Christmas is coming

 Christmas is nearly here and we have been busy with the puppies as well as preparing for the festive season. Every day the pups grow bigger and more lively. They are weaned from Fíadh now and starting to eat their raw meat meals. Their teeth are also coming through and there have been a few squeaks when one of the other bites their sibling in play not knowing it will hurt now. Fíadh still spends a lot of time with them snuggling and making sure they are clean even though we are constantly checking them too. The puppies have also had their first trip out to a local restaurant in the pet buggy and they were quite laid back about the whole experience..even the fire alarm sounding twice for a test drill! 

Fíadh and her babies squashed into the igloo bed

No room in this bed for Mum but she stays close to her babies still.

Tucking into lunch 

Checking out the travel carrier in their pen.

This helps familiarise them with the carrier before they use it for travel. 

In the pet buggy on a visit to the local restaurant for coffee 

First trip out.

Trying on a jumper 

Another fashionista 

Happy Christmas to all our blog friends 🎄☃️🐾🐾❤️

 

Growing up

 Over the past couple of weeks, the puppies have been doing a lot of growing and they change every day! They have started trying some raw goats milk and raw weaning meat although they still love mother’s milk best. Fíadh wants to feed them so we are taking the weaning process gradually. 

Their eyes and ears are open now so we have set up a playpen in the conservatory where they can see and hear more of the household noises and they have met a few of our other dogs for a short while. All the dogs love puppies and the pups are keen to meet new canines. This too is a gradual process though as Fíadh is very protective of her babies and it will take a little while for her to feel confident that her babies are safe away from her and with other dogs. 

Having a laugh 😂

Meeting the relatives 

Saying hello to grandma Phoebe 

Astrid and her new little sister 

Enjoying a quick drink from Mum

 

Trying some meat 

This milk is quite tasty too

Maybe I will have some more

3 little monkeys 💙❤️💛

RIP Trilby (Darksprite Rosa Bud)

Our dear Trilby has passed away after suffering a major stroke on Monday night and, despite our hopes she might recover some quality of life, it was soon clear that she could not go on. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday morning, a peaceful and dignified end but it has left us shocked and sad that she has gone from our lives so suddenly.

Trilby was one of the very first puppies we bred back in 2012, the only girl in a litter of four. She was Magic’s daughter and deeply bonded with her - so much so that she did take Magic’s death a year ago very hard and never quite seemed to bounce back from it. She was a gentle and affectionate girl, loved puppies  - her own and those of her daughter as well as those of our affen Mums and she had been filled with happiness when she had the chance to see one of our newest arrivals last weekend. 

Here are some pictures from her life here with the family from her puppyhood to the present. 

Checking out the rosemary 

With one of her brothers 

Proudly posing with her Bronze Good Citizen certificate

Out and about with her Mum, Magic ❤️

A stunning Cardinal Richelieu at the Affenpinscher Garden Party Fancy Dress

Proud mother ❤️

Devoted to her pups ❤️

Enjoying a race with Leonardo 

Loving the snow 

Soulful eyes ❤️

A beautiful golden girl 🌟

In our hearts always and forever ❤️🌈🐾🐾❤️

Nail Clipping time

The puppies are 12 days old now and growing fast. They have more than doubled their birth weight and their little claws are getting sharp. They need clipping a little so they don’t scratch Fíadh when they are feeding. The pups are quite compliant at this age and don’t seem to mind at all having their nails cut. 

Fíadh watches closely to see they are all OK and gives them a kiss afterwards.

Now we are waiting to see their eyes open 🐵❤️🐵❤️🐵

New Beginnings

November brings in the Celtic New Year and we are happy to welcome 3 new little lives into our family. Fíadh gave birth to her puppies on the 5th November and they have been doing well. We have 2 boys and a girl and are looking forward to watch them grow. For now the main job is to keep Fíadh happy while she does all the feeding and cleaning of her babies. The real work for us will start once the puppies can see, hear and move about purposefully.

The girl puppy in front with her 2 brothers

Fíadh checking the pups are clean and warm 

Watching over the pups from the bed

Enjoying a bowl of goats milk while the babies feed 

Tired but happy Mum ❤️

Hallowe’en

 

The weather was not good for Hallowe’en this year but, despite the showers, the dogs did pose for a few photos in the garden with the pumpkin which Judith had carved and they all enjoyed a few treats too.

Leonardo waiting for a treat 💚 

Phoebe and Danny with the pumpkin 🎃 

Moth 💜

Frida 💜

Frida and Flynn wondering if the pumpkin is tasty 🤣

Flynn 💚

Back in the Tent

 Some years ago when we were having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted, we bought a large tent to camp out in the garden with the dogs through the day while the work was going on. We hadn’t expected to need it again but had it in storage and just as well. A gas leak was detected under the house and it took over a week with workmen coming and going and no heating or hot water in the house as the boiler had to be switched off…so the tent was raised again! 

Moth checking the instructions and fittings for the tent.

The tent up and ready for furniture

Danny trying out the chair before it goes into the tent 

Moth on the sofa in the tent

Theodora sharing the sofa

Aoife in her fleece jumper with plenty of blankets to keep warm

Saoirse making sure she has plenty of blankets too.

The workmen never did locate the source of the leak but have now replaced the piping between the meter and the boiler so at last after over a week without we now have hot water again and a warm house too. The dogs are certainly happier indoors than in the tent in this weather! 

A happy Moth in the sunny conservatory ☀️🐵❤️