More Puppies

Hello Rosie Fans.  

Yes, it is true, Rosie has delivered another darling litter of posies.   On June 14, we welcomed the PAWS 2011 "K" litter, can you believe it, another bunch of "K's".  Again, we have 8 but, this time there are 6 boys and 2 girls.  All were 1lb or more!

Rosie was a rock star again and delivered 7 pups in 3 hours.  Of course the last baby has to have a nickname, right?  This time pup #8 is affectionally being referred to as the "9 hour boy" as he arrived a full 9 hours after #7.  We were thankful that he made his appearance naturally and Rosie did not have to endure a c-section (and by the way, he was the largest of the pups!!).  She and the pups are doing great and I cannot believe how much they have grown in just one week.

This time, things are a bit different.  Rosie and her pups were whelped and are being lovingly cared for by Aimee B. and her fantastic and supportive husband, Doug.  It was a decision that was right for our family and one that Aimee and PAWS, thankfully, made available.

So, Rosie is back in the home where she was born surrounded by her Momma, Hula, and her human Grandma Aimee.  A place where she is comfortable and well loved and her babies are in the best of hands.

There is a live puppy cam that can be viewed at http://pawspuppies.dyndns-home.com:1050/Jview.htm  the password is User and the 2nd box is blank.  The cam is up until about 8pm each night.

Here are a few photos from our visit last week Friday.  Caroline takes time to get to know each pup.  I look forward to doing some puppy blogging and will do my best to keep the story of Rosie's Posies going!  Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Paws with a Cause!

Look, it's a size 3! 

The "Nine Hour Boy"

Little Girl Green!   

Two More Updates

I have received messages from Kismet's and Kaiba's raisers and some photos too.  Here is what they have been up to.....

Kismet  "The Bonus Pup"


"A grand hello from Kismet!  She too is about 65 lbs and a bundle of energy.  She has brought much life to our world and joy beyond compare.  She is very confident and sure that she owns the world - you know that being the bonus produces a special way of looking at the world.  She love a good play time and has a rabbit that is a great best friend.  She will put it on the window sill - as if it needs to look outside with her.  Her second favorite toy is the cat.  Pooka has finally found out that it is safe to play chase and then sit back and watch Kismet get into trouble."

Kaiba   Miss Pink

"Here is Kaiba on her first birthday! She weighs about 62 lbs and seems little for a golden! Of course our last boy was 105 lbs, so she is very dainty!!  She is very playful ,but gentle, and loves to take every toy out of her "toy basket". We find them all over the house.. now we just need to teach her to put them back! HA!  She eats just about everything in sight, but has not torn up one toy!" 





Keep up the great work, girls, we are proud of you!

One Year Later

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL K's

It is so very hard for me to believe it was a year ago today that we were busy whelping puppies and Rosie became a mom for the first time.  I don't know much about what is going on in the lives of these not so little puppies, but I will share what I know.  

All the puppies left us and moved on to foster family homes last June.  They have been busy learning basic obedience and good manners.  They are all doing well according to the reports I get.

Kingsley's Raiser, Angela, reports, "Kingsley's toy drive has really kicked into gear in the last few weeks.  We play fetch until he is exhausted, and Kingsley still brings the toy to me and drops it at my feet.    He is currently weighing in at 68.6 lbs and 26" at the shoulders.   So he is a very tall puppy.  Especially next to me (I am just 5' tall).   He gets a ton of comments wherever we go -- "such a beautiful dog", "so well behaved"."  

Kingsley 4/13/11

Keeley has transitioned from the PAWS program and found another important career as a scent detection dog and is currently doing very well in her scent training.  She will eventually aid in law enforcement, from what I know.  

Keeley on Halloween

K's at Meijer Gardens

Kingsley and Kaden playing in the snow.

Rosie has been bred again and we are keeping our fingers crossed that she is pregnant.  

I have to put out a plug for PAWS with a Cause.  I know that there is a need for foster homes both for Puppies and for Breeding Stock Dogs.  If you are looking for an amazing service opportunity that can combine a love of dogs with helping people with disabilities increase their independence, please consider looking into the volunteer opportunities that exist with PAWS.  Here are two upcoming events, if you are not local here in GR, you can still volunteer, please contact the wonderful PAWS staff below.  

Join us for a Foster Puppy orientation at PAWS Headquarters in Wayland, MI - Monday, April 18th at 6:00 p.m. Come learn what's involved with raising a future Assistance Dog! For more information, please contact Julie at jthorington@pawswithacause.org

Come to our Potential Breeding Stock Host Home Orientation, Thursday, April 21 at 6:00 p.m. at PAWS National Headquarters. For more information, please contact Aimee at abrumleve@pawswithacause.org

Puppy Update

Hello everyone, I know it has been a long while since I've updated this blog but, things are pretty quiet around here since our puppies moved on to their foster homes.  I have received some photos of the babies as they are now 16 weeks old.  I thought I would share.  I have heard good things about all the pups. It sounds like they are progressing well in their training and social skills.

Kaden (Mr. Orange)

Kismet (AKA Miss Polka Dots or Bonus Pup) With her favorite toy, Haven. 

Kaiba (Miss Pink)

Kosmic (Miss Purple)

I owe this pup a huge apology.  I know all of the raisers were crossing their fingers NOT to get Miss Purple because of all of the horror stories I posted on the blog.  Our family had the pleasure of having Kosmic visit us for a week over the 4th of July and boy is she a great puppy.  So smart, so cute and unbelievably great eye contact.  I was really impressed by her and her raiser.  So, I am Sorry "Purply Werply"  I know all of your antics were just because you are a smart little pup and I know you and all of your siblings are going to do great.  

Rosie is doing great, she has fully recovered from her mastitis and resulting surgery.  She is a happy girl, enjoying the lake and chasing the tennis ball.  She still drives Jackson crazy at times and still reminds her two footed sisters that they need to pick up their toys or she will eat them for lunch.  Life is good.  Happy Summer Everyone!  

Introducing the Special K's

The moment many of you have been waiting for, the names........

Miss Pink - Kaiba  

living in West Michigan. 

First born with Aimee

Mr. Blue -  Kingsley

Living in SE Michigan

2nd born, with me.  What an experience! 

With friend Ella

Miss Purple - Kosmic

Living in West Michigan

 

with Caroline

Mr. Red - Keaton

Living in West Michigan

With Natalie, PAWS volunteer

Miss Yellow

4.13.10 - 4.28.10

Miss Green - Keeley

Living in SE Michigan

with Caroline S.  

Mr. Orange - Kaden

Living in Lansing Area

Many thanks to Kaden's raisers for the quick photos!  Isn't he a doll in his little cape??

Miss Polka Dot,  aka "the Bonus Puppy" - Kismet 

Living in West Michigan Area

This pups ribbon changed colors a few times over the 8 weeks, just in case you are confused.  The Yellow with prange Polka Dots is "Bonus".  

Monday, turn in day....

Well, it is now 8 PM on Monday and I have to say that although today was emotional, it really was not so bad.

I woke up to the sound of puppies at 6:45 (good sleepers, these pups, hope their raisers will say the same!)  I fed and watered 7 pups, 2 dogs and 3 kids.  Once all the human members of our family were dressed, we took some time to give our last hugs and kisses to our favorite babies.

Greta and Miss Pink

Anna and the Bonus Puppy Miss Polka-dot

Caroline and Mr. Red

Tried for one last group shot but boy these pups were squirmy!!

PAWS or BUST! 

The girls went off to school and Rosie and I went off to Paws to drop off the puppies.  We left them in the kennel with Aimee and Dr. Jeanne who had a day planned for them.  Evaluations, shots, etc.  I took my time and cried, of course!  Almost the minute they were confined in the kennel, each pooped and peed.  Aimee grabbed the mop and I smiled, having already cleaned up my last puppy mess for a while.  

At least two of the pups are spending tonight with their new foster families and all should be home by Wednesday.  I now know what pup is what name, but I will keep the secret until all the raisers have met their charge, then I will share.  

On my was out,  I ran into Keeley's raisers who had just arrived at Paws from the Detroit area.  They were dropping off their foster puppy, Chai for "college" and picking up Keeley.  It was comforting to have a chance to chat with them for a few moments.  It is a bittersweet day for them as well.

Rosie and I took a walk and ran into some friends and by the time we got in our car to leave the Paws campus, in Wayland,  I think we were both ready to go.  We went to school to pick up the twins and the students showered Rosie with love and attention.  It has been so long since she has been around the school yard, it warmed my heart to hear all of the shouts of "Rosie, I have missed you".

Back at home, it  has been busy afternoon catching up on all the neglected tasks around here.  Every now and then I pause thinking I hear a puppy crying.  I am sure it will take a while to get that sound out of my head.  

As I checked my email this afternoon, I received a message from Jill, a woman that I do not know.  She is waiting for a successor assistance dog after loosing her pervious dog.  She shared her story and reminded me of the way her 2 former assistance dogs have changed her life.  This made me smile, cry and smile again.  I cannot thank her enough.  Jill, your timing is impeccable.  

The "Special K" litter's time with our family is over, but their path to greatness has only just begun......