Maine's Tahoe Sue has been bred to VRS's Teton. Pups going home early August 2020 with reservation space available. Call for information 970-901-5105.
Maine's Rapid River aka Daphne was bred to VRS's Teton producing 4 pups. 3 Boys and 1 Girl. Pups went home in late February 2020 to qualified homes.
Fall 2019 Litter Blog - Sally x Miles - ultrasound July 23...
Summer 2019 Litter Blog - Daphne x Tuck - 3 Puppies
Previous Litter - Daphne (Maine's Rapid River) x Tuck (Somercrest's Now You Can See @ Las Animas)
Bred - March 1-3, 2019
Whelping - May 3, 2019
Puppies - 3, this is Daphne's first litter.
Check out our our Instragram <LINK page for more details for updates - this is where we are doing our current upates to the litter blogs because it is so easy there - there are so many pictures and videos of many litters and our dogs - check it out! If interested in a Puppy - give us a call!
Fall/Winter 2018 Litter Blog - Sally x Tuck - 7 Puppies
Previous Litter - Sally (Maine's Back in Colorado) x Tuck (Somercrest's Now You Can See @ Las Animas)
Bred - September 5-7, 2018
Whelping - November 6, 2018
Puppies - 7, this is Sally's first litter.
Check out our our Instragram <LINK page for more details for updates - this is where we are doing our current upates to the litter blogs because it is so easy there - there are so many pictures and videos of many litters and our dogs - check it out! If interested in a Puppy - give us a call!
Summer 2018 Litter Blog - Luna x Tuck - 6 Puppies
Previous Litter - Luna (Applecross Moon River) x Tuck (Somercrest's Now You Can See @ Las Animas)
Bred - May 10-12, 2018
Whelping - Born July 11, 2018
Puppies - 2 Boys (1 Blue Merle and 1 Black Tri - both with Tails), 4 Girls (3 Blue Merles and 1 Black Tri - all with docked Tails) - all pups are doing great and in their new homes at 9 weeks old!
Check out our our Instragram <LINK page for more details for updates - this is where we are doing our current upates to the litter blogs because it is so easy there - there are so many pictures and videos of many litters and our dogs - check it out! If interested in a Puppy - give us a call!
Winter 2017/2018 Litter Blog - Luna x Odinn - 8 Puppies
Previous Litter - Luna (Applecross Moon River) x Odinn (Maine's American Gunsmoke)
Bred - Sept 15-17, 2017
Whelped - November 16, 2017
8 Puppies - 4 male, 4 female - blue merles - black tris, black bis
Check out our Instragram ( <Link ) page for more details for updates prior to updates here on the Blog
Bred - Sept 15-17, 2017
Whelped - November 16, 2017
8 Puppies - 4 male, 4 female - blue merles - black tris, black bis
Check out our Instragram ( <Link ) page for more details for updates prior to updates here on the Blog
January 1, 2018 - 46 Days Old
HAPPY NEW YEAR! In the last week we have spent time outside playing in the grass and wind. The pups love to run around and certainly nap hard after we come back in. They are done nursing at this point and eating solid food without it being softened. Playing can become rather loud and rough as they work out how to interact with each other and where reasonable limits are. Every day each puppy gets a warm water bath and clean up in the morning. Check out the slideshow below for a headshot of each puppy.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
December 23, 2017 - 37 Days Old
The puppies are growing even more rapidly with increasing amounts of solid puppy food. We have begun weaning them from mom, Luna, and she is certainly helping. With eight little mouths of razor sharp teeth, there is plenty of encouragement. Along with rapid growth, come rapid interest in a world increasing is size. The crew has been on a couple of van trips and they have met some new people. Playtime with their sister, Daphne, who is two years old, is such great socialization and Daphne just loves it.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
December 13, 2017 - 27 Days Old
The puppies are becoming more playful at this point, appreciating human touch more as well as time with some of our adults. We are going to start feeding puppy gruel as well as mother's milk. Our Gruel is a blended and softened combination of high quality puppy food, puppy supplement formula and water.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
December 8, 2017 - 22 Days Old
Everyone is interacting with each other more and more by the day. They still cannot see or hear very well, but they are becoming more alert. The pups are spending lots of time nibbling on their sibling's paws and ears. Exploring their environment and experiencing the world around them. They still appreciate and need extra warmth, lots of time with mom nursing and being cleaned, caressed and cared for.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
December 2, 2017 - 16 Days Old
Imprinting is complete and pups are doing great. Eyes are starting to open, but they cannot see much yet. Ears are opening and perking up, but they cannot hear much yet. Everyone is growing rapidly, which comes from a steady schedule of nursing and sleeping. We are spending days in the living room and nights in the bedroom. Pups can move faster day by day and their walking skills are developing. Luna has been showing her experience, this is her second litter, she is such a great mom.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
November 28, 2017 - 12 Days Old
Imprinting is complete and pups are doing great. Eyes are starting to open, but they cannot see much yet. Ears are opening and perking up, but they cannot hear much yet. Everyone is growing rapidly, which comes from a steady schedule of nursing and sleeping. We are spending days in the living room and nights in the bedroom. Pups can move faster day by day and their walking skills are developing. Luna has been showing her experience, this is her second litter, she is such a great mom.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
November 20, 2017 - 4 Days Old
The pups are doing great. We have begun the Imprinting process which last until they are 10+ days old. Imprinting is specific positioning and touching that increases confidence and bonding with humans. We are with our pups 24-7 at this stage to make sure everyone is safe and gets fair time feeding with mom. They need to be kept warm and draft free with minimal other stimulation, as you may expect in a wild den.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
November 16, 2017 - 0 Days Old
We are proud to announce that Luna has whelped 8 healthy puppies sired by Odinn (Maine's American Gunsmoke). The action started in the middle of the day and she wrapped things up around 8 pm. Puppies came fast with only about 10-45 minutes between each one, but the last little cutie waited 2-1/2 hours. This picture is just after she was done whelping. She is in her heated whelping area at the foot of our bed, with heating pads layered in sheets and towels, a guard rail and all the attention, food and water she could need.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies as well as many pictures and videos.
Winter 2015/2016 Litter Blog
January 9, 2016 - 58 Days Old
Well, we have reached 8 weeks old around here! Life is fun with intense play followed by intense sleep. They love going outside even with below freezing temperatures. The snow is something fun to play on and roll in, and even when it is obvious they are getting cold, they don't want to go inside. The pups are completely weaned and enjoy puppy chow exclusively now. It is not for much longer now that the whole group will be together, as at least 2 puppies will be going to their forever homes in the next week or so. We will certainly miss them, but know that they each need their own home to really thrive. We are just honored they let us know them at all!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
December 31, 2015 - 49 Days Old
On this last day of 2015 we couldn't resist posting an adorable picture of the puppies from this morning, with the 3 little girls front and center. The pic may be a little blurry, but the puppies eyes are focusing more and more each day. We can see that they are looking at us - really looking at us. In fact, we are getting the classic head tilt when we look at them and talk to them. Cuteness abounds. We are letting the pups out of their area more and more and boy do they love exploring the house. Of course, with 5 other Aussies in the house, the little ones are herded safely around.
Check back for more news in 2016, when we will have to say goodbye to the little ones as they go to forever homes!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Check back for more news in 2016, when we will have to say goodbye to the little ones as they go to forever homes!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
December 30, 2015 - 48 Days Old
Happy New Year! The puppies have had a busy holiday season, what with shopping for each other and all the other dogs in their lives! Ok, maybe not, but times have been busy for them (and us!). Not only are they walking, but they are running and playing and barking and howling and in general becoming dogs. They have even stepped outside into the snow a couple of times. They loved it and were so curious about this new world. As of yesterday, they are now eating real puppy food, without it being moistened first. In fact, I can hear their cute crunching as I write this. We remember to appreciate everything about them, as it is almost time for them to go to their forever homes! I have posted pictures of each of them below, as well as a picture of momma Luna - hey, she gets a lot of credit for such great puppies!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
December 15, 2015 - 33 Days Old
The puppies are now about a month old, and boy is life fun! To the left you see the aftermath of all that fun! They have now perfected their walk and they are going everywhere we let them. They crave attention from us humans, but absolutely love time with all the adult dogs in the house. Their food has gone from all momma's milk to a mix of that and what we lovingly call 'gruel.' The gruel is simply puppy formula mixed with wet dog food. They lap it up like pros! But they still get plenty of momma time, which is good for both food and comfort. They will keep getting bigger, stronger and louder from here on, so life will never be boring with these little ones!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
December 2, 2015 - 20 Days Old
At almost 3 weeks old, our little ones are beginning to let us see their personalities. They are also reacting to us in new ways: when we come up to their pen they notice us! With open ears and open eyes they are noticing the noises we make and seeing us move around near them. And they really notice each other - puppies love playing with their littermates, and it teaches them so much. To the left is a picture of our little merle boy at about a week old. Below are pictures of all of them from just a day or two ago.
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Don't forget:
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
November 30, 2015 - 18 Days Old
We are in a good rhythm with our little ones. Luna is an attentive and protective Mama, and the puppies are now going up to 5+ hours between feedings (at night, anyway). All eyes have opened and they are predictably a deep, bright blue. We look forward to seeing how they change. The pups are definitely getting more and more interactive every day, both with us as well as with each other and Luna. We love putting a little one up to our nose to await the inevitable lick - even our ears don't escape puppy tongues. Walking without falling is just around the corner, but right now their little swaggers are adorable to witness.
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. We have several videos up there as well, so don't forget to check it out!
November 22, 2015 - 10 Days Old
Congratulations to new Mama Luna! (And of course to veteran Papa Gibson...) Five new bundles of Aussie love were welcomed into the world on Thursday, November 12. Everyone is just fine and doing what puppies do - eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping. We have 3 girls (2 blue merles and one black tri) and 2 boys (1 blue merle and 1 black tri). Along with Mama they make a beautiful family. Big sister Sally is particularly interested in them and Luna lets her look at them... from afar. There will be more news as they get older, right now the whole family is getting their rest (the humans are trying to get their rest, too!) and growing growing growing!
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. They will be ready to go to their new homes in the middle of January, 2016.
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. They will be ready to go to their new homes in the middle of January, 2016.
October 25, 2015
Welcome back! We have exciting news! Our own Luna is due to have a litter of puppies in just a few weeks! She has been matched with Colorado's American Icon, aka Gibson. Gibson has been the sire of our previous two litters with Shadow, and this time we are excited to see what this new combination will bring. Both Luna and Gibson appear to glide effortlessly across the landscape.
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. They will be ready to go to their new homes in the middle of January, 2016.
Check back both here and on Instagram (<---link) for news of Luna and her puppies. They will be ready to go to their new homes in the middle of January, 2016.
Spring 2015 Litter Blog
August 1, 2015
All of Shadow's puppies from the litter born on April 15, 2015 have gone to forever homes. (One of them has found hers right here with us - the pup formerly known as Luna Jr. is Sally, and she is a future mom herself!) We were lucky to be able to spend time with such awesome little dogs, and we are thrilled that they each have their own families now.
Stay tuned for more puppy news later in 2015!
Stay tuned for more puppy news later in 2015!
June 22, 2015 - 68 Days Old
Well, 3 of our little pups are now with their new forever homes. We certainly miss the puppies formerly known as Shadow Jr, Merlin and Panda (actually, his permanent name is Panda!), but we are thrilled that they are with families that love them so much. But there are still 3 more little ones who are looking for a new home.
First is Snoopy. Snoopy is such a playful little guy. He has perfect form, but also a perfect little personality. Happy and eager to please, we think he'll make a fine addition to a good family.
Spot is the second pup. Spot is sleek and we believe he has that classic herding instinct kicked up a notch. He'd make a perfect family dog in addition to being able to herd your sheep, should you have any!
Last, but certainly not least, is Moon Doggie. With a regal look, little Moonie is just waiting to play with kids or other dogs. He is always ready to lick our faces when we get near him and Another reminder - make sure to check out our Instagram page <---link. We are posting many more pictures and videos there, so don't pass it over!
First is Snoopy. Snoopy is such a playful little guy. He has perfect form, but also a perfect little personality. Happy and eager to please, we think he'll make a fine addition to a good family.
Spot is the second pup. Spot is sleek and we believe he has that classic herding instinct kicked up a notch. He'd make a perfect family dog in addition to being able to herd your sheep, should you have any!
Last, but certainly not least, is Moon Doggie. With a regal look, little Moonie is just waiting to play with kids or other dogs. He is always ready to lick our faces when we get near him and Another reminder - make sure to check out our Instagram page <---link. We are posting many more pictures and videos there, so don't pass it over!
June 6, 2015 - 52 Days Old
This past Wednesday Leslie Sorensen from Colorado Aussies came down along with a number of future puppy owners. The puppies had their temperament tests and they all came through with flying colors! It is not the kind of test that a puppy can 'pass' or 'fail,' but nonetheless, ideally you want to see that a puppy is friendly to people and not easily 'shakeable' (ie: a SUPERDOG!). What this meant for our little ones is that loud noises don't phase them, they easily forgive after being reprimanded and they are eager to play. Bottom line - they will all make wonderful companions for whichever forever home they are matched with. We have taken a lot of time with them to produce this outcome, but genetics plays a big role as well, and we have the best heritage in these pups. We feel sadness in our hearts as we know that our days with this wonderful group of little beings is numbered. This picture shows little Spot mid-howl in the upper right. Another reminder - make sure to check out our Instagram page <---link. We are posting many more pictures and videos there, so don't pass it over!
May 31, 2015 - 46 Days Old
The puppies are now six and half weeks old and are getting spunkier every day! They certainly look like little fuzzballs, but are acting more and more like proper dogs. Every day we spend hours outside, and they love to roll in the grass, chew on branches and generally behave like puppies should! Exciting times - they will have their temperament tests this week! Although we certainly have ideas regarding their personalities already, the temperament test will give us an even clearer picture of what kinds of homes the little ones should go to. The test entails teasing them with a string and other similar tasks away from their mom as well as other familiar comforts (like us!). This will give us a good idea about what kinds of dogs the puppies will develop into. Hey - make sure to check out our Instagram page <--- link. We are posting many many pictures and videos there, so don't pass it over!
May 26, 2015 - 41 Days Old
So, now the real fun begins! The puppies are now going outside every day, and boy do they love it! There are so many new things for them to explore and so many new things for their growing brains to learn about. They love running and jumping on each other, and all this is even more fun to do outside. I even saw one 'cover up' her pee with dirt that she scraped, just like the adult dogs do. Learning all the time! Every day that they are outside, their range expands. While they aren't going out of our sight, they feel comfortable going further and further on their own each day. But we are still able to keep up with them, and Mom and Aunt Luna certainly help when it comes to herding them back inside.The picture here is of Mom spending some quality nursing time with them outside.
May 19, 2015 - 34 Days Old
The puppies have finally outgrown their whelping pen! This is big news as they can now run and play in lots more room. Up until now they were still stumbling with every fourth step or so, but now they can go and go! They are still eating gruel, but it is getting thicker and they now get to lap up water when they want as well. We have placed an open kennel inside their area, and we were delighted to learn on their first day in the bigger area that they all prefer to sleep together cozily inside the kennel. It is all fun and games until they get too big to fit in there at the same time! But we expect that it gives them comfort and we'll see them doing that for a while yet. They are more and more interactive with each other and us, and when we go inside their pen we are welcomed with little tongues licking us and little feet trying to crawl up our legs.
May 14, 2015 - 29 Days Old
Weaning is now happening for the pups! We have introduced foods other than mom's milk. They are now eating a yummy gruel of puppy formula, soggy puppy chow and water. Boy do they love it! They are still nursing and mom comes in to clean up the gruel that missed their mouths. Play time is getting longer and longer, though they are still sleeping for most of the day. Auntie Luna is going into their pen several times a day now to play with them. The puppies know she isn't mom and doesn't have milk to give, but they love it that she lets them crawl on her and play with her. The picture to the left shows them all happily eating before bedtime. They sure do have teeth, though, and soon they will be crunching puppy food like pros. They'll stick to the gruel for the moment and we'll let you know when they have graduated to full solids.
May 10, 2015 - 25 Days Old
We can see the effect of the Superdog training via imprinting. Starting when they were about 3 days old, we picked them up, held them in unique positions and touched their toes. Now, at over 3 weeks old, they are comfortable being held any-which-way by us humans. That makes for well-adjusted dogs in the future. When we go over to look at them they are looking up waiting for us do to something fun, so we put our hands in and start rubbing backs and tummies and boy do they love it! They are more and more responsive to their surroundings everyday. To the left they have been introduced to their first toy. They don't seem very interested, probably because the toy is the size of them!
May 7, 2015 - 22 Days Old
At 22 days old, life is much different for the pups than it was even a week ago. Now, instead of sleeping and nursing, sleeping and nursing, they are adding some serious play into the rotation! They are discovering that other little puppies can be a lot of fun. Their eyes are getting more focused and when us humans come into view they start to move towards us and anticipate belly rubs. Their ears are opening up more as well and they respond when the adult dogs in the house bark. Some very exciting news, though maybe not for mom, is that the teeth are coming in! It is hard to get a good shot of the teeth, but I'll keep trying. The fact that they have teeth means that it will soon be time to supplement their current all-milk diet with some yummy gruel - stay tuned for that. The picture to the left is of our black-tri boy about to pounce on the merle. It is getting harder to get non-blurry photos of them when they are awake, as they are always on the move!
May 4, 2015 - 19 Days Old
Moving, moving, moving! Puppies on the move! All of them are getting up and moving as fast as their little legs will take them. They can usually cross the entire whelping pen before they fall, adorably, into a somersault. They often pair off and have play time with each other. At this point, all that really means is that they are opening their mouths and trying to put the other puppy's snout inside it. Utterly wonderful. They are really responding to us humans as well. We can hardly resist picking them up and putting them to our faces. They have the wonderful puppy smell that they'll hold on to for a little while. We can hear the beginnings of real barks, though right now they are cute little grumblings, so they probably wouldn't make very good watch dogs yet! Oh - and we have whiskers now! The picture you see here is of the one we call Snoopy, and you can see his little puppy whiskers. It was hard for him to hold still, but we think you can see his cuteness.
April 30, 2015 - 15 Days Old
At this point the puppies are becoming much more interactive. Their eyes are open, but they cannot see clearly yet. They are taking a few steps before they fall over. They will also push back as you rub them and we are seeing the first signs of play between them. They do not need to feed as often at this point (we started at about 1x per hour now we are at 2x every 2-3 hours) and this means we can sleep a little better. The pups also spend more time awake exploring each other. Pretty soon the whelping pen is going to have to be taller to contain the soon-to-be Mighty Aussies! We will also be transitioning from blankets to paper we can pull up to keep things clean.
April 27 - 12 Days Old
At 12 days old, exciting things are happening to the puppies! Their eyes opening just a touch, and that baby blue color is coming through. This will change to brown on most of the puppies over the next couple months; some may retain some blue. They are just starting to use their wobbly legs to hold themselves up and real steps are in their near future. We are feeding Shadow about 3 times her normal amount of food so that she can keep up with her rapidly growing brood by providing ample milk. The older dogs in the house are eager to play with the little ones, but they need more time to develop and learn how to interact. We are letting them see each other and have gentle licks, a clear natural instinct with most dogs when they see puppies. Now the puppies are ready to receive and are getting more human time. There is nothing like getting a little puppy lick on the nose or in the ear! This is a picture of a highly coordinated effort among the puppies to spell out "Maine Aussies"....see the "M" at the bottom?
April 20, 2015 - 5 Days Old
The puppies are all lined up on Shadow doing what they do best - nursing! Well, maybe second best. Sleeping is their top priority at this point in their lives as they are spending all their time growing and developing. They are definitely crawling a bit faster now, which often results in tumbling over each other. But they don't seem to mind, and they will be super comfortable with each other as they get older. They occasionally yawn now and it is quite adorable (although they sleep 90% of the day - why do they need to yawn?!). They had a check-up at the vet today and all of the puppies and Mom are doing well. They are gaining weight and getting stronger every day!
April 18, 2015 - 3 Days Old
The puppies are getting noticeably stronger and we have a very regular routine of feeding and napping. You can See Rorrie, Blaze and Luna (from top to bottom) eager to come see the puppies, which are upstairs. The puppies are squeaking and letting out pre-barks, which everyone can hear around the house. Shadow is feeling pretty free to come and go from the whelping box, as long as the puppies are sleeping. As soon as they wake and chirp, she rushes back. All in all our 7 little gems are doing very well. We are also posting pictures and little videos on Instagram.com/maine_aussies. Simply click the purple link and check out more.
April 17, 2015 - 2 Days Old
April 17, 2015 - 2 Days Old
After a couple of interesting days we are proud of our Shadow and all the hard work she has done. The puppies are so dark, they are hard to photograph. They are on an hourly cycle right now with about 10-15 minutes of feeding and 45 minutes of napping. All the pups can feed that the same time on mom, as opposed to a couple of years ago when there were so many more. There was some variance in size as they were born, though at this point they are all very similar in weight. With such great access to mom's milk, this should give them a great head start in her immunity. We are already seeing dreaming....sleep barking and pawing/running....though we are wondering what sorts of dreams they are having, given so few life experiences. Shadow did not make a single sound during the entire whelping and has been such a cooperative mom so far. We can tell she is more mature than last go around, she seems to know what to expect.
April 15, 2015 - 0 Days Old
Afternoon...Shadow has begun whelping. We have a number little puppies so far and wondering if there are more in there. We did not do an X-ray this time around. Most of the puppies are black bi's or tri's. We have about half males....half females
Everything has gone well so far. We are also posting on Instagram.com/maine_aussies. Click the purple link and you can view these pictures and videos without joining or signing up. We will also proceed with a blog here, though you will find more pictures on Instagram.com/maine_aussies. Many thanks to Leslie and Dick Sorensen of Colorado Aussies for their contribution of time and the services of their dog Gibson.
Our Luna did not conceive this time around. We will likely attempt to breed her again in a few months....perhaps even to Odin, from Shadow's last litter featured below.
Evening....resting soundly.
Give us a couple of days to give these little guys extra care and we will post more.
Everything has gone well so far. We are also posting on Instagram.com/maine_aussies. Click the purple link and you can view these pictures and videos without joining or signing up. We will also proceed with a blog here, though you will find more pictures on Instagram.com/maine_aussies. Many thanks to Leslie and Dick Sorensen of Colorado Aussies for their contribution of time and the services of their dog Gibson.
Our Luna did not conceive this time around. We will likely attempt to breed her again in a few months....perhaps even to Odin, from Shadow's last litter featured below.
Evening....resting soundly.
Give us a couple of days to give these little guys extra care and we will post more.
2013 Litter Blog
April 17, 2013
April 6, 2013
Wow, what a couple of weeks. We have have just been going non stop. From inside to out, nap to play. When we last posted I could take the pups outside in the open, set them down and keep track of all eleven by myself. Let's just say that the number I could herd on my own went down one per day...and has actually started to ebb back up. During week 6, as expected, they started the "you can't catch me" phase...no fear. Now in week 7 we are getting more mature, curious and cautious and there is more "let's go" in their attitudes. We did our temperament tests yesterday and made some discoveries and many confirmations. We are proud to say we have a pretty bullet proof crew. We are looking forward to our time with Foundation Breeder Leslie Sorensen, the co-owner of the sire and Colorado Aussies. During this visit they will get their final evaluations before they go to their forever homes at this time. Check out the videos and profile pics of a few below. You can tell sex by the color of the towel - blue is for boys and pink is for girls.
March 23, 2013
There it is, that Aussie Stride. We are spending hours out in the snow today. They just love pooping and peeing outside. We are trying to catch every motion and keep them from soiling the place where we live. Catching this instinct early will only help them in their new homes. They also get all the space they want to run outside. Rorrie is now willing to participate in playtime, I think she accepted they are not cats. It is wonderful how dogs seem to know the perfect amount of gentle/rough when they play with puppies. The pups are feeding mostly on softened Eukanuba small breed puppy food. In the last few days Shadow has limited her milk to them and they have had to figure out how to drink water as well. But they are Aussies, so they learn quick.
As they wake us up at night, all I can think about is how few days we will get to spend with our little crew before they are off to their forever homes. They are cycling about every 3 hours in the day (nap, go out, eat, play, nap again) and about every 5 hours at night. We are doing everything we can to prepare these little guys for dynamic dog life - puppies are always welcome to wake us at night.
As they wake us up at night, all I can think about is how few days we will get to spend with our little crew before they are off to their forever homes. They are cycling about every 3 hours in the day (nap, go out, eat, play, nap again) and about every 5 hours at night. We are doing everything we can to prepare these little guys for dynamic dog life - puppies are always welcome to wake us at night.
March 19, 2013
Puppy development is accelerating as expected. They have hit so many little benchmarks in the last week or two. The puppies are using all of their senses and interacting more. Their ears are growing even faster than their bodies. They are each 5-6 pounds and really growing fast. They no longer fit in the palm of your hand. We are making the food thicker by the day. We are allowing them to meet new people and have more and more interaction with the world every day. It is still quite cold here, but we are getting outside. Here are a couple videos of what they look and act like right now. They are getting to know both dog and human love very well.
March 11, 2013
The puppies have developed quite a bit since our last post. We started letting them lap some puppy formula about a week ago and it was a messy process. We waited a couple of days and now we have professional little gruel eaters. Our gruel is a mix of water, puppy formula and Eukanuba small breed puppy food all blended up. The pups are still nursing as well. The pic to the left is what happens after they are done eating.... napping in the perfect nook... the food dish. Once everyone wakes up from their nap it is fun time, check out the videos below of both eating and playing. We are also taking a few at a time out of their den and letting them walk around the house with the other dogs. They are still getting lots of human handling, stimulation and "Super Dog" training. We are starting to work on the "come" command and soon the crew will be going outside. Puppies in snow...oh my goodness.
March 5, 2013
Here is a picture of the family napping. The one by Shadow's neck was actually on her face until I grabbed the camera....inspiration for this post none the less. With every nap comes more noticeable progress and development. The naps get shorter and the play sessions get longer. Steps are more confident with less wobble. Auntie Luna has started nose playing with them and they paw and growl in response. They are climbing, scratching, barking, posturing and really taking their first steps to becoming dogs and companions. Below are two videos shot today.
March 1, 2013
This is a day of Milestones. Everyone is walking better. Puppies are interacting with each other and looking up at sounds and shadows. Right now they cannot see fully and will continue to develop their vision until they are in their forever homes. They can hear but their hearing will still develop over the next week or so. The squeaks and chirps are turning in to barks and growls. We even had a back leg scratch and some gnawing on the wood rails.
Shadow is still doing her job well, keeping her weight and milk up. Luna has kicked up her auntie duties, licking and cleaning with Shadow's approval. The imprinting process is going well, with puppies getting more and more exposed to different positions, sounds and other stimuli. The 4'x4' den is starting to look small, we will convert to a larger penned area soon...still in the living room.
Shadow is still doing her job well, keeping her weight and milk up. Luna has kicked up her auntie duties, licking and cleaning with Shadow's approval. The imprinting process is going well, with puppies getting more and more exposed to different positions, sounds and other stimuli. The 4'x4' den is starting to look small, we will convert to a larger penned area soon...still in the living room.
February 27, 2013
Puppy tummies are always so warm. These little guys are growing and developing well. Many of the puppies are over 2-1/2 pounds. About half the group has their little eyes open. They are moving around more and getting a few legitimate steps in here and there. Nicole actually saw one take a squat yesterday - a true doggie right of passage. We turned off the heating pads last night. Up to this point, Shadow and the heating pads were regulating puppy temperatures....now that we have jump started their little life engines, they will be able to keep themselves warm from here out. Shadow is doing great....working hard and she really appears confident and happy.
February 23, 2013
Puppies doing what puppies do....nursing and sleeping. Everyone is doing just great. We are gaining good weight all around. Shadow is keeping all the puppies nice and clean. We have settled into the relaxed young puppy lifestyle. One of the little guys opened his eyes two days ago..at only one week old. We are continuing the imprinting process by introducing the pups to different stimuli as they get older. All puppies are trying to use their little legs, constantly falling over, but getting better and better.
February 20, 2013....Some shots of the Black Puppies.
February 19, 2013
In case this was not clear....Aussies are just as cuddly when the grow up - here is Luna (2 years old & future mom) posing right outside of Shadow's den and she is very interested in the puppies - which is not uncommon, especially in females from Applecross Aussies, her breeding home.
We had the first signs of one of the puppies getting up on their front legs. To date, we have had lots of crawling, some of it rather fast. These first wobbly steps are certainly an inspiration. Now that the puppies have arrived, we have increased interest in the litter and we are taking reservations so that we are sure that we do not over or under commit these little guys to their new homes. Puppies will likely be going to their forever homes in New England and the Central Rockies.
Final temperament testing will be done at 7 weeks, but as we progress with future owners and puppy development, we are starting to consider the appropriate matching to different homes. As expected, there is a greater demand for female companions, though we know that the males are just a loving and obedient. We always say that everyone looks forward to the color and sex they want before they get a new dog, but they never look back if the personalities and lifestyles are a match. Sorry, we can't change the fact that ALL of Shadow's puppies are beautiful and ALL will make great companions.
We had the first signs of one of the puppies getting up on their front legs. To date, we have had lots of crawling, some of it rather fast. These first wobbly steps are certainly an inspiration. Now that the puppies have arrived, we have increased interest in the litter and we are taking reservations so that we are sure that we do not over or under commit these little guys to their new homes. Puppies will likely be going to their forever homes in New England and the Central Rockies.
Final temperament testing will be done at 7 weeks, but as we progress with future owners and puppy development, we are starting to consider the appropriate matching to different homes. As expected, there is a greater demand for female companions, though we know that the males are just a loving and obedient. We always say that everyone looks forward to the color and sex they want before they get a new dog, but they never look back if the personalities and lifestyles are a match. Sorry, we can't change the fact that ALL of Shadow's puppies are beautiful and ALL will make great companions.
February 18, 2013
Puppies are perfect for cuddling. Check out the Shepherd's Spots above the eyes. We went to the Vet. today and all looks good. Shadow and the pups are still going strong. The puppy personalities are coming out more and we cannot help but give them some temporary names so that we can talk about them.
We are weighing the little guys 1-2 times a day and have started the imprinting process where we introduce them to different types of stimuli so they become the Superdogs they were meant to be. At this stage, this includes repositioning them and random touching. As we progress, we will get into light, sound and temperature stimulation changes.
We are weighing the little guys 1-2 times a day and have started the imprinting process where we introduce them to different types of stimuli so they become the Superdogs they were meant to be. At this stage, this includes repositioning them and random touching. As we progress, we will get into light, sound and temperature stimulation changes.
February 17, 2013
We added guard rails around the perimeter of the whelping den. These rails keep Shadow from trapping any puppies behind her. Watching her get in and out of the den while only rarely hitting the 11 little landmines is impressive. All puppies are healthy and putting on weight, some of them have cleared the one pound (454 gram) mark. We are working with Shadow to make sure that the most aggressive feeders do not keep others from getting their share of her milk. The colors, stripes and copper points are more clear than ever. Shadow is eating a lot of puppy food and continuing to do her job well. We are off to the Doc tomorrow for the first family check up.
February 16, 2013
So, it looks like we have at least 4 blue merles that DO have Copper/Tan points - 2 females and 2+ males. It looks like we may have one or two black-tri's with Copper as well.They are becoming visible around the faces and the butts. It helps to have a wife who is NOT color blind like I am. Everyone is still in good health and all puppies are putting on weight. We are supplementing mom's milk a little to make sure everyone gets their fair share. Everyone is maturing and personalities are already coming out. Here are some random puppy pics, then a video and then full size shots of the boys on blue and girls on pink.
THE BOYS
THE GIRLS
February 15, 2013...3:16pm
Despite my best reasonable efforts, I cannot take pics and coordinate all these puppies by myself. I will await Nicole's return this evening to take on this challenge with some help. Here are some pictures none the less. The visual tally while we were birthing, subject to correction, was 4 females, 7 males - with 3 black bi's (like mom) and 8 blue merles. At this point, I do not see any tan points, meaning that the merles will likely be of our Rorrie's flavor. Two of the black dogs are males and one of these has a white blaze between his eyes and behind his ears. Some of the merles are lighter with leopard spots and some have larger patches of gray and black.
February 14, 2013....11:59pm
She is done whelping, we have 11 cute little pups and a healthy mom all warm and cozy. More pics and a summary of the litter tomorrow. Shadow "says" thanks to everyone that helped the process along. The humans are pretty tired, we can only imagine how Shadow feels.....eleven - wow.
February 14, 2013....1:21pm
This one goes to eleven. Things are still going well. Shadow is looking good and has even gone out to pee a couple times between pups. The puppies have been napping and feeding on and off. Shadow is now falling asleep, we have a feeling the process is complete, but we will keep an eye out for more. The X-ray gave us an idea we would have this many, but not the exact amount. Oh, and we already have a wiggle butt. We have not weighed them all, but we did a couple and they are about 350 grams.
February 14, 2013...9:16am
Here is a close up of the litter with 9 so far. Our whelping box consists of a plastic tray and plywood sides situated right here in our living room. Our dogs and our puppies live with us, experiencing typical family life. There is a blue flannel sheet covering the bottom and the sides. We then layered many layers of kraft paper on top and placed another flannel sheet over that. We have plenty of clean towels on hand for clean up and comfort. There are also three heating pads that can keep the birthed pups warm while mom is working on the next one. We have been making sure that each pup gets cleaned, is breathing and gets a first suckling without any competition. Each time after 10 minutes we bring the whole gang back together with mom.
February 14, 2013....9:05am
Everything is going well, Shadow is doing such a good job. We have 9 puppies at this point and we are still working on more. All little ones appear to be in good health, suckling and breathing good. Before the last pup we gave Shadow some toast with milk and honey as well as a little leftover egg for energy and calcium. We normally have a strict policy of no human food with our dogs...for birthing moms, we make an exception. We are so proud of her.
February 14, 2013....2:43am
Shadow has a Funny Little Valentine for the world. The first little blue merle boy is born, followed by a black bi male and what looks like a blue merle female. All the squeaks and squeals, my goodness. She is doing her job just wonderfully. We were woken up to some laboring. Shadow was sleeping next to me rather than in her den. I called her into the den and Nicole announced that she had left a pup next to the bed. I did a quick hand rinse, grabbed the sac and brought it over to her. I then helped break it and we were off and running.
February 12, 2013
At this point Shadow looks like she is ready to pop, but yet she is still very willing to pose. She is very upbeat and affectionate despite the heavy load. My Shadow is still even doing some light running and trotting here and there, but will not get in and out of the truck on her own. There is plenty of grunting as she gets up and lies down....poor little girl - what have we done to her? Yesterday I thought I felt something, but today I am sure that I can feel the little pups moving around in there. We are hoping for a trouble free whelping.
February 8, 2013
Oh my goooooodnesssss, we just got back from seeing Dr. Constant. He found Shadow to be in great health and to the left you can see the x-ray of the litter inside of Shadow. Yes, it is acceptable to take an X-ray of the mother and the litter. We do not always do this, but we felt it was appropriate this time around. We suspected a large litter and this has now been confirmed. Now we have a better idea of what we are up against when the day comes - Michael, Nicole and Shadow vs. the Puppies - ahhh we are outnumbered.
February 6, 2013
We have announced the litter and we are taking inquiries for puppies. It is sounding like the puppies will be finding homes in Colorado, Maine and Massachusetts. Please call Michael or Nicole at 207-769-2326 if you are interested in a puppy from this litter. We made the appointment with Dr. Stephen Constant at Westover Animal Clinic in Massachusetts for Shadow's last reproductive exam before the birth. She is starting to nest and cave at this point, crawling around and under things, seeking that comfortable nook. This is a picture of a Blue Merle Colorado Aussie.
February 1, 2013
Shadow is getting more affectionate. She is exploring a little more than usual, she is starting to look for a den. She was also confirmed parasite free by Dr. Hinz in Presque Isle, ME. This was just one out of many tests and exams she has undergone to make sure that we produce the best puppies possible. She is a trooper and a really good patient in the exam room. We are confident in saying that we have spared no expense and have covered as many miles as it takes to work with the best professionals in their field to make this litter possible. Plus. Shadow told me she has a thing for red factored Blue Merles - so "the Gibson" it is. She was worried about looks and she let daddy worry about pedigree.
January 24, 2013
We switched Shadow over from Eukanuba Large Breed to Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy. This transition is well received as puppy food has more tasty nutritional goodies she will need to produce the best pups. The hard part is keeping the other girls out of this bowl. We have been feeding our Aussies Eukanuba for close to 20 years. The finer quality food reduces filler and excess dog waste - this combined with the health benefits makes the best food the least expensive.
January 17, 2013
We are now confident is confident that Shadow is pregnant. The first signs continue. She is starting to put on weight and her coat seems to take on a glow, with a thicker and fuller feel. We share the news with Leslie and Dick Sorensen, the owners of the the sire, that we think we have a litter. Leslie responds with the feeling that it will be a big one given her early signs. Here is Shadow relaxing, focusing on making Superdogs!
January 10, 2013
We have the first sense that Shadow is pregnant. The first signs are an obsession with eating snow, her nipples were elongated and she has become excessively curious about human food. At this point we let her ride in #1 position in the truck, next to me, head on my lap. She will get all the love and affection she needs through the entire gestation period so she will be at peace to make the best puppies. This is a pic of her thinking about that human food with the Atlantic in the background - Salmon perhaps?
December 14 and 18, 2012
Shadow and Gibson have been "brought together" for the first time. Everything went just as planned, and boy was there a lot of planning. Shadow lives in Northern Maine potato country and Gibson lives at the base of the Rockies in Colorado. We thank reproductive specialists Dr. Steven Constant (Westover Animal Clinic) and Dr. Greg Burns (South Mesa Veterinary Hospital) for all their assistance in the mating. We also thank numerous other medical professionals who did pretesting on the dogs in Colorado, Maine and Massachusetts. Of course, the most sincere appreciation to Leslie and Dick of Colorado Aussies, who both own and bred Gibson.
