Farmington Valley Golden Retrievers

I just returned home this morning after being on call for the weekend, so this week’s puppyville update is delayed a bit. This last week, (week 7), started out with a lot of smiles and puppy hugs. In what has become a tradition of sorts, I bring two puppies from every litter that we have, to my offices, the Delivery and Operating Rooms. The wonder of a puppy is magical. Just look at the open, happy smiles that they generate from people of all ages.

If we could bottle the effect that they have on us, we would no longer need our high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or anxiety meds.

How neat to be a wizard of the future, and write a wellness prescription for two ounces of puppy essence mixed with the glow of a bride, and a teaspoon of energy of a child. Without a doubt, the only way to start every day..

By the time I got through two of my three offices, Mr. Black and his sister were getting pooped. It was the first real truck ride for both of them outside the quick trip to the vet, so they were a little carsick. When I took them out of the cat carrier in the Delivery Room, I was a little embarrassed that one of them had gotten sick on both of them. So much for that wonderful new puppy smell.. However, Dr. Slater and Dr. Brushwood, came to the rescue, and gave them both baths in the utility sink. Thank you again Lauren and Rebecca!

We were then able to carry on our mission of spreading smiles to all the healers on duty!

By the time I got to Dr. Wolf’s office, the pups had fallen asleep from all the excitement.

So back home we came to rejoin the rest of our golden family.

This week we had more visitors, of course. Some repeat visits from excited clients and now new friends who are less than seven days away from taking home their special dog. And other neighbors and friends that we thought to share our blessings with, who we knew would enjoy the magic that holding a golden puppy brings. Hard to improve with words, these photos capturing that Golden magic at work..

On Friday, Donna, our good friend and breeding partner, came by to do the temperament testing on the puppies. Everyone passed with high marks except for our special boy, Mr. Black, who we now know is deaf for sure. All the puppies were very uniform in their personalities, which meant that all our client choices were approved.

Of course, what would the blog be without a couple of “Rocky” moments. It appears that he will be sharing our home for another month at least, while our son in Italy appears to have found a home for his family and will be moving in in June. Rocky still is “all boy”, and is constantly trying to undermine my efforts to get our flowers planted.

There are at least three huge holes in our backyard, that I just have not had the time to fill in.

And finally, we had a little scare with Mr. Black today. While he seemed to enjoy the company and activity this morning, his behavior was very erratic this afternoon. He would walk in circles just crashing into things, roll over, and then go in another direction. He began drooling a bit for no apparent reason. Barb and I just talked it out about his symptoms, what he wasn’t demonstrating.. fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, and decided not to bring him to the ER. So we put him in the big crate in the family room and kept vigil. He finally fell asleep.

When he awoke an hour later, lo and behold he was back to his “normal” self. Alert, playing with a bone, and he had a healthy appetite for supper. We just think now that he doesn’t have any stamina, and we will have to limit his play time until he gets stronger. He won’t be going anywhere soon, but it is going to be a bit stressful not knowing exactly what his issues are.

But like our special “Abby” taught us many years ago, we will live in the moment and enjoy the best that every day has to offer us all.

Like a bushel of fall apples, a large basket of stories are just waiting to be written from the events of the past week here. Over the next few weeks, I will share with our readers just how unpredictable this “business” is, and show you why no one should be doing this work unless their love of the breed exceeds the many trials they will face. But first..

Just as important to us as the many smiles our dogs generate from the visitors to our home, is the recognition from the professionals that we use, that we are breeders to be recommended and respected.  We always look forward to seeing Dr. Steve Feldman of Animal General for that final “litter visit” and review. We packed all our little furry children into two crates and made the drive at the end of last week.

There is usually some mild chaos as the pups stretch their legs and explore the wealth of smells that surround them.

Then comes the moment where we beam with pride as Dr. Feldman makes his final comments. “Another wonderful litter and all healthy”. The untold hours of work fade away as your efforts bound around the room with energy and affection. And many kudos back to Dr. Feldman and his wonderful staff. They all deserve special applause for their dedication and clinical acumen in caring for our many animals over the years. This final picture of the visit to our vet says it all about Steve’s caring and commitment.

But along with all the happy moments, are those situations that are just the opposite that we must face and endure. Mother Nature always seems to exact its price in keeping the score even between a happy outcome and one not. And our clients are sometimes the sad recipients who must pay.

First was the family who long wished for a golden to add to their family. When they were notified of their place in line for a puppy, the husband went to get tested and unfortunately was diagnosed as allergic to dog dander. Next was 5 year old Carson, who used to come to my office to see my “dog photos” while his mother had her OB visits. I promised him when his parents decided the time was right, we would have a golden puppy for him. This summer the timing was right, and his sister and he enjoyed playing with the pups in our yard. The following day we were saddened to learn he had an asthma attack that prior evening, and the allergist painted a grim picture if a long haired dog entered the family. There is a hope he will outgrow this sensitivity, but for the family that had been planning on a golden puppy for the past three years, it was a crushing blow. And finally, we had a surgical emergency with one of the pups two days prior to the puppy leaving for its new home. We are saying our prayers for Mr. Black as he is fighting for his life in the ICU at Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Massachusetts. Our best wishes go out to Leslie and her family for their disappointment in waiting so long for a puppy, only to have seen their plans go horribly awry. We will keep everyone informed as we know more.

Despite the threat of drenching downpours this weekend, we have had a nice flow of clients, neighbors, family, and friends to the whelping box. The socialization skills of our pups are developing nicely, and true to their golden heritage, they exude major cuteness and cuddliness. Emma is still forbidden from seeing her pups. She is almost well and we hope by next weekend she can return to them. Her milk is drying up nicely and her antibiotic course is almost done. She still looks longingly at the cellar stairs, but she is not crying as much now thankfully.

Barb has to work extra hard to keep the box and puppies clean for company. Usually a visitor day starts with baths for all and then a manicure. Trimming 200 little nails turns out to be quite a chore as well. We want to be sure that none of the pups scratches anyone.

We just had an upgrade to our website and email system at the end of last week. I haven’t learned the new system so I can’t upload all the photos of everyone I was expecting to show off. The email system is new to me also, so be patient if you don’t hear back from us as quickly as usual.

We expect another full day of golden lovers today. I expect everyone will leave a little happier in spirit and with a smile in their hearts from the good vibes these little creatures give off. I will leave you with one photo of a very clean and fluffy puppy, waiting to be held and loved.

It has been an interesting week. With Emma involuntarily sidelined from the care of her pups with her breast abscess, Barb and I have had to put most of the week’s plans on hold and just do puppy care. Due to the excellent veterinary care of Dr. Steve Feldman and his associate Dr. Dolan, Emma is thankfully on the mend. Her abscess is resolving and her energy and spirit have returned. She still doesn’t understand why we won’t let her go down to her pups. She mournfully cries every so often and listens for sounds of her puppies at the basement landing. We thought hard how to help her. My idea of bringing up a pup for her to smell and lick didn’t work. So I gave her a towel that we used to wipe off the pups after their milk bath ( see later in blog). She walks around the house with this, and sleeps with it on the bed or in a crate. She still cries but this makes me at least feel a little better.

It’s hard to know if the pups miss her constant attention of licks and nudges. With their needs satisfied by Barb and myself, they are growing nicely and taking more of an interest in the outside world. Their howls continue at night, but don’t worry to our waiting family clients, this is just pack behavior.

The need of a golden to bond and share your personal space is apparent the way the litter behaves. When they are not eating or drinking, they group together whether in the whelping box or the smaller white transfer box.

It is very amusing to see them crowd together for a nap. One by one they group together until there are 4 or 5 bodies on the ground floor. Then the rest climb aboard with the last few trying to get to the very top of the pile before they run out of energy and just settle where they are.

Barb is an avid Red Sox fan and the pups were introduced to a little commercial brainwashing today. They were let out of the box to romp around the little attached porch area. While I favor NY pinstripes myself, they made themselves right at home on the blue and red blanket.

Of course the puppies are not the only dogs needing their daily dose of attention. The bigger girls know something is different in our household because we are spending an extraordinary amount of time in the basement. They still demand their daily run, and fun activities. The recent sunny weather made for a nice afternoon watching them frolick in the backyard pool.

Recently Berna sent us some photos of Mulder having some water fun with his golden family. Last year he couldn’t swim because of the preparations for the National Show competition. Now that he is the ultimate champion and is retired from the show ring, he can have fun like his siblings. He is the one swimming with the white bumper. Not a bad life he has earned, studding and playing.

It certainly is a “Dog’s Life” for these lucky goldens.

As far as the pups go, with the early cool weather upon us, I doubt they will be able to enjoy the kiddie pool before they leave us at 8 weeks. That doesn’t stop them though from enjoying a little frolick in their milk dishes.

Thank god the pups have the same drip and dry coat their older brethren are blessed with. With a little toweling and a little grooming with a puppy brush, they have that so cute look again..

We are open for visitors again. Please call and schedule with Barbara.

Miss Pink has joined our famly as “Emma’s Miss Lucy of Brickyard”. Having her here has softened the puppy withdrawal that Barb and I and Emma would otherwise be suffering. Our youngest dog, Solo, has never seen a puppy up close before. She was the sole dog from Emma’s last litter. Losing her place as the youngest is sure to take some getting used to on her part. The last photo shows them extending a hesitant greeting to each other.