Bye Bye

Tomorrow morning Billy (pictured above) heads off to his new home in Chicago with James and Tam, where he will be spoilt rotten for the rest of his life. His sister Zoey, will be staying with us. We have to make room , so that we can keep a puppy from Abba's litter. And then we have just bred Cookie to Thomas with puppies due in late June - oh how I love summer puppies.

This abstract has no meaning - its just a cheery image that reflects my mood, as it going to be beautiful weather for the next few days with maybe a high of 80 or Monday! Its been a busy week of communicating with lots of friends around the world, from Denmark, England Germany and my parents in Australia.

I have finally had my new tooth (it's an implant that has been in process for about 18 months now) and its a good as new. Apart from that nothing too exciting happening in my life right now.

Moses Lake

On Friday I flew out of Portland to Spokane, where I then rented a car and drove for 1 1/2 hours to Moses Lake. (Moses Lake is one of the few large natural lakes in the Columbia Basin of Washington. It is long and narrow, with an area of 2753 hectares, mean depth of 5.8 m, and maximum depth of 11.6 m. The city of Moses Lake is on its shores) My hotel was on the shore of the lake, and so I spent Friday afternoon reading a book and relaxing in the sheltered, warm balcony of my motel room. An early start on Saturday as I had 169 dogs and a group to judge. Then back to the hotel for the club dinner and a fairly early night, before another early rise before a lighter days work today - just 98 dogs and 2 groups. Then hop in the car drive back to Spokane, catch the flight home and finally have a relaxing dinner with David at Olive Garden. Get home, recheck email - the urgent ones were attended to on the road - and then update blog and head to bead. A typical weekend, in the life of a judge!

Then just received this picture from Janet - see the link in the side bar to Team Beagle, for more photos

Abba in her Easter outfit, with her puppies.

Puppies - 1 week old

Thanks to good friend Janet for all the wonderful photos of the puppies

Abba and the babies will be heading off to live with her on Thursday.
She also took a picture of Zoey - our 5 month old girl.

It's that time of the year!

It was in the low 70's yesterday and time to hit the lawn mowing. Just to make it grow even more! Dogs and humans alike, all basked in the sunshine. Janet and Jo visited on the weekend and took LOTS of pictures of Abba and her puppies, which I will share when they are all sorted out. David returned from Tucson and thought the weather here, was almost as good.

Sunshine!

Today we have sunshine and it is predicted to stay with us until the next Wednesday and to hit the low 70's tomorrow and Monday - and that means - Lawn Mowing!! But I am ready for it.

We have a slight breeze today but if you can get out of the wind then its cozy (but its helping to dry the grass) All the dogs are lying on beanbags, soaking up the sun. My new litter is thriving - Abba's milk finally came in, so no longer having to supplement very much. She has a touch of mastitis though, so hot compresses every 3 hours or so - never a slack moment around here. David is enjoying his seminars and the weather in Tucson.

Rain, there must be sunshine somewhere

I left David at the airport this morning, as he was flying to Tucson for 4 days. He is attending the PBGV National (for Judges Education) and the temperatures there are to be in the low 80's and its raining here.
Still I have the puppies to amuse me and with such a big litter, I am "topping them all up"

twice a day, just to make sure everyone is gaining, until Abba's milk is fully in.