Well at Big Ears Kennel it’s 5am ! That’s when heartbroken Copper decides to sing love songs to Fiona . That was his second concert this morning ! Like Santa , I sprang to my feet & went into action . Applied a liberal amount of Vicks to his nose , moved Fiona into a crate in another room , & sprayed her old crate with bleach . With Cardigans , out of scent , out out mind !
Expanded Whelping Box area . Even the little Black & White girl seems bigger ! They say the camera adds 5 pounds !
Our little Black & White girl !
Four years ago Quinn retired at Big Ears Kennel , to start a new career & join her son . Here's Quinn at home !
A stair tripping Cardigan rug . Merlin is excited , he turns 9 tomorrow !
Lil' Copper's mom sent us a Cardigan kitchen cloth with directions on making dog treats !
Pups learn it's easier to wait for mom & nurse , than eating soft food . Plan is to keep mom away for a few hours , let pups get hungry , & then try them on soft food again !
Tried many ways to satisfy the demand for Cardigans . How do we have specific colors & genders ready at a specific date ? We tried technology developed by Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory & Wizard of Oz . Then we hit upon Mother Nature with backup of science & ancient Welsh farmers .
Pups climbed over into second section . Starting to eat soft food . Hard to feed them much , as mom still nursing them !
Designer dogs are actually high priced mutts ! Scotties & Westies were once crossed . Pembroke & Cardigan crossing was banned about 1931 . Now Cardigans & poodles are breeds crossed to make designer dogs ( mutts ) . What happens to the crosses that don't carry the merits of both breeds , animal shelters ?
USDA wanted to cross the ferret & mink . The goal was the milder temperament of the ferret & the fur quality of the mink . If successful , the cross would be called " Merit " . If not " Fink " ! Unfortunately there are non-AKC clubs that will register these designer dogs , mutts , or " Finks " !
The AKC states 80% of Cardigans advertised online are scams & puppy mills ! Look for Cardigan breeders with good histories with AKC & CWCCA . Cardigans don't need crossing with other breeds . Cardigans are fine , as the ancient Welsh farmed developed over ( some say ) 3000 years ago .
Mom & pups doing well ! Have a long way to go yet . There's eating soft food , deworming , vaccinations , & becoming real Cardigans . Now they're fat heat seeking sausages looking for their mom ! In a few more weeks , we'll review inquiries for approved homes .
Copper's sister/littermate , Harley Quinn , joins Copper's son , Oliver ( former Frankie Blue Eyes ) . Hint Oliver is the Cardigan with blue eyes !
Seven is learning there is one thing more stubborn than a Cardigan . . . a Scotts-Irishman ! She'll learn McDowell's don't outsmart them , we just wear them down ! She thinks brains will win . . . HA ! Slowly , as her milk comes in , she's taking on the chores of motherhood . The vet gives us sage advice but common sense isn't working ! Another sleepless night , hoping Seven will turn the corner .
