Ebbtide Australian Shepherds: September 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Cute Alert - 16 Days Old

"MuscleMan" black tri male

L to R, front row: Pretty Girl, Legal, MuscleMan, Marshmallow
In the back row: "Almost" asleep on her unnamed sister's back, Plain Jane snoozing

Facing camera: L to R: Pretty Girl, Almost. "Legal" far right

"Legal" black tri male on his back looking at you. Plain Jane snuggled in behind him - I find her there alot - he's a good heat source. Walking behind them is Pretty Girl black tri . Big white collar in center is boy MuscleMan. Blue merle at bottom of photo is snoozing Marshmallow.

"Pretty Girl" at top left, "Legal" under her nose

Cali's pups are 16 days old today - and eyes are open and they are responding to sound. They also are trying to climb over the 6" board that confines them. In fact, there were a couple pups out this morning. The 12" board will be installed today. We've had a heat wave this week (109 Monday, 105 yesterday, today's forecast 100). The pups have moved into the kitchen/dining area in an ex-pen during the day, to take advantage of air conditioning. Then at night, back out to laundry room. A great socializing/new smells/sounds experience.

OK OK I know - less talk more photos:

"Almost" blue merle female trying to escape (she's been succesful). Standing at rear is boy "Legal" with his nose on "Plain Jane". "MusleMan" is curled up asleep - you can see the little stripe of white on his ear. His nose is near "Marshmallow" whose pretty black teardrop we see. She has her head on the other unnamed blue merle girl (who is very very cute).

Marshmallow waves goodbye - on her left Pretty Girl. On the right, blue sister Almost and black tri MuscleMan.

Here's half the reason these pups are so cute:

Sire of the litter, CH Calais Carolina Vintage T-Bird "Vinnie"

Here's the other half of the reason:

Ebbtide As You Wish "Cali" (mom)

Cali winning First in the Herding Group BBX Competition at Golden Gate KC, Jan. 2010.

Cali working with Judi on off leash heeling - about 4 weeks pregnant. She combines her intelligernce, enthusiasm, precision and athleticism in everything she does.

You're wondering what the theme will be for this litter? CAMPING ! Feel free to submit all ideas.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Heeeeeeeerrre's Puppies

1 am Sept 13: The puppies are here...or some are here and more are on the way...
And Cali is being a good mom, despite the scare she gave me when the first pup yelped when I rubbed it vigorously, and Cali tried to leave the room. Really, I can see the value in that (I have a teenager, remember?)... so I could hardly hold it against her...joking, Marshall, joking.
I need to give Marshall credit right now for stepping in to help. He was a good midwife (?) while I was hustling up more blankets, towels, etc. I sent him off to bed after Puppy #3 and it was past midnight. So here I am in the laundry room with my laptop on the dryer, folding chair, lots of towels and yummy blueberry frozen yogurt (Thanks to Marshall for that, TOO! His new job at the Yogurt Shop..mmm).
We're up to 6 pups at 2am (pup #1 at 10:45 pm). The score at the 6th inning is Girls 4 Boys 2. A few too many mismarks for me to be jubilant...but these things happen sometimes. We'll see what the final score turns out to be...She seems to be taking a slow and easy approach to this job. Maybe I'll go sit in my folding chair now and snooze a bit.
NOT! #7 A Plain Jane black tri girl (no white collar, tiny blaze & a snip!) just arrived (2:15 am). I don't understand why we just can't have moderate white on ALL the pups, instead of LOTS of white of some and almost none on others...lol...Go figure...
New Score: Girls 5 Boys 2.

FINAL SCORE: 5 girls (3 blue merles, 2 black tris) and 2 boys (black tri males). And now I will FINALLY go to bed (it's 10:30 am): Back from the xray at the vets, Cali has eaten, pups are quiet.

The lovely sire of this litter? CH Calais Carolina Vintage T-Bird "Vinnie". Thanks, Vinnie, for the pretty puppies!