Wet snow

Another raw wet day at the kennel . A lot has happened since my last entry . Depended on former friend for her computer savvy . How I got this far is a guess ! Need to add photos , if had know-how . Have some special pups to carry on for the future . Have a amazing Blue Merle male with tan points that will hold his own against Maddie Ross , also a Blue Merle with tan points . Maddie has started her confirmation championship quest . Molly is a cute Black & White with tan points . Breeze is a corner stone for my kennel's future . She's a Blue Merle , both her parents are champions & may out shine the other pups .

Other news ; Hawk 10 Ameraucanas 0 . While I was having surgery ( fanny tuck ) a hawk struck . With fishline strung over head & Cardigans out , the hawk moved on . Imagine using a $2000 Cardigan to guard $3 chickens ? Just before I left for surgery , I stepped out from the rabbit coops to see a hawk 5 feet off the ground in mid strike . Beautiful but deadly creature .

Once I figure out how , will add more pictures .

Memorial Day weekend is upon us .

With all the work & fun May has given me ; redesigning landscaping / fence lines for additional Ameracana chickens & Cardigans , coop building , Giant Chinchilla Rabbits , CWCCA & AKC correspondence , setting out edible landscaping & vegetable garden , two litters of puppies to  show , & buying a new sofa ( ! ) has Big Ears Kennel & Rabbitry getting too big for a solo act . The Cardigan gang have taken control of my house ! Two whelping rooms , their own living room , complete with furniture , a  utility room to store crates / supplies / feed , inclosed porch , divided into two puppy pens  , & a redesigned outdoor kennel . . . it's no wonder I live alone ! Like to think June will slow down , but will order 50 meat birds to raise for food .

Why a Cardigan

A Cardigan is a sturdy working herding breed. it's temperament differs from the wildly popular retrievers and spaniels because herding requires more calculation.  They are highly attuned animals who can read body language, tone of voice, and the look in your eye.  The more you understand how well adapted your dog is to you and your environment, the better the bond between you and your dog.  Some Cardigans have a reputation for independence and disobedience; this is a failure of communication between dog and owner.  Cardigans are so attuned to your mood they instinctively avoid you when you are not in a good mood.  This may be because herding dogs read an animal and predict its move; your Cardigan will herd you as well.

Along with the herding instinct, your Cardigan also needs companionship.  They want to be with you.  Some like to be held; many lie in laps, almost all sneak a head onto a knee for a stroking.  They are affectionate creatures but unlike a Golden Retriever they do not live for love.  They live for companionship. 

As a breed, they have impressive stamina.  On-lookers often jest that such short legs cannot carry a dog very far and how wrong they are.  A corgi is bred to work all day on a farm.  They are agile and impressive athletes who defy their shortness with the speed and agility of any dog twice its size.

Pink noses

Surprise !

Came home tonight about 9PM , relieved all puppy watch duty was done till April 28 . That was Judy's scheduled whelping date . As I made bedchecks , I heard a puppy squeal . It sounded odd , almost like across the hall in Judy's whelping room . After I let the dogs out , the squeals continue . Judy had a puppy in her room ! First thought was , she's not due , she must have grabbed one of Llyn's puppies . The scramble begins . All Llyn's pups are accounted for , it must be Judy's , but where's Judy ? I just let all the dogs out ! I searched the yard & kennels at night , looking for a black dog . Finally Judy returns after visiting all my kennels . Now I search the blood trail to every kennel . No puppies . Judy must have just gone into whelp , without the normal three night wait . The fun begins in earnest with this first time whelper . At 3:30 AM we have 4 Black & White pups , 2 males 2 females . Judy is a great mom . I need a coffee . My friend Lora made it all possible by being a rock as I tore about . Her photos will be coming . Happy Easter ?

Then at 5:30AM , Judy drops a fifth puppy ! Amazing thing is until last week Judy hardly showed .

Llyn's litter

Llyn had a C Section with a litter of nine but one lost.  We are off to the vet now to help a pup with trouble feeding.

Start Your Engines

Big things ahead , when a Cardigan skips a meal . Little after 4PM Llyn took to her whelping box , panting & pawing . Then insisted on a potty break before returning to her whelping box . Best friend Lora Como has her camera ready . All whelping supplies are on hand . All we need is the whelping to begin . Hold on sports fans for updates .

9PM two cups of coffee & two potty runs , leaves a panting mom that just vomited . Llyn could go any minute or there's a long night ahead . Each whelping room has a whelping box & bed to catch a few Zs . Hopefully I can share the puppy watch with Lora . The Cardigan pack wait outside the protected whelping room , all knowing . A couple of days ago full moon paid a visit . Keep the coffee coming !

5:30AM Llyn is trying to out wait me . Several heavy panting sessions & some pretty amazing shape shifting but no puppies . I watch & listen from a bed next to the whelping box . Today is the official due date , so maybe Llyn will deliver . Ran Llyn & other dogs as usual . Llyn too big with puppies to make the ramp or steps returning to the house , so I carry her back . All back in . Now back to puppy watch .

7:30AM Need coffee . Coffee in the pot is nice but better in my cup . Same with puppies , in Llyn nice in my whelping box better . Llyn will take a piece of hand fed cooked chicken but buries her food under the papers . All Cardigans fed & Llyn returned to whelping room . Mom happy . Me not .

10:10 Returned from vet . Better safe than sorry . Vet adjusted due date to tomorrow . Gut feeling that everything was on schedule , was right . Lora cleaning up Llyn for big event . Puppies' heart rates are fine .  First vet every asked me what I thought ! Relieved to know , all is well . I hear the coffee pot calling .

12:30 Found Llyn under my bed in the whelping room . Didn't think Fattie could squeeze under the bed . A few boards will fix . Lora was on puppy watch as I did a few outdoor chores . Nice to have a backup . Llyn just doesn't get the picture .

Showing

Maddie Ross the Meatbball

This is Maddie Ross, named after the character in True Grit.  Maddie comes from a long line of show dogs and she has a bold and playful temperament.  She has striking tan points that are almost orange and give her a vulpine appearance.  She is a rabblerouser and fearless.  We plan to show her at six months.  She came from our last litter and will eventually become a breeding female. 

WHELPING A LITTER

Llyn, one of my champion bitches, is so pregnant we call her fattie.  We are anticipating a large litter from her, maybe up to ten puppies.  We are on whelping watch which entails several sleepless nights.  A pregnant bitch about to whelp will be stressed for a few days and then start nesting in her whelping box.  In the final hours she becomes quiet and baleful, and then the contractions begin.  Stay tuned for video and pictures of our next litter.