Sophie, the daughter of Dixie and Georgie, came to stay at our farm while her human Liz (who has become my dear friend) is in Hawaii soaking up the rays! That’s just fine with Sophie – dogs live in the moment. Sophie has been having fun every day. She loves to play with all the dogs, especially her mom!

Sophie Enjoying Her Vacation

Dogs learn a lot when they are allowed to run free. This week young Sophie learned chasing cows and horses is NOT allowed! She learned it is ok to steal their food as long as you are quiet about it and don’t scare them. Sophie also learned that the river is very cold when there is ice on it! She jumped in – I knew she would. My husband fished her right out! Smart girl only did it once.  After a rub with hot towels and a blow dry she was fine.  She has learned to be respectful of the pack, and learned her place. She knows I am the leader, and all dogs answer my call, even bossy Audrey!

Sophie after her first hair cut

The last few days I have started some basic training with Sophie. She is a very quick learner, a real joy to work with! Liz is coming home tomorrow. It is a very good thing Liz and I  are friends and I get to see them a lot. Makes it easier for me to give Sophie back!

Daisy delivered her two little girls via C-section on Jan 15th. It was a very long night for me. Her labour started at 5:30pm on the 14th. I never left her side for more than a few minutes until her C-section on the afternoon of the 15th!  Daisy was never in distress, her labour just didn’t progress. In fact she was able to sleep through most of it, in her heated whelping box. I tried to sleep beside her on the cold hardwood floor of the kennel. Not a lot of room for me as her box takes up most of the 3’X5’space.

As sore and tired as I was I wouldn’t miss these times for the world! Daisy was a C-section pup that I hand raised as she was too weak to nurse. I milked her mother Dixie II, and fed her with a 1cc syringe. I would take her to work with me so I could feed her on my breaks. Tiny puppies need to eat every 2 hours! We have a very tight bond. I was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes. I hope I’m with her, when closes them for the last time.

Both girls are very fat and healthy! An abundance of milk for 2 little girls! Daisy is looking great, she is running around like nothing happened, her weight is perfect, and her coat is shiny. She is an awesome mother. She wouldn’t even leave them to go for a walk. When the pups were 10 days old, I insisted she join the walk. She needed to get a change of scenery. After that she was fine with it. Back to her usual self, going for walks with the dogs every day.