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SIRE Shadow's Dacquari RN CGC Breeder/Owner: Liz Sullivan |
DAM RedDawn's Because I Can CGC Breeder/Owner: Dawn Whitelock |
11/15/2007 - I have been plotting this breeding since even before Rachel was born. The conversation with Liz Sullivan regarding Spike began in August 2005 when I posted to the SB-L in search of an "older health tested stud dog". At the time, Spike was only 7! Since then I have been around the world (figuratively speaking, of course, thanks to the internet!) and back again looking at stud dogs and studying pedigrees. I got back in touch with Liz this summer and we waited patiently for Rachel to come into season again. And we waited . . . And we waited . . . She was expected in July, but Rachel thought it would be ideal to try and make this effort a go smack in the middle of Regional week in October! Nothing worth the effort is ever easy, right? I feel that this pedigree combination offers an interesting outcross with a history of longevity that's getting tougher to come by. Although there are no guarantees, I feel very confident with the health testing and temperament on both sides of this pairing. Rachel is on a limited vaccination protocol. Rachel was conceived, whelped and weaned on a 100% raw diet. In January 2004 we switched back to kibble using Canidae. Since then I've used Nutro and Pro Plan, but found VeRus in November 2005. I have been very happy with VeRus and highly recommend it as a maintenance diet; however, Rachel will be fed Canidae supplemented with fresh foods, Berte's Green Blend, DHA, and Whelp Help for the duration of her pregnancy and nursing. Canidae offers a greater variety of protein sources and slightly more caloric value per feeding. To date she's still pretty slim and trim but, as all ladies know, a lot can happen in a month! Stay tuned!
12/12/2007 - Rachel's temp dropped on Monday morning and she started stage one that night around 10PM. She finally started some real contractions and hard pushing this morning around 5:30 after I'd just sat down with my coffee. An hour and 15 minutes later she finally pushed out the first big boy. He was big and he was in there pretty tight. Then, by 8:00 she'd had three more! So far that looks like all there is. Everyone is settled in and doing well. We had an x-ray scheduled for Tuesday night, but didn't make it since she was rather heavily involved in the process. I will have her x-rayed when we take the pups in for tails on Friday just to be safe. So, I am delighted to introduce four new boxer babies to the world (in order of appearance):
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One dark flashy brindle boy One plain dark brindle girl One plain fawn girl (little Julia) One whopper of a pure white boy |
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Merry Christmas!
12/29/2007 - The puppies are growing like little weeds! On Christmas Eve (just short of two weeks old) they all weighed around two pounds already! The little fawn girl opened her eyes at seven days. Her siblings followed suit one a day each day after that. The white boys eyes are both dark and all of the colored pups have double dark haws. Ears are open too and everyone is just starting to bark and growl. They're getting around the box well but wobbly at this point. The real fun is about to begin! Happy New Year!
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01/06/2008 - What a big weekend for 3½ week old puppies! They had their first taste of big dog food, their first adventure outside of the box to explore my office, and their first session with our very own 3 year old photographer extraordinaire! BTW, the pure white boy isn't quite so - he has a new fawn spot behind his right ear. My daughter says that he's turning into a dalmation! Enjoy!
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The Brindle Boy
The Brindle Girl
The Fawn Girl
The White Boy
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01/14/2008 - Growing in leaps and bounds! 4½ weeks old already!
01/20/2008 - 5½ weeks old . . . Where does this time go?! Everyone is doing well - they gone from their first tentative steps outside of the box to racing down the hallway for a beloved outing in what seems like a matter of only minutes . . . We might finally have a front runner for "keeper", time will continue to tell! We're just trying to enjoy them for now. Hope you do too!
The Brindle Boy
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Brindle Girl
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The Fawn Girl (not much of a stacker yet, but BOY can she snuggle! ;o)
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The White Boy
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02/24/2008 - I have been remiss in posting pictures . . . I suppose it's been a little busy around here! ;o)
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02/24/2008 - 10½ weeks . . . It's finally time . . . The puppies start to begin their adventures in new homes this weekend . . . I suppose that this is the bane of every breeder's existence - you just can't keep 'em all . . . Fortunately I have been blessed with grace beyond measure in the homes that have chosen one of my babies to raise! While they are missed, it is exciting to think of how their individual personalities will blossom now!
03/01/2008 - Moby left us today . . . It was the most tearful goodbye thus far. That extra week with so much one on one time makes it tough! BUT . . . Madison is back! So we're still pretty busy around here! March forth, right?
04/11/2008 - And then there was one . . . Today was Madison's day. As tough as it's been each time, this little girl had been with us a lot longer than the others and lived right in the middle of us. She had definitely become a part of every day life and it was stunning how quiet the house was without her curious little nose discovering something new. But once again I find myself completely humbled by the AMAZING amount of love and affection that's been made available to each of my puppies by the families that found us. Nothing happens by chance - there's a reason for everything and these pups are destined to live the greatest lives imaginable to ANY dog! I am so utterly and completely grateful - I can only wish the same for every breeder. It never fails that when our family increases in dogs, it inevitably increases in the most wonderful folks and families! My heartfelt gratitude goes out to every home where a RedDawn pup is currently curled up on the couch! THANK YOU!
Officially, they are:
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RedDawn's Shotgun And A
Pistol
"Wyatt Earp"
Wyatt will be staying here to help balance the estrogen level in our home! Even the rabbit is a girl, so with a second daughter on the way my husband needed a little support . . . As such, he has earned his own personal page here. :o)
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RedDawn's Little Black
Dress
"Madison"
For pictures of Madison on her First Day at the Beach, please visit Wyatt's page!
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RedDawn's Love Ain't For
Keeping
"Bijou"
Bijou (formerly known as Baby Julia) is settled in Annapolis to keep 11 year old Boxer girl, Kady, on her toes! Bijou's new mom writes, "Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be Bijou’s parents. We have never been happier. She is truly the love of our lives and we can’t imagine how empty our house was without her!!!"
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RedDawn's Ghost Of A
Chance
"Moby"
Moby is in Annapolis as well - new Boxer sisters, Mattie and Dee Dee, will most likely be keeping HIM in line! Moby's new mom writes, "Thank you for allowing Moby to join our family. He seems really happy and the girls love having him around. I couldn't have asked for a better pup for our family."
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