so cute!

This is one of the little girls from Lulu and Hugo's litter. They are up and running everywhere they can get to now. Their coats are fabulous. They are fully weaned and starting to leave home and yes, I am pleased as trying to keep them all clean is impossible, when they are all jumping around and some one has left a parcel. What fun they are though and my boys do love playing with them.

I had no idea concrete block was so porous. My dog boarding kennels is built in it and every time it rains the walls are damp. I am reluctant to put shelves for bedding up as it too will get damp.
My challenge for this week is to paint the outside walls!!!
It has taken me ages as the paint just disappears but I have almost finished the two ends of the building which take in the most being so exposed. I like the look of it painted in magnolia which is a bonus so over time will aim to paint the whole 33 metres. I do like a challenge. :)

Up on their feet already

Now 5 weeks and very lively. Eating well and full of fun.
Mum (our F2B Labradoodle) developed an abscess but Jilly our Labrador stepped in and helped with milk supply. Instincts!!!

All are doing great now. Lulu back to full fitness and milk supply
Jilly enjoyed unlimited food
Puppies are great finding new homes as have lovely, thick fleecy coats.

My partner and I went to London to see Tim Minchin in Jesus Christ Super Star and it was fantastic. Ben Forster, he lead, definately stole the show with a solo. Stunning!

Is she laughing?

She is adorable and the whole litter are so very confident as they charge around the paddock in the sunshine.
Sales are very slow but that is usual for this time of the year as people are getting back to normal after summer holidays. Fingers crossed it will pick up as I have many mouthes to feed already.

I am really missing not having a horse but with life as manic as it is I think it is for the best. We may need to get a larger one for my middle son having said that as he continues to grow (almost 6 feet age 15 years) and he clearly loves his riding.
 My eldest son is doing a lot of work with his new boy. I am impressed at the level of patience he has with him.

My youngest is off to Germany soon on an exchange. He is looking forward to it and he really does enjoy learning the language.

Marion and I spent most of last week thoroughly cleaning the boarding units after the summer rush and ready for the next busy time. Christmas bookings are coming in already for both dogs and cats.

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 :)