Molly Clair’s Y Litter

Molly delivered her second litter last Monday, February 23.  She has four beautiful puppies, a male and three females, and we’ve named them Yukon, Ynez, Yvonne and Yvette.  That’s their order in the pictures below.

The delivery went smoothly and the puppies have been gaining steadily.  Yukon is the largest and the girls are slightly smaller and within an average of .5 oz. of each other.

They scoot around the whelping box, find a place to nurse, snuggle together, and offer all the charming behaviors of typical puppies at this age.  They nuzzle into my neck or my cheek when I hold them, relaxing their bodies as they press against my skin.  They can neither see nor hear, but they know warmth, and seek it.  It’s the most lovely thing, and a rich reward for the late night hours spent ushering them into the world.

This litter was sired by Beignet de Charmont of Sierra Cotons, owned by Michele Crockett of Magiclands Cotons in Colorado.  It was generous of Michele to permit the use of Ben.  He’s a sweet and playful boy, and we’re thrilled to include him in our breeding program.

Daddy’s Girl

Quinlan’s new owner is flying in to meet us; I feel great about this new home.  Quinlan is twelve and a half weeks old and completely at ease everywhere we go.  But I admit that I never even gave my other applicants the option to have her.  I was curious about her quiet, thoughtful manner.

By the time we were down to just Quincy and Quinlan she easily matched his level of rambunctiousness.  Still, when I called them or issued a command she was all business and quick to comply.  “Sit”, I instructed the two of them, but Quincy called out in his puppy voice, “Not now, in a minute, I need to inspect this leaf, run over to this tree and jump a few more times!”

Quinlan’s a focused girl and a good observer and I love these things about her.  It’s been so easy to take her training a step further than usual too, which is never work for me, but always pure fun.  I’m happy to see her lighthearted side blossoming.

She’s enthralled with her sire, Clancy McGee.  Clancy brings the puppies toys, but mostly he strolls around the yard with the line of puppies following after.  He lies in the sun and they lie a foot away.  He chews on blades of long grass and they do the same.  Ellie, Kate, Emma and Maddie play tumbling and chase games with the puppies, but Clancy is more regal.  Quinlan loves both, but she’s especially charming as her daddy’s shadow.

Emma’s Q Puppy – Quinlan!

Here she is, in all her ten-week-old puppy glory.  Quinlan reflects her lovely grandmother Ellie, our first Coton, in so very many ways.  It’s one of the reasons we’ve had trouble letting her go.

She bounds and jumps like a bunny, and she rolls to her back for petting.  She studies the world around her carefully – the antics of children, the older dogs’ behaviors – and mimics anything likely to yield a treat.

Quinlan knows “come”, “settle”, “sit”, and “follow”.  She sleeps all night quietly and dry in her crate in our bedroom.  She takes a daytime nap in her crate for a couple of hours and doesn’t complain. She entertains herself in the puppies’ kitchen exercise pen with her brother Quincy and their innumerable toys and chew sticks.  She’s curious and unafraid of the five large retriever dogs she can see through our open iron fences in the neighbors’ yards. She has enjoyed all the people we’ve met so far, around a hundred, including plenty of children.

She’s available to a qualified family or single person.  Contact me with questions!

Carol Crumly, pups@bluemountaincotons.com

Emma’s Q Puppies, Homeward Bound

Darling Quinlan is currently available.  She has a sweet, thoughtful temperament, and she’s very smart and quick to train.  I’ll post more about her tomorrow.

Quincy will leave for his new home mid-week and Quaid and Queenie went to their homes last week.

It’s always bittersweet to see them off.  This group was very easy to care for, and when they blend into family life so naturally we really do miss them.

Here is Quinlan (also pictured above),

and Quincy.

Please contact me for information on Quinlan.  The puppies are ten and a half weeks old this weekend and she is ready for her permanent home.

Carol Crumly, pups@bluemountaincotons.com

Emma’s Q Puppies, Eight Weeks

Pictures are yesterday’s, October 9, 2011, on a sunny day as fall begins to grow colder here in Boise.

Quincy,

Quaid,

Quinlan,

and Queenie.

I love the look of my puppies at eight weeks.  They resemble stuffed animals.  In real life they’re at their most adorable, with thick, fluffy coats and warm, soft, floppy bodies when we hold them.

These four are sleeping through the night in their crates, quiet and dry, and using “the facilities” outside frequently throughout the day.  They continue to meet new people and they know all the little training commands I expect in puppies here.  Four is an easy number to work with.  Emma agrees – she spends lots of time outdoors playing with them.

Emma’s Q Puppies, Seven Weeks

This evening a visitor who has checked our blog photos actually visited and watched us take them.  The puppies posed perfectly, both sitting and standing, to the right and to the left.  I couldn’t have asked for more.  But I did laugh and confess: it’s not that way every time.  We have plenty of hilarious out takes as they bolt hither and yon.  Typically at seven weeks our puppies grow alarmed by the previously familiar camera.  You can see it this week in their slightly hunkered-down postures and occasional worried expressions, but “this too shall pass” applies here.

Quincy, a tri-color male,

And his tri-color brother Quaid,

and the black and white girls, Quinlan,

 

and Queenie.

We’re enjoying the blossoming personalities!

Quincy is clownish and cuddly, a beautiful blend.  Quaid rolls around with his plump tummy and lives to snuggle.  That wide-eyed baby face captures the attention of every visitor.  Quinlan’s independent streak caught my eye in the early weeks – she preferred exploring to cuddling.  But I’ve been massaging her gently and I see a change.  The children playing with the puppies this afternoon commented that she was the calmest of the four.

I had my eye on Queenie as an aspiring leader of the pack, but it isn’t so obvious.  She snaps into her “sit” with full focus on our eyes for what we might want next.  A sense of respect will serve her well.  She’s the image of her daddy’s “yes ma’am, what can I do for you now?”

 

 

Emma’s “Q” Puppies, Six Weeks

The sprinkler!  That’s what the drops are over Queenie’s head as the sprinklers came on all at once in our backyard, just as we wrapped up this week’s photos.  Jim and I let the puppies play for awhile before gathering them to go indoors -  it helps the puppies immeasurably if we remain relaxed during surprises like this.  And our adult dogs set a good example of loving to play in the rain or sprinklers.  Sometimes I spot all five lined up at the back door, dripping wet and smiling broadly.   I hope these puppies will always love a little romp in water.

The Q puppies had their first vaccinations this week and A+ report cards from the vet.  We started short visits in public to meet people.  I have to say that over the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve seen a marked increase in the maturity of children who interact with the puppies.  They ask to pet the puppies, for starters, then offer their hands for a sniff.  Then they move nearly in slow motion as they gently pet the puppy, careful not to startle.

Parents, if you’re teaching your kids this approach, good for you.  Kids (yes you, Lindsay!) your gentle way with the puppies will affect them all their lives by helping them trust children.  To all the store employees, friends and strangers who help me give my puppies a good start, thank you so very much.

Our males, Quincy,

and Quaid,

and our females, Quinlan,

and Queenie.

Emma’s “Q” Puppies, Five Weeks

The “Q” puppies are a pretty mellow group.  They’re inquisitive, friendly, and uncomplaining.  The most impish among them is Quinlan, and her spirited nature is mild and quite charming.

Even though they’re young they’re fully able to learn – a simple example is their relative cooperation with sitting and standing when I place them for photographs. We still take lots (they blink and stick out their tongues and take five tries to remember the routine.) But at least I’m choosing photos with a choice of head tilts rather than from several of a puppy leaping over the arm of a chair.   I couldn’t resist adding a photo of Quinlan insisting on some tug of war with the quilt before (finally) settling down.

It’s a beautiful time of year for a litter.  They’re in their outdoor exercise pen on our deck while I water flowers and weed.  The neighbor boys’ trampoline is within sight, and all four puppies sit mesmerized as the boys jump and their retrievers, Skip and Shaggy, bound around the yard and take an occasional bounce too.

All the puppies are eating soft solid food well.  Emma stands upright to nurse briefly a few times a day still, then she simply walks away when she’s had enough of the emerging teeth.  This week I expect her to begin the quick, low growl that will mean “you can play and snuggle, but let’s skip those between-meals snacks.”

Quincy,

Quaid,

Quinlan,

and Queenie.

Emma’s “Q” Puppies, Four Weeks

The week has flown by!  We took our four week old pictures last Sunday, and here they finally are.  The hints of uncertainty in the puppies’ faces and postures are probably due to our neighbor’s inopportune launch of a power saw; we went ahead and took a few pictures rather than alarm the puppies further by hustling them inside.  Who knows, perhaps their new families include woodworking enthusiasts. We try to be prepared!

Here’s Quincy,

Quaid,

Quinlan,

and Queenie.

Emma’s “Q” Puppies, Three Weeks

Emma’s effervescent temperament brings sunshine to our household.  She has no aspirations to lead the pack (I’m talking about you, Clancy McGee) and she’s contented to wait her turn for a visitor’s attention (first honors go to Ellie).  She even waits smilingly in the background while Kate rushes for second honors.  She possesses a truly blithe spirit.

And while she is a faithful mother, with her first litter she endured a little tutoring from Ellie, her own mom.  Their litters were just four days apart.  Ellie is retired from breeding, but we remember her seriousness about her puppies.   She was the picture of maternal responsibility.

Emma nursed, cleaned and performed all her expected duties.  But she did love to run when she had opportunity, with hair blowing and wind in her face.  Ellie addressed this frivolity by leaping into Emma’s whelping box whenever Emma went outdoors, where she nursed Emma’s puppies with a stern look on her face.

We eventually made sure both girls took breaks together.  Ellie tended to lie stretched out in the sun and Emma bounded around and greeted the neighbor dogs and kids next door.  I remember them running in, running out, up the stairs and down, a perfectly matched pair.  They jumped into their adjacent whelping boxes and nursed their respective puppies.

Ellie raised one more litter in her own focused style, and Emma carries on as the mom with the impish smile.

As these current puppies grow older we’ll be able to make reliable guesses about their temperaments – and in the meantime it’s fun to describe our cheerful Emma.

Here is Quincy, the first of our boys.

And Quaid.

And our girls, Quinlan,

And Queenie.

Emma’s “Q” Puppies, Two Weeks

Tonight I’m introducing Emma and Clancy’s “Q” litter, two boys and two girls, born on August 10.  Quincy and Quaid, the boys, are tri-colored puppies, Queenie and Quinn, the girls, are black and white.  They’re similar in size, weight, and development – just four solidly healthy puppies.

Emma is an easy-going mother and always has been.  Tonight when a family friend dropped by, she gave a few token barks for show, then wiggled all over with pride as she introduced her latest offspring.

I watch the progress of both mother and puppies when I have a new litter.  Emma drinks ample amounts of water and eats well.  True to her herself and her personal mothering style, she loves a good run around the yard with the other dogs once or twice a day before resuming puppy-tending responsibilities.  It’s her personal “fling” I suppose.  Her coat is lovely, her eyes are bright.

As for the puppies, they’ve hit every expected marker, doubling their weight on time, opening their eyes, wobbling to their feet, navigating wrinkles/unevenness in the whelping box blanket, and lolling comfortably on their backs when we hold them gently in this position.  They’re mouthing each others’ faces in the exploring, slow-motion way they all begin with, and – my favorite trait of all – they’ve begun to nuzzle their tiny heads into our hands when we reach into the whelping box to cuddle them.

As always, I’m in love.

Here’s Quincy.

And his brother Quaid.

And the girls, Quinlan…

And Queenie.

Molly’s “V” Girls, Nine Weeks

They’re delightful.  That sums up the “V”s perfectly.

Veronica,

Vanna,

Vera,

and Violet.

They cooperate with the daily routines we’ve established gradually over the weeks.

Last week they were still getting used to a closed crate door, and it helped that they had each other for company.

This week includes a bedtime “goodnight” from us as they settle in their own small crates.

Their days include some training, some out-and-about time in the city, and playtime outdoors with the adult dogs – who insist on their respect at all times, but who still play chasing games and show them how to roll on their backs in the grass.

The litters become easier for me to manage as they grow older.  This group has abandoned all whining and annoying vocals, for example, which we appreciate.  This maturity really helps me let them go – I can see how ready they each are for their own families.

And that’s next of course, the final plans for their owners to either come in to Boise or for  us to hand-carry the puppies to meet the owners, all scheduled for this coming weekend and the week after.

We’ll take some informal pictures and post next week.

Molly’s “V” Girls, Eight Weeks

We wrapped up the afternoon’s puppy portraits and I needed to move along with other plans.  I glanced around for an easy way to contain the girls for a group photo and spotted these bread baskets.  What could be simpler?  I could line them up, ask them to smile, snap a few shots and we’d be through.

Ready?  On the count of three, girls, look this way!

Here is Veronica.

And Vanna,

Vera,

And Violet.

The V girls have been quite easygoing. We’re finally seeing variations in their temperaments, and the small unique traits make us love them more than ever.

Veronica is larger than the others and she’s the only one able to ease herself down the deck steps to freedom on the lawn. She’s an adventurer, happy to see if she can fit into an overturned watering can.  Vanna shows off for visitors in an attempt to steal attention from her sisters, and she’s successful.  “Look how funny that one is” people exclaim, and they’re right.  Vera and Violet are petite, sweet and feminine.   When strangers pick them up they snuggle their faces into their necks for a good cuddle.  Out in the city this week a wonderful woman held Violet for the longest time, overcome with her gentleness, and Violet comfortably dozed off in her arms.

Vera is in love with Jim and shadows him all over the yard. The puppies pair up quite often, black and white Veronica and Vera napping in the sun and tri-color Vanna and Violet in a game of “knock down the daffodils” – which of course spring right back up.  When we call them to come in, three puppies run to us.  Violet, in an impish frame of mind, runs the other way.

Their coats are truly luxurious. Their pigment is still coming in on the bottoms of some of their feet, and Vera has a small spot remaining on her nose.  They eat enthusiastically and are fully transitioned to dry kibble in individual bowls.  We’re crate training this week.  Our adoptive families are finalizing plans to pick them up around the ten week birthday, and we plan to enjoy the little Vs while they’re still ours.

This is a great time to wish the V girls’ daddy a happy Father’s Day!  Thank you, Ren O’Riley, for being such a handsome, silly, thoroughly charming sire.

Molly’s “V” Girls, Seven Weeks

No, they’re not about to fall; I have them held tightly.  The adorable V girls are mellow no matter how I hold them or where I place them.  In fact, my seven week point collection of puppy photos is my overall worst.  Most of my puppies at this age are distrustful of the camera and suspicious of my positioning of them – it’s just a quirky phase in their development.  The V girls weren’t the least concerned in tonight’s photo shoot.

Veronica,

Vanna,

Vera,

Violet.

Vera’s nose pigment is progressing nicely.

No one is naughty, bossy, disrespectful, nor annoying.  I could insert some little halos into their portrait and it would be appropriate.

Molly’s “V” Girls, Six Weeks

Veronica!

And Vanna,

Vera,

And Violet.

Everyone is curious to know if I can discern temperament variations in the “V” girls.  I wish I could, but I can’t.  These are contented, relaxed puppies.  I asked the four of them if anyone wished to be in charge, but no one volunteered.  They’re all cheerful and uncomplaining.  What more could I ask for?