COMSTOCK PUPPIES - Page 4
In the early evening (about 5:30) when it has cooled down a bit we let the pups out of their garage pen and into the front yard. We do this by opening the garage door and then unlatching the x-pens and swinging them wide. When we first did this about 10 days ago the pups would timidly peek around the corner but would not venture forth even with us coaxing them. We had to go pick them up and put them on the front lawn. Things have sure changed. Now it is like when grammar school lets out.
In the cool morning the pups go to their large side pen to play after breakfast. They dig, and wrestle and chew on the crates for about 30 minutes or so and then they crash. They have several bathroom rugs in the pen for them to sleep on, but as you can see they still like to curl up together in the crate (on their Martha Stewart quilt which is getting a bit bedraggled by now).
You all probably think that the pups just sleep, eat, poop and play all day. No Sir! These pups have to train for hours (would you believe seconds) at a stretch to become "Show Dogs". Actually Caroline just likes to practice "stacking" the pups to see how they look. The pups do quite well as long as a treat is held in front of them. Caroline uses thinly sliced hot dogs (chicken) which have been slightly crisped in the microwave. These guys will "work for food".
We are still bringing in one pup each night so that they get some quiet time with Caroline and I. They seem to enjoy exploring the Family Room, kitchen, and hallway. They also like to be with us and enjoy being held and played with. Sometimes they sit on laps and sometimes they make do with whats available.
Having run out of my (medicinal) wine before I got a full second glass I have enough energy (mental facility?) to add a few more photos. The photo on the right of Smudge and Tiger (Lt. Blue and Red) apparently kissing is actually Tiger trying to get a leaf out of Smudge's mouth. Like we didn't have enough leaves to go around.
I mentioned digging earlier. The pups aren't real diggers but there is something in the wet grass that prompts them to dig down to the dirt and eat it. Minerals lacking in their diet, perhaps?
On occasion Caroline sits down and gives each puppy a brushing. They love it. Personally I think Caroline enjoys it more than they do.
Four of our pups have gone to their new homes. This is the first litter we have bred where pups actually have left us. Our previous breedings resulted in litters of two, one, and one. We kept them all. It is a time of mixed emotions. In many respects the feelings are the same as placing a Rescue dog that we have fostered for a few weeks. You are sad to see them go but you are happy knowing that they are going to good homes where they will be lovingly cared for.
Purple and Blue were picked up here yesterday. Yellow was also expected to be going to her new home yesterday but an emergency work assignment delayed her pick-up until next week. Pink and Green went to their new homes a few days ago.
In case you haven't guessed it we are keeping Lucah (was Turquoise) and Riley (was Black). We had originally intended to keep only one male pup but with the unexpected loss of Keeper in June we decided on a second male in his honor.
During the coming week, two more pups will be picked up by their new families. That will leave us with just one pup to find a home for. We won't know which one until Wednesday.
Yesterday the pups were nine weeks old. They were weighed and photos were taken. I will try to get those photos plus photos of the placed dogs with their new families, plus photos of our grandkids with the pups up on the page before the end of the day. (A bit optimistic perhaps?)
Oberon (was Green) went with Marilyn who lives in the Sacramento area. Marilyn is a long-time Mastiff owner, breeder and handler. Marilyn (with her beautiful Apricot bitch, Buddy) and Caroline (with Calli) competed against each other in the ring quite often last year. This next year the competition will continue with Oberon vs. Lucah or Riley. But as Caroline pointed out, if she loses to Oberon she can at least shout out: "I'm the breeder! I'm the breeder!" I forgot to get pictures of Marilyn leaving with Oberon but I've included a couple that she emailed us.
Thumper (was Pink) was selected by Ginny. Ginny has also owned, bred, and shown Mastiffs for a number of years. She lives nearby in Atascadero and we plan to get our dogs together for socials in front of the local Yogurt Shoppe.
Princess Leia (was Purple) was selected and taken home to the San Juan Capistrano area by Martha. Martha was here for the pups 1 PM (or so) feeding and was a big help in carrying food dishes and helping to keep order amongst the feeding frenzy. Martha sent us the photo on the right of Leia settled in on the coolest spot in the house (bathroom tile floor). Martha has a Rescue Mastiff and a couple of older Greyhounds for Leia to interact with.
Chaucer (was Blue) was selected and taken home to the San Fernando Valley by Jay. Jay and his friend Tony also helped with the pups mid-day feeding. All were impressed with how fast these pups scarfed down their food. (We are talking a few seconds here. Not minutes.) Jay is a first time Mastiff owner but has thoroughly researched the breed. The picture on the right of Chaucer in his new home was emailed to us by Jay.
Rio (was Red) was picked by Leslie and her son Matthew. They live east of the Bay Area. Rio seemed to enjoy playing with Matthew and the new toys they brought. As they were leaving Rio was howling a bit but an email we received today said the ride went well. Most Mastiffs love to ride in cars. The family also emailed us some nice photos of Rio settling in. He seems happy.
Maisie (was Lt. Blue aka Smudge) was picked up today by Ann and her mother Jane. Maisie was her usual outgoing self and should fit right in with the rather playful Lab mix the family already has. They live in the San Diego area.
Yellow (aka Buttercup) and White (aka Spice) are still waiting for the right home. These are lovely girls who are actually as big as our guys, Lucah and Riley. Both pups are very friendly and out-going and will make wonderful companions. Just a reminder that we will only place these dogs within a days drive of where we live on the Central Coast of California.
Even after all of our pups have been placed in their new homes I intend to maintain this page to show how they all are progressing. I will be bugging people for photos/updates. So far all is well. The pups are adjusting nicely to their new environments and some are starting to sleep through the night. I've included recent photos of Chaucer and Rio.
Thumper visited us today. Our four pups seemed to remember her (left photo) and wanted to play. We limited play to one-on-one to prevent the possibility of escalating roughness. Even though they all co-existed nicely just over a week ago it is better to play it safe. Thumper was a little too much for our Lucah but she and Buttercup (Yellow) had a lot of fun wrestling, tumbling and chewing (on each other). Caroline gave all 5 pups their second puppy shots today.
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