Spring means different things to different people, but generally speaking Spring means warmer weather, the color GREEN, a chance to open the windows and let in some fresh air, and definitely a sense of "whew, no more snow, PLEASE!" Spring means all of those things up here on the Farm, but this year it means a few others too. We're making a move to New Hampshire (just over 2 hours south of where we currently are), which unfortunately also coincides with a certain someone and her amazing growing belly! More about that later, but the move itself is sinking in and WOW I have a lot to do! Somehow, someway, it will all come together.
Spring also means a chance to finally, finally get the dogs in the field! They are just as stir crazy as we are. Usually this time of year I pick up a bunch of quail to use for the season, gentle bird work for young dogs. Oliver this year especially, I think really deserves a good dose of training to help him realize the amazing potential he has. But with the upcoming move, I have to wait on the birds and focus more on some basic groundwork like "come in", "whoa", and in the case of Alaïs, put her out with Oliver to teach the beautiful range he has and style in which he works field and woods. Something he learned from Izzy! Hero's often out of sight, so we need to do a bit of remedial recall with her...
So speaking of the field, it also means Field Trials and Hunt Tests! And... once again... impending move is hindering my ability to go anywhere, but... both Luna and Kupa'a made their debut at the CNEBC FT the other weekend, and Kupa'a even tried his puppy butt at the hunt test, but did not qualify. I am happy to report that Kupa'a, just shy of his 8th month, came in 4th place in Am Walking Puppy! Go Kupa'a! Here is a awesome photo of him and his dad Paul.
Okay so what about Isabella you ask? Oh boy... she is a hippopotamus! Vic's mom, Darlene, keeps saying "ut oh"... which of course does nothing to help my exceedingly vain hope of 6-7 puppies. Izzy's a little girl, but cobby. And this being her first litter I don't want her to have too many to handle safely! There is a backup plan in place however, if she has a very large litter. The whelping box is being fixed up, whelping supplies organized and a few more things I need to replace or always have new. Towels after towels after towels, clean and stacked ready for use. Izzy is eating well, just slowly. She enjoys the extra yogurt, cottage cheese, or mackerel now put in her food. She is a very determined eater! The puppies can now be felt moving against my hands... it is a special time. And with that my friends, I say ado. Of to work I go!
