10 Weeks The Boys Are Growing

Nap time is always together, ears to be re-glued after naptime!

That face gets me every time

Family picture Toby (father), Tansy (sister), and Noah


Who is chasing who in the tunnel?



Where did they go

beautiful brothers

Well it has been 10 weeks of anticipation, some worrying, lost sleep and lots of love and laugher. I must tell you all that I have had a unbelievable experience with this litter and wouldn't have missed it for anything. The love and life these 3 have given to everyone they meet. They love company and will play with human and animals alike I can't imagine what they will be like when grown but I am sure they will be remembered by the people whose life they fill. Each pup has his own personality and I can tell what each one is up to by their actions. We have them crate trained they sleep all night (have since birth) but now the crate is dry, during the day they are in and out and so we have them half housebroken. They still have no names yet but soon . Noah has been showing and is up to 5 points after 8 shows !! Way to go Noah.........Molly is hopefully filling out in coat and will be showing in about a month. Mia is probably not going to hit the ring till fall as she blew coat after the puppies.Sam is filling his role as the Nanny and the pups love him they listen to him better then they do to Mia. I'll update the pups again in another week till then enjoy the pictures:)

The Boys at 5 Weeks

Follow the leader Mia giving a kiss and advice

Okay listen up time to play!

I am going this way

Well then I am going to see this place

Himmmm lip smacking snack "thanks Mom"

Off again to explor

Hurry they want to catch us!!

Wait up guys I am coming too

End of a busy day tomorrow we do it again :)

I can not believe how quickly these 3 boys have grown. Everyday brings new growth and development and plenty of new laughs and memories. They have the most amazing personalities each one is different yet the same. They have been socialized daily and the past 2 days we took them outside to play it takes Linda and I constantly running to keep up with them they are like little race cars taking the corners at 90 MPH rolling over and never putting the brakes on. Seeing them discovering all the things we never think about is a new awakening for me. Spring is starting and all the new life that comes with it is wonderful. Mia has decided that her kids are old enough to not need her that much she still comes if she hears one cry (when one of the boys bites the other) but other then that she tends to ignore them that is okay as there is Sam, Molly and Noah who hover over the boys. we are waiting a few more weeks to decide who maybe a show ring candidate right now they all look good so it maybe a tough decision. Noah will be back showing in another week or so we are starting a busy show schedule hopefully he does well. Mia is out of coat so she will be out of the ring Molly maybe showing her coat is starting to fill out. I will update again in a week or so.Enjoy the pictures

3 Weeks Old

The boys will be 3 weeks old tomorrow their eyes are open and hearing should be this week. They are tottering all over the whelping box and eating non stop. We see more interaction with each other and they seem to recognize our smell. They love to cuddle in your neck and I love them doing it. My granddaughter changes their names every time she visits this week it is Speedy, Sleepy and Scooter (all s's must be the letter of the week in kindnergarten :) We will start to evaluate them in the coming weeks but for now they are all the same and that is fine. Once they are hearing and walking little better they will have lots of socialization. This week we will move them to the center hub of the house where it is chaos at times with the dogs and endless people in and out. the kitchen/family room/ pet door. The wood stove will be on and they can watch the action. I have posted a few pictures of how they have grown. Will update weekly on them now .

Puppies on Cam

We have put the puppies and Mia on live cam during the day if you would like to check them the address is www.ustream.tv/channel/shetland-sheepdogs They are gaining and growing daily Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We know it made a difference.

Mia's Litter

After breakfast nap 3 males 2/13/2010
2/14/2010 belly is full

Mia and her puppies eating as usual 2/14/2010

We have been on pins and needles waiting on this litter from Mia. She was bred to CH Sandance Ardastra. We had a x-ray done and 5 puppies have been confirmed Mia is schedule for a c-section as she is on the smaller size and the vet and Linda and I don't want to risk a middle of the night delivery (as happened with Molly and due to poor, neglectful care we lost her singular pup.) Progesterone levels were done and on Monday afternoon Feb. 8 Mia had her section. Linda and I were worried and anxious as we waited they brought out our puppy carrier and showed us 6 puppies somehow one had been missed on the X-ray. All alive but small. After 2 hours we started for home and haven't stopped yet. Mia's milk didn't come in and she woke up to discover all these small creatures climbing around her, she had no idea on what to do. We supplemented by feeding the puppies by the time we were done it was time to feed again. Tuesday brought with it a weak little male that we worked to reverse his condition but we were unsuccessful he died early Wed. morning. We traveled back to our vet with ALL of them. Mia checked ok and we were taught to tube feed the rest of our puppies. (I never thought this was something we have to do.) At midnight we lost a little girl and our last little a girl wasn't doing that well either Linda spent the full day caring for her never letting her out of her sight. Mia's now has milk and the other puppies are eating . I do the night shift with help if I find that I need it. I fed the last little girl during the night, Linda was up at 5:30 and took her from me it was like she was waiting for her as she just took a few more breathes and went to join her sister and brother at the rainbow bridge. We are heartbroken on this loss but realize that they were too small. We did all we could never leaving our whelping room but it wasn't enough to save these 3 beautiful shelties. The other 3 males are eating and growing no problems that we can see. If you have a minute please say a prayer that they continue to thrive. I will add pictures very soon of all the puppies we just haven't had time to catch up. I will also update here every couple of days. Linda and I would like to thank everyone who has sent us best wishes and prayers.

Fabulous Weekend For Noah

Noah and Annie
Tansy and Megan Noah and Linda

We ended our 3 days of showing in Fitchburg, Ma and each day Noah did a fantastic job. Today Noah placed Winners Dog,Best Of Winners, Best Of Opposite and now has another point (2 points in 3 shows) Thank you judge Mrs. Betty Jo Patrick. We are so pleased with Noah's placements. Linda showed Noah today and again the Rabbit Run group dominated. Annie (Ch. Shelhaven Rabbit Run Rhapsody) winning Breed, Tansy, (Rabbit Run Fun And Games), won Winners Bitch. We had a wonderful time with Connie and Megan they are great mentors and we learn so much from them. I have posted pictures from today. Thanks for letting me brag :)

Noah First Show

Noah started his show ring career at the Fitchburg, Ma weekend show with a bang. On Friday he took First in Puppies 6 to 9 months and then went and took Reserve.Thank you Judge Dr Kenneth A. Doeg and a Big Thank You to Megan Nelson who handled Noah beautifully and groomed him to perfection. Noah then had a sleep over with Megan and her mom, Connie Nelson and his littermate Tansy,(Rabbit Run Fun And Games) and Annie ( Ch.Shelhaven Rabbit Run Rhapsody) Tansy won Winners, Best Puppy and Puppy Group 3. Annie took Breed and Group 2.

It was a wonderful day for the Rabbit Run gang. Today Megan again showed Noah and he took Winners Dog and Best of Opposite for his first point! Thank you Judge Joseph G. Reno. Megan thank you again for all your work and handling our boy. Tansy took First and Breed today she is a beautiful girl. Show pictures will come soon we took a few pictures yesterday which I have put up. Way to go Noah !!