Here we are Luna at 8 weeks old. What a week it has been.
Link to Video
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Labrador Family Walk with Luna
Today Luna went for a short walk down Eaton Road with us. It was a bit chilly, so it was very short and sweet.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Play Date for Luna
Finally, Luna gets to play with puppies her own age! We drove to Yankee Dog, in Brattleboro Vermont, this afternoon for puppy social. Fun was had by all. Watch the video of Luna Playing with Tonka the Rottie puppy. There were a few other youngsters who dropped in to say hello. This was the first time Luna has every really played. Mostly her play is with older siblings, and Pearl. This adult play is usually instructional, as it is with other puppies, but it just isn't the same.
A happy day for our Stella Luna
Link to Video
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Luna 7 Weeks Old
This is a big week for our little friend. She went to the vet and received her first vaccines. It was an uneventful trip, thankfully. She handled the visit like a pro. Treats help. She weighs 15 pounds and 3 ounces. Now Luna can go out and about visiting. The vet comments that she is a very solid girl, nice breeding, good structure, a special puppy, and very healthy!
Watch the video to see more.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Visitation Day - 2 -10 -2014
Perhaps a little history for complete appreciation.
Follow Link to video of the day:
Walter and Tess
It begins nearly 18 years ago with a dog named Tess. Tess was a black lab who belonged to my brother, and his family (Walter, his wife Mary, and their two children Jesse, and Addison). Tess lived to the age of 15, and passed on her own in the comfort of home. No vet, no needles, nothing, her heart simply stopped. My brother found Tess sound asleep, curled on her dog bed, the following morning.
Tess was a true rescue. After taking care of one of Theia X Magnum pups, a Willow sister, the family decided they wanted their own dog. Mary found an add in the paper for a 12 week old black lab. Turned out the family purchased the puppy for their son, who ignored her. Tied to a tree during the day, fed, and given water. No one played with the puppy, no one even bothered to name her. So, Mary brought the puppy home, and she was named Tess. Tess was a beautiful dog, with a glowing spirit, robust, energetic, and mannered. Walter would whistle, and Tess would abound. Endless joy oozed from Tess, with every trip to Maine. No ocean too cold, she loved to swim. She loved to retrieve.
Theia and Magnum pups 1996
It has been at least two, maybe three years since my brother's family has owned a dog. When Mary and Addison, once again, took care of two puppies from Nash X Pearl litter (Willow Sunshine's sisters), they fell in love. What a difference proper socialization, care, attention and love makes to a growing puppy. With Nash and Pearl's recent breeding, my brother and his family said they wanted a female puppy. First on the list. I had a list of nine interested homes. Imagine the surprise to discover only one puppy. I knew where this little one belonged, but I think my brother's family was less certain. Perhaps a bit like winning the lottery, but better, things take a while to sink in.
Nash and Pearl
Nash X Pearl puppies 2011
When Luna was born, I text updates to my brother. He was as much a part of the delivery. Always a nice moment to have with your new puppy. It was miraculous birth. Consider this, of all the sperm, and all the eggs between Nash and Pearl, only one makes it to conception, only one makes it to delivery, only one survives. Then take into consideration the age of the sire, Nash, and Pearl, who required a Cesarian section, because of the puppies size. This was no small even either. Finally, to discover the puppy was going to be a girl. She has been named Stella Luna, Addison;s favorite children's story. She is called Luna.
Stella Luna minutes old 12/31/2013
This past Sunday, after many false attempts to make the trip from Connecticut to New Hampshire, Walt, Mary, and Addison arrived. It was a glorious day. Smiles everywhere, love seeped from the earth, and whirled in the brisk winter air.
Luna took to her new family immediately. She couldn't have found the more perfect home. Addison and Luna will share the special time together, and she will take him, and her family on wondrous journey.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Education of Luna
Link to the video
Naturally it was a shock to discover the litter I thought I was to have ended up a singleton. This is a first for us, and we are feeling our way as we go. I think things are going well. My first concern was the socialization aspect Luna would miss. No litter mates to rough her up, snuggle, and learn all though intricate canine communication skills. Second, and the most challenging, is the weight gain/growth rate. This has proven to be a real challenge, especially when Momma consistently wants to nurse her littler one. A doting mother.
Recently the socialization worry has dissipated. Luna seems to learn quite a bit from her sister, Willow Sunshine. Sunshine appears to enjoy the job of big sis. Pearl is a natural, and consistently patient with Luna, not a teaching moment goes by. Other puppy friendly dogs have come to visit from, Ziggy and Jerry, Cleo, and Zoe. Each with their own set of curiosity for Luna.
Nash has shown great restraint with Luna, and I am proud of him. Much attention to Luna's where-a-bouts is constant.
Many dog communication skills are learned with the subtle, and not so subtle, interactions between Luna and her family. I don't claim to know exactly what is communicated, but I can see Luna has gained much knowledge. Still, I plan to get her "out-and-about" when the time comes, and before she moves onto her new home.
I think she will be just fine.
Fist Time Outside, in the Snow, Porch Exploration
- Follow the link -
It's easier to make these little video clips, blogger doesn't seem to want to upload individual clips.
The up loads to youtube seem to work.
It
has been a busy weekend. Luna is a lot of fun. She is quite the
explorer. She pushes open the door into the Tree Room, and
investigates. She even did this at night when the room was dark.
Exploring the outdoors and porch is no difference. Her personality
changes by the day.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
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