29 and Me

Mary-Ann Sontag March 10, 2021

The Moonshadows have emerged from baby puppyhood and are now firmly in the puppy stage of constant interaction with their external world.

In fact, I looked over at the Bright Stars and noticed that someone shrunk!

Nope — just an escapee from the Moonshadow side of the Fun House.

In fact, there were three who decided to join the big kids for a bit. Because of the size differences between the litters, I do not let them play together but everyone was already tired and so it seemed safe for them to have some time together. A week makes such a difference at these ages.

Big T on the slide. Like his siblings, Big T is always so happy and friendly…

This is Moonshadow Arche.

Because the Moonshadows are the M Litter, all of the puppies will have a registered name that starts like this: Kaibab Moonshadow ______________ (fill in the blank). Homes may call them by any name but the registered name will keep the theme since it starts with an M, and it is both cute and meaningful.

Moonshadow Buck…

Dear Husband left yesterday for his camping adventure in northern Arizona and so it is now just me and 29 animals. Isn’t that wild to say?! Twenty-nine animals — and me.

So far, so good.

This is Orion…

…and Zaniah…

…and Claire, who is now eating from a bowl 95% of the time! Yay Claire!

Thank you to those who send wonderful gifts and messages — you know who you are. The uplifts you provide through tiny cupcakes and donuts (toys and the real deal) and stained glass and puppy toys and emails and texts and etc. — well, words do not do my gratitude justice.

It may be just me and 29 animals but I know I am not alone. Thank you.

This is a toy I bought for the puppies, and I thought you would like to watch the Bright Stars’ reactions as they engage with it for the first time.

Have a fun day!

Evening Report

Friends are so helpful. It isn’t 29 and me — it is 10+10+9 and me. That sounds SO much more doable. Thanks, Toby!

I took each of the Bright Stars outside on individual walks to reinforce following me, practice trotting for the upcoming evaluations, and also to expose them to the big wide world without the benefit of siblings. It went well but I only took the camera for the last puppy, which was Capella.

Karma provided moral support but none of the puppies needed it…

Puppy Grand Central

Mary-Ann Sontag March 9, 2021

All is well here — just busy.

This video from yesterday was supposed to upload for last night but our internet wasn’t cooperative — so here is here for this morning…

Evening Photos and Video

Moonshadows & Placement Thoughts

Mary-Ann Sontag March 8, 2021

It is quite the endeavor to photograph ten plus ten busy and squirmy puppies who would happily leap off the counter if given the chance. I am grateful to Suzanne for helping — it would be impossible to get these photos without her.

Here are the Moonshadows at six or so weeks old — some wearing the remnants of their breakfast and at least one who clearly used breakfast as a hair gel…

A photo is necessarily a snapshot in time, and cannot be used to understand a puppy (or human). Rather, it is a chance to watch them grow and observe things about them — their markings, the dark eyes, the emerging fluff, the pretty heads.

Personalities are emerging. Structure is becoming more obvious. Potential is being offered.

I want to say this again: My priority is the puppies. There may well be last minute changes and adjustments, and this is why I do not take deposits. Placements are not guaranteed.

My job, which I take very seriously, is to place these babies in the most optimal home for them, and how can I know what that is until I know more about who and what the puppies are?

As I have said before — a puppy is not one-size-fits-all.

I like to consider myself a pretty kind-hearted person; sometimes that can get mistaken for being easy and soft. One would only need five minutes with one of my kids, students, or Dear Husband to know I cannot be pressured, bullied, guilted, or otherwise persuaded to do something if I have decided it is not the best plan.

Add in a puppy I intentionally created and owe the best life possible, and my sense of purpose and resolve is supercharged. It hurts and upsets me when I have to disappoint humans — but those tough emotions and experiences do not control my choices. What I consider the Right Thing for a puppy will always be what I do.