BitterSweets

Definition of  "Bittersweet"

1: something that is bittersweet; especially : pleasure alloyed with pain
 
This is the definition of the past week.  As the weekend drew nearer, our collective family disposition became progressively sadder.  Though we tried to bury the feelings in our duties, the mood was palpable.  Our family poured our hearts and souls and lives into this last litter of pups from Tessa and Jack.

 In the confluence of a single morning, 5 of seven pups were escorted out to waiting vehicles to transport them to new loves, new lives, new homes. Sunday came and a sole girl remained. 
 
It seemed Tessa sensed the coming as well - allowing the last two pups to nurse even at 8 weeks, long dried of milk it must have been pure emotion having "lost" most of her litter the day before.  She has kept close watch on the remaining pup, staying near.  The remaining girl will be with us for one more week - she is our blessing and I'm certain will grow even larger in our hearts in the coming days. 

 
These are the times caring breeders dread.  The sudden emptiness, the deafening silence, the remnants of what moments before was an exuberant overflowing emphasis of life sits now like a vacant tenement.  There is no other description that suits the bitter taste left behind.  So why do we do this?  Why put our lives through such a roller coaster of emotion knowing this is a result...?
 
Because the second portion of the term is "Sweet". 
"something, as an experience, that gives delight or satisfaction" and "agreeable to the mind; gratifying"
 
To bring these adorable puppies into the world, hold them and care for them, foster their development to the best of our abilities so that they can be great additions to other's lives -
To see young Regan and Mia and Landon wrap their arms around a puppy that loves them purely for simply being -

To know the enjoyment and life they will bring to Paul and Joy, Tom and Nancy, Hal and Victoria, Wes and Aulani, Tim and Karen, Jodi and Ed, Dominik and Anne and their families -

To see the pups grow and develop and demonstrate their genetics afield...

 
These are the decades of sweet moments to which we are afforded by enduring the current moment of bitterness.  It is a bad tasting medicine well worth taking.

The friends we meet

We have been so pleased and thoroughly enjoyed meeting such interesting people that are becoming part of our extended family.  One of the families that stopped by for a recent visit owns a Photography school on the Central Coast and makes some pretty good wine too!  Today we received several photographs they took while visiting - just snapping randomly.  I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

The blonde curls were FASCINATING to the pups!

"Playing Puppy"



Fa-la-la-la-LAAAA!!!!!

If you would like to learn to take photo's like this - I'd suggest http://www.lightworkshops.com/  Ask for Victoria or Hal.  Both are wonderful people, passionate about what they do and highly skilled!

The first Big Move

This is the second litter we've raised in this home. We had one two years ago and as with that litter, the pups are raised in the house with us. For logistic purposes, the whelping nest gets set up in the Master bedroom and this is where the pups live the first four or so weeks.

Dogs from the household gradually get introduced and there's still a lot of comings and goings, though not the same rate as the kitchen.

At about 4 weeks, when the Dam begins weaning, we move the pups to the Kitchen and expand the setup with a Weaning box as well. It gives the pups a lot more room to roam and play and exposes them to all the sounds and smells of living with a family.

Having trouble uploading a video this morning - Hughesnet is practically worthlesss as a provider....grrrrrr.....

We're also taking pups out individually to prepare them for their next big transition, and it looks like the weather will cooperate this weekend for their first outdoor excursion! 

Breakfast and Playtime - 4 weeks

It was a rainy morning today, but the pups were having fun eating breakfast and playing with each other and their toys.

Dark Blue Boy Video Clip

Dark Blue Boy has dreams. They're not big dreams, but he really wants to be the best wrestling Vizsla EVER! He practices as much as he can on his littermates, but they get tired of it. So - he has to get in some practice on the dummy puppy!

Black collared Girl video clip

This is a short video of Black collared Girl who thought she'd seen something outside the box.  I love the little growl and she'll protect them sleeping pack - regardless of who's head she steps on in the process!

A Great day of visitors

Saturday was a beautiful day. We had the priviledge to open our home up to our new friends and family and introduce them to the litter. We couldn't be happier!

We wished we would have taken more pictures - we got so wrapped up in the moment - especially watching a very beautiful Mia interact with the litter!

Jodi had great fun with Orange boy, aka "Monkey"

why would we call him Monkey?

We can't forget Dean - but sadly no pictures!  It was an interesting day, hosting folks from a Veteran Police Sergeant to little Mia - it is always so interesting the people we get to know through the dogs that we would likely never meet otherwise.  Though the differences in background - the commonality in watching people interact with these toddling youngsters is amazing.  They bring us all to the same place!  As one said "it's impossible to pick them up without kissing them!"

We look forward to hosting the rest of our new family in the next week!