Karalenstar Swift - saving the best until last!

Hoping that none of his siblings are reading this, here is Karalenstar Swift - currently known here as Toby.  He is a beautiful boy who does enjoy a good chew!

Here he is trying to get something out of the pen where they play in safety out in the garden. He is wondering where his brother has gone and how to get that toy!!

Sitting pretty handsomely!

Posing for the camera quite nicely too!!

What a stunner!!

yup, i'm the greatest and I really love being cuddled !!

Now...back to that chewing!

Pack PLaytime

The three pupketeers do the gardening

Rolo and Harry share a weeding task - oops! that's the lawn!!!

Harry takes a break

...and family rumpus :)

The Three Pupsketeers

I really should get down to some proper work, but mindful that I have not blogged in a couple of days, I will do a brief blog now.  At the weekend, Poppy and Lola left for their new homes.  Left with my 3 Pupsketeers, I brought them in to the house to start their crate training.  They are very quiet and although not so keen when they are on their own, do settle with a little company.  Not having sufficient space to have 3 individual crates, they are sharing the large one. The three of them settle nicely after their 10 pm last run until 6 am when I get up.  They don't, however, 'last' that long!  As they come out rather messy with the three in the cage, I have set them up with a small run in front of the door, covered in paper.  They do nip out to exercise themselves there and keep their cage clean, which is a bonus.  They still have the outdoor run which they love and are in there during the day, let out frequently to charge around the garden, sometimes with the older dogs and get quite close to the cats, but are already quite respectful of them. They aren't allowed to chase the cats so that they will hopefully be steady to rabbits, hares etc.

Toby Twobacca sleeping with his latest trophy.

Toby Toobs front left, now awake ... ever watchful, the pups always seem to hear the camera!!! There is Harry on the left, Lola snuggled up and Rolo at the back having a good roll around!

Heree is Toby Toobs trying to look like a proper dog!!

...and again here, but managing this time!!

Rolo tries to capture the empty, washed out, put out for recycling, custard pot!  Harry is coming to Rolo's aid...or is he just trying to beat both of them?

Rolo challenges Harry.  Harry doesn't notice ....embarrassing for Rolo!!

"Hello Mum!" Harry takes a moment to chat with mum!

... and then there were three!!!

Over the weekend, Bailey, Monty, Poppy and Lola have followed George and Skadi to their new home.  Three remain - Harry, Rolo and Toby Twobacca.  Toby has a vrey special lady coming along to visit him on Tuesday and is hoping to go home with her if she likes him.  For my part, I will be very sad to see him go, but I know he will have a very loving family.  Rolo and Harry will also be going to their new homes over the next 2 weeks.  Meanwhile the 3 musketeers are getting used to snuggling up in the crate in the utility room. Tonight will be their first night in so fingers crossed for a quiet night and getting them squeezed clean and dry before bed!! :)

Photos to follow!

Toby Swift and Bailey

Toby Toobacca here enjoying a treasured piece of bark. He has defended it against many looters!  He is busy working his way into our hearts and minds. He is not going to be a small dog but he is going to be a very loving dog!

Bailey looking like a proper dog with his dragon crease down his nose :)

Sisters - Poppy and Bramble play

Pilot Officer George Lark organises the escape committee

It is believed that Pilot Officer George, shown here, is responsible for organising 2 no, make that 3, daring escape plots today.  The first, this morning, was only noticed when one young man was discovered helping the guards (Molly, Teasle and Bramble) eat their breakfast.  He was only discovered due to his size - a bit of a giveaway really!

Later in the day, Molly brought another escape to the biped's notice when 2 pups were discoverd ranging the garden having parted the corner of one of the outdoor corrals!!!  All escapees were recaptured.  None had maps to the house and garden so couldn't find their way further than the back door! :)

Yet later that day...they got together to push the breeze block out and made their way through to freedom.  I spotted them on the rampage and all were recaptured.  It took some addition in defences to prevent another attempt to go over the wall.  Hopefully we are safe for tonight.  It is time these pups went to challenge and make life difficult for their new bipeds and guards!!!!

PO George practising his salute...hmmm!

At least the orientation is a touch better here!!!

Bramble sorts out the neighbours!!!

A party arrived at the bottom of our garden.  Bramble, puppy sitting as always, stood meaningfully looking in the direction of the noise. Four of the pups stood exactly like her. I never have the camera when I really need it! I would have loved to have n=been able to read their thoughts - it would have been something like..." Why are we standing like this?"  "Dunno, but if old Brams is doing it then it must be right." "Less of the old if you don't mind - I'm only 6 months!!!" "Yebbut, why are we standing like this?" "Looks cool tho' bro' doesn't it?" "Just checking for outlaws kids, think we're safe - the biped's here." " Thank goodness, my legs were starting to ache!"

A short while later, they party were concerned about their dog being at the bottom of the garden. I explained he or she was probably just interested in the activity. Bramble was less happy with this and let forth a very grown up bark or two. She stopped when told though. This was all followed by "oooohs" and "aahhhs" as everyone came to look at the pups! Of course the pups just captured Molly who had come out to check the fuss and didn't perform for their audience!!

Kiwi mounts a guard

Kiwi has obviously has heard about the nasty folk stealing puppies so is mounting guard from the fence watchtower :)

A day in the life of a puppy

First of all we get up and demand a run around, a feed off mum and then proper food.  After that - a snooze.

Later we have a play while the maid cleans the den.

Is this the way in then???

Then it's time for a snooze, but I do need to keep a watch out for monsters!

There are two uses for a sun lounger...snoozing on top and snoozing below :)

After a hard days play, a snack and then a snooze.  Hard life being a pup!

...and then it is back for a play then some food then a snooze....you get the idea - until it is time for a big dinner and a very long snooze until morning time.  Complicated eh?

How not to fall in the pond

Here is a young man showing how not to fall in the pond :)

Lazy Hazy Crazy days

Well, the pups are mainly learning about rain today. They are already in the dog house as they woke early today about 4 am I believe, but we didn't hear them - the neighbours did! I shot out of bed at 6 am when I heard them chuntering.  I shall have to leave more food down. They are growing rapidly so are really enjoying their food now.  Here big sister Bramble is puppy sitting.  She only does days though. Hoping we do have some sunshine - it seems to be breaking through now, they will learn how to play out in the rain. They are, after all, labradors.  A few have started their water training, fortunately only as far as theplant shelf of the pond.  I did see one grab another by the skin on her back and with a deft starboard twist, land her in the edge of the pond.  True to her lab nature, she just scrabbled up and out.  Jolly good roughy toughy pups these you know!!!

Making Hay while the Sun Shines

The pups continue to enjoy the sunshine, playing in the garden and snoozing in the pens.  They will let us know when they need the loo and will go as far as they can to perform if we get to them in time.

They are beginning to run quite fast, especially to the call of "Puppy puppies" and "Din dins" or the sound of food going into a bowl.  It's wonderful to see them all coming over, demanding to be picked up and cuddled, or, at least a fuss. 

They tear around the garden when released, into everything. Two managed to get wet bottoms in the pond today - but were not at all discouraged.  They are never left out of the kennel or pens without someone there!!

With a penchant for bluebells and daffodils, they are also becoming expert rose pruers, much to Alistair's chagrin!!!

All in all they are great fun and a huge source of entertainment.  They will be missed when they go with their new owners!