June 30 Pupdate

The pupsters and I are all back home safe and sound. They had a nice trip to Columbus and weren’t too bad for their CERF exams. They were the worst I’ve ever known them to behave on a table for their conformation evaluation, though. Fortunately, they aren’t graded on table behavior ;-) Now I have to decide who to send where and let them start going to their new homes. Where did the time go? (Boy, I sound old don't I?)

The puppies were good on the drive out and back but we did stop and re-separate them on the way home. We had 3 in each crate and in one crate they were playing pretty loudly. Rearranging them settled it right down. None of them got sick or had a pottying accident in the crate.

I think they had a good time at the Trostle’s house. They met even more people – but they’ve never met a stranger – and discovered the joys of mulch. I don’t like mulch so we don’t have any which I am sure added to the appeal. Everyone trying to keep them out of it made it into a game. It didn’t appear to be as much fun when I would clean it out of their mouths but it was worth trying again and again.

They’ve settled right back in to life at home and proceeded to get out of the fencing time and again this evening. I took part of it down because I took it with us and they are enjoying that. At this point they still tend to hang out right at the fence so I am not too worried but I’ll have to fix it soon or they’ll get even braver.

I think swimming in the pool might be on tomorrow’s agenda for them. Jack has to go to the vet so we’ll see. I do have some individual crate time planned for them tomorrow as well. If I do it when it’s naptime, it will go easier for all of us. I also do it beside the other puppies in crates so it’s not as scary.

Since the temperament test is over and they already showed their desire to retrieve now I can reward it. Pink and I were playing with a monkey paw and she was retrieving it to my hand and then playing a little tug. Wonder if any of them would retrieve a dead toy for me? Maybe there’ll be time to find out before they are all gone. Actually, most of them aren’t leaving this weekend so we’ll get to play some ;-)

I need to get everybody- especially me – ready for bedtime so we’re going to say nighty, nighty, nighty now.

June 29 Guest blog/Tamara

Hello all,
I'd like to tell you all that the puppies are just horrible, horrible, horrible little puppies (so Cristi and I could split them between us) but you wouldn't believe a word of it.
Cristi had me put a hat on so Green could come to the backyard and greet me all by herself. Oh my!! It's really a good thing I didn't put my earrings in because she would have had to stay. She was into my lap and climbing all over me immediately, as were the rest of them when they came to join the fun. Too darn bad these pupadoos have had no socialization! Lori came and joined us for puppy fun bringing pizza for dinner. We made a big puppy corral with x-pens, set up the picnic benches beside the corral so we could have puppy theater with dinner. Doesn't get any better then that!
It was about 10:30 'til we got everyone settled in. Didn't hear a word out of pups until almost 6:00. Cristi and I ferried them out to the corral for potty and then breakfast. Cristi thought I was being quite funny when I thought they should go in after breakfast because it was cold and wet out there! Well, I WAS cold! They all went to sleep for awhile before the big day began. Caren Murray came around 8 a.m. to evaluate for conformation. It was interesting, however I knew who she would like best. That being said she had a glowing report for all of them. After Caren was done they had some lunch and sleepy time before the temperament testing. Kim Hanson arrived just after noon. I found it fascinating to watch. However, I will let Cristi talk about it and I will say that my first impression of them stuck. After all the testing was done they got to meet and greet the neighbor children (6 little girls) and their moms. It was rather a wild time. Imagine puppies and little girls running every which way. We brought the boat to the fenced back yard and tried to get a picture of them in the boat. YIKES!! Talk about chaos! We fed them one more time before they loaded up and went home...:-(( They will be tired little adorable puppies at least until they get back home. I loved each and everyone one....that will have to take care of my puppy lust for a little while at least. Nighty, night little pupadoos..
Tamara