What a busy July!

It has been a very hot and busy July. But super fun!

Even Kyree agreed to join in on all the fun.
We always introduce the puppies to lots of different things, having a good puppy training cat (Kyree) is very important.

This is Esme's little Hero. Hero is 5 days younger than the rest of the puppies.
It has been fun to be able to see the difference a few days of development really makes.

This is our Magical Merlin.
Merlin was born to Rose but he has been adopted by Esme.
Merlin is the smallest in size but he is always the first puppy in development.
Merlin already has a fabulous coat of hair.

This is Rose's Griffin.
Griffin is the biggest puppy in size.
Griffin is the most charming little guy, always playing the prince.

This is Rose's Mimic.
Mimic is a cute little girl, she is the smallest little girl this week.

Fairy is Rose's largest little girl.
Fairy would like to point out that she is still 140 grams lighter than Griffin.

Elf is the middle weight of Rose's little girls this week.
Elf is also very special because she has 2 beige ears.
Elf reminds me of her sister Lilly however her markings are not nearly as dark.
Please feel free to check out our Picasa Photo Album for this weeks pictures, or if you would like to see pictures of our past puppies.

We do still have 2 little boys looking for their forever families. Please send me an email if you are interested or have any questions about bichon puppies in general.
I can be reached at honeyridgepuppies@gmail.com

Our next posting will have pictures of the puppies making their first exploratory mission into the great and wild outdoors!
Ta Ta for now,
Loretta

New Nick Names

This week the puppies received their new nicknames!
I chose all bird names because the birds outside were singing and dancing and they inspired me.

The 3 little princes all lined up and ready for a group shot!

This is Esme's little hero. He is 325 grams at 3 days old.

This is Rose's little Merlin - named after
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_%28bird%29
Merlin is a magical puppy, he is the smallest puppy and weighs in at 315 grams. Esme was taking the loss of her still born puppy really hard and every time Rose's puppies would make any sounds at all Esme would leave her puppy Hero and try to get into Rose's playpen. Merlin,also doing his part, had not been gaining weight as quickly as his siblings so I made a judgement call and put Merlin in with Esme and Hero. I did ask Rose first, but she had also been doing her part and I had the feeling that she felt a bit overwhelmed.
I can only describe the results as magic, Rose now seems happier and is much more attentive to her remaining 4 puppies. Esme is Super proud of both of her little boys, and she makes sure to show them off. Merlin also seems to like the extra attention he receives as 1 of 2 puppies. And I was happy because Merlin received extra colostrum, which should help him to grow big and strong.

This is Rose's little Griffin,named after http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffon_Vulture
He is the largest puppy and tops the scales at 450 grams.

We do still have 2 little boys looking for their forever families, please send us an email if you would like more information on our little princes.

Rose's three little girls trying hard to avoid a group shot.

Rose's little girl Mimic, named after http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meliphagidae
Mimic is 377 grams today.

Rose's little princess Elf, named after http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_owl
Elf is 390 grams today.
Rose's little girl Fairy, named after http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Fairy-bluebird
Fairy is 390grams today.
I have also added pictures of the puppies next to a can of soda so that you can get an idea of how big they are, check out our photo album to view them.

https://picasaweb.google.com/honeyridgepuppies/RoseAndEsmeSPups79#

All 6 of our little pups are doing great! This week their eyes and ears will start to open but they will mostly just eat and sleep.
Momma Rose will have her stitches out this week, she is very excited to tell the vet about her little ones. Esme is just loving being a mom, and can't wait to meet all the families that will come out to visit during open house, so she can show everyone her beautiful little guys.
Have a great week!
Loretta

Busy July

July has had a very exciting start! First Rose had her beautiful pups and today
Esme delivered Hero!
Esme started showing signs of whelping on July 5th. After an uncomfortable night she started contractions at 4:45 am. At 5:30 am Esme delivered a still born little boy. She was very upset and confused as to why he wasn't moving.
I was worried that maybe she wouldn't have any other puppies but at 7 am she started contracting again and at 7:30 her Hero arrived.

I have nicknamed Esme's little guy Hero as I am positive that he saved the day.

Rose's Little ones are doing great!

These are our 2 princes.

And Rose's Princesses are already looking forward to meeting their forever families.
Too Cute!
I am sending out emails to all the families on our waiting list and giving each family a few days to decide if they would like a prince before moving down the list to the next family. It does take some time but I want to make sure all our puppies go to good and loving families.
If you would like to see more pictures of the puppies please check out our Picasa album at
https://picasaweb.google.com/honeyridgepuppies

On to the sad part of this blog.

We will have a short service and burial of Esme's still born puppy this evening. We will also plant a tree to remember him.
I normally do not add this type of caution to our blog but even 8 hours after the delivery I still tear up just thinking about it, and I felt it was important to share.

I frequently get calls and emails from families wanting to breed their family pet and this seems like a good time to make this statement. Every pregnancy carries risk, both to mom and the puppies. Also every pregnancy requires commitment from the human family as well. Esme had human company all day July 5th and I was awake and next to her all night. Loosing a puppy due to delivery complications is very sad and super scary for everyone involved. Also if I had not been right there with Esme, we might have lost Esme as well. Having a great communication with your vet during the pregnancy and delivery is essential. We kept in touch with the vet during the day on July 5th so that he was aware of what was going on and I had to call him at 5:25 am because I was unsure how to continue with the delivery, he was very helpful and talked me through the steps that I needed to take. To those considering breeding their family pet please be aware of the health risks before breeding.

I am very happy that Hero is doing so well. Esme is doing great and is very proud of her little prince.
Until next time,
Loretta

Happy Holidays!

Boy the holiday sure has started with a bang!
Friday July 1st, 2011 will be forever marked as the birthday of 5 beautiful puppies.
Rose had a c-section at 2:30 pm.
I am happy to report that Momma Rose and all 5 puppies are doing great.
The little man of the litter was born hungry and complained all the way home from the vets office that he was hungry and wanted his dinner.
Rose was super excited to here him crying all the way home and reassured him his dinner was on the way. It was super cute to hear her little reassuring barks on the ride home. I think we arrived home just after 4 pm and by 5pm Rose was cleaning the puppies and really checking them out. I think she should get a medal for super mommy!
I am still keeping a super close eye on her and the puppies and will be all night.
I did manage to take a few snapshots, for the photo album.

Esme is due on Wednesday, I am really hoping that all goes smoothly and we do not have to make another emergency trip to the vet.

I will update again soon. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Loretta