This is what happens when you co-own poodles with other breeders, but you are such a control freak about the dogs that you won't let the well-qualified co-owners or their assistants whelp and raise the litters (guilty)!
Anyone who has ever raised even a small standard litter knows the incessant amount laundry, time, elbow grease, and vigilance, at least in the early days. Then there is the time spent answering emails, screening applicants, updating social media and patient puppy buyers, etc...While it is preferable for the girls to whelp unassisted, I am a stickler for being present at this time. As a midwOOf, my 'patients' at home can't tell me what's going on. I have to rely on instinct, experience, skills, book knowledge, other breeders, my vet, and my relationship with my dogs - to help us through the task smoothly. Most of the time, things go off without a hitch. To me, it is worth the work to trade for the worry I would feel sending my girls away to whelp. I'm lucky to have a fabulous support system which enables me to stay 'in the fancy' while working FT outside of the home as a labor and delivery RN.
That said, I realize it may seem as if I have puppies all of the time. It certainly feels that way to me! Please understand that these litters and their dams are often co-bred and co-owned with one or more other breeders, and I choose to be transparent in my breeding practices, realizing that this leaves me open to be judged by others.
There is much happening 'behind the scenes.' There are usually 50 camera clicks and 18 outtakes to get that movement shot or capture the essence of a puppy expression. Our mentors most surely chastise us for posting any less than stellar pics of our dogs on social media. Admittedly, sometimes I just can't help myself and snicker softly when I post that bug-eyed or muddy-pawed photo. After all, these are dogs! They're poodles - magnificent, fun loving, quirky, noble, and silly at times! Every day is not the show ring, and we have to remember to enjoy our dogs first, lest we lose sight of the "WHY."
I thank everyone as always for their support and encouragement. Barring a few bumps in the road during the last 11 years of my poodle ownership, it has truly been one of the most rewarding endeavors of my adulthood. As I prepare to retire the foundation poodles of Cadeau, I thank you for bearing with me through this long-winded, nostalgic blog post to introduce Ms. Jacki's final litter with Bentley: This litter is co bred and co owned with Betty Brown (Donnchada), & Wendy Penn (By Request) & many thanks to Melissa Whitmore (Starlit Poodles + Bentley's keeper) for her accommodating demeanor and tireless driving!
CH Donnchada Power of the Dream X CH By Request Donnchada Jacqueline Pups Born 3/25/16 ; *8 puppies in all! 4 Blue/black M, 1 Cream M, 3 Blue/Black F
Anyone who has ever raised even a small standard litter knows the incessant amount laundry, time, elbow grease, and vigilance, at least in the early days. Then there is the time spent answering emails, screening applicants, updating social media and patient puppy buyers, etc...While it is preferable for the girls to whelp unassisted, I am a stickler for being present at this time. As a midwOOf, my 'patients' at home can't tell me what's going on. I have to rely on instinct, experience, skills, book knowledge, other breeders, my vet, and my relationship with my dogs - to help us through the task smoothly. Most of the time, things go off without a hitch. To me, it is worth the work to trade for the worry I would feel sending my girls away to whelp. I'm lucky to have a fabulous support system which enables me to stay 'in the fancy' while working FT outside of the home as a labor and delivery RN.
That said, I realize it may seem as if I have puppies all of the time. It certainly feels that way to me! Please understand that these litters and their dams are often co-bred and co-owned with one or more other breeders, and I choose to be transparent in my breeding practices, realizing that this leaves me open to be judged by others.
There is much happening 'behind the scenes.' There are usually 50 camera clicks and 18 outtakes to get that movement shot or capture the essence of a puppy expression. Our mentors most surely chastise us for posting any less than stellar pics of our dogs on social media. Admittedly, sometimes I just can't help myself and snicker softly when I post that bug-eyed or muddy-pawed photo. After all, these are dogs! They're poodles - magnificent, fun loving, quirky, noble, and silly at times! Every day is not the show ring, and we have to remember to enjoy our dogs first, lest we lose sight of the "WHY."
I thank everyone as always for their support and encouragement. Barring a few bumps in the road during the last 11 years of my poodle ownership, it has truly been one of the most rewarding endeavors of my adulthood. As I prepare to retire the foundation poodles of Cadeau, I thank you for bearing with me through this long-winded, nostalgic blog post to introduce Ms. Jacki's final litter with Bentley: This litter is co bred and co owned with Betty Brown (Donnchada), & Wendy Penn (By Request) & many thanks to Melissa Whitmore (Starlit Poodles + Bentley's keeper) for her accommodating demeanor and tireless driving!
CH Donnchada Power of the Dream X CH By Request Donnchada Jacqueline Pups Born 3/25/16 ; *8 puppies in all! 4 Blue/black M, 1 Cream M, 3 Blue/Black F
