SNOW PUPPIES PLAY

DEAR DIARY, 

This is a movie of my puppies playing in the snow the day after Christmas. 

It is the first time we have seen the sun in weeks and they played and played.

Suzie

My Family's Christmas pictures

Dear Diary, 

   I don't know where December has gone. The puppies keep me so much busier because they all need lessons in manners. Every day we play together and I teach them to respect others, not an easy job let me tell you. 

  I did supervise the taking of Christmas pictures yesterday. Every puppy climbed into a stocking to be photographed. I am so proud of them.  This is my lovely chocolate boy, Varley. He is a fine looking puppy who is always the first one to say hello to the Christmas company we have been having here. 

Suzette

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

DEAR DIARY,

  My baby boy Lawren has the most beautiful, steady eyes. He and his sister Georgia always take the time to look right at you. He is also very photogenic don't you agree? Little MacDonald is a sweetheart, always wondering about the next meal and when the children are coming to play. We took this picture by the mantle. Jackson was our big boy but now he is quite a petite fellow. He loves to run and run. He lives to play in the snow and run after his mother. Jackson  cuddled right down in the Christmas stocking and didn't want to get out of it. Funny little boys.

Suzette 

My Boys take time out to be photographed

DEAR DIARY, 

     Little Frankie goes for his training this week. I will miss him. He certainly is a lovely puppy and did so well when they were all evaluated.  Although, to be honest I think they are all perfect. I can' t imagine what they would say if I presumed to evaluate their children. 

We took Frankie's picture by the mantle. 

     Tiny, dark brown Tom Tom got a wonderful evaluation. One does like that sort of thing when one is so clearly a winner. Tom Tom got as close to a perfect score as a puppy can get. This means that he will stay home with me for a while as he will perhaps be offered as a potential labradoodle father. This is a good thing because I'll be able to knock some good manners into him. 

   Arty wanted to have his picture taken in front of the window because it was such a snowy day. Arty loves to play in the snow. He is such a good natured little guy. I hope he finds a home one day with children.

Suzette

   

   

HOLIDAY PHOTOS

DEAR DIARY, 

   My daughters are lovely. Georgia should be going to her new family shortly after Christmas. She has the most wonderful eyes and always looks right at me. I love little Emily, I hardly have to say a thing to her she is so well behaved. Frida is still a pretty little thing. She told me she wants a pink collar for Christmas. In Frida's photo she is looking at Liz, I could not get her to face the camera. She loves her people.  Emily looked straight at us like a good girl unfortunately her hair was in her eyes. aw well.

Suzette

My puppies like to play outside

Dear Diary

   For the past week my puppies have gone outside to play every day. The mums try to get them outside after lunch and breakfast. They admit to not being very good at taking them outside in the dark and cold after dinner.  I like to go out in the evening, find the air bracing. I have to make sure the deer keep a respectful distance from the fence and that no little animals creep up near the porch so it is important I be allowed to go out.

   The puppies love playing in the front garden. It is so much bigger than the puppy pen. They chase and run and tumble around. 

    I have put up a very short movie of Jean and the puppies outside.

Suzette

My puppies are seven weeks old!

Dear Diary, 

       My puppies are seven weeks old and I can play with them without them

viewing me only as a good meal.

        They have started weekly classes with children who come to do drama and then

come into the house to play. They like it very much. I have put up a photo of the 

first class. 

       Things are going so well with them, they are so healthy.  I am going for my first hair do

since there birth. I  go on Monday and shall have myself photographed with my new look.

Suzette

puppy movies

Dear Diary

The mums took puppy movies. I think these are a little better. It seems easier for me if I put one video on a posting. 

Suzie

A puppy movie at 4 weeks

Dear Diary,

  The other day the mums took movies of the puppies in the living room. They are just playing and having a good time. I am having a good time too as the puppies need me less and the mums, especially Liz need me more. We have been working outside.

Suzie

Georgia's family visit

Dear Diary

   I can't believe it has been a whole week since  my puppy, Georgia's 

family came to visit us. We had a lovely time playing in the living room. I have 

a picture of Georgia's mum, Heidi and young Caydance.    Lucky little Georgie. 

   Suzette

 

Sunday afternoon portraits at 24 days.

Dear Diary

    It is sometime after three weeks that puppies begin to be sweet little dogs who play, who pay attention to who is in the room and who start to really observe their world. It is a wonderful stage. The mums spent part  of Sunday afternoon taking pictures of the puppies. I wasn't sure about tying ribbons around their necks but I do admit satin ribbons dress them up nicely for the photos.  The first puppy is little MacDonald, the next my smallest boy,  Tom Tom and the one looking to the side is little Lawren.

Suzette

Portraits of my Boys at 24 days

Dear Diary,

  I am enjoying having seven boys. They are all so cuddly. They are sitting up

and playing with each other right now although I must say they are starting to

have baby teeth and sometimes they hurt me in their eagerness for lunch. Here we have Frankie who is developing a rich red coat, then lovely Jackson and then  blond Arty. Below them we have Varley who is going to be a deep cafe au lait.

All growing like weeds. 

Suzette

Portraits of my girls at 24 days

Dear Diary, 

   My three girls photograph so well. I can't decide which one is lovliest. I certainly do make fine babies if I do say so myself. The first one is Georgia O, the next is  Frida with the white markings on her forehead and the little one to the left is our smallest girl, Emily Carr. 

Suzette

Leslie comes for our supper

Dear Diary, 

    This weekend the puppies moved downstairs to the den. It is a good place for them as they can see what is going on in the kitchen but I am not too anxious about other dogs bothering them, particularly bouncy Maizie. It is a big step to move out of the nursery upstairs. 

    It is lovely to have so many charming people come to visit me and of course, the puppies. 

The puppies are more than three weeks old and have started to love their doggie kibble gruel the mums cook up. They are now having it three times a day which gives me a bit of a break, of course they prefer me.   Our dear friend Leslie who is a regular puppy visitor gave them their Saturday night supper. 

   Suzie

MacDuff's family come to visit

Dear MacDuff, 

     Our ten! puppies are three weeks old tomorrow and are all very adorable. I do appreciate your contribution to this family, although I do wish you did a little more of the work as I am very tired.  They are all growing and would make you very proud if you saw them. On our website you are of course given full credit for our lovely family, but as my blog is very personal I have not before included you in any of the entries. You really have not been in touch. 

    I must tell you that I have never had chocolate babies before and we have had two. I am sure it is because ofl your excellent genes. The babies also have fine coats. I do thank you for this. I hope this finds you well and happy. Please give my kind regards to your family. 

Faithfully yours,

Suzette 

Dear Suzette, 

    Thank you for your letter. I hope you are not thinking of asking for support payments for that brood of yours. You must remember I have 11 other puppies calling me dad too. 

     I am doing very well. I have many many responsibilities in my guardian home. The main one is called playing with my collection of balls and the other is hanging out with my big buddy, Quigley. We go for  rides in the car and truck and we look quite the pair all dressed up in our seatbelts. 

    I had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago that caused my glands to swell up something fierce. However, a week of ear drops and the infection has dissappeared. My people would like to see the puppies.  We had my first 3 over the other day for evaluation and they are quite nice. So if you feel that it is safe to have a look at the pups let my people know. 

   Also I am available for work any time, any place just call....

Sincerely MacDuff, 

ps  I now weigh 11.7 pounds and I am in the pink of condition.

   A letter from Bob:

Hi, 

   MacDuff says you want we should go look at his puppies. He says he is not particularly interested in the results of his labours but is more engaged with the actual job. Therefore we will leave him at home and come see the puppies at 5 this afternoon. See you  then, 

Bob and Bev

Movies by the Moms

Dear Diary, 

       It is apparent that the moms are not terrific movie makers. They mumbled constantly about the light quality and how wriggley my puppies were as soon as the camera came out. 

       I have included a few of these movies, not the best really but I suppose they will improve with practise. 

      I cannot believe that  my puppies are three weeks old today. This afternoon they have had their tiny little nails cut, worm medicine plopped on their tongues and all kinds of washing and poking. I supervised as best I could. They are starting to play with each other, very sweet. 

Suzie. 

A polite thankyou note

Dear  Suzette, Annabel, Sophia Rose Petals, Dundee, Lilyanna, Liza Jane and Maizie,

    We really enjoyed your party last night. Daisy found her bumblebee hat in the driveway and was so happy!  The peanut butter dog biscuits were delicious and nutritious. We love dressing up. Please invite us again. Daisy promises to be less cranky but does expect to be the center of attention. 

Love and Licks, 

Daisy and Ruby

       

Halloween party

Dear Diary, 

    We had a great Hallowe'en party last night. I  wore a lovely pumpkin scarf and stayed with my babies. Fortunately, the Hallowe'en cookies were sent up to my room and  I did have visitor people who oooood and aawwwd over my family. My special Aunt Karen thought Tom Tom was looking very fine in spite of the fact he is now the smallest puppy. Tiny Frida is almost the biggest puppy. How things change in a family!

   Downstairs I  guess it was a merry old time. We had five doggie guests who dressed up brilliantly, well my grown daughter Ruby was more interested in playing than dressing up but the rest were amazing.  We also had an assortment of people. The mums had made home made peanutbutter dog cookies and peanutbutter chocolate brownies  to give to the guests. 

    I have some photos of the evening. I particularly love the photo of  Ginnie in her costume. She is the bucking bronco with the doll rider on her back. We also had two doodle puppies who came as Santa and a  black and gold fairy princess. Daisy dog of course, came dressed as a bumble bee. She was upset that she lost her head dress however I was told she looked a treat. Although she was as usual, somewhat out of sorts when crowded. I think it is because she loves dressing up so much and hates her outfits to be crushed. Our Sophia Rose Petals borrowed Daisy's pink princess hat and stole the show. 

   Next  Hallowe'en I'm sure I'll be joining the party. 

Suzie

 

Our Eyes are Open!

Dear Diary, 

    The puppies were two weeks old on Wednesday and their eyes began to open. One by one they said hello world. Little Carr was the first and big happy Jackson was not far behind her. Now it is Saturday and everybody's eyes are open and they are beginning to lurch about the box inspecting their world.  I have put a picture of little Carr seeing the sun for the first time and Jackson getting a cuddle. 

    Happily now I will get a little help in the food department. It is likely today we will feed them a little gruel of finely ground kibble and goats milk. I could use a little help. 

    Suzie

My puppies are chubby

Dear Diary, 

   It is very satisfying to have such chubby puppies. There isn't a thin one in the lot but it does make me tired. 

   Liz is working outside in the cold every day putting a roof on the little wooden house that covers our pump house. I try to get out to help as much as possible but it is hard to manage that and 10 children. 

   We have had some lovely visitors who have said nice things about the babies. I have put up some pictures.   Little Arty is sucking on Sandy's finger as if he never had been given a proper meal! Cara Lee loves little Frida as we all do. I have included a self portrait of artist Frida Khalo for whom my girl was named.  I like the lovely Mexican dress she is wearing in this picture. There is another photo here of my Frida. It is easy to tell it is her as she is the only puppy with a white mark on her forehead.  The very very chubby puppy with the white Tummy is dear little Frankie. He is doing so well. 

   I also have included a picture of  chocolate Tom Tom. His face is so adorable. 

   I must close now as there is a workman here to work on the little pump house which everybody calls the Wendy House because it is going to be so cute. They really need me out there and it is nice to get a little fresh air as the puppy's bedroom is so warm.

Suzie

We want to be super dogs!

Dear Diary, 

   It is hard to believe my babies are five days old. I am still situated in the little bedroom beside the mums which is convenient because I like to get up in the night about midnight, again at around three and then if I am thirsty or just lonely again about 5.30 in the morning. Often, after I have gone downstairs and out the door to pee I go back up and need somebody to help me get the babies all in place. It takes careful planning to feed ten little mouths at the same time.  

   Now I supervise each of the ten puppies doing their super dog exercises to stimulate brain and nerve functions. I know it will make a difference in their brain power and in their immune systems. Speaking of health dear diary. I am taking these absolutely yummy calcium pills. Taste like chocolate! The only trouble is nobody understands me when I ask for more! They give me three and quit. 

     The little blond boy exercising is Arty. The other pictures are of me and chocolate boy Varley doing his exercises. He does very well. The last exercise consists of putting Varley on a cold surface. He has an ice pack covered with a cloth. He is not to happy with that but all is well when he goes into the nice warm basket with his sisters and brothers. 

    I have put here a picture of an autumn landscape painted by the first Frederick Varley, it is a  perfect picture for this time of year. 

     All of my puppies are doing so well. Life is good

Suzie

   

Now we are three days old let me properly introduce you.

When my family began to arrive I gave birth to five little boys in a row. 
They were all beautiful and strong, I was thrilled. By the time all my babies had arrived I had seven boys and three girls. Very quickly we began to call the boys the 'Group of Seven' and so we named them after the famous Canadian landscape artists because I adore trees and I am rather an artist myself.  Above is Ay Jackson and on the left is little Lawren Harris. To the right is Franklin Carmicheal who we call Frankie and just below is MacDonald. 


This blond baby to the left is Arthur Lismer, Arty to us and the fairest.

     My first born was a dear little chocolate boy who may lighten to be a red like his father, it is hard to tell at this point.  He is  Frederick Varley, Varley for short.  Only minutes after another chocolate boy with white paws arrived, Tom Thomson. 

 I have included this Tom Thomson painting called the pool because it is a landscape similar to the one I can see out my window when I bark at the deer. Although the trees are different and there is a river instead of a lake it feels the same somehow. 

      Above there are photos of Varley and Tom Tom. 

      I am so glad you now have met all of my dear boys.