"A Blue Merle ! I Want One ! How Much ? "

Emails are not the best way to explain 15 years of answering two questions , " Can I have a Blue Merle & Price ? " . Emails lack tone & intent . We do not breed for Blue Merles , they are our line . We may get one or two Blues in a litter . Usually every Blue gets 10 inquiries . Nature stirs the genetic soup & may produce a Blue Merle . When I offer an equally wonderful Black & White from the same litter , people think I'm being mean !

Making Friends !

Neighborhood kids getting some petting !

" Clean Your Plate ! "

Every mom yells " Clean your plate " to her kids . Here's my pups cleaning their plate Cardigan Style !

The Great Easter Ear Contest !

Maizie made runner up in this year's Big Ears Easter Contest !

Not A Pretty Sight !

Maddie's pups first time eating soft food . Next week will start Heddi's litter on soft food . Cutting back on mom's food a little to decrease milk production a little .

My Two Favorite Cardigans !

My Black Cardigan & my Blue Cardigan !

Getting Comfortable !

 " Ouch , move , that's good , who's foot is that ? "

" Now that's just right ! "

Smile !

Pups showing their best sides !

This Morning's Memo !

 Opps , someone didn't get the memo about this mornings memo !

Glad everyone got the memo !

Whelping Room !

 Heddie & brood .

Maddie & brood .
Working on setting up porch for larger puppy pens . In a few weeks whelping room will be expecting another expecting mom !

Puppy Count !

 Heddi with brood .

Maddie stepped out for a smoke !

" Aye Aye Sir ! "

Maddie's pups are opening their eyes !

YoYo Has His Eye On The Prize !

 " Kerouac look out , YoYo is about to pounce ! "

 YoYo could just reach out & grab that bone . Right !

You can almost hear YoYo thinking !

You Never Know Who Is Watching On The Computer !

Sure Rosemont is a good watchdog , but please ! He's watching Heddi's litter , that's sick !

Mommas & Puppies !

 Maddie listening to Heddi's pups on other side of the bed .

Heddi inspecting her pups .

International Pet Trade ?

Received an email from a person in Mexico that will be visiting California this September , asking if I had any Blue Merles left but would be interested in other colors . Then asked price .

Several times a year I'm contacted by agents who work for international pet brokers . All they ask is price . It is rare they admit to being brokers . Sometimes they come up with touching stories about buying a pet for their daughter but can not make a visit to my kennel . Instead they will send an agent , send a check , meet me at an airport , while never saying who they are .

So when I'm first contacted , the interview process begins ! One email asked only " price for a female ? May be interested " . I gave my standard reply " based on very little info . . . female . . . price . .  $82,000 " . He asked if I was on crack ! Asking only price & for a Blue Merle , makes me nervous . They are so many important questions to ask a Cardigan breeder , same I ask when seeking or selling a pup . Asking for a Blue Merle , especially before they are whelped , is like asking for NO#1 issued Superman comic . People get upset as I try to explain , I may have only one or two Blue Merles a litter but we also have wonderful Black & White pups .

It is very important the pups of this special breed get matched to special owners . Email exchanges & visits help . It took me 2 years of researching Cardigans , kennels , & breeders before a breeder would sell to me , a non show home . We will have more litters , more Blue Merles , & more wonderful Black & White pups .

Started !ndoor Garden !

Unit sitting on raditor in front of window . Rope light keeps bottom heat steady when raditor cools . Started sweet potato slips , 3 kinds of eggplant , & 4 kinds of peppers . In a few weeks will start tomato seeds . I'm not letting cold weather freeze my warm garden thoughts !

Breeder's Choice !

In a few weeks , I'll chose a couple of pups to become show stars , kennel replacements , & pals .

Chilling Moms !

 Just another quiet Sunday for Heddi but first Sunday for brood .

Second Sunday for Maddie's brood .

Killer Katie !

Katie puting a beating on the cat's favorite toy ! Katie goes to work with her owner & loves the family cat , but toys are another story !

Showing Colors !

 Heddi is taking first time motherhood in stride  !

As the puppies age , they show temperament , form , personality , & color . In a few weeks we'll start to evaluate individuals to keep for future breeding stock . Companion puppies will be evaluated with same standards . Cardigans we keep will be able to provide best genetic makeup in combination to existing stock . Pups our kennel sell will be solid steady Cardigans that match new owner's personality .

Thought I Was Wrong But I Was Wrong !

Vet doubted last week Heddi was bred but I said maybe 4 pups ?  After three huge Black & White pups , things slowed down . Could I be wrong ? No way ! After 2 hours she whelped a huge Blue Merle male with Tan points ! Over the next few weeks we will decide what pups to keep , what to sell  , & pick approved homes . Hint for every Blue Merle in Maddie's litter there are 10 inquires . The Blue Merle w/tan points is so rare , he might be kept for the kennel . Been a long night . Looks like another long night or two till new litter settled .

What's Happening ?

 Heddi still waiting .

Looks like Maddie stepped out for a smoke !

The Whelping Room Today !

 A Black & White pup is hiding out of camera range !

Heddi is developing a puppy bump !

Just One Of The Boys !

Ricky is sire to Maddie;s current litter & Judy's future litter . Out of this year's litters I will make selections of pups for replacement breeders . Hope we have enough puppies to replace ageing stock & sell a few to approved homes .

New Arrivals !

 Maddie & Big Four .

 Two little guys in the warming box .

Heddi waiting in the wings or whelping room .

Maddie had to be rushed to vet yesterday afternoon . She started to leak a brackist fluid . Vet did a C-section but was concerned , was four days early & pups might be premies . We saved 6 of 10 . Sleepless nights ahead as pups catch on to nursing . Will tell more later . Who said raising dogs was easy ?

Maddie's Waiting !

Used new camera but still doesn't show how big she is ! Going to vet tomorrow for an Xray count .

Guinness Stressed Out !

Only a Cardigan can relax like this !

Cardigan High Jumper !

Poor Maddie ! She's so huge , the camera doesn't do her justice . New camera coming tomorrow . Maybe will get better pictures . Her last litter was 11 & she looks bigger this time ! Vet will make house call Wednesday . Maddie's due date March 12 , a week & a half away . Hope I can get her out of the house !