Skunk'ed Again!

You might recall a week before Macy's puppies were born she got sprayed by a skunk. Not cool! I suppose you could say things have come "full circle" as our sweet loving Macy found yet another skunk- just a week after the puppies went to their new homes. As Cash's friend Lily would say "What the heck in the world!"

Cash and I were meandering towards the barn yesterday afternoon to put the dogs in the kennels and leave to run errands. As we headed down the lane, I was talking away to Cash when he interrupted me and said in a very enthusiastic way "Look mama, a skunk." Well by that time, Macy and Ryder were half way down the lane and the little skunks tail was straight in the air. I called them off and they did stop, but not in time! We ended up walking back to the house to give the skunk time to make a get-a-way. Once the coast was clear we headed back to the barn.

Today, those naughty girls got a bath. Luckily Ranger was still behind us and Flute was across the yard. I always thought that skunks hibernate. Turns out they DON'T!

When will these dogs learn?

The Lone "Ranger"

The story doesn't stop yet...we still have "Ranger". One of the first families on the list went back and forth between a girl or a boy, then the last week decided on a girl- so that left one unsold puppy. I call him Ranger! He is so sweet and laying at my feet as we speak. He is very smart and learning that kid shoes are NOT chew toys! ;-) I have been working on house-breaking and crate training too. He loves to play with the big dogs and tease Uncle Bubba, the cattle dog. He has also learned that the horse pasture is off limits. He is a very good boy! ;-)

Our Last Walk

Yesterday was the last walk Macy and I will take with the puppies. Hard to believe that the 8 weeks has arrived. I know of some VERY excited families who probably think today is Christmas. ;-) The puppies have grown up- from 1 pound at birth to the 17 pounds they are now. Pip has caught up with the rest of the gang and is very handsome. Gary, who's new name is Guinness is still a food-a-holic! And the sassy black female is still plenty sassy!

Macy is ready for life to get "back to normal". Yesterday she played hard with the puppies as if she knew this would be the last time- at least until our Puppy Reunion Party. I too am ready for more sleep, although it will be bittersweet to say good-bye. I still have two puppies without homes, so they will stay with me until we find them the perfect spot!

Last kiss for Uncle Bubba

When I get puppy updates, I will be sure to add them to the blog so you

can see our puppies grow up!

The Great Outdoors

I'm not sure that blogging at 1:30 in the morning is such a good idea! However, it seems like it has been too long since my last post, and these puppies are getting cuter. They are so adventurous. When they first come out of the pen they race to the barn door. From there, they scatter- some go to the last snow pile where Cash is usually playing, some duck under the plastic swimming pool for a game of hide-and-go-seek, a few run to the leaf pile, and the two girls head for trouble! The black girl goes straight to the horse pasture-gotta love horse poop. The chocolate girl heads up the road to explore. Both of my trouble makers don't seem to stay away from the group for too long. And when I call, they all come racing back to me- some carrying sticks or leaves. And there is always one who has the tail of another puppy in it's mouth- like elephants in a row. I tell those puppies time and time again that tails and ears are NOT chew toys! It is too crazy to think that just a little over a week and these pups will be off to see the world. I still have a few that are not spoken for so they will just stay with me until the right family comes along!

I am excited for this group to head out. They are smart, cute, and have temperaments that show why I love Labs! Like Macy and Sam, the pups are very very sweet!

A sledding adventure

Snow day! The puppies had a fun day playing in the snow (at least for a little while). They started out following me around, but as soon as they heard my son Cash, it was like I didn't even exists! They love kids!!! He was busy sledding down a hill we made out of "plowed" snow. The puppies spotted him from across the yard and the race was on. Not just who could get their first, but these brave puppies wanted to be with him- even if it meant climbing to the top of the sledding hill. They played for a while, and then saw mom and raced to her. With both Macy and Cash's help, I wrangled them back to the barn where they warmed up. Fun day of sledding!

I need to get some WD-40 for my barn door- it is too squeeky and I can't sneak in on the puppies! As soon as they hear the door handle turning, they are out of the igloo and on the run! It's actually very fun to be greeted like that- all happy, wagging tails, and eyes that say "Get in here and play with us." Of course, as true labradors that they are- they always hope that I have food with me too! ;-)

All the puppies have adjusted to life in the big pen very well. Being winter, I wasn't sure how fast they would adjust to the cold, but it didn't take long at all. Half the time they aren't even resting under the heat lamps. All the puppies are getting so big, Pip included. In fact, Pip is gaining on all his littermates, and fast! Plus he is about the toughest one in the group (aside from Sassy), but he sure loves to cuddle! He thinks he is a bird and would stay perched on my shoulder if he could. I am in love with all the black males! Their faces can melt you!

Macy is spending less time with them, but still loves to play. With teeth, they are like little pirahna's! She will let them nurse for a little bit, but then it usually turns into a game of "who can catch mom first."

The puppies had their first "snow day" today. It was a quick one as it was only 14 degrees. Long enough to run around, eat some snow, climb a small snow hill, and then back to the warm box. Those photo's will be up next time.