Ginny Nightingale's Blog (125)

Hi all--those of you who have been friends since the beginning o Doodle Kisses may remember that I have been raising pups for a reputable breeder since 2011--I started just 6 months after retiring from teaching high school Biology for 34 years with my labradoodle Lyric's litters and then expanding to other females, including Lyric's daughter's three litters--It has been a lot of fun and I have loved the pups and enjoyed keeping in touch with all the new owners....after raising 16 litters,…

I really wanted to take some cute outdoor shots today for the fifth week photos, but it rained on and off--so I got them outside briefly for head shots and some play--of course, the grass was wet and they were a mess quickly, but still cute!

I am using a new litter box system with these pups--I use a kitty litter called Yesterday's news and I sprinkle it on puppy pads (a large area of them) for the first few weeks after their eyes open--when they are using the pads consistently, I…

Getting cuter by the day! Momma dog is still so great with them and now gets into the playing--so gentle with them and they love it!

These are their four week portraits, starting with the 6 girls...but the breeder requested one more hat photo, so I will start with that one--too cute!…

It's that time again! For those of you who followed my puppy blogs in the past, I always put hats on my pups when they reach the three week old mark--these hats are from elaborate clothing you can get for a toy called a Muffy bear. So, yesterday was the day! And here are the results! (One puppy is missing--his photos were blurry and need a do over!) 

(More to come in the comments section--somehow, I am always limited to a certain number of pictures...)…

Yes, I did say 11! Momma had an easy time and all went well--signs of labor started on May 1st, but she was due on May 6th and we managed to keep them all in there until the 5th--all were large, vigorous and active pups! 6 girls, 5 boys...8 blacks, two chocolates and one apricot!

Momma Gliss was very tired by the end of the four hours of whelping, but after a nap she was up and trotting around the yard--she is an athletic active girl who has been a terrific momma! She has finally…

OK--so you all know that I am crazy--doodle crazy that is---and now I am proving it. I agreed to take a litter from the breeder that I work for for their last two weeks--and their momma too of course--and it is a litter of TEN!!! We had two litters of ten in November--very weird! So, the poor woman needed some help!

These are all black beauties from an F1 mom and a mini-poodle dad...what a chaotic Christmas we shall have! The families all come to meet them this weekend and then on…

After a long break, I have a new litter here--the momma is a comfortable guest in my house as she has had litters here before--she will now be retired--but luckily, she had 6 more cuties for us first!

They are all doing really well--there are three girls and three boys! These were taken today at 24 days old--they are playing, wagging tails, licking faces and even using the puppy pads! So, life is good!

For those of you who do not know, I raise pups for a breeder--they are all…

OK--I know I have too much time on my hands---but its fun for the new owners to get these "holiday themed" photos--and fun for me too! Here are some of the best from yesterday!…

Its a tradition now--when the pups I am raising are three weeks old, they fit into some hats I have from a teddy bear collection! So, my friend Doris Gearing (a fellow DK-er) comes over and we take some glamour shots! First a shot without and then with a HAT!

Some pics will be added to the comments--for some reason I am always limited to a certain number of pics--can anybody help me out with that?

Anyway, Enjoy!

Raven-without a hat will be in the comments...…

Yes, I am at it again--another momma dog--one that was born at my house two years ago---is here having her first litter--they are now just over 2 weeks old and she is one terrific momma! Thought you puppy fans would enjoy some new pictures I just took--and I will continue to post new ones each week to give you a lift! 

Today, their eyes were pretty wide open and as I held them and spoke to them one by one for the first time, their little tongues would come part way out, then all the…

Yup--she is retiring!!! Yeah!!! A job well done, Lyric! So many happy families! She has 26 pups and 2 families adopted 2 each from two different litters, so 24 happy families! (Including mine--we have Rio from her first litter born 1/1/11!)

Here are all the names-Rio, Rafi, Elvis, Zeus, Nigel, Daisy, Rosie, Uchu, Euclid, Jasper, Scotty, Frodo, Cooper, Cisco, Lucy, Rudy, Rigby, Nora, Zoe, Finley, Enso, Murphy, Memphis, Viola, Pesca and Sophie--PHEW!!! I did that from memory and now my…

Where did those 7 weeks go!? Yikes! It went so fast!

The holidays were hectic with kids going in and out and all the holiday events, but it was good socializing for the pups--and then the families came and met them and everyone got a pup they loved--soon they will be on their way to their new homes and they are ready! So sweet and friendly--even when a gang of 6 college aged kids came over to visit, the pups had a ball--no issues!

I took some cute photos outside of all but one…

This will put you in the holiday mood! we had a warm day here and the pups finally got the chance to go outside in the new puppy pen I put in this fall--there is an indoor room for them too! I wanted them to experience the snow before the rain that was forecast for today and tomorrow washed it all away. They had a blast! The smallest one got colder faster so he was tucked inside my jacket while I was filming--hence the shaky camera--had to hold him with one hand and film with the…

It will be tough to say goodbye to these darlings---but one will be just a few miles from me at my good friend's house--YEAH!! The pups have made a successful move to the downstairs pen and are enjoying the freedom of a bigger space--they can see my dogs now and hear all the noises of the kitchen, etc--so far, they are just fine with it....in a few days, we will gate them into the kitchen and let them run!

Here are their 4 week portraits--it was a snowy day here today but so cozy with…

If you have not read the other blog, these are Lyric's three week old pups, which happens to be the best age to pose the pups in a collection of hats that i have from a Teddy Bear collection....so, here are the boys with and without their hats--they were all VERY sleepy having just had a long lunch with momma!

A big boy I call Burly!…

Yes, it is that time again--when I raise Lyric's pups and they reach the tender age of three weeks old, the hats that I have fit them perfectly. These hats are part of the costumes from a collection of bears that I own (Muffy Vanderbear) and boy, do they look cute on the pups! These pups were all pretty sleepy since they just had a long visit with mom--but that makes it even sweeter in my opinion!

These are the girls--and then the blog program makes me stop adding pics--must be a…

And growing like weeds--they take their mealtimes very seriously! All are doing well and the 2 little ones are still so petite! Bet they will be their dad's size--he is just 30 pounds. They look so small next to their brothers and sisters...(see picture on plaid sheet--1 tiny pup is under the arm of big white pup)  but they don't let their size stop them from getting a meal!…

Lyric's SIX pups came a bit earlier than expected and boy, she had them fast! In the past, she has had at least 12 hours of labor, so when she started showing signs of pre-labor late Monday night, I settled in with her for a good night's sleep before the big day--and was excited that it would be 11-12-13! Well, the first pup arrived at 2 am--and I had to slap myself awake and get to work!

All went very well--Lyric had a big smile and a twinkle in her eye for the entire four hours it…

On Thursday, I am bringing the pups I am raising to the breeder's house for their last three weeks, so this will be my last opportunity to share some pictures with you---but don't despair, as Lyric is due in just a few weeks! More pictures! I got some great fall shots and also had an opportunity to photograph my niece's kids with the puppies--what can be cuter than kids and puppies?? The kids loved to see the puppies and it was a great socializing experience for the little pups.

First…

Had some fun since Halloween is just around the corner! Puppies are now growing fast and will play and walk around for several minutes at a time--so fun to see them growing up!

And in case I have not mentioned it, my dog Lyric is having her last litter in just 27 days! She is getting pretty round already!…