome the reprieve although we know that is about to change anytime.

I will be updating the moms to be blogs.

It's good to be able to semi do things on the computer. Can't wait till its mine again. The issue I have when I don't do it myself but with what Dennis went through I may have blown a blood vessel. It has not been easy. Having a backup would be intelligent. I know. Oh well.

Huge Issue

Hard drive died. No backup. Have no clue what was on it but passwords are except for this site. So, backup tonight will not happen. Dennis says I may be down till Tuesday. We shall see. This is going to be a painful recovery but I m using nathan's computer to update.

Dogs are wonderful. There will be no galleries till recovery occurs and then I will play catch-up. Dusty is playing really well. Ziggy and Odin  is too. Ash and Grey the pups were afraid of at first as they are schnauzers but not anymore. Saffron says this is my spot. heh Reality is everyone is having a total blast and I mean a total blast. They are fitting together so well.

I lost my calendar, Outlook, Photoshop, Lightroom and more etc. So, if you need to reach me in the next few days I have a mirror of my darlah@potechin.com acct on my ipad so you can now reach me.

This is a costly recovery. But I am trying to laugh and wish life would stop throwing curves.

This keeps getting worse as I can't remember passwords.

Oh and the BBQ died too so what will be next? I don't care. We are off to swim finally!

Two Updates Today

Crazy silly play day today. Ella and I also played a game of ball today in the pool. Nathan tried to duplicate it but maybe she was just tired as she played it differently. With me she would get the ball, push it or drop it out of her mouth and I would throw it. At times I would throw it in the pool and she would jump in after it. At times I threw it outside of the pool. It was a blast but I was exhausted treading water for so long that I took a floatie to use. We had so much fun!

Ziggy arrived so excited it was a riot. Dusty decided tv time was for her and so did Panda. Brewer was a crazy one and well everyone had a truly exciting time today.

Here's some of the fun. I had to reduce it as the gallery was too large. Sorry.

Check out the birthday update below!

Happy 3rd Birthday

Levon and the siblings - wow 3 years old. How did it happen? Hope you all have a great birthday! Hoping at least Piper joins us at Woofstock.

Pictured here was a photo of Levon so tiny and cute. Of course he is still cute and what I would say DELICIOUS!

Shannon said:

This was the photo you posted on your website saying this puppy was still available - and we both fell in love with this beautiful face. How could you not? Thank you for bringing this awesome boy into our lives at just the right moment. 

To clear up the confusion. :-) This was Paula's gal Teaser's pups and the sire was Truffie. Paula was having a baby so we had the litter here. It was a pleasure to do so. 

Update on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 8:15PM by Darlah

Here's a gallery that I thought you may enjoy. It was the TeaserxTruffie pup playdate.

Run, Run

Murphy is back and oh my gad is she a fun puppy. When Odin tried to play with her Saffron interfered. I went no, we share around here. :-) Dolly thinks the puppies are great too. 

Here is today's gallery.

We didn't capture all the play as we actually had to replace 6 deck boards as they were rotting. I strategically had plant pots covering holes. That wouldn't work in winter with pups and all. So, 1 more thing off the to do list before pups arrive. Still have sanding doors and staining. We are almost finished the pool shack. We had to replace a new door, flooring and well seal up the roof. Got to laugh. Nathan mentioned painting hallways but somehow that won't get done as I am not doing it. I would like a couple of days to breathe before the pups come. We shall see how it all unfolds.

Wanted to swim today but the deck took ALL day. There's always tomorrow. Ella was itching to go in. Roxie is a miserable soul. Swimming may be good for her. I think she is still in morning sickness and Adele seems to be eating quite well now. Poor Roxie, this too shall pass for you too - hopefully!

My garden has gone to hell. There is always next year. I looked at the pretty fall flowers and Nathan said really more plants? So, I didn't indulge. I was out shopping for rolled linoleum. I wanted one piece that would fit this room to protect the flooring when pups come. Home Depot's machine was broken and they tried to upsell us. Guess next week is a Rona trip.

Today Ringo departed. We will miss him. He really enjoyed himself!

We have a busy holiday weekend. I think people must be out having fun.

Got a pair of thinning shears on a real cheap deal. It took 6 weeks to arrive here too. Well, having issues with them but when they cut right they are great. When they catch, well they don't and then I have to fix the catch. Can't cheap out on grooming scissors. Live and learn. Will just have to save up for ones that actually work well. I am still working on having 2 of each so I can send mine out to sharpen but still be able to use a set. 

It's been a day but tomorrow brings new players for a fun filled long weekend and I have only brush outs tomorrow. 

Come Tuesday we will only have Ziggy and Odin. 

Lovefest & Play

Dolly, Ty and Dallas PlayingWe had a fun sedate and crazy play day. Does that make sense? We had extremes. It was fun. 

Also want to say thank you to Gerda for her donation to Rescue but I must say when the dogs heard what it was they went nuts. Now I have to buy some. 

Tomorrow we have boards on the deck to replace. I have pots over areas that need to be replaced. That's tomorrow's job. Then I have sanding to do. Sanding will wait till next week after it quiets down again.

This weekend is turning into a busy but bound to be fun weekend. Hope everyone has a fun holiday weekend.

I posted info on Woofstock on our page on the right side. This way I don't have to keep talking about it.

Nathan is already talking about closing the pool and I want the date just before pups are due. We shall see who gets their way. heh

Here is today's gallery.

Ringo departs tomorrow after his bath. We will miss him. He's had a truly fun time. 

Flying Times

Dolly is visiting and she is an absolute play monkey. She's a riot! We have had a low key day but you can't tell that with this flying photo of Dolly. 

Here is today's gallery. Didn't click much but still we managed to have a grand time. 

Not much to say except Holly is doing well in her new home. Odin and Ringo are having a blast. Harper arrived and was playing up a storm. Nice mix at the moment of dogs that want to have fun. It is wonderful to watch.

Blog Issue Fixed

Blogs are now fixed so no worries!

I want to say thank you to George and his wife for taking Holly in and Cookie and his new family. We have been blessed with sharing a short time in both the rescues lives. We hope we made the transition for them easier. The rest of the journey lays with their new families and we do appreciate you.

Today, after Holly departed we also had some pool time. Inula, Roxie, Kat and Ella joined Nathan in the pool while I clicked. It was fun. Inula would run for the door when we went into the pool and now she is jumping off the stairs willingly. It's amazing how with time things evolve. We had just figured Inula was not going to be a water baby and then she fooled us. Kat, Roxie and Ella take it to another level. They make us smile. The rest do swim but they have that special passion. 

Here is a video and a gallery taken today.

I want to say thank you to Jayne McManus for a wonderful donation to rescue. Without the generosity of all of you we couldn't do this like we do.

Mabel departed today and I will miss her. She is a riot. I cut her hair and she stands ever so still but after I am done 1 leg she expects a treat. Now do the next and I will indulge you but give me that treat. I just love her. She is so much like Spice. She is a happy, happy gal. The Brewski is like that too though he doesn't stand still. hahahaha

Odin is here and he reminds me of a smaller version of Raylan. Dolly has joined us and decided playing with everyone 1 at a time was what she had to do. It's a fun house tonight. 

Oh and Logan gave me a kiss after grooming him. He's had some grooming experiences that have not been fun elsewhere so he doesn't like grooming but finally after all this time he is kissing me. These are moments I treasure. 

I am late with this update as the service was down. Now off to update Adele and Roxies.

High and Lows

When you get a puppy each has their own energy level but eventually they get older and they chill. Levon is a chill dog. He plays. He rests. He has a great time but he's not a high energy dog. None of ours actually are but there are varying degrees of how much energy each wants to expel. Some of us humans like to run marathons and some like to garden. It's all okay. One wouldn't want to have a dog that needs a lot of stimulation if you are sedate so its important to tell us what you are looking for as we really care if we have the 'right' dog with the right family. 

Now Trigger used to be a dog that went from dog to dog. He's always been a dawg that has enjoyed moving. Trigger actually gets Levon to love it. It's sort of like the builtin motivator but not overkill. Levon does play and he is really attached to Trigger but Trigger plays then rests then plays then rests. Nothing is wrong with either's choice of lifestyle and Levon gets Trigger to smell the roses so to speak and Trigger gets Levon to move it. It works though they had debates on what lifestyle they should acquire. Shannon will tell you. They compromised or at least they do here. Trigger gets his play on. Levon does too but when it comes to tv time Levon is on your lap snuggled in going ah... now this is the life. Trigger is still yanking on Mabel having a blast. Well they are sister and brother so they have history.

The point of this is we each have our own needs and if you have an existing dog we will spend time doing one on ones a number of times. 

These two love each other. They do their thing but if you watch them closely they always check in with each other. It's subtle communications as if to say, hey are you okay?

We miss this duo already.

I just finished grooming, cutting, bathing at 730. I started at 7am. I juggled a lot but the house is getting quiet. It's been an exciting couple of weeks. Holly is the last to depart tonight of those leaving. Those that remain will go ah bed space but sniff where's the crazy fun?

Tomorrow Holly the rescue will most likely depart. Then I may find some pool time. After today, I earned it. Mabel leaves and Dolly Parton arrives. Quieter but still fun. 

Here are a few photos. With all the grooming, I apologize but I hardly clicked. Actually Dennis did most.

Oh and I didn't groom 'my' dogs. Tomorrow I play catchup.

PS: Everyone had a BLAST including the pups.

Busy Day

It's been a really, really busy day and tomorrow is the same. We have many pickups and baths, haircuts and grooming. Nathan will come home tomorrow night to a relatively empty house. heh

Everyone is in need of baths as we had mud this week. It's just a reality. 

Dennis put a water bowl out with 2 huge ice cubes and Inula steals them everytime. It's almost like a comedy act to watch it.

Clarity departed and to me she looks really healed now. That chapter of her life is done now. We can't try to take her back now, Christine. (tease) With all that onesie stuff on she hardly had a tangle. Nice hair!

I gave Holly the rescue a bath today as she will be going home first thing Monday unless they don't connect. It's a little early but I won't have time tomorrow or Monday morning. 

Nathan came home and told me how exhausted he is. I think we need a break from shows. I would have traded with him in a heartbeat. I had 8 dogs to wash - some haircuts and 11 tomorrow. Monday it best be warm as I am climbing into the pool and may never get out.

Cooper had a blast and he LOVES the pups. He loves the girls but oh my he thinks Murphy shoots the moon. It's a riot!

Thank you to Clarity's mom for her donation to rescue for the baskets. Deep appreciation.

The pups are playing like crazy. Murphy and Satch depart tomorrow. Saffron will be back in her funk. She's such a spoiled thing. Wait till she has little tiny pups to play with and will Adele and Roxie trust her to play with them?

I have a terrible neck ache. I am trying to exercise it out so I keep movement. Nathan always talks about the dogs piling on him. I never talk about it. But Holly sleeps on my neck, on my legs and anywhere where she is touching you. It's endearing but I think the neck is not happy.

I think tonight I will fall so deep in sleep that I won't notice a thing. 

One more show, dogs to do, come and go tomorrow then Monday a tad busy but nothing like this weekend. I miss the dog fun but recovery is nice too every now and then.

Here is today's photos. Sorry I could only take here and there and sorry no time to take out blurry, photos that should be removed so forgive me. It is what it is.

'Nother Day of Having Fun

Here is today's gallery.

Had a really, really busy day. Got everyone groomed, baths done, dogs played with a number of times and more grooming and now blogging. 

Let's see what I can tell you. Murphy loves to get wet and mucky. Satch does too. 

It's Anne and Russell's anniversary. We hope they are having a grand time. Coops is having a total blast here. He so loves the puppies. What happened? Are they old enough to be really fun now?

Lots of the photos are blurry but Dennis doesn't know how to do the settings on mine. He's used to Nathan's and Nathan has had his at the show. Two more days of him working the show and oh my gad life gets normal. hahahah What is normal? 

Poor Adele and Roxie are in full blown morning sickness that runs into night time. Poor things.

New HairDo

I keep meaning to post this. I received this from Abby's mom. It is her first haircut and I believe Patches has the same hairdo. Stephanie Smyth did it. Love those white paws!

Just a Few Pix

Just a few pictures today as Nathan had the camera for the show and guess what he didn't get to use it. One has to laugh.

I had a very busy day but its busy till hmm Monday night I think. 

Here is today's gallery.

Weather was lousy. Yvonne came to visit. Nathan finally got home and now I am updating the blog. heh

Adele wants to snuggle with me always. She just started getting a little belly and she doesn't want the boys on her. Interesting enough Cooper gets it and just snuggles up to her side. Let's see how or what he does the rest of the weekend with her. 

Inula thought Cooper coming was the best thing ever! Inula was so crazy with excitement that Cooper had to put his back to her to get her to calm down. It worked. I love observing the dogs.

By Sunday night it will be quieter and even more so by Monday. 

Holly the rescue may go home on Monday. Life moves forward always. Sometimes it feels like it moves backwards but it can't.

Thanks goes to Anne and Russell for their donation to rescue. It is MOST appreciated! The rescues will benefit truly!

Sprinkles and Threats

Nathan is off to the show tomorrow (local) so he will be home nightly. I wanted to go but looks like I am holding down the fort. Last night we had a visitor sand I was giving a haircut. Sometimes I am always working. 

This is Buddy and Tucker. They live with each other and boy can you tell. They just have that close relationship. 

Tonight Clarity departs. Tomorrow Brie, Colby and Tiny depart. The Coops arrives to put a little spark into the atmosphere. Inula will be thrilled too. She really like the Coops and so do the gals. We do too!

Here is today's gallery.

Tomorrow Yvonne comes for a swim. We shall see if the weather cooperates. 

Saffron and Murphy are so thrilled with each other. Let's get green together. Got to laugh at those two.

Updates coming to Adele and Roxie's blogs.