So cute!

These are our F1 guys who are ready to start leaving this week end. I have managed to get them out on our yard, playing with our adult dogs over the last few days which is great for their education and confidence building. They are fully weened and wormed and eating 4 good meals a day.
They are practicing their "choose me" face here.

I have had a lot of the bull breeds of dogs in the boarding and have decided that they are definitely different as they use their shoulder strength and like their play mate on their backs. They seldom growl and I would think give very little warning if they are going to turn nasty. Having said that the ones we have had in have all been lovely and we never leave any dogs out un attended so have had no problems.
The biggest was an American bull dog and he is HUGE.

Marion (my help) is settling well and getting used  to the dogs. She was always great with the cats but has had to learn more about the rabbits and small pets too. She says she is enjoying it and I do hope so as it is lovely to have help on board that you can trust.

I an very disappointed as I am having to give my one self indulgent week end a miss this year as there is just so much going on with our businesses and my boys too and I would never want them to feel "parked" in any way.
There is always next year.

Interesting day!

I had to leave my eldest son to do midwifery duties today as Lulu started whelping at 5 am and I had an appointment mid am. I had no choice but to go but my son is perfectly capable and indeed proved his capability as he had to help one out of the amniotic sack and this evening is doing very well, as they all are.

We now have Labradoolde 50/50 F1 chocolate or one cream girl. 4 weeks old
Jackapoos just one little black and white girl. 3 weeks old
Ladradoodles 75/25F1B these should be low/non shedding and curly/ fleece coated. Born today

We continue to be quite busy with all the boarding animals but this evening we did find time to play on the horses and what fun it was.
I haven't ridden for weeks so was a little tentative. I really enjoy riding our 14.3hh fellow so I am going to take him when I go to horse camp. I have so much responsibility sitting on my shoulders so my safety has to be priority. Camp is just fun for me as I really do not have the time to compete at the moment which is a shame but reality.

Jackapoos

Sooo cute with her tongue peeping out.

Her Mum is Pippa (tri coloured jack russell) and her Dad is Woopert (chocolate miniature poodle)

She is black with splashes of white notably on her feet. She hs her slippers on :)

Pippa is such a possessive Mum and she had a snap at Gemma (our retired lab) she is her best friend normally and Gemma only wanted to help but Pip has nothing of it and told her off!!

The puppies eyes are just starting to open but they have no intention or need to become mobile :)

Exhausted!

What a life, all that drinking and snoozing.

As you can see the puppies are doing very well and growing fast. Bitch milk is incredibly nutritious.
They are opening their eyes and ears and are just about managing to get their bellies off the floor and waddle around. I will start weening them now which takes some pressure off Jillly.
She is a fantastic Mum who is enjoying having unlimited food. Well she is a Labrador.

The businesses are all very busy what with summer holidays and the olympics. It is lovely to hear of peoples experiences when they come back from London. I have heard nothing but praise from the number of people out on the streets guiding people to their destination to how clean and welcoming it all is to the whole atmosphere and level of excitement being quite electric. I would love to have got hold of tickets and experienced it first hand and I am so very pleased those empty seats have been filled.

I have a lady on board to help me a little with the animals which is great. I managed to rope her into helping me with a little DIY too and we built a small pen in the end room of the dog boarding. We just need to get some shelves up now and plumb in the dogs washer then everything is done and I should be able to put my feet up. Just a little :)

Chunky puppies

Jilly has just had a good play session, in the rain. She needed a break from her Mummy duties as she is doing a fantastic job. The puppies are all doing great and they have doubled at least since they were born. Their coats are just starting to break a little as they are Labradoodles.

My boys are at pony camp this being their last day they have a one day event, riding dressage, show jumping and cross country. They have both had a fantastic week, both having had responsibilities for a squadron and many of the children are new to senior camp so they have had their work cut out.

I am shattered as the business is very busy and I have been doing all the food shopping for camp each day and taking it up to them. Well! it gets me in to make sure my boys are ok :) I have a lady who comes in to let the dogs out at lunch time and help out in what ever way is needed. She is enjoying it thank goodness as it is so hard to find some one you can trust with not just your business but your home as well.

Must go and get the water proofs out as it is throwing it down of course :(

Has the rain stopped?

Golly I do hope so.

We are trying to put an additional dog run up so we will have two big exercise areas for our guests to let off steam. It has been a challenge as the rain has pored and pored. It has been relentless!!
We have our fingers crossed that summer has at last arrived.

Jilly (chocolate Lab) delivered her litter of Labradoodles today. Dad is Max, a chocolate standard poodle. I sat up with her all night and typically the first one arrived at 6.15 am. They look beautiful and healthy. Jilly looks shattered but is coping very well.

My boys have had friends around this week and it has been lovely to hear them chatter and play. They spent much of the time together, out side and on our island. They had a BB war and really enjoyed them selves.

We have puppies

Jilly (Chocolate Labrador) and Max (Chocolate standard Poodle) have produced a lovely litter of chocolate or golden Labradoodle puppies.

Jilly it doing a great job and being a very attentive Mum. She will let us handle them which is great for the puppies education and confidence building but wo betide any of our other dogs that go near her "den". The puppies only sense available at the moment is smell so exposure to humans is great. We have a lot of people in and out and everyone loves to see puppies. Many have never seen them so young and are fascinated. We don't let people hold them at this stage as I do feel that would push Jilly too far and serves no real purpose. Myself and my boys handle them and check them over regularly.

My two big boys are at pony camp and having a great time. There are 44 children there, half newcomers. All with their ponies of course. We went to see them yesterday and it was smiles all around. My eldest jumped a metre high jump on his new horse so was beaming from ear to ear and my middle son was on the cross country course jumping very confidently and surrounded by girls.
They are at Eland lodge which is a British event yard wit fantastic facilities.
They are already talking about camp next year. They clearly love it.