FIrst Puppy Class

I was able to go see some of the pups in their first puppy class. At only 9 weeks of age, they are already going to school. The first lesson they learn is focus.

They are always rewarded for their good response.

This group of pups did really well at their first lesson. It is very rewarding to watch them grow and learn. I am also reminded of the dedicated Volunteers who so lovingly and unselfishly give their time and love to these dogs so they can go on to do great things for their future families.
Kingsley, Krosby, Kasper, Kobe, Khloe and Koko are on their way!

A Coat of Every Colour

One of the best things about volunteering with a doggie based organization is that I've met many like-minded individuals. As in "dog crazy" like myself. We try to help each other out with dog-sitting etc as its not always easy to find accomodation for your 4 legged friends when you want to travel etc.
This is one of my favourite pictures from when I was pet sitting last summer. I had one of each colour. So pretty and looking so well-behaved. LOL.
Meet Velvet, Lindor, Equoia and Maya.

Afternoon Nap

This is what happens when you forget to put the hangers back on the couch when you go for a nap.

The dogs are not allowed on my living room furniture and instead of blocking off the room or putting the cushions up, I use a tip that someone gave me years ago. Put a couple metal coat hangers on the flat surface and that will do the trick. It works really well to keep the pets off ( if you remember to put them back ON!) and doesn't look too unslightly. Did I  mention that I have FOUR overpriced dog beds strewn around the home already as an alternate sleeping location?

Easter Weekend

What a beautiful weekend, the sun was shining and it was a really nice break.
I'm usually in charge of desserts at our family gatherings. I've been baking for many years and I take after my Mom who was very well regarded for her love of good old fashioned cooking and baking.
This year, I wasn't sure if I would still have the puppies or not so my back up plan was this fabulous Mocha cake from the Dutch store/bakery near where I grew up.

I think you have to have some Dutch blood to have a fondness for mocha but I personally can't get enough of it. Maybe this might make an appearance at the Cake Raffle in June. Wouldn't THAT be great?
It turns out, I did have some time since the babies were gone and I'm almost done the enormous cleanup and putting away of all the puppy "stuff". So I thought I would try making this......

Coconut Cream pie from scratch!!!
It's one of my favourite pies but usually I just pick it up from the Stone Crock Bakery in St. Jacobs.
Well, if you've never had real coconut cream pie you just haven't lived. This dessert takes a bit of time but it's worth it in the end. You can find the recipe on a blog I read called Favourite Family Recipes. It's posted on March 30th. Sorry, I'll learn how to do the linking one of these days.

I was also able to whip up a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and some butter tarts. As they say, go BIG or go HOME!  I'm a bit of an over-achiever.

Life Goes on

Well, I'm starting to pick up the pieces now that the puppies are gone and one of the first things on the agenda was to get Maya groomed. You have met Maya before but I never really said too much about her. All my life, I had Dalmatians. In fact, most of them were named Pepper (so original). My last Dal was Bailey and she was the love of my life. There will never be another dog like her and it took me 2 years after her passing before I was able to get another. I thought this time I would just pick up a mutt and I did a lot of research and fell into the big trend to get a Lab x Standard Poodle cross. Of course, I got the one that sheds AND barks but she is also very gentle and very sweet with people (once you get in the door, that is. LOL)
Maya gets groomed several times a year but I don't mind when she looks like a mop doll either. Just easier to keep the house clean when her fur is short. This is the first time, she came home without a beard!

BEFORE

AFTER

She feels like a velour blanket. Her fur is very fine, the kind that floats around when you try and sweep it into the dust bin. I PROMISE, I won't talk about dogs all the time. In fact, I have already started back into the baking making butter tarts and carrot cake for Easter. More on that later.

The Empty Nest

Well, all good things must come to an end.  No more seeing this first thing in the morning....

Or snapping pictures like this......

Instead there is only this..... waiting to be cleaned and disassembled.

I like to send the pups off to their new homes with a little package from Mom.  They got some treats, some toys (compliments of my friend Kathy, isn't the foot something?) and a photo of Mom Lindor.

I made a cute little tag to wish them well. LOVE the paw punch!

The pups actually starting leaving last Thursday but I couldn't bear to stop posting pictures of them.

Three went to Guide Dogs in a reciprocal arrangement that pays for the donated Stud fee. Goodbye Miss Pink, Miss Violet and Lil' Red. I hope you have a good life and successful career perhaps helping a blind person to live independently.

Mr. Kingsley also left the same day but he was going to NSD so I will see him again.

The rest of the pups left Friday to start a new adventure with their NSD puppy raisers. I'm not too sad because I will see them in a couple weeks. They start obedience classes right away and they all stayed local so I will not be missing them for long.

Now, I can have my life back and catch up on all the stuff I didn't get to when I had my babies to tend to. Stay tuned as I will keep updating our Crop progress as things move forward. Thanks for listening.

Easter Egg Hunt

We had to have the Egg hunt a little early as the puppies will not be here for Easter. They really enjoyed searching for the Golden Egg!

This is why I LOVE LABS!  They are so tolerant and will do almost anything for a "cookie".