A Party Of Our Own!

This camping trip is one I personally have been beyond looking forward to. I haven't seemed to be able to catch up since Thanksgiving - Running nonstop with a never-ending to-do list containing items that seem to have multiplied like rabbits. No, this trip wasn't going to help me with my list - It was going to allow me to completely unplug and NAP!

I never get to catch up on my sleep at home and after we unpacked and settled in, I actually turned in early and retired to my mobile master bedroom. Chicatoo finally caught onto the "way of the camper" and jumped on up to nap with me. My shadows, Dewey and Ace were right behind. (Buddy joined in too). For Dewey and Ace, they appreciated the change of pace. For the first time in months we went to bed in the PM hours!

Oh Yeah! He Is Lovin' It!

Buddy is hormonally thrilled to the twelfth power right now! With two females as ripe as possible and three others closing in, he is at the door to the kitchen as much as he can to let the girls know, "I AM HERE LADIES!!" He is simply beside himself!

And I have said it before, I am always amazed at how related dogs (Ace and Dewey) don't show the interest in their blood relatives. Neither are as nuts as Buddy when they get a whiff of their mommy Ginny. The same thing for CC. She is Dewey's daughter and Ace's niece.  But they both have noticed Colada and Capri for sure! Just too interesting to not note.

They Had Another Plan

We have been rather lax on the female confinement, thinking we had a few more days before standing heat would be here. Our first morning potty run in the yard proved us wrong and Buddy was the one to tell us so.

It only took seconds and he was attached to Ginny. Not a bad thing  - They are our main breeding pair and were just doing what their instincts told them to do. So our plan to bring in an outside dog into the line won't happen this year and we will have another litter of stunning Ginny/Buddy pups in October! And of course, as of this morning, ALL of the girls have been separated from the boys.

Buddy's Unique Potty Talents

Each of our dogs has their own unique quirks and traits but Buddy's potty skills are truly his own. He is like a prissy little girl who won't let his feet touch the ground.

When he pees, his lifts his back legs straight up into the air behind him, as if doing a handstand. And if he is going #2, he squats lifting his hind legs up off the ground and out in front of him. It's hard to capture because it's quick and precise but I got it today!

Cream Puff

That's what my husband has nicknamed Mimosa. As with all of our dogs, he has his own special name for each Chi.  Mimosa is MiMi for short - but he calls her Cream Puff. Why you ask? Well...

The day we brought Ginny home, she was a puffball of fur, carrying a bit of puppy chub. From that moment on, he called her Puff or My Puffer. So the moment he saw Mimosa, he started calling her Cream Puff - a Cream version of his Puff.

Thing is, she has reached the age of the puppy uglies. All of the puppies in her litter are smack-dab in the middle of it. The photo updates I have received show the saaaaaame thing. Their puppy coat is shedding and their adult coats are starting to grow in.  Buddy's silky coat is to die for - and all of the girls got their daddy's coat. But like the Ugly Ducking, they go through this awkward stage before the beauty sets in. So she is De-Puffed right now - but I promise she will puff out soon!

The Man In Charge

Colada is in the height of her heat right now. Dewey and Ace - the lower men on the totem pole here - have watched the big man Buddy for a sign. J.B is as he always is - CRAZY NUTS - but Buddy? Calm as a cucumber. It's like he knows, "Not this time boys!"

Perhaps his experience has given him a true sense of the way things work around here. And since Dewey and Ace look to him for what to do, they too have slowed down on their incessant need to be with her. J.B. will remain as our tracker, letting us know what stage Colada is at. Honestly, it's a nice turn of events! One whiner instead of four? Niiiiiice!

Boys in Waiting

The rain is finally falling form the sky today. The dogs may not be too happy about it but we humans sure are! The boys have spent the afternoon in the living room with us while the girls have been in the kitchen. I have spent hours watching the boys parade in front the door separating them from the ladies - they must have each walked over a mile in pacing! Between the exercise and flowing testosterone they are ZONKED!!! Seeing them all ball up in the doggy bed closest to this same door spoke a thousand words!!

It's The Boy's Club

Now that the puppies have experienced the fun of the backyard, they love the dirt! I mean love it! Rolling it in, wrestling so much they create dust clouds and kicking it up in dominant play.  Today they required a bath to remove the layer of dirt they accumulated. After-wards, they romped and played in the kitchen with their daddy Buddy and brother Ace.  It was soooo cute to watch what followed.

The girls stayed close to Ace, tugging on him, instigating more play. But the boys - Joe and Jag - they found their daddy napping on the doggy bed and nuzzled up close to him as they dry in the sun. Buddy would reach up and lick their faces from time to time - as if proudly saying, "Yes these are my boys!"

Sweet Moments Captured

Today the pups spent the majority of the afternoon in the kitchen - the main hub of our house and where the rest of our dogs generally migrate. That's where their food is, their beds lay and the coveted rays of sunshine beam into the house!

The freedom to roam so much space was invigorating to the pups and they enjoyed every second. Their play sessions don't last all that long - 30 minutes tops - and then they crash for an hour long nap. They loved my new doggy beds and found them much more comfy than their crate. Like Jag nuzzled up with his parents, Ginny and Buddy for his nap - SO SWEET.

Waking in the kitchen was also a new experience for them. I am proud to say that Mimosa was the pup to find the pee-pad in the kitchen!!! The others didn't make it, but there is always tomorrow! What was so cute was that she was so proud of herself and all of our hoots and hollers for her success, that she ran back to her mommy, leaned up to show her love (by cleaning her ear) and then nuzzled back to up her for another siesta!

Da Boys

WHAT is up with the weather in Florida??? First, the coldest winter on record and now a straight week of beautiful weather???? I know the dogs have taken note. They are thrilled with the chance to play outside and today was one that actually made them HOT. Now that's quite the change!

After about 10 minutes of running around, they all gathered around the water bowl for a quick break. This happened a few more times and then J.B., Buddy and Cosmo decided to simply look out at the others and watch instead of enduring the heated exhaustion. It was so funny to watch, all three of their heads following in unison as the rest of the pack ran back and forth along the fence line of our yard. Those silly boys!

WOW They Make Awesome Pups!

I have spent the last few days watching Ginny and Buddy's pups and their progress. This is one vocal group!!! With them sleeping right beside our bed, our nights have been filled with many whines and squeals. The two biggest puppies are the loudest with the tiniest in a close third. Here they are in all their splendor - and my observations...

Irish Cup O' Joe
Named him this because of his leaded-coffee color. Over the last couple days, his coat has lightened from a very dark chocolate and we can better see his black sabling. See the black line that runs down his back? Clear cut sign of sabling. He has black on his face with a black "thumb print" just above his nose. The older he gets, the black around his eyes will blend into the brown. Joe LOVES to cuddle and rarely seeks seclusions - preferring to be touching at least one of his litter mates at all times.

Jagerade
Man does this little guys look like his daddy or WHAT?? He is a quiet one who just seems to go with the flow. It looks like he will have his daddy's awesome silky coat too. With a lot less white on his face that Buddy and his brother Ace, I think his white squiggle on the top of his head with be his unique signature look.

Key Largo Kooler
This sweetie is one to watch! Look at that head!!! She got a perfect blend of mommy and daddy. I love how the white between her eyes is perfectly placed and stretches down to her muzzle. She is the smallest of the group but my no means a runt. Crawling right in there for food, over and onto her littermates when necessary - Largo is bound and determined to get what she wants!

Lady Love Fizz
Our little lady - she jus has that way about her. Petite and pretty - the female version of her daddy buddy. Without the white on her face - except for the slight hint along her muzzle - I can't wait to see how she develops. What white she does have will probably fade, leaving her with a solid face of beauty!

Marnier Mimosa
Tell me she isn't the shades of a glass of mimosa?? Her cream should darken, allowing her white to just POP! Her white collar - a trait ALL the pups have - appeared with much clarity today, along with her feisty attitude! The first pup to shoot and crawl her way around the entire whelping box, and the loudest of the bunch - she will be a force to be reckoned with! I AM HERE WORLD!!!

Girls Are Back!!!!!

Baby is officially out of heat and all of the dogs have finally been reunited!! Of course, this is also when the weather decided to go back to somewhat normal! Go Figure aye?

Well, not only are they back together but there is no rain and the they all get to finally enjoy the backyard again!! We ALL have hated being cooped up - Total cabin fever! And the dogs showed us just how happy they are to be outside again. They ran and played their chase games for an hour straight! They dug for dead lizards (the cold snap provided an abundance!!!) and laid in the sun spots. They LOVED IT!!!!!

Buddy actually did his pee-pee dance with utter joy and glee. I can't believe I was able to capture it on film. Buddy does this whole back-leg scrape and kick when he is marking territory when girls are in heat - or when he is really, REALLY happy. He was dancing for all of them today!

Puppies In The Spring

We were able to sneak in a bit of ChiChi lovin before the clock struck midnight! A second Ginny and Buddy litter was in the cards and tonight, they made that happen! The veterans only took 3 minutes for  the tie - like old pros!

We are so pleased with their previous litter - Ace is beyond a stunner! I cannot wait to see what they produce come Spring. If this breeding took, Ginny will whelp the first week in March.

Resting Up For The Busy Season?

As I stated, I am anticipating the arrival of heats for the girls and the boys have shown their signs of the impending visit as well. Normally this is when boys will show their ranks with growls and snares. Just a part of the cycle.

Today I found all four of our little studs balled up with each other for an afternoon siesta. I am not sure if it is the cold temps and need for joint body heat or a way to store up energy for possible matings. Either way it was just too cute to not capture on film

The Budster

He has been neglected lately. With Dewey and Ace in the mix he has had his break and interestingly enough it has made him a better dog man! He has never been a social sort - generally hiding out in the kitchen when visitors are here. He tolerates new peeps but does NOT like them holding him.

We have had a lot of people over lately and perhaps the lack of the ladies has lightened his intense mood. He has been walking up to and loving on visitors after the half hour mark. I am rather impressed.

Then - get this - he has been following me and my every move for the past two weeks. He accepts Dewey as my number one shadow and is totally cool with it. So now, I have eight little pitter-pattering paws as my heels and two chichi boys that are happy and tails-a-waggin.

The Reason for A New House Project

Our deck off the back of the house has been a work in progress. Painted wood in Florida simply doesn't work! Our goal is to repaint it and then place garden fencing around the blaster so our jumpers can be retrained and then place an functioning door onto the steps down that can easily be opened and closed. In the mean time, we have used an extended X-Pen to stretch across the stairway opening. And BUDDY is the reason why this current set-up must be improved. He is our back deck escape artist!

He wiggles his way around the X-Pen, using his body to work himself a path. He is obsessed with the backyard. They have free access to the huge deck but we limit their free reign in the yard because of the hawks and owls in our areas. This is one rule Buddy defies every chance he can get. If he had his say, he would roam the yard and explore every nook and cranny all day long. It's all for your own good Buddy - Promise!

Cold Snap Alert!

This photo is not the best but it totally tells the story of this weekend.

The temperatures have dropped and the dogs have taken note. Today was cleaning day and I had all but one doggy bed in the wash. I walked back into the kitchen to find the boys all piled into the single remaining bed, trying to cuddle and keep warm. Look at Cosmo trying to hold on to the back for dear life! Poor guy!

Adult Coat SLOWLY Coming In

Ace has lost just about all of his puppy coat and is starting to gain his whispies. Chihuahuas do not get their full long coat's until they are about three years old. If you look at photo's of his daddy Buddy, he will start to have the hind-leg and neck whisps by the time he is a year old. His tail is already starting to spread! But it is definitely apparent that he will have his daddy's stunning coat at this point. Buddy's coat is silky, shiny and does NOT shed!

The Proof Is In The Picture

I realize this photo I snapped today is not the clearest but it still proves what I have been saying ALL along - Ace is his daddy Buddy's mini-mee! Look at um!!!!!

Ace looks just like his daddy did at this age - and once his adult coat comes in, he too will have that stunning long coat. He is much more social with people than his daddy but still has his striking good looks. A perfect combination!

He is Handling It Very Well

The stud of the house is usually whining and begging to get in with the hoo-ha juice. He clearly can get the job done when a female is presented - and since we are only breeding one of the three this go around and Dewey will be the sire - I expected Buddy to have a fit. But he is taking it all in stride! No whines - No begs - just chillin'! It's as if he is appreciating the break. Very interesting turn of events!