Monday, June 14, 2010

New Events

We've had quite a few new events over the past few days.
On Thursday I made the drive down to Autryville to visit with Mrs. Cary, who was Lucy's breeder. I brought with me Daisy, my yorkie girl, and Susie, Lucy's daughter. Daisy stayed in Autryville, I hated saying goodbye to her. I know it is better for her, she will be the center of attention. She is doing wonderfully, and being spoiled rotten!
Susie surprised even myself on Thursday. Her usual desire to buck like a bull on her leash wasn't apparent, and she walked with me better than ever. She also showed no sign of fear or aggression towards the older bloodhounds there. She met her grands and great grands, it was quite a sight. Generations of beautiful bloodhounds in the making! Susie just wanted to sniff everyone.
Lucy however was frantic at the sight of Susie leaving with me that morning. She raced back and forth and howled and cried for quite a while. Susie and Lucy are so close. I think overall it was better for Lucy to have Susie now, she will have a buddy her size.
We also picked up a new kitten, she was a stray. I took her into the vet Thursday as well, since she had fleas and an eye infection. These are cleared up now, and she has adjusted to the house, our dogs, and even my daughter very well! She is friendly, yet independent, and not shy or skittish. I think she is going to be a wonderful new cat, she is more my daughter's pet than anything. Lily could hardly sit still long enough to eat dinner the night we brought Ms. Kitty home. After every few bites she wanted to run in and check on her kitty. I love it that my daughter has the same fascination and love for animals that I do.
Finally today I had to take Lucy into the vet, she has a breast infection that developed overnight. Her pups have been weaned for 3 weeks at least now, so it's a mystery as to why this has happened just now. My first experience with this as well. Overall it doesn't look too bad, and should clear up quick with the high dose antibiotics the vet gave her.
I am so glad I decided to go to this new vet. She has been very helpful with the support and financial aspects I  needed from a vet. Of course the first visit to her I explained all my issues with previous vets, one in particular who was the worst. Not only were the prices outrageous, but I was given so much wrong advice and misdiagnosed cases. I am praying for good luck with this new vet now.
As for my upcoming litter, Ella is growing everyday. She is doing well though, and I cannot wait to see her puppies come into the world! I'm watching her closely, she is due next Saturday.
Everyone else is healthy and happy. There was a slight disruption in the pack order, with Daisy leaving us, and it was between Daphne and Katy to step up. Daphne seems to be "it" now. She's similar to her mother in behavior, this is probably why.
Tonight we have a SAR trainer coming out to evaluate Susie. She has been in her kennel all day, so she will be full of energy when the lady comes at 5 pm. I find bloodhound work amazing. I am determined to get into dog training school in the near future. For now, we will have to rely on a trainer's aid to try and get Susie up to par.
I have new Tutu's for the future puppies coming in soon, pictures will be posted on my website shortly thereafter!
www.heavenlyyorkieskennels.com

Off to clean and scrub now. Have a good evening everyone!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

First attempts at puppy cuts!

This morning has been eventful. All my yorkies needed baths today, and with the weather being so hot I decided to try and give puppy cuts. Now in the past I have halfway given these to the mommies before they have puppies, but usually ended up with scissors just cutting off the length of their coat. I prefer a long coat on my yorkies, but I gave in to my husband's begging and wanted to surprise him as well with this. I've also noticed the dogs seem to feel better with shorter coats.
The first subject was Katy. Her coat was floor length, so at first I was shy. Using a 1" blade I managed to give her a great cut, but the head and face are always a problem. She is particularly fidgety. Somehow I pulled it off! I posted pics of her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/stephanie.duke2
So I was brave... next was Daphne. She had a medium length coat, very straight and pretty full. She is stubborn, just like her mom, Daisy. The entire time she insisted on laying on her stomach with her feet tucked tightly underneath of her. Which proved to be an issue when I needed to do her legs and underbelly. I managed to hold her in one hand while accomplishing this task. Her face and bangs turned out a bit shorter than I had wanted, but both were a good shape and straight cut.
I surprised myself with these 2 girls, so heading in to pick up Georgie I felt I could do even better with him. Georgie is very docile when being groomed, he is so used to the process because he manages to require a bath every 3 or 4 days. Being the man that he is I guess.

Now this was truly my grand finale.

I started with his head, because I always had kept his hair on top long enough to put in a top knot.
As soon as I opened to scissors to make the first cut, Anna set herself into a frenzy of barking. Now Anna is in heat, and Georgie is besides himself to be with her. So my scissors, already halfway through the front top, took a turn for the worst with the movement of his head.
Half way up his left eye to his ear, all the hair, GONE!

Needless to say, Georgie refused to remain still the rest of the session. I attempted to even out the top of his hair, on the right side. I did, but it made the cut look no less ridiculous. He now resembles a poodle. I gave in to the call of the hair clippers and shaved off what remained on the top to an even length in hopes that it would grow out even (and FAST!)

So now I am finished for today. I can't wait to see my husband's response to Georgie tonight, although I had intended for a happy surprise, it may now be a "what happened"?!

This just goes to show that when you think you understand your pets, they will prove you wrong.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Recovery

It seems like it has been an eternity since I last posted. The horrific events of late have left me able to slow time down in my mind. Because of this I have been cherishing all the little blessings my dogs have brought me.

After day in and day out regular bleaching, scrubbing, and monitoring other puppies I feel I have things under control. Crazy how such a tiny virus can wreck havoc on one's life, but I am sparing no expense, or sleep, in ensuring I never have to watch this happen again. All of our bloodhound puppies are safe, healthy and HUGE, and the other yorkies who left are negative and doing excellent. I especially liked Millie's owner's statement "She behaves as if she was always in our home, as if she was meant to be here." I miss this girl, she was exceptionally pretty and such a character! For as tiny as she was she lacked nothing in energy or curiosity.

Glory the hound left with Krystal Pickett of Kings Ferry Aussies. They hope to train her up to track wounded deer, and she will be spoiled rotten! She has a webpage now devoted to her!
http://kingsferryaussies.net/KingsFerryGloryRevealed.aspx
I have no clue how she was able to get such great pictures of Glory, as Glory never did sit still long enough for me!

Harvey left as well, on an air flight to Montana to live with the Gunnink family. He did very well, and had his first experience with a wild turkey. The fun ended once he realized that the turkey was just as brave and fast as he was.

We have also kept back one bloodhound puppy, and plan to begin training with her for SAR and possibly show conformation. Susie is a big, stubborn, ornery girl with the dedication and perseverance of her thick headed mother! She is affectionate, and shows some interest in pleasing me, so I welcome the challenge. I may be setting myself up for failure with her because I allow her to sleep with me on the couch and eat popcorn at nights! Lord knows I can't say no to her sad eyes!

Daisy is being retired, as I am ready for her to be just a pet. She always was a wonderful mother, but even better with regular house manners, temperament and affection. I still wish I could have kept another daughter of hers, as Daphne is the only daughter we own, but I believe everything must happen for a reason.

Ella is noticeably pregnant now, she is due around the 26th of this month! I hope to keep one of her girls, as she has an excellent pedigree and so does Georgie, the father. Also, Anna is being bred (Georgie is a nervous nutcase now, always so worried about Anna and protecting her!). Anna had 2 girls last year, Vera and Lexy, who are both beautiful, perfect combinations of both their mother and father. Anna was such a good mother, so I hope to have a good experience with her this time around as well.

Finally, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest boy, Jasper, from Shirley Bovay at Fantasy Yorkies. He is a parti carrier, with the most gorgeous face I have ever seen. We still have a month to wait, and Lisa Whitaker will be keeping him. I am bursting to meet him. I've had 2 girls from Shirley, Katy, who I still own, and Lori, who was rehomed because she was such a tiny girl. I am in love with Shirley's puppies, they all have such great temperaments and are very distinctive in looks. Jasper will hopefully make a great new father!

Now back to fixing my website. I've been dreading this process, but Lisa has a litter of 4 girls who need posted, and Jen's boy Matthew needs updated.

Til next time!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The slow return to "normal"

The past 2 weeks have been the most difficult weeks for me in my few years of breeding. I am not ashamed to admit that I fell victim to an outbreak of Parvo, more so my poor puppies fell victim to this horrendous and highly contagious disease. Since the first verified case my days have been filled with bleaching beyond belief, confusing research, phone calls to anyone I knew who would have advice, and tears, more emotions than I have felt in a long time.
Finding information on parvo has become a cat-and-mouse hunt, of course there is an overload of information online, however finding CREDIBLE sources can be mind-numbing. I ran across a breeder here in North Carolina who spoke of her experience with the deadly disease, her trials and errors and her solution. Now I am looking into making the switch to Neopar vaccines and a different 5 way booster. Even on Neopar there is contradictory opinions, some say it works, some say it weakens the immune system when given before weaning. Honestly, I am in limbo on any decision, and for some reason no vet will give their opinion. I feel that I should do everything, anything, possible to prevent this from ever happening again.
Through this loss I think I have been given a wake up call, that things have to change again. Of course I keep my pets clean, my house clean, etc, BUT now I am more aware of the seriousness of bacteria and viruses. How easily transmittable these dangerous little things can be, and the devastating effects they have on small puppies.
By God's grace I have not had a case of parvo in any of my bloodhound puppies, nor in any of the other yorkie puppies who have left. I notified everyone of the issue in time for some to be tested, and I think I caught it early enough to completely isolate those at risk.

My will to continue breeding was also called into question during this time, I just did not know if I could handle it anymore. I love my dogs so dearly, I can't imagine life without them. I have had more times than bad in working with my yorkies, so I think this is what keeps me going.

A final thing the other breeder told me is that most breeders will never admit to having had parvo. I find this unsettling. The disease is rampant, nearly uncontrollable, and surely most people who do any work with dogs have ran across it before. Why not be honest? Why not work to educate on the disease and on ways to overcome it? I, for one, have decided to never become like that.

IN OTHER NEWS:

We do have good times here. I feel so blessed to have been able to secure such great new homes for my bloodhound puppies. All have been seen off except for Jessie, who will stay here until next Tuesday. I am overjoyed and so proud of my first litter of bloodhounds. I want to do another litter, however that may not be for another 2 years. (I enjoy Lucy more as a pet.... I've missed her since she has been so wrapped up in her babies).

Our newest girl, Ella, is pregnant, she is starting to show! I am so anxious to see her new puppies, she is a beautiful and sweet girl.

We purchased a new stud, from Shirley Bovay at Fantasy Yorkies. Jasper, he is a parti-carrier, however we do not plan on doing parti-yorkies just yet. I'd need a couple of years to prepare myself for that venture. Lisa Whitaker will be co-owning and keeping him, (Georgie will be much happier this way, he loves to be the "man" of the house).

Also, my crazy girl Anna is in heat. I am back and forth on whether to breed her or not. She is a wonderful mother, had no complications her first litter, however I want to make sure I can devote enough time and attention to each litter from here on.

Finally, I am trying out a new supplement vitamin, Nuvet. I was referred to it by the lady who picked up Glory, and I am pretty excited to see how well it does for my dogs. If it can cure hyperactivity disorder in Lucy I will be sold ;)

Time to get back to work. Grooming day is today, and Georgie managed to get straw entangled in his top knot. I blame it on him, but more than likely it was Lucy!

Have a blessed day everyone. We are pulling up our bootstraps here, and cleaning up after the storm.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

New puppies!

Earlier this week I was able to make it out of the house (surprisingly!) to visit a new litter of yorkies, sired by my little man Georgie! (Georgie is quite the little man, and he knows it!) Lisa's girl, Casey had been bred and by the looks of her stomach we both only though she would have maybe 2 puppies. Well, surprise, surprise! 4 TINY GIRLS! All of them weighed approximately 4 ounces at birth. I shouldn't be surprised, earlier last year Casey had 3 pups that ended up being about 3 lbs as of now, but I can't remember those puppies being as small as these ones are.
It is always amazing to me to see a new litter, at the young and tender age after birth. Hard to believe that in a few weeks they will be gregarious and wild, each one developing their own personality and of course, beautiful new looks. I think this is why I am so drawn to the breed, the incessant changes they have as they grow up, the coat color and the attitude!
I also was able to visit one of my previous puppies, Abbey, yesterday. It's hard to visit them, because I feel like I have missed so much. Abbey has become such a smart and beautiful girl. Now her coat is coming in pretty full, and her face has completely transformed from the black and tan that I remember her as. She has became a brilliant blue and gold in the face!
Abbey was an only puppy, and I think this is why she bonded so well to my daughter and I. I remember this girl loved being outside, she was very athletic (enough so to where she could keep up with my girl Anna!)
Although I miss her I am so happy she has brought so much joy into the lives of her new family. I guess it is selfish of me to want to keep every puppy.

In other news we are hopefully expecting a new litter from our newest girl, Ella. Ella is Hungarian imported, and so were both of Georgie's parents, so I have my fingers crossed with this one. She isn't due until June 26th, and she is not showing yet. She is also due for a bath and cut, so I will post pictures soon on my website.

As a matter of fact, everyone is due for a bath again! Even Lucy, the bloodhound. I'm debating whether or not to call out the mobile groomer...lol. Honestly, bathing her is like trying to bathe a horse!

Monday, May 17, 2010

One day at a time....

One day at a time.... this is my motto when my puppies start to leave. Today the first of my 2 litters left, Rocky (renamed Kobe!). I tend to take a little longer when I do their last grooming, maybe subconsciously I am trying to drag out those last few precious moments I have with them. Rocky was impatient, especially when he saw his new mommy... He scurried and rushed to free himself from my blowdry and brushing routine!
It's always hard to see them go. By nature, and as sensitive as I am to raising these babies, I get attached too easily, anxious to see them go, although I know from day one they will leave me. It always helps when the new owners understand that I crave pictures, phone conversations, and frequent email updates! I love seeing my puppies as they grow and change into such beautiful and sassy creatures. They truly are a blessing.
So, over the next 3 or 4 weeks I will have to say goodbye to them all, one by one.
However, I have decided to keep one special girl for a while longer, in the hopes that she will make a wonderful mommy! I will keep her until July, after that she will live with a close friend of mine.
Daisy is now reverting to our pet-only girl. We will be having her spayed shortly, and now I look forward to seeing her beautiful coat grow out of that horrendous "puppy-cut"! She is and will always be my favorite girl ;)