‘Cracker’ Category

  1. Allergies and Ultrasounds

    December 5, 2015 by myeye

    This morning we again ran an ultrasound over Copper’s tummy — just to be sure.  Unfortunately, she is still not pregnant.  I am so bummed!

    Tuli has been suffering with hotspots.  Last week, my vets took skin plugs and sent them off to Spectrum labs to see if our puppy has environmental allergies.  Indeed, Tuli does.  The results are below.  The answer is the compounding of oral drops that will be administered under her tongue for 3 to 5 months.  The Clinic will order the drops on Monday.  In the meantime, I will re-home Tuli’s pet cockroach.

    201500081-Diagnostic_1098134


  2. Gang Aft A’glay

    November 28, 2015 by myeye

    Wednesday morning I took Ms. Copper in to Los Lunas Animal Clinic for an ultrasound — to see if she was indeed pregnant.  Unfortunately, it appears she is not.  I am very bummed — and I know there are others who were waiting for puppies — who are probably pretty sad as well.  So, back to the drawing board.  When you do not use the “turn the dog loose in the neighborhood and see who gets her” method of impregnating, the planning, timing, and execution are painful and must be precise.  We had a couple of hitches in the road which caused us to use frozen semen.  The conception rate with frozen is significantly lower than it is with chilled extended or live.  I would never plan on using frozen with a maiden, but circumstances overrode my preferences.  Let’s see how things go with Copper.  I hope to do a spring breeding.  I hope it is more successful.


  3. Counting Down to January 3rd

    November 5, 2015 by myeye

    Yesterday Copper was bred.  We look forward to puppies born on January 3rd.  It was a stressful event only because the first shipment of swimmers (on Tuesday) lacked any live swimmers.  That does not work.  So, Tuesday with the exemplary assistance of Cracker’s owner and the ICSB-Atlanta team, an overnight shipment of pupsicles came to FedEx Albuquerque.  Copper submitted to yet another progesterone test.  Her numbers were still good for a breeding so we did a TCI (Transcervical Insemination).  She was very put out — no roses, no soft music, no nice dinner in a good restaurant.  I cannot imagine how offended she will be when she has a bunch of little babies demanding food, cleaning and playing.

    Copper’s mom Dory was a wonderful brood bitch and I am so very hopeful that Copper mirrors her.

    So now we wait.  Somewhere between the 19th and 21st of November we will check Copper’s gums for a change from dark pink to pale pink.  That will tell us that embryos are implanting.  About December 6th, we should be able to see body changes that tell us Copper is carrying a litter.  I am so hopeful!  I invite you all to be hopeful along with us.  Here is the pedigree for the litter.  We should have tri-colors, reds, and brindles.


  4. The Names Game

    October 26, 2015 by myeye

    The Copper/Cracker litter theme is photographic equipment.  Kevin and Tricia (who co-own Copper) own Kevin’s Photography in Albuquerque — hence the theme.  Of course we welcome ideas.  I think there are a great number of terrific possibilities!


  5. Start 2016 With Puppies!

    October 23, 2015 by myeye

    Our Copper (shared with Kevin and Tricia Dooley) has finally decided to come into season — YAY!  She will be bred to Cracker, a handsome black boy.  We expect baybeez the first week in January — if all goes according to plan.  There should be black tris, brindles and reds.  This is a stunningly healthy breeding.  Copper has the best hips we’ve ever bred.  She is tested clear of Degenerative Myelopathy, is EE (no clear red or pink), and no fluff.  Her CERF (now called CAER) is normal and her parents are tested clear for PRA.  Daddy-to-be is OFA Good, EE (no pink), PRA clear by line, DM clear.  He does carry fluff so some of the kids will carry for fluff.  Both parents have wonderful, bright temperaments.  Copper has her HT and her CD.  Cracker is a Group-winning Grand Champion.

    Here is the pedigree.

    Cracker GroupCracker

    Copper Stacked 2626Copper

    It has been a year since our last litter so we are excited about these upcoming babies.  Think good thoughts for Copper and the babies.  We’ll share more information as this plan progresses.