Erin's New England Cockapoos

Callie and Finnegan's New Litter of Five

2011-10-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Oh ... no matter how many times I have been lucky enough to bear witness to the birth of a litter, its magic never grows old and its process never fails to impress me and fill me with genuine wonder. I was guest to that miraculous display again the other night, when Callie delivered a perfectly exquisite litter of five babies.

Let it be said: Callie is a little powerhouse of a dog.
She is beautiful and very sweet and on the petite side; she is utterly calm and in charge of anything she decides to be in charge of, be it her ball, her bowl, or her babies.
I carefully arranged her whelping box with a variety of padded and unpadded items I thought would lend themselves to comfort and to my assisting her, should the need arise. I then watched her completely rearrange her whelping box with impressive shredding and digging and placement of each item. Lots of panting and restlessness. More shredding and digging and placement .... Then I watched her bring forth her five babies with the determination and focus of a Zen Master. She is my little mouse who roars :)

Plaaaaaaay Ball!

2011-07-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and the rompin' is fun!

Because it's been a while since my last entry, I thought it was high time to get back to the blog and say "Happy 1-year Anniversary, Blog" - - AND - - to show you some pictures of the kids enjoying their favorite summer activity. Just click any photo to enlarge it.

Fannie's GOT IT!!


But Finnegan STOLE it ...

Waiting for the throw ...


Caru is out in front ...

... but Fannie got it AGAIN!

Callie steals a ball for herself and takes a break in the shade.

Finnegan and Magic kick back and catch their breath ...


... while Rory does her Happy Summer dance.

Happy July 4th to EVERYONE - - and remember to take a celebratory roll in the grass today to show the world your independence! ;)

Everyone is ASKING: Who is still available??

2011-05-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Oh, such lucky-ducks! A few lucky people out there can still get on the list to get one of these pups.
Here is the line-up of The Adorables ;)

Little Gus - - SORRY! No longer available :(

Fiona - - SORRY! No longer available :(

ORLA - - SORRY! No longer available :(

PRETTY LITTLE GIRL - - SORRY! No longer available :(

GREAT baby pictures to share with all of you!

2011-04-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

I pick up where I left off with my earlier entry, so consider this to be Part II.

MORE fabulous pictures of the babies - - who are just growing up so fast!
The last entry focused on photos of Callie's babies, while this entry is exclusively photos of Dixie's babies, who are 6 weeks old today. They were a sleeply bunch when Alex snapped these, but they had been playing hard!

Eight bouncing bundles!

Angus takes a power nap

Pretty Little Girl and Fergus snuggle up with a stuffed bunny

Baby zonk-out session!

Stop tickling my knees, Tulla!!

Tulla and Little Gus take it easy after a play session

Boy, we sure do love to watch Animal Planet

It's an Angus sandwich!

Handsome Little Guy poses for the camera

Fiona and Orla share a secret

I never should have had that second cup of coffee

Little Gus gives his brother a kiss

Angus contemplates the state of the world

Fergus leaves it all behind

Orla finds a comfy friend on which to rest her tired head

Fergus and Handsome Little Guy plan their next escapade

Finally! a bed to myself

OH! I am so behind in updating this blog - - but for happy reasons!

2011-04-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, life gets in the way of doing the things one "needs" to do. But sometimes, it's because of wonderful occasions, as it has been for me these past days.

I have been blessed with wonderful house guests visiting one right after another, though it has meant my "administrative duties" have decidedly fallen by the wayside. I am correcting that TODAY!

And, because of one of those house guests in particular, I have beautiful new pictures of the babies to post. My friend Alex drove a grueling 6 hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic from Manhattan to Rockport to visit with me and the pups.

While she was here, she turned her very talented eye and camera on my babies, and I think you will all be delighted by the results. There are so many wonderful pictures, I will post some today, more later. So I am calling this blog entry PART I.

I had a lot of fun taking pictures of her taking pictures of the babies ... of course, her beautiful shots really show me for the lacking photographer I am, but we can't all be good at everything! ;)

Oh, don't take our picture; cuddle with us instead!

Alex captures a tug-of-war between Piper and McGyver

"If you think I'm giving this up, you're sorely mistaken, buster!"

Chloe thinks maybe SHE would like to try to use the camera


Piper: "Do me a favor, okay? Try to get my good side in these shots."

"I'm ready for my closeup Ms. DeMille ... "

"How does 'shy and demure' work for this pose? Think it's a good way to go?"

Remember: just my good side, my GOOD side, please!

WHAT is Mr Moseley doing in MY frame?!

Oh, all right! "Hello World! I'd like to introduce my handsome brother to all my adoring fans."


Chloe gets a lesson in aperture settings

But she decides she makes a better subject than a photographer

A tisket, a tasket, an overflowing basket ...

Casting Call?! Did someone say 'Casting Call!' ??

Little Miss Bailey wishes you all a day as lovely as she

Dixie's (sleepy) Babies are Three Weeks Old TODAY!

2011-04-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Oh, to be a cherished baby - - safe and warm, fed when you are hungry, cuddled and loved in between sleeping, playing, and eating ah!
Dixie's babies are a sleepy, contented bunch this afternoon - - and I really enjoyed sneaking a bunch of pictures as witness to that sleepy, gauzy, afternoon-slumber state into which they had so happily, irresistibly sunk...

Callie's Babies Are Three Weeks Old TODAY!

2011-04-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

Taking pictures of playful, beautiful puppies on a rainy, raw Monday is not my idea of a bad job ;)
These little guys are just getting so darned cute I couldn't stop clicking. When I downloaded the photos to my computer, I had to laugh when it told me there were 94 of them! It just didn't seem possible that I had been snapping away for that long - - and it doesn't seem possible that these babies are already three weeks old.
They get more fun and more adorable everyday. I watch them discover each other, their foot, a toy, a label on a blanket and before I know it, hours have gone by .... I am enjoying them so. Hope you enjoy the new pictures! Remember you can enlarge them by clicking them.

My-oh-my, these babies are a-growin'!

2011-03-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Dixie's babies are two weeks old today and are opening their eyes - - and in a few days, Callie's babies will be three weeks old! I can tell they are beginning to hear now - - as they seem to respond to my voice and certain noises.
It's hard to believe they are this age already ... until I look at the size of these little munchkins! They're growing like crazy!!
Their Mamas are incredibly devoted, feeding, cleaning, and fussing over these pups with the utmost attention. Their care shows in these spotless, chubby little bugs!
Below are some pictures from today and the past few days. Don't be alarmed by the cribs - - they are to help me save my aching back!!
Enjoy the beauties - I certainly have been!
And remember, you can enlarge the photos by clicking them.

Oh! We were SO good for the Vet today :)

2011-03-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

We slept so contentedly, cozied up close in our litter-assigned travel luggage.
Callie's 5 babies (two weeks old today and fat as can be!) in one puppy carry-bag; Dixie's 8 babies in a larger carry case - - reminiscent of Toto's Basket - - all close and safe and cozy.
The Vet was so taken with us all, she pulled out her camera and took photos of us.
"Enchanting!" one of the Vet Tech's whispered.
"Your babies are always the healthiest, fattest, most adorable beauties we see in here!" exclaimed another.
All such nice compliments, but ... I was just waiting to hear: "no heart murmurs, no palate issues, no weight issues, no lung issues... healthy babies" so I could pay my bill, pack up those darlings, and whisk them on home to their beds. When I heard those words, I sighed my relief; and I once again thanked the Puppy-Gods!

Callie's babies are one week old now ...

2011-03-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

... and Callie has really proven herself to be a spectacular first time mom. She is incredibly devoted and tender with her little pack o' 5. They are spotlessly clean, and they're fat as can be! :) Contentedly fed, loved, warm, and safe: they are thriving beautifully.

Callie and Dixie's Babies are Born!

2011-03-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well Folks, my amazing girls have done it again. We have two litters of the loveliest babies you've ever seen.
Callie's litter was born March 14th and Dixie's litter was born St. Patrick's Day, March 17th - - this is quite fitting considering her pups are mostly redheads! I'll have to come up with some nice Irish names to tip my hat to the day.
Both of the girls felt compelled to have my company ALL night long, eventhough Callie's litter did not begin making their appearance until past 11:30 the next morning. Oh well ... it was worth the sleepless nights to see this bevy of beauties make their long-awaited and much anticipated arrivals.

Meanwhile, back in Tummy Town ...

2011-03-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Dixie and Callie have done their mightiest to hide it, but I do believe the gig is up ...
They've either swallowed Punxsutawney Phil and his Body Double, or I'd better prepare the nursery!
Since I so prefer the second scenario to the first, the girls endured their dreaded Mommie Haircut yesterday and have been home, relaxing, ever since ... whilst I boil water and rip up perfectly good sheets ;)

It's been a long time ...

2011-02-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

... Two months, in fact, since my last entry, and a couple major “events” have occurred between that time and now.

Magic had her very first litter, and it was a lovely one. She was a fabulous mother who cared enthusiastically for four very beautiful, sweet-tempered babies, now all living with their very excited families.

That was the wonderful event.

But during that time, there was a very shocking and unexpected event that stopped me in my tracks and effects me in a way that other events in a life rarely do.

My mother died.

And though this site is about Cockapoos, it would be unimaginable for me not to mention my mother here. She was responsible for my living with dogs from a very early age. She was the one who gave me my first dogs; the one who taught me about dogs and how to respect and care for them. It was she who assisted and allowed me to breed my dogs when I was a ‘barely teen’, knowing full well the burden of the undertaking would fall to her.

When I became a breeder, she was always the first on the phone to see if the new pups had arrived, to ask how the mom was faring, and to happily announce to everyone on her end of the phone that “the babies have come!” She loved my Cockapoos and delighted in the stories, adventures, and hijinks of my life with all of them. She lit up when she was here visiting, finally holding those babies she’d heard so much about; she told as many friends as would listen “I am here at Erin’s and her new litter is just gorgeous!”

Looking back - even after I grew up and moved away - I cannot remember a time my mother did not have at least one dog. So I mention her here not simply because she was my mother and the loss of her is enormous; I mention her here because she was a ‘dog person’ to her very soul.

I miss her beyond words; and I thank her so, knowing that my deep and abiding love of dogs was born of her.

A Magic Trick

2010-12-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Indeed ... it was a Magic trick to deliver 4 beautiful babies about four days earlier than I thought Magic would! ;)
There I was, thinking I had time to go to a doctor's appointment, run various errands, take care of a few things that needed taking care of (like setting up the whelping area for the babies' arrival!), behaving with a sense of leisure when scheduling these things that only a person who thought there was time would do.
Well, you should have seen this person "with a sense of leisure" spring into (frantic) action on the morning of Thursday, November 18th when she realized babies were a-coming and nothing was set up for them! Luckily, I work well under pressure because the babies began making their arrival by 8:23 am.
Whew! that was a close one ...

These toys are waiting .... for Magic's Babies!

2010-10-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

They are washed and now sit drying in the fresh ocean breezes ..... waiting ....
For a few weeks or so they'll bide their time until they can snuggle up against puppies once again.
They're spreading the word .......

Magic and Kinsey are EXPECTING!!!

And there is joyous anticipation in Puppy-Toyland once again ...

These Babes Have Flown ...

2010-10-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that all my beautiful, magical, mischievous, cuddly babies have flown the coop.

It seemed one minute I was sending out their birth announcement; the next minute I was taking their "parting shots". Here are a few .....

The Three Little Rascals

2010-10-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, but are we RASCALS, we three!

We have pulled out of the crate all of the pillowcases we should be sleeping on,
and we have turned them into tug-o'-war toys and dust mops and slip-slides ...
Erin says we're "as naughty as can be" - - but we know she thinks we're "impossibly adorable", too - - so we ignore her and create as much havoc as our imaginations can muster!

Extra! Extra! Rory's pups spotted on the social scene!

2010-08-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well, we're very excited here tonight to report that Rory's kids have been out partying and "yucking it up" on the canine social scene! They were full of gossip and just couldn't seem to stop laughing .....

At one point, we thought they might fall over from laughing so hard.
We wondered if too much fresh goat's milk played a role in this high-jinks circle of camaraderie, but when we asked ...

they just laughed louder and barked: "We're high on life; why don't you pull up a bowl and join us!"

Rory's "Oreo" is spreading rumors ....

2010-08-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Pssssst ... Hey! .....I don't know if you heard .....

but we are going to be four weeks old on Wednesday ....

and people will start to come visit us.
Now, don't feel badly when everyone pays more attention to me than they do to you because I am THE HANDSOMEST pup in the world, and ...

OUCH! O U C H!!!

I said ouch!!

Well ... that was sobering :(

Dixie's Babies are 3 weeks old ....

2010-08-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Looking much more alert, awake, and active than they were last week, aren't they?!

These babies are getting so beautiful, playful, responsive, and aware now - - it's great to watch them begin to look around, walk around, and really notice their world. Of course, their favorite thing to do is still nursing! No surprise there. :)

I have my eye on one of the little girls and am wondering: is any one interested in becoming a Guardian Home for her??

Enjoy the pictures, everyone!

Rory's Babies are 3 Weeks Old ....

2010-08-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

.... and boy, it's gettin' crowded in here, Mom!
These babies have voracious appetites and are growing by leaps and bounds. They can see, they can hear, and they can bark! LOL :)
Everytime they hear my voice near them or the dogs play nearby, a head pops up, an ear is cocked, and a chirp! of a bark is emitted.
They are also beginning to wiggle those little waggers of theirs, which always warms my heart and reassures me that never docking an adorable tail is the way God surely intended they be!
I don't know why the chocolate chunks are camera-shy today, but regardless of how I turned them toward the camera, they opted for the Garbo pose, muttering 'I vant to be alone' - - so you get to see their luxurious coats, but you'll have to wait for a view of their gorgeous faces.

Dixie's Babies are Two Weeks Old

2010-08-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Time is racing by - - these babies are already two weeks old, and I just can't believe how every day seems to reveal some little change to them. Here are a few pictures of them at about a week and a half, and then at two weeks - - eyes open, looking around.
Check out the little acrobat whose nursing preference makes me laugh every time I see him do this; he looks like he's holding up Dixie so all his littermates can nurse!

Rory's Babies at Two Weeks

2010-08-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it's hard to believe that Rory's babies are two weeks old, but they are! They have really gotten stout and beautiful and their eyes are open. They are so cute -- take a look at these faces!

Dixie's Big Day!

2010-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it appears Dixie did not swallow a small appliance after all, but had eight beautiful, beautiful babies in there, just waiting to make their Sunday debut!

She and her babies are doing just great; the Vet couldn't believe the gorgeous coats and exquisite tiny faces. She pronounced them all healthy, fat, and quite adorable. We think so too, but we admit to being biased; so check out the photos and see what you think .....

Rory's Big Day

2010-08-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Well, Rory's big tummy finally turned into Rory's Big Day, Wednesday August 4th, when she delivered 7 gorgeous babies. Mother and pups are doing beautifully; and we take it from a trusted source that the proud Papa has seen the photos. :)

We are all a little tired but very happy ... Many thanks to everyone for the prayers, crossed fingers, and well-wishes; keep them coming for Dixie's big day, which could be any time now...

Enjoy the pictures, everyone!

What's less attractive than Mommy Jeans? The Mommy Haircut!

2010-07-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy ...

I know it's summer and the livin' is easy, but this haircut is not so easy to look at!

Poor Rory had her "Mommy Haircut" today, and the transformation - though necessary - doesn't score very high on the scale of "visually appealing" .

She was a trooper through it all, though - - showing her wonderfully tolerant temperament and behaving perfectly for the "stylist", uncomfortably HUGE with babies though she is!

She even allowed some photos to be snapped sporting her new "look" (see below).

I told her she looked pretty - - then felt dishonest instantly and so remarked instead on how clean and cool she looked; so practical for this hot weather :)

She is getting bigger by the minute - - and when she lays on her side, I see a pattern of motion across her tummy reminiscent of a roller coaster - - most remarkable!

I had a nice hair cut when I walked into the groomer's this morning ...

And then those clippers started buzzing and before I knew it ...

I was shorn!

We're Expecting!

2010-07-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to write this post: Dixie and Rory are undeniably pregnant!

It feels like such a long time since we've had puppies, I was unsure for a while there - but look at these baby bellies, getting so round and full. It makes me smile every time I look at them, and there is just no mistaking it - we've definitely got babies on the way :)

These litters should make their arrival in August and will be the first sired by Atlas. They should be as beautiful and as sweet-tempered as can be. I will post the progress here, so check back often for updates!

2010-07-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Caru and Callie decide to take a dip in the kiddie pool and find it's a great place to play ball ....

Magic's curiosity conquers her trepidation and she finally gets in to play with Mama Caru.

Keeping cool after a little dip! Ahhhh ... truly, the dog days of summer are here!

Mercy! I'm melting .....

2010-07-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

Not to state the obvious, but it is sweltering today.

You know it's going to be a rough ride when it's nearly 90 degrees at 8:30 in the morning :(

Apart from making everything feel like a punishing task, when the weather is like this it is downright dangerous - - especially for your dog. They have "internal thermostats" that respond very quickly to intense heat or cold, very similar to a young child. And just like a young child, a dog needs help regulating that internal thermostat when the weather is extreme.

So, I thought I would offer a few easy, inexpensive ways to keep your dog cool when the mercury rises to these ridiculous heights - and here I go stating the obvious again: these tips work great for ALL dogs, not just our beloved Cockapoos:

- Keep your dog's walks to 10 minutes and increase the frequency of them. Multiple, short walks rather than one or two really long walks will help keep things interesting, allow the necessary "elimination" time, and reduce the risk of anyone getting over-heated.
IF your dog is older or even a little bit overweight, 10 minutes in this heat may be too long a walk, so WATCH carefully for any signs of labored breathing, slowing pace, etc...and if you have any questions or concerns, ask your VET!

- Get yourself a cheap little plastic kiddie pool at your local hardware store (10 dollars here at Ace). Grab an old towel. Place the pool and the towel near the door you'll use coming home from your walks. Put 3-4 inches of cool water in the pool, and lay the towel on the ground beside it. When you come home from your walks (or any time the dog seems hot), place your dog's feet in the pool and - - speaking in a nice soothing way - - move the water back and forth with your hands for a minute or two to encourage your dog's standing in the pool for a quick cool-down. (Having the cool water on your hands feels great for you, too!) If your dog seems really over-heated, encourage him to sit or lay in the pool. Use the towel exactly as you think you would :)

- Ice cube trays are versatile little items that come with the cube compartment in various shapes and sizes. Get a tray with smaller-sized cube compartments, and fill it with a tasty mixture for your dog. Put a combination of filtered water and low-sodium natural broth in the tray, freeze it, and give your dog a bowl of tasty little ice cubes to crunch, play with, and lick.

- Freeze some of your dog's favorite fruit/vegetable treats (remember: no grapes or raisins!). My dogs love apples, watermelon, and carrots, so using those as an example, cut them in chunks big enough to prevent choking and stick them in the freezer. Provide a few as a cooling treat - and always be present when your dog eats them.

- Stuff a Kong - or other such toy - with a spoonful of your dog's favorite canned food or similarly squishy treat and stick it in the freezer. Pull it out on hot days for a treat that will both cool and occupy your dog.

Those are easy, inexpensive ways to help your dog stay cool. There are also products you can purchase if you don't mind paying a little extra for them: dog beds you can fill with cold water, vests and bandannas made with internal "cooling elements" like gel packs, fans that run on batteries for 100 minutes if you crate your dog while you're away from the house.

And perhaps that begs a question or two: should you crate your dog on very hot days when you are going to be gone from the house? Is it dangerous to confine them in a space as small as a crate? What happens if there is a power failure (not uncommon in heat waves) or a fuse blows and the air conditioning in your home shuts off?

Even if you usually crate your dog when you are gone from the house, you may want to consider not crating on days when the heat index is like it is today.
A few suggestions for preparing a safe, cool indoor space for your dog:

Designate a room - or part of a room - in your house as "the cool room" for your dog on days when it is really hot and you must be away from home for several hours. If there is an area rug in the room, roll up at least part of it so that the dog will have a cool floor to lay on and you'll have less worries about an accident ruining the rug. Partition off the area in which you will allow your dog.

Make the room nice and cool before you leave by running the a/c, rolling up that area rug, and closing the drapes to prevent letting in too much hot sunshine.

Provide your dog with a large bowl of fresh water AND a bowl of frozen water (use a stainless steel bowl - - not a plastic one) or the tasty broth/water cubes you made. Put both of the bowls on a non-skid surface on the floor (a rubber-backed place-mat does the trick), but do not place the two bowls next to each other. If your dog decides to play with the bowl of frozen water, you don't want him accidentally overturning and emptying the bowl containing room temperature water. Provide your dog with the Kong you stuffed and froze with his favorite canned food. Leave some music or the TV on for "company".

Now the room is cool and darkened, the dog has sources of amusement, noise for comfort, and two sources of hydration. If there was a power failure and the A/C failed - - or you were simply detained getting home - - you wouldn't worry as much that your dog was at risk because the room was well prepared before you left the house.

Welcome ...

2010-07-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Boy oh boy, this blog has been a long time coming!
You'd think after breeding Cockapoos for more than a decade AND having been in high-tech longer than I care to recount, pulling together a simple little blog wouldn't pose a challenge.

But it did.

I have been thinking about writing this blog for years. The challenge was not just that I have been busy with my life raising Cockapoos and their puppies. The challenge was that I really couldn't decide what the blog should be ...

Like every breeder who has a blog, this one is meant to serve the obvious purposes:
it is the place to come for updates and information about Erin's New England Cockapoos and their pups; it is the place for me to share the experience of breeding and living with my "kids"; it is the place to inform - - and occasionally amuse.

But beyond that, I hope it will also become a place for Cockapoo breeders, owners, and want-to-be-owners to share experience, questions, knowledge, photos ... a true place for Cockapoo lovers.

So, whether you become a reader, a contributor, or both - - welcome to my blog.
Let's hope my second entry doesn't take as long as my first entry did!