Ruska was breed to Tulo at the end of November for their fourth and final litter of puppies; then the waiting began to confirm pregnancy. I intently watched for the signs such as a decreased appetite, morning sickness, overly tired, and a change in mood – Ruska showed all of them. She even repeatedly began taking her stuffy toy outside and back in again. Yes, it looked very promising that she was expecting but I am never completely confident of pregnancy until l use my doppler and hear those tiny heartbeats.
There are various ways to confirm pregnancy. Ranging from abdominal palpation, an ultrasound performed early in pregnancy or waiting patiently for five weeks until Day 35 and using a Doppler Ultrasound.
My impatience got the best of me today and even though it is only Day 31, I decided to try the Doppler Ultrasound early. If I don’t hear a heartbeat, this will make the waiting till Day 35 all the harder. I decided to take the chance anyway. After breakfast, I got Ruska to lay down on our living room floor and I began the process of finding heartbeats.
Ruska’s tummy is full of fur making it an even more difficult task…..
but,
we were successful as we found puppy heartbeats!
L.A. Doodles is excited to announce that Ruska and Tulo areexpecting. The puppies should arrive at the end of January 2021. As in their previous litters, we expect calm loving temperaments and multiple coat types – curly, wavy, and flat coats.
Ellie and Ruska went to the groomers for a well deserved break, to be pampered and a much needed grooming. They were overdue for a haircut because they were busy looking after their adorable puppies. We thought we would get a picture of them before they went into the yard to play. Ruska has been known to jump into our pond soon after her return home!
Going Home Photo’s
Ellie and Brinkley’s 2020 LITTER
Cora – Orange Girl
Ellie and Brinkley’s litter August 8, 2020
Jax – Blue Boy
Percy – Yellow Boy
Nile – Black Boy
Ruby – Maroon Girl
Today we said goodbye to our last puppy, Black Collar Boy Nile. Ellie and I have spent the past nine weeks loving, caring and teaching her puppies. It is now up to their forever families to continue where we left off.
Continue to provide new experiences each day, always include play, and never stop training your puppy. It won’t be easy because they are still young with so much to learn but, with patience and consistency on your part, they will grow to become well-behaved adult dogs that you will enjoy for their lifetime. I am so thankful that our puppies have joined amazing families and know each of our puppies will be loved and have a wonderful life!
Keep in touch, I want to know how your puppy is doing! I am always so excited when I receive an e-mail from one of our puppies families. I love seeing pictures of them as they grow! I have posted this poem before……..it describes exactly how I feel!
LOOKING AHEAD…….
All our puppies have gone to their forever families. I will miss their cuddles and kisses. I am looking forward to our next litter of puppies but, January seems so far away until we welcome Ruska and Tulo’s final litter!
How quickly the time has passed. Remembering the day Ellie’s puppies were born and the excitement of helping Ellie whelp her litter of five tiny helpless little puppies. They couldn’t see, hear or walk. They have learned so much during the past eight weeks. I have enjoyed raising them to the point where they are ready to join their forever families. This past week we have worked on what is acceptable behaviour – mainly the difference between nipping and kisses. Puppies are not alway consistent but, have made great progress in this area. I just love puppy kisses!!!
Bathing puppies before they go home
Last playtimes together
Our Chocolate Yellow Collar Puppy ready and waiting for his forever family. He is playing with his ball.
LOOKING AHEAD
Puppies are leaving for their forever homes. Lots of work lies ahead for your family as you continue teaching your puppy! They are still learning, but the time and work you put in pays off when you have a loving well behaved dog that will love you as only a dog can – unconditionally. You will be the most important person in the world to them.
I have mixed emotions saying goodbye to our puppies. I have enjoyed every minute of their care and they have a piece of my heart. It is with sadness and through tears I say goodbye to each puppy but it does bring me joy to see their excited families smiles and to know that our puppies are joining such wonderful forever families.
The rain finally stopped and we have a lovely day for outdoor exercise. The puppies just love to spend their time outside playing and exploring. They run, chase, wrestle, and explore. I’m enjoying my last few days with Ellie’s puppies. I love puppy kisses and cuddles!
VIDEO – Puppies playing tug-of-war with their toy. Who will win?
Puppies Love Outdoor Play!
VIDEO – Black and Blue Collar Boys were play fighting. When it got a little too loud, Daddy Brinkley broke it up with one bark! LOL
This past week our puppies started heading to their forever homes. Yesterday our last puppy from Ruska and Tulo’s litter, Blue Collar Boy, went home with his forever family. It was a busy time preparing the puppies to go home. They had their nails trimmed, bath, and blow dry. Some of the puppies were so calm and behaved, while others were trying to make their escape. We snapped a memory photo of each puppy after they were ready. All in all, they did well and our puppies looked amazing!!!
Going Home Photo’s
Ruska and Tulo’s 2020 Litter
Millie – Black Girl
Lilly – Pink Girl
Charlie – Green Boy
Dakoda – Dark Blue Boy
Echo – Brown Girl
Leo – Light Blue Boy
Lexy – Orange Girl
Bailey – Purple Girl
Leo – Red Boy
Cashew – Gold Boy
Ruska & Tulo’s litter July 29, 2020
Maggie – Dark Pink Girl
I have spent the past nine weeks loving, caring and teaching our puppies. It is now up to their forever families to continue.
Continue to provide new experiences each day, always include play, and never stop training your puppy. It won’t be easy because they are still young but, with patience and consistency on your part, they will grow to become well-behaved adult dogs that you will enjoy for their lifetime. I am so thankful that our puppies have joined amazing families and know each of our puppies will be loved and have a wonderful life!
Keep in touch ….. it makes my day when I receive an e-mail from one of our puppies families. I love hearing how they are doing and seeing pictures them as they grow ! I came across this poem (below) and felt it describes exactly how I feel!
Please Don’t Forget Your Breeder
I knew from day one not every puppy could stay
Preparing them for life took many hours of each day
I loved every minute watching them develop and thrive
Helping them discover the world fills me with pride
The weeks were numbered, never enough time
I worry, even though I know the puppies will be fine
I trust you with this puppy and hope you understand
I hand-picked you, and know you’ll follow the plan
Continue to provide new experiences each day
Never stop training your puppy, and always include play
I will never forget my puppies and will always be here
Please provide them the best for the rest of their years
No matter how long-ago your baby was here
Not staying in touch is my biggest fearAuthor - Unknown
Ellie’s Puppies
Ellie’s five puppies are waiting in the crate together while I clean out their puppy enclosure
Ellie’s puppies are continuing to learn from each other and their Mama, Brinkley, Ruska and even Willow. Nipping is still a challenge but we continue to discourage this behaviour. The puppies are eating their dry kibble well and are always so excited when meal time arrives and they see their food coming. The puppies love spending their days running, playing and exploring in the yard outside. Today it started raining so we had to cut our outdoor play short and bring the puppies inside.
VIDEO – It was raining today so, Ellie’s puppies had to have indoor playtime. They are playing with a new toy – a water bottle. LOL
Soon it will be time to say goodbye to Ellie’s puppies. I will miss each of them dearly but I am so happy that our puppies are joining such wonderful families. I know they will be loved!
We have had a busy weekend at L.A. Doodles getting five more puppies ready for their forever families. Tomorrow, Ruska’s last puppy is headed home with his forever family. As you can image, it has been much quieter in the morning with only seven puppies to greet me. Ellie’s puppies love to run outside and play together. I tried to capture some of their playtime in the video’s below. Enjoy!
VIDEO – We have a very large spruce tree in our yard that all our litters of puppies have loved to hide under and wrestle there. How many puppies can you see under the tree in this video?Go
VIDEO – The puppies love playing with each other outdoors. Watch a game of “tug-of-war” between some of the puppies
VIDEO – The puppies play in my grandchildren’s playground. The black fabric you see on the ground is the weed barrier that we laid under the playground mulch. Some of the puppies discovered it and tried to pull it up! We will have to fix it after the puppies have gone to their forever homes. Puppies are curious about everything! LOL
The puppies love their outdoor play time with each other. They are learning what is acceptable play when wrestling with each other. If they bite the other puppy too hard, the puppy gives a sharp high pitch yelp to let the other puppy know “that hurts”
We are teaching the puppies the difference between “Puppy Kisses” and “Puppy Nips” Puppies have sharp teeth and they hurt! The puppies are beginning to learn the difference; some puppies are more consistent than others but they are all making progress in this area.
Ellie and our other dogs are continuing to teach the puppies to submit. You can see in the last two pictures below, Ellie is teaching one of her pups – Blue Collar Boy. He is in the submit position (laying on their back). They are suppose to stay in this position until mama walks away. This puppy stayed – Good Puppy!
Ellies puppies are now seven week old today. They continue to grow bigger and more adorable each day. The puppies are full of energy and curious about everything. They love outdoor play time where they get lots of exercise running and playing with all the puppies. The puppies visited the vet earlier this week for their Check-ups, Immunizations and micro chips and they were all given a clean bill of health. This week puppies were introduced to the crate. Puppies have now made the transition to eating dry kibble puppy food.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK EIGHT
Puppies will continue exploring and playing together inside and outdoor as weather permits
Puppies will continue learning from their their mama Ellie and daddy Brinkley along with Ruska and Willow
We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty area
Puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
Puppies will start to leave for their forever families at the end of the week
This week Ruska’s puppies have been leaving to forever homes. Today, five more of her puppies joined their families. The time I get to spend with and care for our puppies is always too short but, I know that I can not give each the attention that the need. I’m always sad to say good-bye but, I love seeing the excitement as the families come to bring their puppy home. I am so thankful for each of the wonderful families that will love and continue to teach their new puppy!
VIDEO – Saturday morning after breakfast, the puppies enjoyed playtime. A couple of the puppies were fighting but Daddy Brinkley stepped in.
VIDEO – A couple of Ruska’s puppies were ready and waiting for their forever families. They went to say good-bye to the remaining Puppies.
Eight weeks have passed since our little puppies came into the world and filled our days. It seems like so long ago that we were impatient, waiting for the puppies to arrive. Remember how tiny they were…..I could hold them on the palm of my hand. They have learned so much over these past eight weeks. I have enjoyed raising them to the point where they are ready to join their forever families. This past week we have worked on what is acceptable behaviour – mainly the difference between nipping and kisses. Puppies are not alway consistent but, have made great progress in this area. I just love puppy kisses!!!
Ruska went into the puppy enclosure last night and nursed her puppies. She had stopped nursing in the evening long ago. It is like she knew that this was her puppies last night together. After a short feed, she did some submissive training and cleaned some of the puppies. What a good mama!
After nursing, the puppies listened to their mama and settled right down. Ruska cleaned some of her puppies before she wanted out of their enclosure. Good job Ruska; you have raised such well behaved puppies!!!
LOOKING AHEAD
Ruska’s eleven Puppies are getting ready to leave for their forever homes during the next week. Lots of work lies ahead for your family as you continue teaching your puppy! They are still learning, but the time and hard work you put in will pay off when you have a loving well behaved dog that will love you as only a dog can – unconditionally. You will be the most important person in the world to them.
Three puppies left today for their forever homes. It is bittersweet having to say goodbye to our puppies. I have enjoyed every minute of their care and they all have a piece of my heart. It is with sadness and through tears I say goodbye to each puppy but it brings me joy to see their excited families smiles and to know that our puppies are joining such wonderful forever families that will love and care for each of them.
VIDEO – The puppies got a new toy yesterday and quickly started playing with it. You can see in the video that the rest of our dogs want to play too. Ruska and Brinkley finally got a hold of the new toy and it didn’t take long for them to destroy it in a game of tug-of-war!
A Visit to the Vet
Puppies loading into the crate on their way to visit the vet
Part of caring for our puppies is a visit to our Veterinary Clinic. On Monday we loaded 11 puppies into the crate and headed to see Dr. Westermann for their health check. My husband Tom kept watch outside and I took puppies in two at a time for their turn. They received a clean bill of health, their first set of vaccinations, and their microchip. Some of the puppies were brave and only made the slightest whimper while other puppies made sure we knew that the didn’t appreciate getting the microchip – LOL!
Tom keeping watch on the puppies as they return after their turn
When we were finished, Dr. Westermann commented on how calm and well behaved all our puppies were. I was proud that all Ruska’s and our hard work was noticed. The shots always make puppies tired and they came home and slept most of the afternoon.
Puppies ready to go home, they are tired and resting after getting their shots.
Today it was Ellie’s puppies turn to make the trip to see Dr. Westermann for their microchips, shots, and health check.
Ellie’s puppies Packed into their crate and off for their turn at the vet
Dr. Westermann was amazed at how calm and well behaved all Ellie’s puppies were today. All the hard work by Ellie is paying off as she has calm, gentle puppies. The puppies received their first set of vaccinations and microchips. Everyone was brave with only the smallest complaint except for one puppy that let out a loud yelp! All our puppies were given a clean bill of health and returned home to sleep after the excitement of their first outing.
Back to the crate and headed homeThe vaccination shots make the puppies tired. Time to take a nap!
Six weeks old today. We have had another busy week caring for the puppies and introducing them to so many new things. They have grown bigger and you can see each unique personality developing. Puppies have progressed to eating softened kibble. They enjoy exploring during outside play time. Ellie’s is teaching them to submit and Ruska, Brinkley and Willow are helping out with this.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK SEVEN
Puppies will meet their forever families
Puppies time spent awake will continue to increase
Puppies will begin dry kibble by the end of the week
We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty area
Puppies will continue to socialize and learn from each other through play
Puppies will continue exploring and playing together outdoor as weather permits
Puppies will continue learning from their mama as she disciplines them and teaches them to behave
As always, puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time.
Sixteen puppies playing and exploring together
The last couple days, all the puppies have been playing and exploring together in our yard. It has been a very busy time keeping track of all 16 puppies in our yard! They are getting along very nicely and Ruska, Ellie, Brinkley and Willow have been playing with them as well as teaching them to submit. Notice in some of the pictures below, the puppies on their backs. This is what puppies do to show that they are submitting.
Puppies are very good at coming when called. This helps me make sure we have them all but also teaches them “recall”. This will be something their forever families will continue when they train their puppies. The only reward the puppies expect is lot’s of praise and cuddles.
VIDEO – How do you gather 16 puppies to do a “puppy count”? With the “Puppy Call” of course
