No BAER tests this week

Well, we are very disappointed but we were not able to get Panda & Blue Belle BAER tested as we hoped yesterday. The clinic would not do the procedure because they had not been microchipped yet. We might pursue this again after they have been chipped (sometime in the next week or so), but for now we will have to just go with the more traditional methods of evaluation their hearing. We know that both dogs do hear, we just wondered how much impairment they might have in light of their markings.

Hello Suzy, Goodbye Henna

We had a wonderful surprise on Sunday when the puppies' sister, Suzy, arrived at our Foster Home. The puppies had a good time having a little reunion. Suzy is a doll-- a beautiful black-tri with a sparkly personality. She likes to play and have a good time... and she has a thing for tennis balls!!

Monday it was time to say "goodbye" to the first of the pups. Henna went to an amazing new home in Houston today. She is already enrolled in an obedience class that begins on Wednesday! She is on her way to a wonderful life.

Two Busy Weeks!

What a busy, busy two weeks it's been! They have been busy eating, playing, sleeping, and curiously exploring this big world. They have had fun playing with other dogs and cats and with children. They have LOVED playing in their water dishes and kiddie pool. They have been a true joy to host. But it is serious business too! This is the beginning of the prime socialization window for puppies and we want to make sure they all get off on the right foot. We have also been working on their beginning home manners training, including crate training and housebreaking. They are also learning commands such as "sit" and "go to bed!" (for going to their crates).

On Friday we took all of the puppies to see a veterinary ophthalmologist for an exam. Not totally unexpectedly, two of the puppies have common congenital eye defects that do not effect their vision and, according to the vet, will not cause them any problems. Blue Belle has an iris coloboma and Tiramisu has a hypoplastic (thin) iris on the blue side of one of her beautiful split blue/amber eyes.

Since hearing deficits can also occur in Aussies, we will be taking Panda and Belle for a special BAER test this week that will let us know if they have any hearing impairment. We will keep everyone posted!

Welcome, Puppies!

This completely heart-melting litter of purebred Australian Shepherd puppies was turned over to Rescue so that we could assure their safe placement in appropriate Forever Homes-- and we couldn't be more excited about it!!! They are completely adorable... and smart and funny and curious. It is truly a joy to host them here!

Since they arrived last weekend we have been busy catching them up on health and wellness treatments (vaccinations, worming, flea & tick preventative, bathing & grooming, etc.) in addition to beginning their socialization work. The pups are here with other dogs and puppies, cats, a 6 year old boy, and my husband and I. It is a busy household and they are right in the thick of things, taking it all in. They have been working on their crate training and housebreaking this past week and they will begin on their basic obedience work next week.

The puppies love to play with each other and with toys and the other dogs. They are very curious about the baby pool and they enjoy playing a bit in their water dishes as well. Be sure to check out their photo and video links for many more photos!!!



They will make their Meet & Greet debut on Saturday, but we are taking applications for their adoption beginning today. The puppies will be ready to go to Foster-to-Adopt homes beginning this weekend. Their new families will serve as their foster families until they are spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated. in a few months. We will finalize their adoptions after that, and that is when the adoption fees are due. However we will require a deposit check.