Friday, January 10, 2014 at 3:48PM 
When I come downstairs I must do so in stages. So now I am going to demat, lay in recliner and pretend to watch tv. Good news I think Dennis and Nathan are getting better. Me not. I think I am then walk to the bathroom and realize I must crawl back to bed.
Dennis and Nathan are doing a great job but other than boarders which I am doing I am afraid I will be playing catch-up on my guys. We shall see.
Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 3:04PM 
Well Nathan is brushing. I am brushing out 2 that need extra work. I have to do it in a recliner in small doses. Dennis feels somewhat better but still feels like he can't cough as his chest hurts too much. Me, I am getting serious headaches. But we are doing what we have to do. Nathan is sleeping now. We tend to rotate and unfortunately we will have to miss class tonight. Besides, you really do not want this in any way shape or form.
Dogs are getting playied with. Its as if they know we are sick and want to cuddle bigtime.
Good old Dennis still takes them out, plays with them despite being sick. I think Nathan is getting better. He did not get as sick as Dennis and I. Yes Lori maybe cause he had his flu shot and we didn't.
If I don't make sense excuse me. Its all I have in me to type.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 9:16AM I am sick round 2 of this flu thing so I am crawling into bed so I can have energy to groom. My updates may be sparse but we are still playing with the dogs, snuggling etc. Just photos will be sparse. My energy has to go to the dogs not the blogs - sorry.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 5:40PM 
I was getting dressed as Shoshi wanted to go out. She looked - she smelt and I gathered felt that brisk air and said NO WAY.
Levon and Trigger departed. Levon was missing hanging out with Scruffy though his pal Brewer didn't come today. Logan and Panda didn't either as the car wouldn't start. Zoe did come but only for a quick bath. She really wanted to play - next time.
Nathan and Dennis is still sick. What that means is I am doing a lot as I don't believe the dogs should have a sedate day. They just do better when they are active, inside or out. This is highly unusual weather. It's not safe for them outside for any length of time. The adults go in and out quickly. Some seem to have more endurance than others much like humans, I suppose. So its a no photo day.
Although Nathan and Dennis can lay around with the dogs they are not up to play though Dennis did try with the pups. So, I play. I groom. I clean and then do it again. :-) Everyone has been groomed except Pepper and Scruffy but they get a grooming just before they go home or it will look like I don't do a thing.
Tomorrow Coco and Doozie arrive. I am excited. But can this cold go away? There is no way Coco will think this cold is doable. :-) Smart gal!
Please - please your dogs CAN get frost-bitten - no lie. Please watch your dogs closely. If they are lifting their paws pick them up and bring them inside. No walks - just out and in. This is simply way too cold.
Stay warm and think it could be worse. Cooper's parents I heard have 50cm of snow along with the cold. So why am I complaining? :-)
Monday, January 6, 2014 at 6:41PM 
Here is Cali all messy. She gets a bath on Wednesday for her Total Recall Class. Anything before then would be fruitless. What can I say. I brush her out and 2 seconds later she looks crazy messy like I never take a comb to her. As you can see Brewer from Spice's first litter has that same look. It's why I brush him 5 minutes before he departs.
Look at Brewer - always a happy boy and then look at Cali's face. Usually she is happy but maybe she is reading this blog. hahahaha
Nathan is sick. Dennis is sick and I just pulled up my boot straps so to speak and did a lot so no photos - sorry. We are still having fun. We always manage that despite weather, illness etc.
Leti had her 3rd set of shots and has been sluggish all day. That's not her norm so we are watching her. Sometimes shots do this. Leti is 6lb 3 oz. Cali was 6 lbs when she had her 3rd shot. Interesting. Leti has started growing like a weed. She starts her classes next week.
I made some dehydrated hearts and some of them crystalized. Now that was interesting. The dogs loved them that way but they turned into this crystalized dust.
Trigger has been bugging Leti today to play. Cali pounces on him to say what about me. Levon finds a partner in crime with Brewer. Those two can get the crowd going like none other. It's a riot. They depart tomorrow - sniff and I hear Trigger is going to get his first haircut soon - photos when it happens please!
Holly and Missy find the pups fascinating. It was interesting to watch the interaction. Neither wanted outside for any length of time but neither did the rest. Its too cold and they say -35 tonight - ouch.
Coco and Doozie will be visiting on Wednesday - oh my such fun!
But can it warm up please and can the guys here get well? Nathan is now on the couch hugging ooops hogging the dogs - depending on the perspective. :-)
Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 8:31PM Look at how Sophie insists that her human mom continues to massage her.
Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 7:20PM Let me get the woe is me out of the way so we can get to the fun part. I had 6 dogs to wash and Maxine has the thickest coat I ever did feel - perhaps like Truffie if I didn't thin his out. But silky, silky. She was a 2 plus hour job as I had to dry so many layers. hahahaha So, I didn't take photos and Nathan didn't take photos. Dennis did and couldn't figure out the zoom. But I think he did pretty good despite not getting how to zoom.
Plus Nathan is sick - what I had and Dennis had for 10 days and he doesn't do sick well. Hes been chicken souping it, laying watching tv and drinking tea with honey. So, no stories as Dennis is not real revealing. But hes been playing with them non stop while I washed and washed. All these pix is before grooming and washing in some cases.
The day is not over so I have had time to play first but then I remembered to get this blog in. Thankfully no marathon bathing tomorrow. :-) Leti is off to the vets depending on weather, Nathan and all that.
Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 5:35PM 
Going to start out with a wonderful video of Pepper with Lori's mom (grandma)
We had a bit of outdoor play today but not much. These photos Nathan took. As we had a puppy visit then friends come over (they brought theirs so we had a lot of socializing and play) what we don't have is kodak moments.
Then tomorrow I have 6 baths to do so its long blogs vs. spend time with the dawgs and the dawgs will always win plus I like my dogs knot free. They may get messy but I like to groom them daily. Do you have to? No but I rather like the conditioning and they play so much that they do need a comb out. Nathan looks and says they look okay to me. I say you just said x looked okay - now that they are done were they? :-)
Missy and Holly come to visit us from time to time. They aren't from our breeding but they are so loved. Missy is such a highly spirited dog (reminds me of a Spice pup) and Holly is a lovee to the max. Their human mom and dad are getting married. We are excited for them! They come in as if they were born here. It's nice!
Goldie and Adele play up a storm always. It's delightful. Cha Cha who already departed was an absolute play monkey. Goldie departs soon tonight.
So forgive me if I don't have the usual photos. We are playing - having a grand time and tomorrow I am washing many. We also get to see Levon and Trigger - hooray!
Friday, January 3, 2014 at 5:14PM 
Bentley after bathI have had several dogs to wash today and they are awaiting pickups. We also had lots of indoor play with dogs and this is more time intensive then outdoor play and I take less photos as I am actively running, playing and getting them to chase their willies out so to speak. Other than going out to do their business it is simply way too cold for the dogs to be outdoors for any length of time.
So we make sure the dogs get their minds worked and their bodies active and they simply have fun!
I took this photo as this was a bed Anne and Russell gave us and Abigail thinks its exclusively for her. She claimed it by rubbing her body all over and saying MINE! It's a wonderful bed.
Doesn't Bentley look a lot like Abigail except he is a brown sable. His coat like Abigails will go light and dark throughout his life. You notice it more if a long coat is maintained.
The brown sable in Abigail's last litter will be darker than Bentley but he is truly a brindle vs. a sable. He will also go lighter and darker. But tipping once cut is gone forever.
Tomorrow we have a puppy visit, Cha Cha departs. We also have Hugo, Milo and their parents over for a visit. We have a very busy day so who knows when the blogs will be done and then a ton of baths Sunday and a much quieter home.
I do hope it warms up. My flu is gone. My toe is still taped and getting better but still can't go into a boot but I am hopeful soon. I can walk normal now - bonus.
Brewer departs in a few moments and after grooming him I went wow his coat is coming in nice. Amazing what combing out 5 days a week does. His coat is growing like a weed.
Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 6:48PM Lori sent this to us:
Nonno loves his little Peperina! :)
Nonna is grandpa in Italian in case you don't know. I just love how her parents love the dogs!
It's a tad too cold outside. Usually Cali and Leti are running their fool heads off but today even Risa was picking her paws up. We still have ice under the show and now the deep freeze. :-(
The adults were trying to run.
Ty gave it a good try.
Then he said to Adele let's head inside. We can drag this toy or that to those humans and they will exercise their arms and shh if we don't come back for the toys they will exercise their legs but its our secret - okay?
Still some forgot ot was that cold at least temporarily.
Tiger decided inside was best - brrrr....
Cha Cha was all over Goldie and well Goldie didn't mind. Cha Cha will miss her after she departs.
Brewer still manages to get the dogs to chase him even if inside. Maybe its due to the reality that we encourage it so they can enjoy vs. just chillin!
The kitchen and the hallways was mighty attractive especially as the day went on and the temps dropped.
Bentley departs tomorrow if the planes are flying. I suspect he will be playing as pups do right till he departs. It means a bath just before and pray he stays neat. yeah... right!
We have had a great time today and ooops its 7pm so one or two more outdoors and more play inside. Baths tomorrow and it will soon become quiet.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 5:51PM 
I promise I will go back to all sorts of photos tomorrow. :-) Today I had several baths to do, everyone to groom and I just wanted to snuggle with the dogs. It is very cold outside and its supposed to drop to even colder so pay attention to the dogs please. They tell you if they are cold.
The dogs had pieces of roast beef today as a treat from our roast. They played outside but many times for short bits. We playe a ton inside so much I am ever so tired so forgive me for the shortness.
Happy New Year everyone. May this be a wonderful start for great things!
Cali goes to a Total Recall class this month and Leti starts classes. Exciting fun!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 2:44PM 
Brr it is cold out there but the dogs still managed to play. Thanks goes to Cooper's parents for sending us a great photo to ring in the New Year!
We have a roast cooking. Still haven't decided what to watch tonight but want to say Happy New Year to all of you.
We are keeping this short as I want to enjoy family, pups and all that comes with that. I have many more photos but I will hopefully add the best tomorrow.
Both the Spice and Abigail blog is updated.
I am going to try exercise despite the toe tomorrow. Today I will feast. hehe
I feel blessed to have all of you in my life. If it wasn't for the pups I wouldn't have met such amazing people. I am glad that everyone now has heat and lets hope 2014 brings grand things.
My goal this year is to replace my iphone (borrowing one as mine was stolen), exercise my fool head off, fix my tablet, get a flash for the camera and grab as many hugs as I can. Come spring we will have pups outside, sanding and staining doors and hopefully celebrating the saving of many trees in our yard and not concentrate on the ones we lost.
Great family, great friends and puppy people, dogs that make me strive to be better - I toast you tonight as you are in your own right very special to us! May 2014 be a better year for all!
Monday, December 30, 2013 at 5:00PM It's a short update today as I have Scruffy and Pepper to bathe. They came neatly brushed and well they don't look like that now.
I can see Scruffy saying I feel a bath is coming.
The dogs played inside and outside today. It's down to very cold again after the melt so they were driving me crazy trying to gnaw on the broken branches. Each time we pick them up a few more drop off. :-(
This is Fiona's sister Coco. She doesn't let anyone get her meal and she thinks Zack, her brother shoots the moon.
Ty is such a great guy and he finds the puppies fascinating.
Even Shoshi gets into the play with the younger set. Good one, Shoshi.
Everyone is truly having a great time but its still icy out there even more so that its melted and froze over. <sigh> Can we get snow for traction again? Off to do baths!
Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 5:14PM 
Be sure to check out Spice and Abigail's blog but this one will just have to do with the cutie Bailey. You see silly me had a slew of photos and I pushed format on the wrong stick. argh. This is as bad as walking into a dog gate. I tell you 2013 can you disappear please?
I also had great plans to have a roast, bernaise, mached potatoes for New Years eve and a great double of gin and tonic. Got to get the Tanguery first. As this is my driving foot with the toe issue its not me that can go. Maybe just a good dinner?
The crew had a BLAST today. Oh my gad Pepper is jumping on everyone as if she has the game of tag you are it down pat. Riley and Chewie thought this was grand fun. I swear Scruffy said hey remember ME and to give credit where credit is due Pepper did.
Dinner Nathan gave a bit of ground lamb in everyone's dish and I never saw a lift of the head till it was gone and then they were saying MORE! But no photos - sorry...
This photo came in from Bailey's human and he is still enjoying milder weather than us. He is also getting a lot of conditioning. Have you noticed that bow tie?
This message is from Bailey:
Hi Nathan and Darlah,
This place my mom and dad took me to is pretty cool! There are a whole lot of steps here, so I am really mastering going up and down stairs. When we sleep we go up and down two sets. One with carpet and another with this plastic stuff that took some getting use to, but Mom says I am getting much better. Another set that goes to the outside is concrete (those are the ones I use to take care of business). I am constantly ringing the bell Mom and Dad have hanging there to go outside even when I don't have to take care of business. I just love the scents out there (hehehe). As you can see I am having a grand time in this very noisy, busy place. Do you like my tie? Mom says it's very "Manhattany", whatever that means. Miss you guys and can't wait to meet my new brother or sister!
Love,
Bailey
Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 6:42PM Nathan looked at himself and said I need to get a haircut so he did today.
Shady and Nora departed after baths. Isn't that a mischievous face on Nora. They both played up a storm but everyone did. Ringo was just here overnight and is departing tonight as they are doing the moving thing. See Shannon you aren't the only one who moves in winter. :-)
Today things have been melting - not enough yet but enough to get everyone soaked. I did manage to groom everyone but Truffie. He gets a grooming before bed. I just did one here and there till done.
The crew played outside a ton despite the wet. It's why my grooming is taking so long.
Here are a few photos from today.
You know why I love Cali so? She makes some of the most expressive faces of glee.
As part of the fun we started doing some training with each. Leti is so excited about treats she can't control herself - oh oh another one. We have been doing recall with all.
It's wonderful to see what the older ones know.
But unless you were plying them with treats they preferred the running game.
These are still not my photos and they didn't get them all. Still can't fit the foot into a boot but I am going to try tomorrow. Every single one is having the time of their lives tuckering themselves out.
Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 10:55AM 
This is the Dusty gal traveling in style with her gorgeous bow on. We just had your sister Zoe here during the Ice Storm of 2013.
This is Bentley at Christmas.
Bentley celebrated his birthday too. He is Scruffy's brother. It was great to see a photo of him too. Now where is the rest?
Friday, December 27, 2013 at 8:45PM 
Hi Nathan & Darlah,
For his 2nd birthday today, Scruffy did all of his favourite things:
Steal socks, play chase Scruffy with Pepper, extort lots of belly rubs from Nonna and Nonno, and frolic in the snow.
Scruffy also sends out a happy birthday wish to all his siblings and he hopes they all had lots of belly rubs too!
He wasn't having any of the photo ops though so this was the best I could do <sigh>
From Us:
Two years old - wow, wow, wow Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a delightful birthday. We wish you and your sibs a ton more!!!
Friday, December 27, 2013 at 7:17PM 
We may never see Bailey again. He's having way too much fun staying warm and cuddling with special relatives.
Griffin just had a tooth pulled as they didn't do it at neutering. It just decided - no - I am not going to come out. It doesn't happen too often but it can.
See the next entry for more:
Friday, December 27, 2013 at 6:50PM We had shovelling and grooming and game playing and Shady and Nora came as their humans decided to go skiing - Ringo also tonight. Brewer got his bath and will be spending New Years with his human. Logan and Panda finally are home enjoying their human Mom and Gallan has returned from his business trip so grand fun for them too.
I think my head and chest thing is finally about 50% gone - hooray. Neti-pot does work to a degree. The toe still hurts like the dickens and I can't go out to click photos but silver lining Dennis is clicking photos and thats not the norm. We were so busy I forgot to eat - another silver lining. hahahah I still can't fit the foot into anything but a real stretchy sock. We are making progress!
We also had some of the relatives over so they got to say so who is this dog and what is their name and who is their mom and who is their dad. hahahah We will be testing you...
Here are just a few photos taken today. Should have done a gallery but its already 7pm so not tonight. Tonight we may tv room it and snuggle.
Bemtley and Adele - siblings playing their hearts out and tired as dawgs - well they are dawgs but everyone sure is tired tonight.
Shaggy and Cosmo are playing and playing. Shaggy ois like a gazelle in motion.
Due to the snow I noticed they played sticking their face in snow and hide and seek and pounce games. It was great fun to watch even if I had to do it from the window. Dennis and Nathan get all the fun.
Chase games were frequent.
Snow slides were too.
Lots of strategic planning on how best to win.
Ty was in the thick of it too.
Chewy no matter what I do he makes a mess of his top knot. I think it has a lot to do with Riley pouncing on his head and oh yeah Adele. The 3 stooges at times.
Brewer was a casualty of the ice storm and went up north. Isn't that funny - up north to get warm. He was back playing today and getting a bath.
I noticed just like kids if someone was out manuevering them they would get together and figure out how to stop that. hehe
Cali is a Spice gal. She just is a free spirit and oh is Casey and Cali having fun. It's beyong words much like Adele and Bentley.
Brewer also found Casey. It's the strangest thing but its as if he knows another Spice pup.
The fun continued and continued even as I type and Nathan is out with them. Riley is often seen leading the back at times. Chewy mixes it up by cutting them off in the path. It's all so funny to watch their relationships unfold.
Our family marveled at how well they get along and how much fun it is to watch. It is!
Thursday, December 26, 2013 at 8:24AM 
From Sue: Can you believe he didn't mind this?? Most patient and gentle dog ever! How did I get so lucky? Sue
From Us: Ripley is a Katsura pup. He's gorgeous, Sue! The antlers actually look great on him. Thank you for sharing. Love seeing what he looks like and hearing about him!
This morning we have snow and I was celebrating. Our son reminds me the weight will bring down the trees. I was looking at the glass half full he was looking at it half empty. It is all in perspective.
Today I was able to unwrap my foot to take a shower, wrap it back up and hope I can figure out a way to wrap it so it is waterproof and warm so I can go out and snap photos. I know silly but the best shots are in snow coming down like this.
Zoe's home got hydro so she will be departing today. Bath required. :-0
Nathan has to look at his email. You want a quick response send it always to me. hehe
Rocky went home last night and we miss him. Rocky is not one of our pups but he visits every now and then. His first visit he was not doing well with other dogs. He would snap if they got too close (defense mechanism). This visit, he had his best visit yet running in wagging his tail. Playing with pups, older dogs, snuggling, eating in among dogs he knew and ones he didn't. You go, Rocky. I just love the dogs and seeing changes. All it takes is another dog attacking them and the correct conditioning is imperitive. If you can give your dog a present start learning what other dogs are saying to your dogs. It will help you to not run but to avoid an owner that is clueless saying their dog is okay when really he is sending out not so nice signals to your dog. We were presented with this scenario often in the dog parks we used to go to.
Today I may rely on Nathan's photos. We shall see if I can figure out a tape a garbage bag padded thing for my foot. We shall see. The hair is wet so it will have to wait. Got dogs to groom but may do them later than earlier. It makes absolutely NO SENSE to do it early and see what they look like mid day. hehe I am learning. Sometimes the brain has to engage.
More later....