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SIRE

Shadow's Dacquari RN CGC

"Spike"

Breeder/Owner: Liz Sullivan

DAM

RedDawn's Because I Can CGC

"Rachel"

Breeder/Owner: Dawn Whitelock

11/15/2007 - I have been plotting this breeding since even before Rachel was born. The conversation with Liz Sullivan regarding Spike began in August 2005 when I posted to the SB-L in search of an "older health tested stud dog". At the time, Spike was only 7! Since then I have been around the world (figuratively speaking, of course, thanks to the internet!) and back again looking at stud dogs and studying pedigrees. I got back in touch with Liz this summer and we waited patiently for Rachel to come into season again. And we waited . . . And we waited . . . She was expected in July, but Rachel thought it would be ideal to try and make this effort a go smack in the middle of Regional week in October! Nothing worth the effort is ever easy, right? I feel that this pedigree combination offers an interesting outcross with a history of longevity that's getting tougher to come by. Although there are no guarantees, I feel very confident with the health testing and temperament on both sides of this pairing. Rachel is on a limited vaccination protocol. Rachel was conceived, whelped and weaned on a 100% raw diet. In January 2004 we switched back to kibble using Canidae. Since then I've used Nutro and Pro Plan, but found VeRus in November 2005. I have been very happy with VeRus and highly recommend it as a maintenance diet; however, Rachel will be fed Canidae supplemented with fresh foods, Berte's Green Blend, DHA, and Whelp Help for the duration of her pregnancy and nursing. Canidae offers a greater variety of protein sources and slightly more caloric value per feeding. To date she's still pretty slim and trim but, as all ladies know, a lot can happen in a month! Stay tuned!

12/12/2007 - Rachel's temp dropped on Monday morning and she started stage one that night around 10PM. She finally started some real contractions and hard pushing this morning around 5:30 after I'd just sat down with my coffee. An hour and 15 minutes later she finally pushed out the first big boy. He was big and he was in there pretty tight. Then, by 8:00 she'd had three more! So far that looks like all there is. Everyone is settled in and doing well. We had an x-ray scheduled for Tuesday night, but didn't make it since she was rather heavily involved in the process. I will have her x-rayed when we take the pups in for tails on Friday just to be safe. So, I am delighted to introduce four new boxer babies to the world (in order of appearance):

One dark flashy brindle boy

One plain dark brindle girl

One plain fawn girl (little Julia)

One whopper of a pure white boy

12/29/2007 - The puppies are growing like little weeds! On Christmas Eve (just short of two weeks old) they all weighed around two pounds already! The little fawn girl opened her eyes at seven days. Her siblings followed suit one a day each day after that. The white boys eyes are both dark and all of the colored pups have double dark haws. Ears are open too and everyone is just starting to bark and growl. They're getting around the box well but wobbly at this point. The real fun is about to begin! Happy New Year!

01/06/2008 - What a big weekend for 3 ½ week old puppies! They had their first taste of big dog food, their first adventure outside of the box to explore my office, and their first session with our very own 3 year old photographer extraordinaire! BTW, the pure white boy isn't quite so - he has anew fawn spot behind his right ear. My daughter says that he's turning into a dalmation! Enjoy!

The Brindle Boy

02/24/2008 - I have been remiss in posting pictures . . . I suppose it's been a little busy around here! ;o) Be sure to watch Wyatt's page and the Puppies' page for continued updates. For information on upcoming litters, please visit our FUTURE page.