As many of you know, Keith retires from the military next summer. This will mark some major changes. First, we might be able to stay in one location for more than a few years! Keith will have a set schedule and no risk of deploying overseas. My kids will be able to make friends and fall in love with a school without tears having to be shed when we are forced to move. I’m going to be able to expand my foster program, because we will have a long term home. I will be able to make long term plans.
As a family, we have lived so many wonderful places during our military tour. This has opened up our eyes to many possibilities. Keith will be looking at jobs all over the US. His goals are family first, so finding a place that gives him plenty of time at home will be a priority. Most of our family live in Arkansas, and while it is on the list other places are ranked equally high. We could stay here in San Antonio. We could move back to Huntsville, AL. We might end up in TN or KY or VA or even FL. The future is wide open!!
Because of this, several things have happened for this winter. Keith and I will be traveling for interview and area touring once the list is narrowed down a bit. We hope to have something firmed up by spring. As a family, we have decided to take the entire summer to travel. I’ve wanted to show my kids the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks since they were babies. Now they are almost 11 years old and the perfect age to take in the sights and remember them for the rest of their lives. Two months in an travel trailer full of dogs and kids! What could possibly go wrong? 🙂
What does all this have to do with the Poodles? Well, a few things. 1. I cannot really plan a foster family until I know where we will be living next year. 2. I cannot keep another dog right now, because the camper will already be packed with my current crew. 3. I don’t breed just to have pups. I’m keeping a puppy for the next generation or why have the litter?
PHOTO—- UKC CH RO1 Libby CGC
EVENT ONE: Sue Braaten contacted me almost 2 months ago saying Libby was in season again and she wanted to breed her. Libby is due in 2 weeks with a small litter. Sue did puppy culture with the last group and they are incredibly social. I’m not involved this time due to having travel plans this winter for interviews and home shopping, but I am helping funnel folks to Sue for placement. These will be small to mid size Standard Poodles and bred for diversity. Sire is a UKC GRCH and unrelated to Libby. Blacks and Blues expected. Sue will keep pick female and all others will be placed as pets. Sue’s EMAIL: Redstonegoats@gmail.com Visit this link for information on health testing, pedigree, etc. http://www.anutta.com/standardpoodles/puppies/
PHOTO— UKC GRCH Ashes
EVENT TWO: Jazz was spayed last week. I know some of you will be sick to hear it, because everyone adores her babies. The fact is, she is an over achiever. Her first litter at 2 years of age was 13 pups. I waited to breed her again until she was much older, in hopes she wouldn’t have as many babies. I even bred her only one time to Tag, yet there we were with 13 pups again. The second litter took a full 13 hours to whelp and she was exhausted after. I felt it was to big a risk to her health to attempt another breeding. We always put the dog’s health first. She is 7 years old anyway and deserves to hold down the couch.
EVENT THREE: Mabel came into season a month early. She ended up OFA Fair for her hips, which isn’t bad. She did pass. However, OFA recommends breeding Fairs to Good / Excellent. The Stud I had selected for her was a Fair as well. I’ve been unable to locate anything suitable in the two weeks I had to make it happen. With our interviewing this winter and the fact that I do not have a foster situation lined up for a puppy and I cannot keep one myself, I’ve decided to skip Mabel this winter. Depending on her timing, she could be bred in the summer if I didn’t need to pick up the babies until after our trip AND if we are not moving. I would plan for Mabel being bred next winter if you are seeking an Anutta Poodle.
That is where we stand. Contact Sue to get on her list for a Libby x Ashes’ puppy. Ultrasound only showed 3 babies, so talk to Sue sooner rather than later! Sue’s EMAIL: Redstonegoats@gmail.com Website information: http://www.anutta.com/standardpoodles/puppies/
Thank you all for your continued support for our dogs. I’m really sorry to disappoint those hoping for pups this winter. I can’t ethically make it happen the way I want, so it just isn’t going to happen.
~Becky