Cecily is the third puppy in Rosewood’s C litter.
|
|
|||
|
At around 1:30 I heard the unmistakable cry of a newborn puppy and found that Bianca had quietly and secretly settled herself on the comforter in Ochie’s kennel and had given birth to her first puppy. Quickly I pulled out the birthing equipment, stationed it in the living room where there would be plenty of room and placed mama and baby in the birthing tub. With a gentle push, Bianca birthed puppy #2…another boy…and by around 4:00 she had added five more for a total of seven beautiful puppies…three boys and four girls.>
I realize that the old saying about “the miracle of birth” is just that…old and trite. But if those words are stale and over-used, I am feeling compelled to find others that I can use to tell you about the emotional “high” I attained by watching this amazing process. I have watched piglets, lambs, calves, puppies, kittens and human babies being born on many occasions, but that does not blunt the sharp awe and excitement I again felt as Bianca’s puppies were born one after the other.
An easy push brought the emergence of a glistening sac with a puppy secreted away inside; a quick bite and tear of the membranes from her teeth ruptured the sac and suddenly a new life was released into the room where only a moment age there had been one fewer creature. When it was all over, Bianca and I were both exhausted!
At birth, each of Bianca’s puppies was given a name and a color-coded yarn necklace, photographed, weighed and measured. They ranged in size from a couple of blocky little fellows to a tiny and fragile little girl, the runt I suppose. While the other puppies eagerly cuddled up to mom for warmth and dinner, this tiny one always wandered to the cool sides of the box and seemed to lack the vigor the others had. In spite of my best attempts, little Colette did not live and sadly I had to bury her tiny body this morning among the flowers in my yard. The remaining puppies are vigorous and healthy and are singing beautiful “puppy music” as I sit at my desk writing.
And now, a little about the names we chose for the puppies: Because this is Rosewood’s C Litter, we of course chose C names. But not just any old names would do! Because Kooikers are such special dogs we wanted to pick names that reflect their uniqueness and their regal appearance, and where else better to obtain such names than in ancient history? As you view each puppy picture you will see that I have given a short description of the name in history and that I have also included links that will allow you to read more about each one.  Litter C “C” Litter. November 17, 2009Rosewood’s Bianca + I-Ron vom Wichtelhaus Sire: I-Ron vom Wichtelhaus D.O.B.: Owners: Rod and Marta Beckstead, Allentown, Pennsylvania  I-Ron vom Wichtelhaus Pedigree: I-Ron was brought to the U.S. from the vom Wichtelhaus kennel in Switzerland. He belongs to Rod and Marta Beckstead, owners of Ravenswood, and lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Smaller than Bianca, and a handsome dog, Iron has a sweet, open expression and courteous temperament. On January 16, 2010, I-Ron of Ravenswood kennels finished the requirements for a United Kennel Club Championship. He now will be addressed as UKC CH I-Ron Ravenswood Von Wichtelhaus. He also received a Group 3 Placement on the same day. Cyrus is the sixth puppy out of seven, and the fifth to survive, in Rosewood’s C Litter. Cassiopeia is the fourth puppy in Rosewood’s C Litter. Cato, renamed Bristow, is the second-born puppy of Rosewood’s C Litter. Charlemagne is the first puppy in Rosewood’s C Litter. Puppy News: Daddy is a Champion On January 16, 2010, I-Ron of Ravenswood kennels finished the requirements for a United Kennel Club Championship. He now will be addressed as UKC CH I-Ron Ravenswood Von Wichtelhaus. He also received a Group 3 Placement on the same day.  I-Ron Winning Championship and Group 3 at UKC I-Ron was bred with Rosewood’s Bianca who produced a litter of five puppies on November 17, 2009.  Hello, and good-bye The party is over, the house is empty, the farewells have been said and the tears have been cried. The laundry room is empty: no more ragged old towels litter the floor, the puppy toys are stashed, the bowls washed and the washing machine and dryer silent after their heroic efforts to supply the puppies with clean bedding each day.  I'll be a sibling to a ... St. Bernard?? Unseen threads now fan out from my house to places far away. In each of these places a puppy is beginning a new life, apart from me yet encircled by good and loving people whose days will be brightened by the love and companionship of one of these enthusiastic little fur balls. My heart is sad at the letting go;  Leash, check. New family, check. Let's go! I have invested much time, heart, love, energy and effort in Bianca’s babies. One does not give that much without bonding. But in thinking about the goal which I have set for my life … to make a positive difference wherever I am and in whatever I am doing … I believe I have achieved that end. The Kooiker genetic pool is five larger than it was, five new “Kooiker ambassador” families have been created and through these tiny lives I have been able to create happiness. Mission accomplished!  Loving arms  Off to new adventures  That empty-nest feeling... -Jorie  Cecily -- clean, for once Water is not only for drinking. Bianca’s puppies have discovered that bit of knowledge in the past couple of days and have had no end of fun doing so. Unfortunately water-play in the house is quite messy and when you add food (which is not simply eaten but is sort of worn full-face) and yard dirt to fuzzy fur … well, needless to say I have happy, dirty puppies. Surface wiping removes … well … surface dirt, and on a day-to-day basis that works, but before each puppy meets his/her new parents, each will get a bath, blow-dry and brushing. And yes, the days and weeks have passed and this weekend is puppy homing time. As I sip coffee and write this final puppy blog I know that families are expectantly preparing for their new charges and for a trip to Statesboro, Georgia to pick them up. Here is the emotional bridge or perhaps intersection of loss and gain. As each family drives away with one of Bianca’s puppies I will be transferring my own joy to their possession. One by one I will relinquish a puppy life to the care and delight of others. Will I shed some tears? Oh yes, for I have come to love each little fuzzy four-legger. But on the bright side, I can have my laundry room back and it will be dry! -Jorie |
|||
|
Copyright © 2010 Rosewood Kennels – Kooikers – Kooikerhondje - All Rights Reserved |
|||
