See You Next Time!

This is the last post until our next litter, planned for 2010. Thanks for following the blog! Please visit the Creekside Border Collies website to follow the puppies in their new homes!

Here's what the Creekside dogs did last week in the frigid early morning temperatures (yes, the photo above shows our thermometer reading of -40!) We had to wait until high noon before it was bearable to go outdoors for a walk!

A nice 2 hour chewing exercise!

Last Day at Creekside!

Tomorrow bright and early, we load up 6 screeching puppies for a 7 hour car ride. Yee Haw.

Here is the promised "Last Day at Creekside" video. Music is "Beirut's Scenic World" and then "Postcards from Italy".

Sorry folks...

I didn't make the puppies sleep in crates last night - they spent the night in the puppy pen. It was heaven to actually sleep! I am just about to hit the road for Boston where I need to be sharp for a presentation (for work) so couldn't face another night of screaming! And since John is on puppy duty tonight, no doubt they won't be in crates tonight either. I won't have them crate trained, I guess. The last litter was easier - not sure why these guys are so against their crates!
Tomorrow I will post the parting video.

Customs headache ALL DONE! 3 hours on the phone while a very nice lady from US customs offices in Virginia walked me through the entire e-manifest process. My broker was going to charge me $200 to complete it! Final shipping costs should be sent to you all by tomorrow. I don't expect brokerage fees to be more than $30 or at most $40 each.

OK - better get to poop patrol.

Pleeeaaaase stop screaming!

I am almost giving up on getting this litter crate trained! Sheesh! It's not getting any better even though last night was their 4th night in individual crates and only for 6 hours. I have not had a such a LOUD group EVER. I am not sure who is the worst screamer, and there must be some quiet ones in the litter....But for the love of all that's holy...I need to SLEEP! :) So, you all better stock up on your Z's, 'cause you aren't going to get much Saturday night (and Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...)

However, they were 3/6 for "cleanliness" last night, despite the screeching. #3 was clean, as was #2 (YAY!) and #4 - a first for him, I think. Definitely a first for my girl! Usually she does both and then smears it into a soupy mess by morning. Only one poop last night - #1. But she did try - half of it seemed to be outside her wire crate.

Here are some pics from our vet visit yesterday. Everyone is A-1. All the microchips can be read, they are ready to GO!!! Now if only I could figure out the totally confusing new customs forms. Looks like I have to register my little Honda Element as a "commercial truck" to bring my 5 puppies into the USA. How funny is that. Thank goodness I finally made contact with a human being at US Customs who knows what she's doing and CAN help me get all this sorted out by Friday! Only 3 more days at Creekside.

Dre. Anne-Marie, Holistic Veterinarian and Canine/Equine acupuncturist with #6. I have asked her to speak at Creekside Camp during one of our lunch breaks and she agreed! She is fluent in English, so don't worry!

Exhausted after tearing around the exam room, pooping and peeing their little hearts out.

The info you've all been waiting for...

Puppies have all been matched with their new homes! They are ALL leaving this Saturday...Except #2, of course - well, she'll come along for the ride, because you can never have enough screaming puppies in your car....Who needs audiobooks?

Puppy #1 will go to live with Warren and Maria in NY where she'll be trained to hopefully become a champion sheepdog someday!
Puppy #2, now "Creekside Gem" is staying with us at Creekside - she is an Open Trial Hopeful as well!
Puppy #3 will begin his new adventure with Grace and Creekside Click in Vermont, where he'll learn both agility and herding.
Puppy #4, "Creekside Lad" is also an Open Trial Hopeful and will be living with Mary and Dave in NY.
Puppy #5, "Creekside Mirk" will be living with Carol in CT where he'll be trained as a working dog as well, hopefully going on to be successful as his Daddy!
Puppy #6 will also be living in CT with Carolyn, where he will also be training hard to be a good sheepdog someday.

Last night the screaming only lasted about half an hour when I put the puppies to bed in their crates, then didn't start up again until 3:30 am. They did go to bed a little earlier last night - I could NOT stay awake, so they were in crates for 6 hours again. And again, 2 puppies had NO puddles or anything - #3 and #6 must havd big bladders! No poops last night from anyone, so that was an improvement :)

Today they go for their vet check. That should be an adventure in itself. More later!

Sreeching Puppies...

...But last night I slept with earplugs!

Ratio still the same as yesterday for bladder control, only this time, there were also 2 pups who had poop smeared all over the place.

Clean pups last night (I paid more attention) were #3 and #6 ! Don't worry everyone - it will get better! By the weekend, they should be going 6 hours fine. "Should" being key word here, of course!

So, all the puppy matches have been completed, except for #5 and #4, which I am still undecided. Better hurry I guess! I can tell you all that #2 will be staying at Creekside and we are probably going to call her Creekside Gem. She was supposed to be Bet, but Bet for me is a smooth coat, pricked eared dog. Other names in the running are Creekside Gael and a bunch or weird ones that John doesn't like!

We Survived.

It is 5:23 am. I've been up for 1 hour and am working steadily through a 10 cup pot of coffee. Well, I've actually been up most the night as someone was screaming endlessly...

No actually, the first night in crates was not that bad, considering they are 7 weeks and hadn't spent more than an hour at a time in crates. I put them to bed at 10:30 (hey, that' way past my bedtime already!). They screeched for a bit, then quieted...Then screeched...Then quieted. Then Fen decided the boogie man was outside and started barking furiously. I knew she was barking at the wind only as nobody else bothered to make a peep...Well except the puppies...They used that excuse to start screaming again.

Then Blaze thought it might be fun to start a sing a long. He does this periodically. Ask anyone who has stayed the night in the main floor guest suite. Of course, nobody can resist a sing a long. So, howling dogs...Screeching puppies...

I must have slept a bit, as the alarm actually DID wake me up at 4:30. I had my clothes ready for a quick getaway and zoomed down to the dog room to survey the damage. Two pups made it through the night - one was #5 - I know this as he didn't quite make it outside before releasing the flood. The other was NOT #2. I don't know who it was, as I just opened the doors and they barrelled out like racehorses at the start gate. But 2/6 is pretty good. Tonight will be better! (I hope...And so does John!)

Day 49 - Video and Pics

7 Weeks Old! I'm not sure I will miss the little poop machines...

I am sorry to say I failed in taking pics during the puppy testing yesterday...I just kind of forgot ! But I hope these may help you pick your favorite - and the puppy test results which all puppy parents should have received by now. They will be trying the night in crates tonight - ask me how that goes tomorrow (or not!). They did an hour after dinner and screamed! Sorry folks - may not have these pups crate trained like the last litter - but those pups had to travel by air (some very far!) so I must admit that I made more of an effort for them.

Poor Tap - in her T-shirt suit.

#5 surveying his land.

#6 and #5.

#4 (left) and #5

#4

#4

#4 inspecting Blaze's icy toes!

And.....Takeoff! Here's #3.

#3 and #5 climbing a "mountain"

#3 sampling the cold white stuff

#5 chasing #3

#1

#1

Pat and #5

Pat trying to get a game going with #2, #4 and #1

The three musketeers! Triplets #5, #1 and #4

And here is the longish video - I didn't use any music, so you could just listen and see who barks, how the react to the other dogs barking outdoors etc.

Cacophony!

Chow time...Looks innocent enough....

They are eagerly leaping into the crates to eat, but are JUST as eager to get out when they are finished!


It is ten times louder in person. Believe me!

Some pics..

I will take some better portraits this week as well. Need to do it outdoors for lighting and today it is -20 so a bit cold for a lengthy outdoor play session!

#6 Enjoying some old shoe (previously destroyed by Fen)

#3 Getting an ear wash from big Sister Fen

#3 as he sleeps with his tongue hanging out.

#3 Portrait. What a handsome dude!

#2, #6 and #5 sleeping "on" the big dog bed.

Christmas Update - Day 39 to 43

Sorry for the lack of updates! Lots of new experiences for the puppies this week...

• They are playing outdoors for longer periods of time (we're taking advantage of the break in cold temperatures!)
• They are spending part of their days in the big pen in the barn, equipped with heat lamp, and lots of toys!
• They spent their first night away from mom yesterday and are working up to spending the night in individual crates - I am not quite ready for that - need to get some earplugs first!
• They are learning to go outdoors first thing in the morning to do their business. Sorry, won't have them completely housebroken by 8 weeks, but on the way. Makes for MUCH less clean up for me - as they don't like going during the night in their playpen and prefer to wait until I open the gate and then I spend the next 20 minutes running after them with paper towel and my spray bottle!
• They met their first toddler yesterday, and have had lots of visitors over the past week. They are NOT shy :)
• Their personalities are getting pretty set - although I noticed a HUGE change between 6 and 7.5 weeks with the last litter. More on this further down.
• Coat types are getting pretty set too - I was wrong again. Smoothies: #1, #5, #6, possibly #4 (his coat is slightly fluffier); rough coats are #2 and #3.
• They are eating 3 big meals a day now - almost 5 lbs between them per day, and still have access to mom when they are with her. She is producing less now though. Next week she'll get to wear the T-shirt suit again! Poor Tap. They are getting through the duck necks if I mash them up with a mallet first.

Now for the photo updates:

#2

#2 and #1

#2 and #3

What Kap thinks of puppies.

Down the hill...That's Jess in the coat. She is feeling better and is able to go for a 30 minute walk now - still falls over sometimes and has a wicked head tilt, but we hope that will continue to get better.

First Kid day.

Mauling.

#6

Personalities so far:

• #1 is sweet but holds her own in the gang.
• #2 is just like mom - bossy :)
• #3 is the sweetest, smoothest dude, Fen is working hard on making him a tough guy :)
• #4 is the tough guy. He tried to steel Fen's breakfast this morning and succeeded! He'll need lots of rules!
• #5 is a nice even guy, easy going but playful.
• #6 is a feisty busy little bee - never stops!....And fearless.

A video of today's snow games:

Day 38 Action

Winter litters are hard...It's been below -20 degrees (Celsius) every day (this morning is is -30), and yesterday we got about 2 feet of snow - making it very difficult for puppies to get outdoors even for short periods of time. I have been feeding them in crates for a few days now - the first couple of days all they did was scream and knock over their bowls. Now they are all jumping in the crates waiting for their food! But of course the screaming begins once they are finished. They are eating (between them) about 3 lbs of food a day now - plus mom's milk, but she is beginning to not have a s much as she is no longer eating 6 lbs a day! I am gradually getting her back down to normal rations.


This video is from last night - 38 days old. #6 was sleeping in the shoes, so he does not even have a supporting role in this movie! But I have a cute pic of him so he doesn't feel left out...

5 weeks old - First Outing...

...To the nursing home in town. All six! It was quite the party. Once again, the puppies were a big hit with all the Elders, including several ladies on the dementia unit whose faces lit right up once they were holding a furry "baby". Animals are wondrous miracle workers.

#6 squirming a bit - always feisty.

#5 promptly fell asleep in this lady's lap!

A piddle break on the relatively indestructible linoleum floor - of course I was duly armed with paper towel and my Benefect spray bottle!

#6 not quite so feisty anymore!

Can't tell which pup this is, but this lady was murmuring endearments to him/her in Polish.

This lady is generally unresponsive, but smiled as she stroked the puppy's fur (again - no idea which one this is!)

Thanks to Tabby, a caregiver at the home and volunteers Joy and Greg for making this happen again! Great for both puppies and Elders!

Today I also set up their new living quarters - they will start to spend some time in crates now, as well as eating in them - competition over food has begun! Little #6 thinks that because he is the smallest, he deserves the most and lets everyone else know :) Evil little thing.

Day 33 - Everyone Likes a Good Tire Biter

Especially #2...Sorry for lack of focus (again)

#3 and #1 playing - my floor needs a wash! The trouble with winter litters - can't take out the puzzle mats and hose them down - so my mats are rotating through the puppy pen, and I'll need more for the floor.

Carrying on the tradition of mom, sister Fen and Uncle Max - sleeping upside down against the wall. Anyone else's Creekside dog sleep like this?

#1 dreaming of running a marathon?

So good thing nobody took bets as to who would be smooth and who would be rough coated. There seem to be 3 distinct coat types in this litter, and I'm guessing that I may be wrong again in a few weeks!

1. A very fluffy, silky coat that will probably be like Fen's (But not placing any bets!): #2 and #3)
2. A smooth coat: #5
3. A harsher coat - semi rough to smooth coat - like grandma Pat's perhaps (again, no bets here): #1, #6 and #4

It has been 8 years since we had a litter with any smoothies here - (2000 Jess x Imp. Ken) and I just cannot remember what Kap's puppy coat was like!

Speaking of Jess - she seemed to be getting over her vestibular - but has taken a downturn in the last couple of days and cannot walk upright without falling on her side. Her head tilt is contorted and she is miserable and frightened. I am taking her for acupuncture session starting today as I have heard this sometimes helps. I hope so. We are not ready to loose her yet! :(

We also found a stray kitten in the woods the night it was -30. People suck. The poor thing was almost frozen to death - it is now in my barn in a dog kennel and I guess it will go to the vet today too for shots, deworming etc. Anyone want a really friendly long haired dark tabby cat?

Adventures in the slush - Day 31

Portraits - Kinda

I tried posing the puppies today, but their constant movement, combined with the 3 second delay on my camera was not conducive to taking portraits! So I got some "candid" ones instead.

Pups are all eating solid food - had salmon tonight - weren't too keen on fish - just like mom. They are lapping water from a bowl and of course with all that intake I am running around constantly with my roll of paper towel and disinfectant spray (I use Benefect, all natural and safer even than baking soda). I also weighed them today although they were oozing out of the scale basket!

Puppy #1: Weight today (day 29) 4 lbs, 14 oz.

#2 (left) and #4. Weights (day 29): #2 is 4 lbs, 9 oz and #4 is 5 lbs, 3 oz.

#3: Weight (day 29) is 5 lbs, 4 oz.

Puppy #5: Weight day 29: 5 lbs, 11 oz. Still the piggy.

#6 (sorry for the lack of focus): weight day 29: 4 lbs, 10 oz.

Chow time!

As always, dessert at the Milk bar...

Blaze gets clean up duty!

A parting "Tire Biter" shot - this is #4 (left) and #5.