Finally ...

I always feel guilty during the last two weeks of raising pups because it is so hard for me to keep up with the blog, and I know how much everyone enjoys following the pups.   Rather than giving you all the reasons, if you were not here at any time during the last two weeks I will ask you to use your imagination with respect to what it was like around here with 13 8-week-old puppies, doing all the tests and training, as well as having Gayle's family in for her brother's wedding, her other brother's 50th birthday party and her mom's visiting for those events as well as her late husband's 60th reunion from West Point.  Let's just say there was never a dull moment!

Despite all the work, Gayle, Lise and I are proud to introduce 13 new members of the Gaylan's family!   So without further adieu, introducing the Country Music and Heart owners:     

The Country Music Litter (Goose x Scoop) 

Joyce and Caper

Gaylan's You Had Me From Hello - "Caper," born Miss Purple, is in California with Joyce and Paul Davis. Joyce and Caper will be doing field and obedience.

Chris, Hobby and Samra

Gaylan's Time Well Wasted - "Hobby", born Mr Red, is in Maryland with Dr. Chris Zink and Samra Zelman to do field, agility, obedience and tracking.

Sionag and Jive

Gaylan's Dancing Away With My Heart - "Jive", aka Mr Brown, is living in Wisconsin with Sionag (Sheena) Black and will be doing field, agility and perhaps more.

Phyllis, Ace, Rookie and Phil

Gaylan's New Kid in Town - "Rookie," formerly Mr Blue, went to Long Island with Phyllis and Phil Covino and Gambling Ace.  They will be doing field, agility and obedience.

Suzanne and Tui

Gaylan's Almost Like a Song - "Tui," born Mr Yellow, flew to Washington state with Suzanne Bolwell to do field, obedience and perhaps more.

Mary, Jag and Brian

Gaylan Jagger's Far Away Eyes - "Jag," formely Mr Green, stayed relatively nearby in Connecticut with Mary Cotter and Brian Patenaude.  They'll be focusing on agility but may also do some other sports.

The Heart Litter (Striker x Chex)

Phoebe and Kindle

Gaylan's Hearts Afire - "Kindle," aka Miss Black, stayed nearby in New Jersey with Phoebe Teramoto, Gambling Bette and Diva.  They will be doing agility, field, and perhaps more.

Nina, Olive and Mike

Gaylan's Heart and Soul -  "Olive," born Miss Olive, also stayed nearby in New York with Drs. Nina Shoulberg and Michael Schilsky.  They'll be doing agility and perhaps some other sports.

Todd, Molly and Alison

Gaylan's Groove Is In The Heart - "Molly," aka Miss Plum, moved to Pennsylvania with Alison and Todd Krisak to get started in dog sports.

Joe, Vicki and Keeva

Gaylan's Caoimhe of My Heart - "Keeva," formerly Miss Rainbow, headed to North Carolina with Vicki and Joe Dury to also get started in dog sports.

Mary, Trek and Steven

Gaylan's Heart of the Journey - "Trek," formerly Mr Cream, headed to Long Island with Steven Paulich.  They are going to do some hunting together, as well as compete in hunt tests and agility.

Melissa and Scout

Gaylan's Clear Eyes Full Heart - "Scout," born Miss Pink, is off to Virginia with Melissa Landriau to do agility.

"Grandpa" John and Jade

Gaylan's Stolen My Heart - "Jade," aka Mr Teal, flew to Oklahoma where he will meet up with his new owner, Emily Russell who will eventually take him back to Colorado while she finishes up school.  They will be doing agility, obedience and more.

Congratulations, everyone!   I know we all look forward to hearing about all the wonderful things you and your new partners are going to do in all the dog sport venues!   

Quick Update

As you can imagine, life has been beyond hectic around here with the temperament tests and puppy walk.    I have fallen down in the photography department, which I know is hard on those of you who are far away - I am so sorry.    

But I did want to let you know that the Country Musicians all did well on their temperament tests.    Everyone, including the visitors, seemed to have a great time at the puppy walk!   The weather was perfect, the food was great and it was so nice to meet so many Cold Spring people!  There were a few Gaylan folk who showed up and it was great to see Maddy Mason, her husband Tom and of course Spring from the Dancing litter.

I have to run to get ready for the Heart litter temperament test!   I am confident that each one of them will also do a good job showing us who they are.   I hope you new owners are getting lots of rest, as you are going to need it.   These little guys are going to keep you really busy!!!

It Has Begun

So what is "it"?   Crate training, of course.   And the pups did well!   Of course we were smart enough to do the training when they were a bit tired.  We also had another table session and a woods walk.  It has been quite busy!
Below are some photos from my cell phone.   I have not taken my good camera on the woods walks because then I focus on the photos and not on the puppies.  So here are a few shots and video from the cell phone during Sunday's woods walk - more are in the Week 6 section.

Those Moments ...

It has been incredibly busy around here, but yesterday Gayle, Lise and I took some time to  sit in the pen and enjoy the pups.   After a little while Corey was dying to join us, so we let her in.   Mr. Red was in love and spent a long time trying to engage her, climbing on her, jumping up and licking her face.  Corey was really eating it up.   Truly one of those moments that warms your heart.

Thursday night we had quite a thunderstorm.   By the time I got over to the pups Gayle had already been down with them and found all of them were unfazed by the storm.  They did enjoy their unexpected treats, though!

Friday morning Gayle, Lise and I get up early to get the pups fed and then load the Heart litter into the van for an early morning appointment for their first vaccinations, health check and microchip.   We did not take all of the pups on this trip because we know that the Country Music litter pups are still protected through Scoop's immunity.    The pups handled the trip with aplomb and of course won the hearts of everyone in the office.

Their woods walks are getting longer and more challenging and they are doing great.   They have been such a pleasure to take on walks, and Chex has been wonderful with them.    Chex tore a nail and is not allowed to run with the other dogs, so this is her time to play, and although she would rather be running for the whole time, she enjoys what she is allowed to do.   And as you will see in the video, the pups do their best to keep up.   Today they had their first rock wall and they all figured it out.   By the time they got back they were quite happy, dirty and tired!

We have had quite a number of visitors, who have really enjoyed the pups!   We start crate training soon, and I am keeping up with their nails, which is no trivial task.

Each night I go to bed wondering where the day went - lots of work, but so worth it!   I cannot wait for each of the new owners to be able meet the pups in person.  Be forewarned, wear laceless shoes - but no sandals (if you value your toes)!!!   There are some more photos and videos up in Week 7 - enjoy!!

Litter Photos

It was a very busy day doing the litter photos with Barry Rosen.  What a patient man!    I look forward to seeing the pictures, as I am sure you guys will be, too.   We will let you know when they are available for viewing and then for those who want to purchase them, we will give you details on how to do that.

This will be a short blog - just too tired to write much.  I am putting photos and video up in the new Week 7 section.   Here is a video of classical conditioning at its finest.

Pups are doing great on their walks, they are eating well, playing and sleeping hard.   To watch their development is simply amazing!!!  

Enjoy the photos - I promise there will be more over the next few days!!