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......

The Last Day

Written Sunday, June 6.  


I am really sad.  I know that it is time for the Special K’s to move on, but never the less, I am sad.  The following is a sampling of the crazy mixed feelings that have filtered through my head for the last 24 hours.....

They are smelly, my house smells like a barn and I want to be able to go to our cottage, it is time for them to go.

But, they are sweet, I love the cuddles, watching them play provides hours of smiles.

But, they smell....BAD!!!

But, it is summer and when they are outside the smell really isn’t that bad.

They are LOUD, the neighbors have been tolerant but whiny pups outside at 6:30 am is really pushing it. 

And, Miss Purple and Mr. Orange, oh boy, need I say more?  
But, Purple and Orange are so, so funny!!!  

But, they are still babies, shouldn’t they stay together, they are pack animals. They need each other and they need us.

But, they will get plenty of love from their foster raisers and they will get so much attention in their little capes!  

But, I will miss them terribly.

But, my house will smell fresh .

But, poor Anna, she is going to be hardest hit by the puppies leaving, she just adores them.

But, Andy is up to his eyeballs in puppies and I think if I told him they were staying he might be the one leaving, at least to a hotel.

But poor Rosie, won’t she be sad and miss her babies?

But, I’ve been told that she won’t even remember in a few days and she gets to go to the cottage and have doggie play dates again......

There is just no two ways about it, the last 8 weeks have had their ups and downs, joys and sorrows.  These puppies are absolutely great little dogs.  Each has a unique personality and each has been my favorite over the past 8 weeks.  I would keep any one of them if I had that option.  They are headed into families where they will be loved, cared for, taught manners, taught obedience, and readied for “college”, where they will learn the hard stuff.  The stuff that will enable them to literally, without a doubt, CHANGE A LIFE.  That’s what makes me tear up .  These puppies, these tiny dogs, my little golden nuggets that I have held in one hand, that I have loved so much for these weeks are leaving here to embark on a mission that will culminate in CHANGING A LIFE.  That to me is awesome, in the true sense of the word.  That is the reason that I cry, bittersweet tears and tomorrow will bid my babies farewell and godspeed.  Be good dogs and tell your raisers to please write.   We love you and are so proud of you already.  

Some Final Visitors

It is hard to believe that it took 8 weeks for the Murphy and Ella to walk up the street to see the pups.  Jenna just wanted to play with my girls so I never got a picture of her and the babies!  Glad you guys made it!  

Milnes Cousins were not to keen on snuggling wet and smelly pups so we just got a good cousins pic instead while the pups played in the swimming pool.  Taylor and Hannah will be on the lookout for Kaden as they live in the Lansing area, too.  

The last week.....

Our last weekend is upon us.  The pups are eating dry kibble, drinking water from a bowl and barely nursing at all.  They are getting better at using the litter box and they definitely prefer going outside.  They are little escape artists and 2 have scaled the walls of the x-pen to roam the basement at night, not good.  They slept in crates last night and did great, slept until 6:30 this morning!  We are getting very close to the end of this journey.

Simultaneously, I yearn for a clean, fresh, quiet (yeah, right, who am I kidding?)  house and the ability to leave for extended periods, but know I will miss them terribly.

At this very moment they are all asleep just a few feet from me and I hear at least two snoring away.  They are so content.  I wonder about the adjustment that they will be making.  I know that they say that a dog's memory is very short term, but I can't help wondering, will they miss their siblings?  their mother? my children?  me?

I do know that some of the pups will be in for a drastic change in environment.  My house is chaotic on the best of days, with the addition of these pups, it has been totally insane.   I wonder about pups going to a quiet or "empty nest" type house, will they know what to do with themselves in the quiet?

Letting go is definitely going to be the hardest part, not because I wish I could keep them, (although there are a couple that I would like to keep)  more because I will no longer be in control and I will not know how they are doing every minute of every day.  I will not be able to snuggle them and smell their puppy breath whenever I want to.  I am relieved knowing these pups are going to loving homes, going to be showered with attention every where they go,  and will change lives some day.  I am proud that we have played a part, but I am a bit nervous for them, I am sad to let them go, and  I hope I will hear updates or run into a pup now and then (HINT, HINT).

Thursday the pups visited two Kindergarten classes at Wealthy Elementary.  Friday they visited with three 2nd grade classes to celebrate Caroline's 8th birthday, and some 4th graders that simply could not stand to be in class with these cuties on the school grounds.  The pups were so good!  I was nervous that the puppy teeth and nails would ultimately bring tears to some little child, but they were on wonderful behavior, the pups and the kids.  The pups were held, loved and snuggled by many, many kids, parents and teachers.  They were pooped by the end, oh and speaking of poop,  only one accident while we were there, and boy did that poop evoke a lot of laughter and shrieks of "GROSS".  Most moms just bring Krispy Kremes for birthday treat, I bring puppies,  I know, I know, it's just the way I roll ;-)

Just thinking about the weather.

This weather here in Michigan has been phenomenal.  I must say, for the puppies as well as the people.  They are well acclimated to the heat, wind and water from their time outside.  As well as thunder, lightning and the air conditioning during their time in front of the big picture window.  They made it through the storms with barley a peep while Uncle Jackson tried to find room on the bed to bury his big noggin.

We were without power for most of the day on Monday so nothing much happened.  We had a nice visit with Kathy, another Paws breeder.  What a rock star she is, she has whelped 152 pups for Paws, the last time she had 3 litters within 3 weeks.  WOW!  See why I asked her for advice?     She made me feel better about what was going on and offered me some tips that I have neatly stored away for the next go around.  She escaped without a photo because my camera battery was dead with no way to charge it.  Next time, Kathy.

Tuesday after school we had the Tholls and the Smiths visit.  It was so fun to watch the puppies play and tug and run with the kiddos and the Moms had just as much fun.  Thanks for coming!

Tripp

Sam

Molly

Keaton

Halsey

Melissa