See you back here in 2010 !

Thank you everyone for tuning into the Creekside Puppy Blog! All the puppies have gone to their new homes; follow their progress on their individual pages on the Creekside Border Collies website. We'll be back with another puppy adventure in 2010!

The adventure comes to a close - or is it just beginning?

Tomorrow I set out with all the puppies en route to their new homes...Except Fen, of course!

First stop is at Grace's for a visit with Uncle Click and some training (for the big kids). So there are bound to be some great photos coming...

Here is a longish video of their last walk withe the gang. I wanted to upload the audio file of Beirut's "Scenic World" from my itunes library to go with it, but cannot. So, if you can, listen to it while you watch the video. It kind of suits the (kind of) sad, yet optimistic mood I was in when I shot this video.

Where is #2? (and #4?)

OK, so everyone is asking about these two, since they didn't make it into any of the shots yesterday. #4 was probably digging a new road, playing with Woody or lying in stealth waiting to pounce on Blaze...A favorite pastime.

And here is #2. She is NOT innocent. As I said, Fen had LOTS of help with the rock garden.

Day 54 & 55 - Road Trip!

It followed me home...Can I keep it?

This is Fen, who, with the help of #2, dug up a nice hole in John's rock garden.

So, very sorry for not posting anything for 3 days (well, the Day 52 post doesn't really count, after all). I hope these pics were worth waiting for!

Over the weekend, the pups has 2 road trips: One to accompany Blaze and I to our agility lesson in Alton, NH (a 3 hour drive) and another to a local agility trial - also with Blaze and a 2 hour drive. They were stars in the car! Slept quietly, no "accidents". And let me tell you, the roads to both locations leave much to be desired in the way of repairs - the pot holes jarred and shook my car - but the puppies didn't seem to mind. I tell myself it is a warm up for take off and Landing on Thursday.

#2, Fen and Cap with 11 year old cattle dog, Kava, who was really sweet with them!

Cap and Fen with Blaze's toy.
Fen was intrigued by Kava!!

And here are pics from the trial - the pups each had individual meet and greet, were helped by strangers, saw lots of strange looking dogs (don't worry, I was careful that I knew the other dogs and that they were healthy!) and even came with Blaze and I on a little walk in the woods. People commented on their calmness and could be heard asking, "Aren't you afraid they will run away?" when I let them all run amok around my car and the Xpen (I parked WAY out of the way, so very safe!) I couldn't imagine having puppies that I would have to worry about that. These guys just stay with me and follow me. That's just the way all my litters have been. So if it is abnormal, then I'll take it!

These 2 kids were wild - very much roughhousing with the puppies (although these pics are sooooo sweet). I supervised so that no "damage" could be done, but after the initial "what the...?" the puppies all jumped in and played just as rough! All limbs intact, but I think the little boy is missing a chunk of his scalp :)

They are really racing to their crates for feeding times now, and offer running in and turning around, waiting expectantly. Very cute, my little Pavlov puppies :)


The countdown begins...3 more nights at Creekside, then the road trip of all road trips begins (and will take 2 days :) !

Upside down Cap. He went in here to sleep after I had to give him his first bath in the sink..He rolled in a big sheep poop, and was extremely proud of himself!

Navigating some stairs already.

Day 53 - No Post Today

Sorry - too busy - too tired....I guess this one liner still counts? Ok, I'll make it 2 lines.
Fen's ears are doing strange things - I think we might have little perfect Tap ears...OR huge bat ears standing straight up, depending on the time of day, it could go either way!

Ok, so that's technically 3 lines! G'night! Zzzzzzzzzz.

Hank and his Girls

Today Hank came along with the 2 girls to the nursing home. Many of the residents remembered the puppies from last visit and commented how big they had gotten! We did the trip to the Dementia Unit and also visited a lady who is turning 100 years old in a week. The girls were stars (and so was Hank) - there were a couple of little puddles, which the staff said not to worry about - as "these floors have seen a lot worse!" Once again, I was armed with paper towel and Benefect spray...And my camera!

Many of the same ladies were sitting in the front room.

Fen sat quietly with this lady for a very long time, licking her and cuddling...Until Hank decided it was time for action. I wanted to capture Fen in her "relaxed state", but I got the wall eyed look instead :)

Hank - just before he sprang.

#2 was very good too, but mostly wanted to nibble toes in compression stockings instead:)

All the puppies went tearing down the hallway on the 3rd floor (the least dependent floor) and had a great time dashing in and out of resident rooms!

And I captured this cute photo of 15 year old Boomer and Hank yesterday morning. Hank went to Boomer's bed in by himself and cuddles up beside his wise old elder. Boomer mostly gets tripped up by the puppies, but he really does like them, deep down.

Reminds me of him and another puppy...13 years ago...This is 2 year old Boomer and baby Jess.

Day 51 - Outdoor Action

Cat and Puppies and tree which fell down this past winter and is still not picked up :)



Tomorrow we are going back to the Nursing Home...Not sure who will come as Fen, #2 and Cap are all going for their tattoos in the morning and I sure don't want the green ink to get on any nice old lady's cardigan!

Day 50 - boring update!

Not much to report here, except puppies cannot be outdoors unless someone is watching them like a HAWK, as in not doing anything else! Today Dent (Fen) snuck under the fence twice to check out the sheep. I had to go and get her. Everyone else was satisfied with the sheep poop :)

Tattoo appointment made for Thursday morning for Fen, #2 and #3. Health check, health travel certificates, vaccinations (for #2 and #3) and microchipping (Fen, #4 and #5 (Hank)) happening on Tuesday next week at exactly 8 weeks.

Flights will be booked on Thursday, and then I promise I will send all the info (that I said I would send yesterday :)

Yikes, I need to quit my job to catch up on my life! Alas, job pays bills so no good!

And if you were video deprived, here is Blaze's running Aframe experiment. I have a whole 4 days to get it right and consistent :)

The jump in front is set to help Blaze scope his upside take off point - like a jump grid!...Then it is all about striding! I have a terrible eye for such things! So thank goodness Val is helping me remotely :)



This set is with 2x 8" jumps (5 feet from base)and no stride regulator on the downside 1st slat.



Which one is deeper in the zone? Our local judges around here will probably call everything that is not stopped, (sigh), but this is a much healthier and faster way for Blaze to do his Aframe.

Yes, I am wearing a turtleneck and rubber boots - as I do this training right after my morning hike (which is very muddy and starts off pretty cold). Boy was I hot after this! And my jeans are LL Bean lined with flannel - NEED to get my summer clothes out!!!

Day 49 - Puppy Matches!

#1: Creekside Fen

(As in Fender Bender) - fondly known as "Dent" (as in Acci-Dent) - please read below for explanation! She will be staying here at Creekside and following in her mom and grannie's footsteps learning to be a sheepdog.

Fen ("Dent") has more bruises and bumps than any of the puppies! She has a little bone spur - a bit of extra eyebrow - that maybe could have come from a knock on the head when bone was still soft. Nothing alarming or noticeable, though. She was the first up the (few) stairs..And then fell down and got the worst bloody nose! Tonight while I was washing the floor I found a tooth..Yep, you guessed it. #1 is missing one! Not sure how that came about - a little early to be cutting adult teeth!!!

Just in case you were wondering, Fen is an actual word: "A fen is a type of wetland fed by surface and/or groundwater. Fens are characterized by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline. Fens are different from bogs, which are acidic, fed primarily by rainwater (ombrotrophic) and often dominated by Sphagnum mosses."

Nice thing to name a dog after! But is sounds nice and is easy to say (yell). Kind of like a horse I used to ride called Aubergine - a beautiful horse and a beutiful sounding word, which actually means Eggplant, in french!

#2: Creekside (?)

Our Party Girl, #2 will be going to live with Tracy and Creekside Caper in Florida where she will be learning agility, herding and participating (daily, with Caper) in hiking, ball playing, swimming at the beach - well Caper will just watch the swimming part thank you very much...)

#3: Creekside Cap

Our special flashy boy will be going to live in Santa Barbara, CA with Diane and family as well as "Big Bro's" Border Collies Indy and Wes. Cap will be active companion extraordinaire, and get to go on lots of hiking and camping trips, do some therapy work with his bro's, run on the beach and do some agility and Rally-O for fun.

#4: Creekside (?)

Our beautiful, perfect little boy will be going to live with Candace in Tampa, Florida and Henry (a rescue BC) and Fergie the Jack Russell Terrier. #4 will be learning agility and herding. We saw him eye - stalking the cat today.. Before he pounced like a little coyote. I found it cute. Cat did not.

#5 Hank (aka "The Man"): Creekside (?)

Hank will be going to live with Emily on a sheep farm in Virginia where he will be learning to become a useful farm dog and trial dog. Hank will join Emily's pack of rescue BCs and Aussie's. Hank will probably have a much nicer name soon!

Now everyone can get to sleep tonight and dream of new puppy breath :)

Some parting action shots:

3 pups and the cat cross the bridge - now you see why I wait till they are older! It is a very rickety bridge!!

The Mad Dash: #4 in the lead, Hank close on his heels and I think #1 trying to cut them off.

#1 as she was about to make the giant leap across the creek. She didn't make it and got wet :)

Day 48

Sorry, no pictures or video..We spent the weekend fencing and the puppies were out for most of the day with us. They play for a bit then they all go under the deck to sleep. However, they are now getting bolder in their exploration - I caught #3 and #2 at the fence looking at the sheep today! And everyone crossed the creek on our rickety old bridge - and nobody fell in.

I forgot to mention my trip to the farm supply store (to get what else - fencing supplies!) and took #3, #2, #4 into the store, one at a time. #3 was the perfect gentleman, meeting and greeting kids, people and the employees..#2 discovered a bag of kibble with a hole in it (I swear she didn't make the hole!) and #4 ran amok in the back "Employees only" storage room, from where I had to fish him out several times!!! But he met some nice kids and lots of people asking if he was for sale :) All the comments were along the lines of: "I can't believe the listen so well already!" and "They are so calm". I don't remember having a pup that didn't follow me around like, well, a puppy! They were all great, racing up the aisles when I called "Puppies Puppies Puppies!"

Another purchase made were 5 puppy collars..... Hank has already managed to get his off twice now!

Feeding in crates going very well. Today at lunch I spent time handling #3 while he ate, then #4 at dinner. He gulped and threw up his duck neck a few times :) (Always better the second time around, and the third!) He was not that comfortable with me touching his toes and putting my hands in his dish while he tried to eat his dinner, but he tolerated it! Hank had round 2 at breakfast and was 100% more relaxed today than yesterday. He figured out that no, I really didn't want his raw meat and thank you for holding my bowl.

Everyone on the puppy list will be getting an email tomorrow with my match, contracts, flight details, and more. Hopefully I will be able to make the formal "announcement" tomorrow or Tuesday!

Day 47 - Food Fight!

OK, so not a food fight in the true sense of the word...But today during the puppies' lunch, Hank and #3 got in a bit of a tiff over a piece of beef tongue. It was loud but harmless, and very normal for a pack of siblings who eat out of the same flying saucer dish!...But it also made me realize that the puppies now need to eat in a less competitive environment! So tonight began feeding in crates. I will work with each one so that non becomes a food guarder. Tonight I figured Hank would be the first. He ate outside of a crate and I stroked and talked to him while he ate his duck necks. I do the same exercise periodically with the big dogs. Only Blaze gulps as he is positive I really do want his hunk of raw liver!

Puppy #1

Puppy #2

Puppy #3

Puppy #4

Hank

And, because mom won't say no...

I would really like her to loose the - er - "udder" BEFORE trial season!

#3 snoozing with 15 year old Boomer (sporting his new summer haircut!)

#3 after the "Restraint" test (during conclusion of puppy testing today)...Uh, yeah...He really minded being held on his back (NOT!) :)

And the only other decent photo (out of many) that I took today: Here's #4 and a very big KONG.

I have made my puppy matches! Stay tuned.....

Baptism by Fire

Just to let everyone know about how the crate think worked out last night...Well, I didn't even hear John come in so did NOT get down to let them out to pee around midnight....I woke up at 4:30 in that panicked state like when you have an important appointment and know you forgot to set the alarm....And rushed down to the dog room to see what disasters awaited me.....

And, while all the puppies were eager to get out, NOBODY HAD A SINGLE ACCIDENT. Wow. I had meant to work up to 7 hours straight "gradually". Oh well, nothing like Baptism by Fire!

Diane, your boy should make it to LAX with dry fur no problem!

I am very impressed with the whole gang! And, since I've been up since 4:30, they have been playing constantly...As soon as one looks like it's looking for a place to "go", all I need to do is open the door, call "Puppies Puppies Puppies" and they all come flying. Peeing in unison - outdoors! A beautiful sight :)

Day 45 - SHORT Update!

Didn't get my camera out today - either of them!

Tonight I am going to *attempt* to put the puppies in their crates at bedtime, which is going to be soon for me - man these puppies are running me ragged :) . John works until Midnight so can wake me up when he gets home so I can let them out...That is if I am not awake already and if the puppies have made it that long!

When we brought Jess home 13 years ago, she was only 6 weeks old and had had very little socialization, no crate training or potty training whatsoever. By the second night she was lasting 7 hours quietly! (OK, so the first night was not so great!)

Think I can repeat that? I'll let you know :)

I *almost* have the pups matched...Just 2 that could go either way and will let tomorrow's testing be the final judge.

So, can you all wait until Monday????

Maybe I'll be nice and let you know by Saturday! :)

I can't believe they will only be with me another 2 weeks.

Day 44

Today the pups spent a total of 4 hours in individual crates (in 2 hour increments). There was much yelling and swearing (mostly from #2, #4 and #3) but all settle pretty well now and go to sleep. There are no accidents and when I open the crate doors I rush them all outside where they are learning about potty training...I say learning, so do NOT expect 100% house trained puppies by 8 weeks :) It is too darn hard with 5!

I guess I need to start getting them used to collars too!

Today's videos:

This is so cute of Blaze and Hank...Blaze has decided that the puppies are real dogs and therefore suitable to engage in play.



And today all the puppies explored the creek - some quite by accident - #1 and #4 got pretty wet!



Final puppy assessment happening on Friday! You should all know who will be yours by Monday! I don't think there is a bad pick in this litter. And the way they are raised and trained will definitely shape the way they will grow and behave as adults, so at 8 weeks, the ball is in your court, and you get to begin with a "Fear Imprint Period"!

The quiet one may turn into a couch eating maniac if not given enough to stimulate his body and mind, the puppy with great aptitude for work can be squelched by improper training, too much pressure too young etc. Every one of these pups will be on the analytical side ("thinking" dogs). None will be "peel off the ceiling", leap before you look idiots (not even our party girl, #2!). It is up to each of us who gets a puppy to ensure it is brought up and trained to the very best of our ability. I am ALWAYS available for support and can direct you to help in your area should you need it!

Day 43 Photos

We will begin with a bit of humor...

This is Typical Blaze. He IS intelligent, even if he doesn't always look it.

In contrast:

Beautiful, contemplative Tap (contemplating the cat or the ball or both)

Those eyes...Puppy #1

The Ready for Action Girl: Puppy #2

The King of the ball... Puppy #3

Analysing (the best way to...Jump on the Cat? Steel the ball? Pull off my socks?)...Puppy #4

What to do..What to do...? (#4 again)

Doggone Tired: Hank (aka The Man).
"Play Hard. Sleep Hard."
"Go Hard or Go Home" (some of Hank's motto's)

Day 42

Boring Title. Sorry!

Today, #1 and #2 came down to the creek and put there feet in the water. They were very surprised at first but figured out it was a big drinking bowl (which they were used to playing in anyways :)

This video I caught while nipping inside to put the laundry (puppy blankets create ENDLESS laundry!) in the dryer...This is Grannie Pat playing with Hank. Pat recognizes her puppies still (ask Grace, Val and Cathy!) and plays with her grown kids the same way (more sitting on heads though with the big kids). It is sweet, and look at Hank trying to figure out the game and being all polite! What a little gentleman!



This is a miscellaneous outdoor action video. The puppies spent most of the afternoon dosing in the sun and were not very energetic. The 2 puppies disappearing under the deck went after Woody who had just taken refuge there with a freshly caught mouse. Not sure if he shared or not.



SO!!! WELL!!! You guys (with reserved pups) are giving me a HARD time with the puppy placement! Geez. So far 2 of the puppies have the most demand!!! My top 2 picks have almost NO interest??? They are changing daily now, in looks and personality. I swear #2's back got longer today, and she gained yet another level of confidence (of which she was NOT lacking :), and #4 turned into a tugging maniac (mostly my hair - ouch! Serves me right to lie on the floor and let puppies climb all over me!) and is very keen on toys. #3 still thinks he should be king, but his manners around the big kids and even the cat are impeccable and sweet. #1 - those deep soulful eyes that look right up at you, and her thoughtful ways make me think there is a very mature dog inside that little package...She is my shadow, she follows me almost everywhere, confident in her ways, yet thinking..Figuring things out. And HANK (the man) - yes, he looks quite the hound dog right now, but he will be a stunner I bet when his proportions even out again (as in his ears!!) And his personality is so balanced yet quirky too!

Official "Puppy Testing" will be done this weekend as well as some profile shots for those that need to see that (if I can get them to stand still long enough!) Stay tuned!

Day 41 - a "text" update only

Sorry folks - the weather was awful here today so took advantage and did all my errands - shopping and stuff. Boring and frustrating - I hate crowds. But I'm good for another month or so :)

Today the puppies spent almost 2 hours in individual crates...Again, no accidents, although Hank was crying to get out the minute I returned to the dog room.

This evening I took the puppies on their first walk - or at least, I attempted to! All the puppies are readily following me and coming when I call..."Puppies Puppies Puppies!". It's true that they are so easily sidetracked...A new leaf, or a stick...Or Woody coming out form his cat door under the deck...The only puppies that actually (kind of) made it on the "walk" (all of 5 minutes, over the culvert - we didn't attempt the bridge yet!) was #1 and Hank. #2 and #3 got involved in a game of hide under the pile of branches (that was supposed to be picked up this weekend!) and #4 was (I think) busy digging to China - under the deck.

Day 40 - First time alone in crates!

Each pup spent about 1.5 hours in individual crates today. I timed it just as they began to droop, so popped each one in, as they fell asleep. Only #3 cried a bit. Nobody had an accident.

#1 in a Vari Kennel 300 (Intermediate size)

#2 in a vintage wire crate circa 1940 something (used to belong to Alex McKinven)

#3 in a medium wire crate

#4 in Vari Kennel 200 (Medium) - this is the size generally used for shipping.

#5 in Vari kennel 400 (large) which is way too big for him right now!

And since they were all very good puppies, Uncle Woody delivered a special treat - story hour!(Well, it kinda looks like that!) Woody is one weird cat. He LOVES hanging out with the puppies and actually went in the basket himself - when it was already full or puppies!

Day 39 - Promised Video!

As promised...Here are a couple of run-on videos. I was outside painting my new Aframe (the old one rotted out). The Puppies and dogs were out with me all day. They had 2 meals outdoors and spent lots of time playing with Woody (the cat), each other and napping in "Woody's yard" (under the deck).

They are no trouble and always stick close to mom and the action, so head counts (every 5 minutes!) were easy! Please excuse our grass - it is still early spring for us here and some of the brown patches we hope will turn green soon!



This is sweet...The Extended Family at Dinner.



Pat is in the basket, Tap preferred to lie close by and the puppies spread themselves between their mom and grandma. Pat is so very good with them, and is really helping to teach them all the important lessons, yet is happy to snuggle up to any of them (or several of them) for quality time.

The Boys Visit the Nursing Home

They were SOOOOOOO Good!

OK, so they were a tad whiny in the car (for the 5 minute drive). We first stopped in the resident tea room, where they were cuddled and held. These residents were fully cognitive. Then we gradually made our way through the more dependent resident areas, including the "infirmary", where most of the residents suffer from Dementia of some stage or another. The puppies met all kinds of people: a sweet lady shaky with Parkinson's who held a vibrating #3 on her lap, then apologized for giving him the hiccups; a scary loud, slightly combative gentleman; a lady strapped to a recliner whose arthritis had crippled her, who spoke earnestly to #4; and of course, all the staff members had a cuddle too. They had a ride in the elevator (Hank found that particularly scary) and we even put them on the floor to follow us down the hall for a bit (after they all had a pee on the safely tiled floor of the "salon" - I was armed with paper towel and Benefect spray!) and had fun dashing past the open doorways, much to the resident's delight.

A super experience for the boys...And they were so good, the girls are invited next week!

So, I promised you video and I lied..Sorry! But here are a few pics. I didn't take any in the Dementia Unit for fear of upsetting any residents.

#3 having a good cuddle.

Hank was a favorite :) I think it was the name!

#4 was SO relaxed, it was like he'd been doing this for years! These next 2 shots of of him.

They are so very tired tonight...Hank and #3 would not be awakened for ANYTHING! #4 made it to Pat's basket, but that's about it. Meanwhile, the girls were going bananas all over the place, having not been anywhere, they had tons of energy to burn off!

And then, just because it's May 1st, and we are all thinking daffodils and tulips, it does this:

Hail!