Bella Bijou’s E Litter, Eight Weeks

Dear Edith, Echo and Elliot,

Thank you for posing for pictures tonight. Maybe tilt your chins up a bit. It was a pleasure.

Dear Emmett,

Seriously? Must you try to engage with our other dogs in the yard as well as that squirrel on the branch while we try to snap your picture? And be so excited about the dog howling two doors down? We know you can hop and twist, clever boy…but can it wait? How charming that you love to leap into my arms, too; hold that thought, and just sit nicely for a fraction of a second.

Love to you all,

C.

Edith,

Echo,

Elliot,

and Emmett.

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Bella Bijou’s “E” Litter, Seven Weeks

At her puppies’ seven week mark, Bella is still not opposed to an occasional nursing session. Yes, they have emerging teeth, yes, they eat solid food heartily, and yes, she’s increasingly happy to see them being tended to by others. Still, if she’s not wearing her nipple-blocking pink baby onesie and the puppies are hungry – she obliges.

We’ve had a houseful of family members here this week, with a number of young grandchildren. I feel strongly that all the puppies’ encounters with little ones need to be positive at this stage, so we supervise well, or keep the puppies behind closed doors.  Crying, shrieks while in the pool or on the trampoline – these are fine for the pups to observe, but all direct handling must be positive.

Edith,

Echo,

Elliot,

And Emmett. This fellow is camera shy today, and actually, I love presenting them the way they really are, not as mini-models. I have a long photo series of Emmett darting away from the camera, which we think is completely charming.

Bella Bijou’s E Litter, Five Weeks

Jim and I met in 1974, in a group of mutual friends attending a Grateful Dead concert in Santa Barbara, California. We both grew up in Palo Alto, where Jim’s mother notoriously interviewed Jerry Garcia as a potential guitar teacher for Jim – and rejected him. There was no question that the puppies would be entertained this weekend with the televised “Fare Thee Well” reunion concerts celebrating fifty years of the Grateful Dead experience. They hung on every note, as the photo shows.

Our neighborhood was crazy with Fourth of July fireworks last night. We always host festivities at our home so we can keep our dogs company, a habit that matters to us most when we have puppies. Our adult dogs are all relaxed about fireworks and these puppies were as well, nursing quietly as they listened. I had the puppies out this afternoon when I heard distant thunder too, with a sprinkling of rain as we gathered them inside.

Fireworks, thunder, and a rock concert… an eventful weekend for the little “E”s.

Edith,

Echo,

  

Elliot,

and Emmett.

Bella Bijou’s E Litter, Four Weeks

Bella’s puppies are four weeks old. They now have a place in the heart of the home with solid food served three times a day, the attention of our other adult dogs as well as their mama, a toddler’s gentle affection, the clamor of our lively days, and continued abundant love and care.

Edith,

 

Echo,

Elliot,

and Emmett.

Bella Bijou’s E Litter, Three Weeks

Happy Father’s Day to our sweet Ren O’Riley, sire of another beautiful litter for us.

We’re thrilled to share our  spring, 2015 puppies, born on May 30, 2015. Bella Bijou of Blue Mountain Cotons and Ren are the parents. There are two tricolor girls and two black and white boys: Edith, Echo, Elliot and Emmett. Bella’s famous cheerfulness makes the mood in our home happy for all; the other dogs are relaxed and she’s both proud and pleased.

Edith,

Echo,

Elliot,

and Emmett.

Bella’s J Litter, Eight Weeks

We’ve always felt relaxed about including puppies in our family’s entertaining efforts. I particularly remember a wedding reception for seventy five guests, with puppies enjoying visitors from a side room slightly removed from the main event. We hosted a baby shower with puppies gently held by friends and family members while presents were opened. The puppies were a big attraction during the years of teen gatherings. And this afternoon we had an all day family birthday party with puppy holding as a featured activity.

We’re careful to supervise and make sure the puppies have positive experiences. Mostly they love to watch and take in the things that aren’t part of daily life on these occasions: balloons, a large group bursting into “Happy Birthday to You”, women in heels and perfume, punch bowls, loud music, and the crinkling of wrapping paper.

Jolie,Jane,Junebug,and Jackson.

Bella’s J Litter, Seven Weeks

I think the makers of small stuffed animals should use Bella’s J puppies as models. They permit people to hold them and maneuver them to their backs, on their sides, upright and looking outward, or held slightly aloft in one hand – and they don’t squirm or move. All we’re missing is the little squeaky sound when squeezed.

Jolie,Jane,Junebug,and Jackson.