It’s About Time

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Kristy

I have thought about doing this for a long time. But I just couldn’t bring myself to the place of buying the blue bags with the white lettering. I just couldn’t. I’ve seen other bags, but they’ve either been too gaudy, or too plain, or too light, or just simply too stinkin’ ugly. So I kept putting it off.

Maybe next time…

Maybe some day…

But when I saw these, I knew I had found something I could live with.

Aren’t they purdy??

They’re even made from recycled plastic bottles. How’s that for thinkin’ about the environment? Honestly, I’m not a green freak. I’m careful about some things, but I guess I don’t go out of my way. The real reason I wanted re-usable grocery bags is because I’m sick of throwing away the plastic ones. Those things just accumulate like the one sock that didn’t get lost. There are always too many of them, but you feel kinda bad to throw them away.

I’m excited to use them for the first time. Silly, I know, but the very first time they will get used is when I take my kids’ school supplies to the school on Wednesday evening for Parent Orientation Night. This is a BIG DEAL, as my children are going to actual school, for the first time in their lives. Yep, the applications have all been filled out, the school uniforms are being ordered, and my children are going to school next Monday.

Here are all their supplies neatly packed in the re-usable grocery bags. I wonder if I’ll be sad or glad? I never had to send a Kindergarten age child to school. Maybe it’s a little different when they’re 14 & 11 years old. I hope so! It’d look pretty bad if I had tears rolling down my face!

The truth is, it was tons of fun to buy school supplies. I chose green notebooks and folders for my younger son. He wasn’t with us in town that day, but I thought I better get things before they were all picked through. Since green is his signature color, and it also had a bit of an “army’ look to it, I thought it was a good fit. It has a great message too. Kinda goes along with the theme of this post, the recycling and all.

The Horse Girl wanted something “cool”, so she chose the bright and colorful Peace notebook. There were even matching tabs for inside the notebook. I think I was having more fun than she was. I think she’s a little worried about what “real” school will be like.

I think they’re going to like school. And I think I’m going to like having them in school. Now, what will I do with all that time during my day?? Certainly I’ll have to spend some of it filling my new shopping bags while I’m in town. I wonder how many Bully Sticks will fit in each bag?!

Krystle’s Black Female Has A Home

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Kristy

I am so happy that this little black girlie has found a forever home! She’s not ready to go home quite yet, but when she does, I know she will be well loved!

A little over a year ago, a family came to me wanting to get a pup into Hawaii! Since Hawaii has VERY strict rules about dogs, this ventured required quite a time committment, but B was willing to keep the pup, train it, get all the proper shots done here on the mainland, and finally, after around 8-9 months, the puppy was able to go home to B’s mother in Hawaii. So we have a wonderful little Cavachon in Hawaii, as a result of all B’s efforts!

Well, sending the pup off, while that was the original plan and purpose, left a hole in B’s home, so she’s decided that another pup, one for her and her family to keep, is in order! Even though they’re in the middle of moving, they’ve decided that Krystle’s black female is the pup for them, so sometime in September, this little treasure will be going home to a family that has already raised one Cavachon successfully! I’m so happy!

Black dogs are always very difficult to photograph. They either look pale and washed out, or they are so dark you can’t see their eyes. I haven’t learned the secrets and tricks of photographing a black dog yet, so when I get a picture, where you can actually see the puppy’s eyes, it’s a keeper, even if my foot is in it.

This puppy is full of adventure! She didn’t mind meeting Princess at all, and just let her sniff and sniff all she wanted!

I decided to put her in the flower pot. I thought the purple flowers might be a nice contrast to her black coat!

I guess it worked, sort of!

I’m happy to be working with B again, and know this puppy is going to a wonderful home!!

Photo Credit: The younger son

Tilly’s Malshi Male

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Kristy

Here is the first look at Tilly’s Malshi male. There is just one pup in this litter and he is one of the most laid back puppies I’ve ever seen. He let’s us hold him on his back, and he doesn’t squirm a bit or make any squealing sounds! He already enjoys belly rubs and he’s just 3 weeks old today.

He’s very attentive to the camera!

He has a nice patch of brown on his left side.

And his right side is snowy white!

He laid so nicely on his back while I got a close-up of his face. See his tan points?

Those are going to be so cute as he gets bigger!

He has a big patch of brown over his left eye, and a little patch of brown over his right eye.

When he grows up, his hair will be so fluffy, it will be hard to tell that one patch is bigger than the other.

As of my posting these photos, this puppy is still available for adoption. A deposit of $200 will hold him until he’s old enough to go home! He’s gonna be a cutie!!

A Closer Look at Annie’s Blenheim Puppies

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Kristy

Today these babies are 9 weeks old. At least two of them are going home tomorrow. They will all be living in Western WA state. They are like soda cup sizes – small, medium, & large!!

From left to right: “small” the male with the kiss spot on his head, who is going home to Beth…”medium”, the female with the darker ears, who is going home to Vicki, and “large”, the blenheim boy without the kiss spot, who is going home to Colleen! All three puppies are friendly, playful, and full of energy!

Beth’s pup

Vicki’s pup

Colleen’s pup

Collen & Vicki’s pups

Colleen & Beth’s pups

Whew, this modeling is hard work. Colleen’s pup takes the first nap, amid the photo shoot!

Then Vicki’s pup followed suit…

Then they all took a nap.

Then they all woke up again…

Beth’s pup checks out Calvin barking across the yard…

Beth & Vicki’s pups try hard to keep smiling and stay focused. Sounds like my children!

It’s sure going to be quiet around here tomorrow when only the tri pups from Annie’s litter are in the pen. What will they do with all the extra space??

We Have A Winner!!! Lupine Giveaway

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Kristy

Congratulations….
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Pam Rogers!

You are the winner of the Lupine giveaway on my new website/blog!

I used Random.org to generate the list of 32 entries and they randomly selected a winner, and you are it!! (I know I said I’d do it live, with names in a hat, on video, but my internet is too slow to load a video right now, and I also learned there are specific rules surrounding giveaways, so I had to use random.org)

You have 24 hours to let me know which Lupine pattern you would like. I need to know the following:

1. Pattern Name & width (1/2, 3/4, etc….some patterns come in 2 sizes)
2. Size of collar
3. Length of lead (4 ft or 6 ft)
4. Type of harness and size

I also need your address so I can have Lupine drop ship the items to you!! You can send that information via email at silverpawkennels@wildblue.net!

Thank you for subscribing to my website/blog, and supporting Silver Paw Kennels with your wonderful photos and updates on your pooch!

And thank you to everyone that participated in this giveaway! There will be more to come! Kristy & puppies

Bedraggled

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Kristy

I took the Accelerated Puppies (in training) on a walk this morning. They loved every minute of it. They’re learning to stay behind me, they really are, and we managed to go all the way up the hill this morning without me getting tangled in the four 6 ft leads.

This is an improvement, yes it is!!

When we returned, I hooked them all to the tow hitch while I went and fed the chickens. If someone doesn’t feed the chickens first thing in the morning, they will fly over their pen and invade our yard, porch, and hay barn, leaving lovely piles of poop all over the place.

It’s the 11 year old’s job to feed the chickens. I guess I should have hauled him out of bed this morning! Anyway…..

When the puppies come back from their walk, they look somewhat bedraggled. I’m not dragging them or anything, at least not anymore, but they definitely don’t have that city slicker, clean and trim look to them.

They are “Wholesome Country Puppies” after all, and they have to look that country part, at least for a while in their life. I imagine that these four babies will be suburban pets, with daily walks and weekly romps to the dog park. Or they might be apartment pooches, with regular grooming appointments and bows in their hair. I think a couple of them will be jet setters, with a fashionable airline travel bag they call home, that fits under the seat perfectly several times a year!

But for now, while they are learning their manners, and learning how to sleep through the night in the crate, and learning how to potty OUTSIDE and not in their crate, they have that kinda dusty, country look to them. Do you think they care?

Nope!! Not one bit!

They were just happy to take a walk with me this morning. Two of them dutifully did their business during the walk. Good doggies! Be consistent about that and you’ll be able to go home soon!

Princess didn’t come on the walk this morning, but she was there to greet us when we returned. She wants us to be sure and know she is still the “cute” one around here. Don’t worry girlie, we still love you with all our hearts!!

Lupine, Lupine, Lupine!!!

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Kristy

Here are some of the 1/2 inch designs to get you going!!

Some Girly Patterns

Some Boyly Patterns

(Boyly??)

Plus there are a LOT more in the 3/4 and 1 inch designs at www.lupinepet.com!! Have fun looking!

FREE Lupine Collar, Lead, & Harness

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Kristy

Has everyone heard? I am giving away a FREE Lupine Collar, Lead, & Harness this coming Sunday to ONE lucky person that Subscribes to this website/blog during this week!!

I’ve tried several times this week to get images of all the Lupine patterns, but my computer is not cooperating. So I’ll have to send you to www.lupinepet.com to look at all their wonderful patterns! This giveaway is for ANY size, so if you are wanting something for a large dog, that will be no problem!

I will be choosing ONE winner on Sunday, August 14th, and the deadline for subscribing to the website/blog is Saturday night at midnight! So far, I have 23 entries, so the odds are great at this point! I’ll contact the winner on Sunday night via email, and they will have 24 hours to respond with their address and Lupine Pattern choice. I will also let everyone here know who the winner is after they’ve responded to my email.

Be sure to read the Lupine Guarantee. I can tell you from experience, they stand behind their guarantee! Subscribe to the site, kick back, and have some fun learning about everything that is happening here at Silver Paw Kennels.

First Look at the Shichon Puppies

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Kristy

We have TWO litters of Shichon puppies right now, with a total of 7 puppies, 3 females and 4 males. Both of the mothers of these litters are sisters, Chelsie & Sadie, and the father of both litters is Sebastian (pictures of all three adults coming soon…). All the puppies are doing very well, and both mothers, being first time mothers (and Sebastian a 1st time father), are doing a super job taking care of all the babies!

The first litter is from Chelsie. She had 2 females, one brown/white, and one black/white.

We are accepting deposits right now for both of these litters, and have already received one deposit!

The second litter is from Sadie. She had 5 puppies, 1 black/white female, and 4 males, 2 that are black/white, and two that are very dark chocolate brown/white.

In the above photo, the chocolate brown/white pups are the two pups on the left. The pup on the right, is the black/white female. The black/white males are under the pile!!

In the photo above, the black/white puppy on the bottom right (the one that the puppy paw is resting on), is the female. All the rest are males!

These litters are just one week apart in age, and will be ready for their new homes in late September. They are ALL going to be adorable balls of fluff soon.

They will be raised using the UGODOG litter box, and will be introduced to it when they are 3 weeks old. These puppies would make great “indoor trained” puppies for someone living in an apartment and/or someone could utilize the UGODOG litter box on a porch or in a garage, and completely avoid having the dog “go” in the grass, eliminating the need to “pick up poop” before kids can play in the grass or back yard.

In any case, these puppies will have a head start on potty training and will know there is a place to “go”, and will adjust to whatever “surface” the new owner prefers!

Berries & Cherries

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Kristy

This post has nothing to do with dogs or puppies, except to let you know a little more about who we are and what we do when we’re not caring for your babies!

We live on the side of a hill. I like to call it “Silver Hill”, though we don’t have an official name for our mini-farm. Our last name means “silver”, and so that is how Silver Paw Kennels got it’s name. Right now I suppose we could be called “Silver Berry Ranch” because we have berries by the gazillions!!

We have already picked the early strawberries for the year and put up 25 pints of strawberry jam (more specifically, my husband and children did this while I was off to Seattle having fun for the weekend) and I froze several gallons of strawberries. The strawberry plants are blooming again, and that means we will have another crop before the cold weather hits us this fall! I’m really looking forward to the strawberries again. I want to get as many into the freezer as I can because we LOVE smoothies anytime of the year!

We’ve been working hard this past week picking Raspberries! We have two raspberry patches, and I wish all of you were neighbors because I would freely share my raspberries with you! We could never get them all picked, and it’s so sad to see them shrivel up and fall to the ground. We are blessed that the birds don’t snatch them up, and this year, there are barely any wasps. One year we had so many wasps that it was nearly impossible to pick the berries, and the ones we did manage to grab, were often partially eaten. But that is not the case this year.!

Each day we fill up several pans of berries, like this one, and get them into the freezer. After they’re frozen, we bag them in ziplock bags, and they are ready for smoothies, pies, fruit salad, hot cereal, or whatever else we’re inspired to use them for! We also can them, then thicken the berries with cornstarch and serve as a sauce over pancakes or waffles!

As we were picking berries yesterday, I noticed these “black” raspberries. I had forgotten that “The Woodman” (my hubby), had planted these, and it looks like we’ll have a decent crop of them this year. They aren’t quite as sweet as the regular raspberries, but they are unique and different, and kind of novel and fun! And they’ll be SO PRETTY with the red berries on vanilla ice cream, or whipped topping!

One nice thing about picking berries is that it’s kinda shady, and it’s fun to just pick and talk, pop a berry or two (or 20) into your mouth, then pick some more, talk some more, and I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve spent doing this with my children this week.

We also have cherry trees! We had a decent crop this year and actually got them picked BEFORE the birds did their damage. While the birds seem to leave the raspberries alone, (or perhaps there are so many raspberries, we don’t notice), they have completely destroyed our cherry crop the past 2 years. So this year, we were watching the cherries VERY CLOSELY, and picked them just before they were totally ripe. Even though they aren’t quite as sweet as they could have been, we felt victorious because the birds didn’t get our crop this year.

My oldest son was on cherry picking duty, and got them all picked for me. We have them in the cold storage right now, hoping they’ll ripen just a bit more before we’ll half them, coat them with a bit of sugar, and then freeze them in quart ziplock bags. I’ve never had frozen cherries before, so this will be fun figuring out what I can use them for. A friend has already told me that Cherry Jam is THE BEST, so we’ll probably try our hand at making some of that! They taste just as good as they look!