I forgot the most important thing!

Oh my...In my cold stupor, I guess I forgot to tell you WHERE the vet's office is!
Sheesh. 
Here is a link to the office:
http://www.vcahospitals.com/college-hill
They are located very close to the intersection of Winton & North Bend Rds.
I go over Cross County (Regan)  WEST to the Galbraith Rd exit and turn left.  Go up the hill and turn left on Winton Rd.  North Bend intersects about a mile (?) up and turn right.  White Castle will be on the corner.  JUST after turning right, they sit back a little off the road on the LEFT.  It is just past a dollar store.
My vet, that I've been taking my Shepherds to, as well as my grand"puppy," is Dr. Joseph Smith.  Some of you already know him, as 2 of the puppies are going to him now too!  :)
I can't say enough about his expertise.  He will be there for the Pics with Santa CLAWS so if you happen to get there, please tell him Bev sent you.  And if you have one of Megan's babies, tell him so because I know he'll want to see them.
Remember the pictures are only from 1-4 but I wouldn't wait until the last minute to get there if you can help it.
 Their number is 681-9223 but I have a feeling they may turn their phones over after hours so I'm not sure if anyone would answer or not.
   Sorry about the lack of info yesterday. 

NEWS flash for dog owners!

Hi everyone!
Sorry I've been behind in sending any new updates your way, but I've been crazy "busy" with lots of things...mainly my back.
    If I haven't talked with you lately, just a quick note before I tell you what I came here to tell you... for whatever reason, my back got REALLY bad back in mid November.  Even had to miss going out to dinner with my daughter for my birthday :( as I couldn't even raise my leg up to get into the car!
   Anyway, I finally got to a pain management doc on Tues & he immediately scheduled me for an epidural yesterday.  I was sedated (so forgive me if I'm still a little "off") I wish I could say I was much better today, but unfortunately I'm just in a fraction less pain today.

SO WHAT IS IT THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT??

     I wanted to tell you about a cool thing that my vet's office does every year.

Pictures with Santa CLAWS ! 

 Usually I know about it well in advance but this year they didn't get their scheduling done early enough to send out in their newsletter. 
In years past, and I've been going there for years, they donate the proceeds to the SPCA.  This year, they've teamed up with S.A.A.P. Stray Animal Adoption Program, a rescue organization out of northern Ky.  If you are interested, their number is 859-391-1234.
    It has been, and I'm assuming will be, $20 and you get several pictures of your baby with Santa!
The clinic will be closing for regular patients at 1, so there shouldn't be much of a line to wait for pictures.  They usually give you a goodie bag of doggie stuff to take home too :)
   IT IS *THIS SATURDAY,* DEC. 10th from 1:00-4:00
From what I understand, this year will be a MUCH better camera than last year and there will also be an ELF to help Santa.  Depending on how I feel, I'd love to get Megan there again.  If I do, of course I'll share the picture with you.

 I have her Santa pics every year, as well as past (and some current ones too) that I'll share with you (below). 
I hope to see you there, but even if I don't, I'm hoping that you'll send me some pictures.

                                       MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This is Megan last year, 2010  (2 yrs old)

haha this is actually my doggie scarf that she is wearing.   

 2009 below. Meg was 14 mos old here.  Notice the "puppy sit" (sprawl!)

 

This was my precious "Ria" (Tamarack's Special Delivery)

Ria was an old girl in this picture, taken in 2004.

She was Chopper's sister, out of my first Shepherd,

"Raffie" (Clayfield's Raphael von Zinne)

 This is my darling "grandpuppy" Maya who lived with me for quite some time.
She is living with her mommy, Jenny, and daddy Matt.  Maya is the best dog ever.
Ria & Maya were great buddies, and now pals with Megan.    Taken in 2004.
                 Santa, do you think you could've mustered a LITTLE smile??

This was Jackson. He was almost 7 months old here!

Again, it appears that Santa is having a lot of fun

                        This is Megan's half brother, Beau.

                        This is Megan's pal "Rider" who is away this Christmas working on getting his Championship!   He is a beautiful boy bred by my dear friends, Kay and Don Miller, DONKA Kennels in West Virginia.  Rider lives with my friend Naomi and comes to play with Megan every chance he gets!

 

OK are you ready for some laughs now??

Guess who these pictures are? 

Check out the croquet set  :)

This is me with my OLDER sister, Judy. I hope she is reading this, because this might've been the last time she actually LOOKED older than me!

 I think you can tell I was just as ornery then...

Everyone went downtown to Shillito's to see Santa

and see the trains display at CG&E

I was told this was taken right before I pulled Santa's beard  :) 

Merry Christmas everyone,

Bev

(P.S. I'd love to have you post your comments on here!)



Sad yet happy day for us

I'm hoping this will be therapeutic for me, but bear with me if I get sappy.

Today is a day that I've agonized over for months now.  When I agreed to breed Megan, I had planned on keeping a boy to give Megan a playmate.
   Who am I kidding... there has always been a soft spot for those big ol' boys.         I guess I still miss my lovable lug Chopper.  He was as sweet as he was big.

But I digress.....

    Little "Mr RedMan" stole my heart (and Jenny's) from the time he was born.  Then when I saw what a gorgeous, handsome head he had...omg...He is honestly the best looking puppy I've ever seen.  Actually, there wasn't a bad looking one in the bunch!  But he was always special to me.  He was MY BOY.

     The more he grew, the more attached I've become.  And he couldn't have made it any easier because he is SUCH a GOOD puppy!!  No kidding, he loved to learn and was never a problem.  Like most good German Shepherds, he lives to make his people happy.

    Segway to "his people"...yes...he has new people.  It was after CONSIDERABLE deliberation on my part as to whether I was keeping him or not.  I knew I just couldn't give him everything he needed in life.  He should have more than his mommy and my back yard.  My back & arthritic body just wasn't going to get miraculously any better.  Jenny told me today (after he left and I was SOBBING!) ... "Mom, you love him enough to let him go."
                        OK so much for the therapeutic benefit.  :(

So, I decided to take my chances and run an ad in the paper.  I was hesitant because I really wasn't looking forward to vetting everyone who asked about him.
And believe me, I was prepared to ask them a LOT of questions!  Too bad, if you weren't willing to be honest with me, I figured there was someone out there that would.
Lo' and behold...and I SWEAR to you this was nothing short of divine intervention (again!)...the very first email I got was from Joyce. 
 Not only was she & Gary everything I was looking for in a home for Baron, but they've owned Shepherds that have lived forever!  14 yrs for a GSD is a LONG life and you know she had to have done a lot right to have them live that long.  Anything past 10 is a bonus, and I've only had mine live to 13. 

     Now here's the best part!!  They have agreed to let him come back & play with Megan so I get all the benefits of being a Gwamma then I get to send him home. :)  He just went home with them today and I can hardly wait to hear how he did and I am SO looking forward to seeing him soon.

Of course I have lots of pictures to show you!  AND a video of Megan & Baron "face fighting"  
German Shepherds are the only dogs I've ever seen do this.
  Click here to see a short video clip...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rp26mg_PQY

This was from the other day. 

OMG can you believe THAT FACE??!!   aaaaaaaaawwwww

His ears have never gone "wacky" like most of them do. They went up and haven't come down!   I call this the teepee head look.  Looks like I glued them together, doesn't it?  I swear I didn't.

 ANNOUNCING BARON'S NEW FAMILY (minus the mama dog!)

            And to top it off...I just got a call from Joyce GOD LOVE 'ER!!  I have just been an emotional wreck today... sad, happy, drained, did I say sad? 
So when I heard from her I was MUCH better!  Of course I was worried about how he did today!  Did she remember that he gets food this afternoon?  Did he get sick in the car?  I know, I just like to worry don't I?  Jenny says that's WHAT I DO.  There might be a little truth to that.
    Now that I've unplugged all 3 of the baby monitors, washed his bowl, picked up most of the toys, put my desk garbage can back down on the floor (!), moved his crate out of the kitchen, the sad reality is that I don't HAVE to worry about "the babies" anymore.  I can actually sleep past 7 tomorrow :)  I won't know how to act.  I feel like I just got let go from a 24/7 full time job that I loved. 
    Yes, it has been a lot of work and I haven't done it alone. Again, THANKS SO MUCH to Jenny, Naomi, "St. Dianna"
  But now I can relax and know that all my babies are in great homes. 
I mean that...I feel really good about ALL the puppies.  Like I said before, you are pretty special people
Baron is having a blast enjoying his new home and big back yard.  I bet he'll sleep like the baby he is  :) 
                 He promised me he'd never forget me  ;)
                                                                                        I love you baby boy 

   

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

I just got this adorable picture from "Adena's" new mom (aka PinkGirl)

What's up with her eyes?  :)  No, she's not a blind beggar!

Adena is an Indian name for The Flying Nun

JUST KIDDING

But it IS an Indian name!  Isn't that a pretty name?

Those ears do go through some funny looking stages sometimes!

                      

And then there was one...oh wait...MAYBE 3?

I still have "Red Baron."  He has ALWAYS been mine & Jenny's pick; was that grammatically incorrect? 

 I keep waffling as to whether I can keep him or not.  You have no idea how much I WANT TO!   He is SOOO handsome, and of course, he's a very good little boy.  Not little for long though.  He picks up on everything I teach him.

He is so smart and so trainable!

And the downside is... with my health and disability as bad as it is, I have to TRY to be realistic. 

Is it fair to him if I keep him?  NO.  Would he know the difference? Probably not.  Does he deserve to be in a home that could walk him and train him?  YES.  The possibilities with this boy are endless. 

I (more than anything) want him to go to a FOREVER home.  To someone who appreciates all the great qualities of a German Shepherd, and willing to take the dog hair and the muddy paws that go along with it. 

Having a new puppy in the house is a HUGE responsibility and it takes a genuine commitment from a new mom or dad.  Almost like having a new baby!

If I have already placed a puppy with you, YOU MUST BE PRETTY SPECIAL PEOPLE!!  

     So, with all the thoughts bouncing around in my head, I really would like to find him the best home possible.  Preferably someone that would appreciate bringing him back to "Camp Gwamma's" to see me and play with his mommy.  They play so well together.  That could be a huge plus to someone who needs a dog sitter!  And I could have the benefits of watching this gorgeous boy grow up.

   There MAY end up being 2 of the pups (that were Naomi's picks) that we will be screening for new homes. 

 I have some more random pictures for you...

 Dianna took this GREAT photo of Megan recently (on the back door) and gave it to me on Megan's birthday!  It really captures her look.  Thanks so much, "Aunt Di!"

  I set up his crate in the kitchen and he will put himself in it when he wants a time out!  Whadda-good-boy!  I'll have to get a picture of that.

"My research shows German Shepherds would prefer steak over potatoes."

This one pretty much sums up the German Shepherd,

 the most loyal breed I know...



Happy 3rd Birthday MEGAN!

Megan shares a birthday with Judge Judy today!   Too funny.  I think she is just a hoot.
When I look back at Megan's puppy pictures, it is amazing how much a couple of puppies look so much like her!

The pups are 10 1/2  weeks old and growing like weeds. Cute as ever!

Some random pics......

Such a beautiful girl....

 Every night around 8 or so, we do Round 4 or 5 together with the babies.  I take their food out & we sit and play. 
Megan enjoys playing tug o'war, or "face fighting" with PinkGirl.  I have a supply of clean up stuff in their pen & they found that playing with a paper towel roll was great fun.  Of course you can spend tons of money on dog toys & they'd just as soon play with the box.  If any of you dog lovers ever buy toys, check out the selections at Walgreens (yes, believe it or not) and Walmart.  They are a LOT cheaper than a pet store.

 Poor little guy isn't included in the girls' reindeer games...

he's trying to get their attention!

So of course, Megan obliged & snatched the roll from him

Aw come on Mom!  I didn't mean for you to KEEP IT!



And then there were two...

Can you believe his ears are up??!!  WOW this is pretty early.  Let's hope hers come up soon.

I hate to advertise but I may have to do so.  :(

 Pink Girl needs a good home, but don't tell Megan.

If anyone knows of a GREAT home (I will be pretty picky), please give them my email:  BevA3@aol.com

New home for PurplePeanutPeoplePuppy

OOOHHH this is a sad, yet very happy day...

    My little baby has chosen her new people.  I gave them (the humans!) THEIR choice of 2 girls but I knew in my heart which one I thought was a perfect fit for him.  I tried (I *think* I was successful) not offering my opinion, but Purple Girl made it clear that SHE was going to be their choice.  As a breeder, this is the BEST feeling in the world...to see your baby go home with people that will love and care for her (can you believe I'm crying?!)

    I told her that she had a whole new world out there to go forth and conquer and new people that will have their hearts stolen by her.  Jason will be calling her Jasmine after his favorite Disney character.  How cute.  I like that name a lot!

   Jasmine promised me that she'd have Jason bring her back to Camp Gwamma's house frequently  :)  And since Megan LOVES for Jason to throw her "feetball" for her, she is also looking forward to it.
   So you ask...how does Megan feel about her baby leaving?  I'm not real sure that she knows she is missing yet!  She is so exhausted, as well as the other puppies, that everyone is sound asleep.  Funny part is, Meg was going out of the gate with Jason too!  She may've wanted to see where she was going?  Or maybe she just wanted to bail?  :)  Throw my ball and I'll follow you anywhere!
   Now I guess I should work on my 2010 taxes since my CPA appointment is at 11 tomorrow!  What's the rush Bev??

"Jasmine" and Jason.......he found her scratch patch!  See her rear leg going?  :)

Jason took this one of her.  Doesn't she look so grown up?  I'm telling you, she looks just like her mama.  And every bit as smart!  She has so much potential & I am sure Jason will just love her to death.

This was right before she got scooped up to go to her new home.  Funny how their ears look at this age.  They're aren't up yet but the way she was laying you could see how they'll be in a few weeks.  Jason won't believe how fast she will grow up.

THANK YOU JASON, I know you'll be very happy with her.
And you'd better remember to come visit!  Don't make me come over there  ;) 

8 1/2 weeks

Just some random pics for you  :)

This is our handsome "BlackBoy"  
I think it's time he had a real name!

 Now I couldn't have planned this picture if I tried!  This is RedBoy (AKA Red Baron) with his mother's ears!  haahaa

Red again...I can't wait to see these handsome boys when they grow into those gorgeous heads.

Sometimes boys just need to be left alone for a nap. He (Black) put himself in time out. The pen door was wide open  :)

I am so thrilled at this!  Blue Boy has one ear up already!  Well, at least he does occasionally.

AAAAAWWWWW....

 Purple Peanut was just "wallering" with all the toys.  She is such a cutie