Saturday, May 28, 2011

And Then There Were Two

We're down to having just Master Green and Master Yellow now; Miss Pink, Miss Lime, Master Red, and Master Blue have gone to live with their forever families, and we couldn't be more delighted for them (wonderful, well-suited placements all!). :)

Their exits began Wednesday afternoon with Miss Lime, who was the first to leave. She is finding her forever home in New Jersey with one of DH's co-workers and her family (including three children ranging from eight to thirteen years old).  Her new mom e-mailed us yesterday to let us know all was well and that Miss Lime is now called "Libie" (short for "Libuse" which is of Czech origin). Here's Libie with her forever mom, taken on Wednesday when it was time to leave us:



We suspect Libie will fit right in with her new family and will enjoy a wonderful life there. And DH will be able to get regular updates about her at work! :)

Master Red, now called Toby (I think that's how it's spelled), left us for a wonderful home not too far away. His forever dad called us yesterday to let us know how well Toby has been doing. :)  We're tickled with the mutual joy they're finding (and will undoubtedly find) in each other.  Here's Toby with his new dad:




Toby is entering a family full of love (and grandkids!) and solid Lab experience, and I suspect he and his new dad will end up being special buds for many years to come. :) 

Thursday brought Miss Pink's turn to meet and go with her family, also to New Jersey. It was beastly hot here on Thursday (and very humid), so Miss Pink wasn't quite herself when her family arrived (I felt awful!). But by the time the details were done and they were ready to go Miss Pink was up to her usual "pip"-ness.  She's entering a caring, active family with loads of Lab experience, and where she'll be loved to pieces and (we suspect, in time) will become her new dad's special hunting companion.



As of the writing, we don't know Miss Pink's new name, but we know she's being loved and enjoyed and well cared for.

Then last evening, it was Master Blue's turn.  Now called "Brady"  he has a new best friend in his new 2.5 year old human pack member. Brady and his new little human played and romped and played while they were here (and last week, too, when the family came to look at the pups), and Brady was absolutely fabulous with him (well-behaved, submissive, and seeming to recognize that this little human buddy wasn't quite as big and strong as big humans).   It's amazing how Labs just seem to know.


We couldn't ask for a better placement for Brady. His new mom and dad seem like wonderful people, and they're tickled with him and with his interactions with their son.  We, in turn, are tickled with the home they'll be providing him.

So that leaves two: Master Green and Master Yellow.  No inquiries or leads for them yet, but we know they have special families awaiting them somewhere.  In the meantime, they'll hang here with us, and we'll begin potty/crate training, and will continue working on basic manners and obedience 1:1 with them, too. Both are handsome, lovely boys who, like the rest, love ice cubes, especially in this heat!




So that's the latest on the pups. :)

With placements like these -- wonderful, attentive, caring owners who love Labs and who we know will do right by the pups -- it's easy (well... relatively) for me to let go. Oh sure, I shed a tear or two (I do love the little guys), but we raise them to bring joy to others, and that's exactly what's happening. It's what we breed them to do.

We have no doubt the pups will reach their full potentials with the families they've been given.
So, a hearty thanks to the families (and please do remember we're here for you should you have any questions or if things arise or even just to touch base).  We're glad you're part of our extended Lab family now, and we truly couldn't be more pleased.

Now, the other two puppies need my attention.  And so it goes.

Until next time,
Joan

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Magic Levitating Yoda!

We had no idea Miss Pink, who leaves us in about two hours, was capable of levitating!  What a girl!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Eigth Weeks Old! Our Last Day as a Litter!

Miss Pink enjoys an early morning romp with the stuffed pheasant.

I'm gonna miss you, Daddy Don. But I know my new family will love me lots.

I'm gonna miss you, too, Daddy Don.  But my new family will love me lots, too!

Daddy Don (aka, DH) enjoys his last early morning puppy therapy (6 a.m.).

The fleecy stuffed alligator belongs to Miss Pink.  Or at least she thinks so.

Sarah (aka, DSD), enjoys one final puppy lap time.

Aren't I handsome in my new blue collar!  I'm a big boy now, and I can do steps!

The girls.

Miss Lime can handle the big steps; Miss Pink isn't quite so sure.

Maybe not.

Well...maybe...

There's one!

Oooooo... that's two!

Threefourphewgladthat'sdone!

Momma Joan hides behind the tree, and then she calls us.  We have to find her without being able to see her. That helps us learn to follow sound.

If we keep out bottoms on the ground, Momma Joan will give us a treat!

The view from above.

Master Green on the prowl.

Momma Joan is playing follow the leader!  Oh boy!

Master Yellow ascends the big steps.

She's a big girl with her big girl collar on!

Master Yellow, Miss Pink and Master Blue

Master Yellow got the polka dot collar since we couldn't find a yellow collar.

Our last puppy pile, just before Miss Lime's new mommy arrived.

Watcha doin' Momma Joan? 

Master Red is our water baby! :)  It was a hot one today!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Almost Ready to Go: Seven-and-a-half Weeks Old

I took most of these photos this afternoon (just not the ones with DH enjoying puppy therapy), and I'd like to get them up so their families can see them, so I won't take the time to caption them.  Just know that the pups are thriving, and we're enjoying our last few days with them.

Miss Lime and Master Red leave us Wednesday; Miss Pink leaves us Thursday; and Master Blue leaves us Friday. All are going to ideal, couldn't-ask-for-better placements with which we're delighted.

We're still looking for those special forever homes for Master Yellow and Master Green.  But all is well.   

Here they are being puppies (the puppy in the pics without a rickrack collar is Master Green)!  Just click on each photo to enlarge it.  Enjoy!