BREEDING TIME?!

Trixie is trying to go in heat again.  I say trying because she hasn't come 'full cycle'.  I lined up Walker (stud), just in case.  They made beautiful puppies before and one (1) couple would like to add another pup to their family.  They adopted Emma, from the last litter. (Her name is now Miss Fannie.)

Trixie

Walker

OF COURSE LIFE CAN'T BE THAT SIMPLE!

I received a call from a woman who adopted a puppy from me a year and a half ago.  When she adopted 'Iris', who is now 'Farrah' (I know, this name thing KILLS ME!) she agreed to breed Iris once and I would get 'pick of the litter'. She felt that Farrah was ready, to be bred.

I picked up Farrah and Walker, yesterday.  I thought that I had this all figured out.  Farrah would be bred first.  Then she could go home.  At that time, Trixie would be ready and I'd breed her.

That's not going as planned.  Farrah is not ready and neither is Trixie. 
We are biding our time...In the interim, I am holding down the fort with eight (8) dogs!

They didn't allow me to get much sleep last night.  First I tried Farrah in a crate, Walker in the bathroom and the rest with me.  Walker cried and had all of mine whining and barking.  Hoping to get better sleep, I let both of them out and allowed them with me and the rest of the gang.

Although that was a little better, I was still woken up, twice more, before morning.  They did allow me to sleep until 9ish.  I'm hoping tonight will be better.

Everyone is playing nicely but Farrah doesn't stay still for very long and Walker is not far behind.

All of my dogs are used to lying around, while I work or whatever.  They follow me from room to room but they're used to most of the noises, in the house. 

Farrah has become a bit of a barker.  I don't remember her being like that.  I'm trying to curb that behavior, quickly.

Walker was here a couple months back, to see Holly.  Unfortunately, Holly did not get pregnant.  We won't be having holiday puppies, as hoped.  On the good side, Walker is very quiet.

I won't be taking everyone to work with me, this week.  I guess I'll take the three (3) that need to be bred, along with Abby of course.  The other dogs are not going to be happy with this decision.  I haven't told them about it yet.

There are two (2) other paps that are at work, daily.  I can't be worried about who is doing what and where.  I do need to keep an eye on Farrah and Trixie.  We'll see which one is ready to be bred first.

I always like to witness the 'deed', several times, so that I'm comfortable in predicting that puppies are to come.

I'll attempt to do a better job with my updates.

Hope we have positive results.  If so, these puppies would be available for their 'FOREVER HOMES', the middle of February.

Writing Articles

I've recently been asked to write various articles on different dog topics.  This has been challenging and quite time consuming.

You can find some of them on my dog product website topdogpicks.com.  To view all of them, please check on Squidoo, HubPages and Ezine. Reference topdogpicks.

If there is a subject that you'd like me to research and write a specific article about, I would be happy to do so. 

I'm always looking for more direction and suggestions!

Thank you for your input!

Jennifer F.

CHINA's CHICKEN STRIPS are KILLING Our DOGS!

ARE DEHYDRATED CHICKEN JERKY STRIPS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DOG TREATS?  Read on...

There have been warnings on the news, in newspapers along with the internet about the dangers of dehydrated chicken jerky, strips, chews, tenders and how they're associated with the demise of many animals. 

It has been reported that over (300) dogs and (1) cat have died, due to contaminates in these Jerky Treats from China.  An additional 2200+ animals have gotten sick.  

 How many more dogs have died and/or gotten sick and no one knew why or didn't connect the problem with treats?  How many did not get reported? 

Of course, dog owners would want to give these 'all natural' products to their pets.  Unknowing dog owners are buying these products everyday. thinking that they've made a 'healthy choice' for their pet?

          I WAS ONE OF THESE PET OWNERS!  

WHY ARE THESE PRODUCTS STILL ALLOWED ON STORE SHELVES?

These treats are being manufactured in China, but why haven't all of the chicken products from China, been reported?  All of the dehydrated chicken products, that are in your neighborhood pet stores, are from China.

                THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON, SINCE 2008!

WHY HASN'T THE FDA BEEN ABLE TO FIND A DEFINITIVE CAUSE, IN OVER 4 YEARS?

According to the FDA, you should keep a close eye on your dog, if you give them these treats.  Also that,  “Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died."

In other words, if  you feed these products to your dogs they may die!
THAT'S ALL?!

 The FDA states that they cannot pull any of these products because they don't have  a definite answer as to what is causing the deaths and illnesses.

As a side note, humans are also getting sick!  There is no warning that we need to carefully wash our hands, after handling these "all natural" products.  The contaminants are able to enter our systems, as well!

The following products have been reported having potential deadly consequences.  Waggin Train, Milo's Kitchen, Canyon Creek, Kingdom Pets, Diamond Pet Foods.  The list is growing, so why don't we pull all of the chicken products, from China, until the FDA can determine the problems.

 Are United States distributors hoping that no one will notice who the manufacturer is?

It has further been reported that the FDA went to China and was not allowed into several of the facilties that manufacture these products.  Why does the FDA allow these products into the US?

 WHO CAN PROTECT OUR PETS?

Who can pull these items off the shelves, if the FDA can't? 

There have been, at least, 3 petitions that have included 30,000 signatures from people in the US and around the world.  (See petitionsite.com) There is a flyer, available online, that you can hand out to people, but the stores aren't paying attention.

It has also been suggested to put some sort of warning label on the actual product, of the potential dangers.

Who can make this happen?

Dehydrated duck strips are also manufactured in China.  Are they safe?  How can one be sure?  They're made by the same manufacturers and distributed by the same companies.

OUR DOGS COUNT ON US TO PROTECT THEM BUT WE CANNOT DO THAT WHEN DEADLY PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD. 

See topdogpicks.com for more articles.

And Then There Was One..For Three More Days!

Bailey's gone to his 'FOREVER' home.

Last Playtime

Bailey's Last Nap

After his last playtime with his sister, Emma, he took a short nap before his ride home.  He did try to fit his entire body into a shoe, as well.  I guess he wanted to make sure that he experienced everything possible, before leaving.

Emma (Fanny) is getting spoiled rotten.  Wait until HER 'Forever Parents' get back from their Honeymoon!  She is rather exhausted, thanks to Holly and Trixie.

I hope that Jesse and Bailey are both doing well.  I play 'low key' music for all of my dogs at night, when I'm working or not at home.  I was a little concerned that Emma would have a rough night, since it was her first night without a sibling in her pen.  Actually, I figured that I'd have her in my bed before the night was over but she slept through the night.  Good Job Emma!

She was out of her pen most of yesterday and today, as well.  Trixie and Holly have been playing and I think 'tormenting' her but she's been a trooper.

I've put a couple of dog beds throughout the house, so that she can crash wherever and whenever she'd like, after I found her asleep on the carpet.  Bless her heart.

Carpet Nap

She thinks that she has 'super powers' and should be able to jump on the couch.  I have lifted her up on the couch a couple of times, while I was working and she crashed in my lap.  It's not a good idea for me to do this often.  I'm not sure of the environment that she's going to be living in but they could get her a 'doggy couch'!
 
I hope her new parents are going to be able to give her a lot of attention.  Unfortunately, they don't live close enough for me to puppy sit.  I'm willing to take care of Jesse or Bailey, who do live fairly close by.

Emma is doing very well with housebreaking and I understand that Bailey is, as well.  All of the pups were introduced to 'the outside world' at six (6) weeks and each time that they were taken out, I made sure that each of them did their business, before coming in.  At a very young age, they were going from their pen and into the 'tent', separating their bathroom area from their play and sleep areas.  Papillons are so smart.  It's almost scary!

I'm going to put a harness on Emma, tomorrow.  I think she'll do a lot better than Holly did.  Holly spent her first day twirling and twirling but she was almost a year old when I adopted her.  Holly needs a lot of work and thinks that she is a puppy but has bad habits that real pups don't have.

I'm going to miss the puppies.  It's been nice bringing life into the world and make three (3) families very happy.  I got a 'puppy fix' as well.

All of the adult dogs have found that the safest place for them is on the couch!

Trixie & Walker made beautiful, well behaved & intelligent puppies!

I'm hoping to use Walker as the sire to my next litter, with Holly.

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THESE NEW NAMES?!

Everything is coming together.  There are still a few hic-ups here and there but all-in-all "Papillon World" is looking up!

Bailey found a 'forever home' so now all the puppies have been spoken for.  His parents have a short trip to take but will be picking him up when they return on the 9th of June.

Jesse left to go live with his 'new parents' this past weekend. His 'new mom' hasn't told me if she left him in his crate the first night and his 'new dad' wants to call him Bogart!  (I'll find him the perfect dog to name Bogart but a papillon is not the one.)

I spoke to  Emma/Fannie's new mom.  Her fiance' made it back safely from Afghanistan.  They're leaving for their wedding and will be picking up "Miss Fannie" on the 12th of June.  (WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THESE NAMES?)  I've already warned her that she's going to have her hands full.  'Miss Fannie' is a piece of work and will need good training but not for housebreaking, they're all doing a great job with that.  She gets on her hind legs and walks toward the adult dogs growling the entire way.  She looks like a panda bear and sounds serious at her size.

Trixie is getting back to playing, almost nonstop, with Holly.  The pups are finding it hard to get their attention.  Trixie and Holly are playing so much that the pups whine to get out of their pen the majority of the day. They pups have gotten so spoiled and I haven't helped.  With me working here, I'm able to play with them, let them out and run around the house but I have work to do.

Papillons are super smart and that is a good and bad thing.  They're the 8th most intelligent canine.  Once they see something they remember how to do it.  I open their pen and tell them to go outside and they do.  I call them back in and they come.  They do they're "business" in between but they are also getting quite adventurous and will stray.  I have a fenced yard and it's very safe but they're tunneling under the shrubbery and I can't see them in the hill of juniper.

Like I said, they listen to me.  When I can't find them, I just call "puppies" and they come running.  I have to admit that it was a little easier when they stayed with their mom and nanny (Holly).

I usually don't put puppies in a harness until they're about 10 weeks old.  They shouldn't be going anywhere until they have their 2nd set of shots, at the least but doesn't hurt for them to get used to the harness and when they get a used to that add a leash and they can pull that behind them, as well.  I've found it easier to get the pup used to being walked.  I also recommend that you find a vet that you're comfortable with that is close to home.  Also, know where your emergency vet is.

I think that Holly is going to be a good mom.  If her mommy skills are anything like her nanny skills, she's going to be a champ!  I'm hoping that she goes in heat soon and then her puppies will be ready for Xmas!  I've already got people calling to get on Holly's puppy list.  Forget all of that, I hope Trixie helps Holly as much as Holly has been there for Trixie!

I mentioned that things were coming together.  I finally found an agility trainer for Holly and she knew of a wonderful groomer!  How lucky can one get?

The groomer did a great job and she used the 'Furminator' on them and they came back half the size, which means only half as much hair can fall out!  She works in the Marietta/Kennesaw, GA area, so if anyone is looking for a groomer let me know. 

Now in the middle of things, my car was basically totaled and that hasn't helped matters. (A little hic-up.)  I didn't know that you weren't allowed to have dogs in rental cars (hic-up).  That's ridiculous!  What happened to having a car that is equal to the one that you had prior to the collision?  Try finding a car in the middle of my world.  I'm working diligently on that task.  I've test driven over a dozen cars and actually bought (2).  I returned the Town Car.  The dogs thought that they were in a playpen and it was just too big for us.  I'm now in a Montego with a leather interior, which is a must for long haired dogs.  I'm still not 100% thrilled but I have a car again!  I've got until Wednesday to find another one before it's mine for keeps.

Holly will begin her agility training soon, hopefully.  Her new trainer is having to have minor surgery and things are being delayed.  (Like I said, little hic-ups). I can't wait to hear and see the changes in her.  Maybe Holly WILL survive and be able to stay and be happy here for many years to come.  All of the other dogs need to be happy, as well.

YES, PICTURES TO COME!  YOU BE ME FOR THREE (3) MONTHS!

Only One Puppy Available!

I can't believe that another week has come and gone.  It's been four (4) weeks since the puppies were born.  Wow!

Speaking of gone, one couple adopted Emma and another couple adopted Jesse.  I'm glad that they have 'FOREVER' homes. Emma (who's new name is 'Miss Fanny') will be picked up on June 12th and Jessie ( I don't know his new name) will be leaving us in about a month.

Bailey still needs a home.  He's always been my favorite.  I actually thought that he would be the first one adopted.  He's feisty and likes to play with the adult dogs. He and Emma/Fannie gets on their hind legs and it's hysterical. He looks like a 6" tall polar/panda bear.  It's definitely a Kodak moment.

The puppies are thriving and have been pulling over mom's food bowl all week.  I've started giving them a little wet mixed with dry puppy food.  They have teeth and I prefer for them to eat dry food. They're still nursing, as well.

Holly's well...being Holly.  Thank goodness I have a collar/harness on Trixie, so that I can control one of them.  (Holly has a fit if I put a collar or harness on her.)  I got Holly when she was ten (10) months old and I think that she didn't have one on long enough to get used to it. She was almost completely housebroken so that was a blessing.  (Thank you April!) We will be working on training and agility, once the pups are gone.  Holly is 'fast as a whip' but let's tackle one dog project, at a time.

"Puppies are more fun than balls!"

 HOLLY IS DYING FOR A PUPPY and TRIXIE IS DYING TO  KILL HOLLY!  (Not really the killing part but the Holly wanting a puppy part is true.)  When the puppies escape, Holly has so much fun.  When Trixie isn't in with her pups, Holly lay at the opening until the pups pay attention and come to her.

Trixie allows Marquis and Diamonds to go into the pen.  Therefore, Holly thinks it's okay for her to do it.( I can't blame her there.)  She sneaks in, by way of the corner of the pup tent, and sometimes gets away with it. If I see her I, get her out before she gets into serious trouble.

Trixie's not even thrilled when Abby, who is a sweet angel, gets near the pen.  If I'm holding a puppy she will let her look and smell the pup for a minute but then she steps in between us. Keep in mind that Abby watched the puppies be born and didn't interfere in any way.  The only thing she did was wag her tail so hard that it hit the wall each time one was born.

Those puppies love their sherpa bed and their tent!  They have started playing and it's so cute.  Every once in a while you'll hear a loud squeal but Trix gets there long before I have to.  I have the puppy pads in between the two areas and they're pretty good about using them.

Seriously, Trixie just lead the pups out of the pen and behind the table.  I've got to put them back in and find some sort of barrier to resolve the issue!

The House Has Gone To The Dogs!

I apologize to all of my future 'FOREVER HOME' owners.  I told you that I'd keep updating pictures of your puppies and I've fallen short of doing so.  It's been a crazy month.  Luckily, some of you have been able to come by, like on Mother's Day, to visit your new babies.  I've sent pictures directly to others. 

Jesse

Bailey

Emma

Here is just SOME of what's been going on...Trixie started helping the puppies escape.  Before the end of a week the puppies figured out that they could climb the cardboard box, which I was using to block them from escaping but still allowing Trixie to do so, with their sharp claws.  I starting closing and latching the pen but then I had to open and close it, each time Trixie wanted to get in or out.

The puppies, who are too smart for MY own good, started climbing under the tent, which I've been using instead of a crate.  I had to completely close in the pen, including the tent, @ 1:30 in the morning.  I was expecting to wake up and see all of the pups next to my bed!

I took the puppies outside about 2 weeks ago.  They are 8 weeks old.  Now I can open the pen and they will follow everyone outside and don't have to be in an enclosed area.  They use the restroom and come to me when I call them. I have no problems with them following everyone back inside.

1st time outside

I let them run loose throughout the house.  They like the room and play with their mom and each other.  The pups like to play with the big dog toys and the adults go into the pup pen and steal the puppy's toys and eat their food. 

Tug-of-War

I had been so apprehensive about bringing Holly back home but she's been WONDERFUL.  She's a great nanny.  Abby sometimes gets involved in 'play time', as well.


Abby and Holly spent the night out and Trixie went nuts!  She didn't know how to handle all three (3) of them by herself.  She appeared so confused that I had to help her with play time.  They get played with by everyone.

Can I come out to play?

Trixie goes crazy and races around the house, in a circle, after the puppies have been out for a while.  I've never seen her run so fast.  I wish I could get a video of all of their antics.

The pups will be going to their 'FOREVER' homes soon and it's going to seem so lonely.  I won't miss Trixie waking me up each night.  Getting  between 4 - 6 hours of sleep is getting old. 

I can't wait to catch up on my sleep! 



I'll have a list of items the new parents will need.