Day 58 - And away we go . . .

So, today Yishai is meeting me at my work, 30 miles south of San Luis Obispo, with my overnight bags and two wonderful puppies as we head south and ship them out in the wee hours of the morning Tuesday. I wonder if it will be hours of unbearable puppy whining? :) Probably not if I let them be free.

I came home from my climbing gym yesterday to find puppies all over my house, and the remnants of what happens when puppies are all over the house. It was really frustrating. They zeroed in on my new running shoes (that Yishai got me for Channukah), smeared poo all over my carpeted bedroom (I have told you I magically seem to have trained them that carpet is a great place to eliminate?), and peed in every little nook and cranny. It was incredibly frustrating. I am still not sure how they all got out, but they did.

Freeing the puppies to play in the house last night was so nice. Everyone (my roommates, Yishai) were pretty cognizant that that was the last night of the entire "family" being together. There was a lot of puppy cuddling and telling Curry and Firma that they are awesome, adorable puppies. It's so nice to cuddle up to Mr. Reidy Man who is heavy and lovey and fits just right in your hands. Same with Moto. We sat there appreciating Fie and her infinite politeness and gentleness. Fury regulated on Rippa. Just wonderful. Happy puppy times.

Curry goes for the ultimate lick.

Laura goes away for the weekend and is greeted by everyone, "You got so big!"

It was time to go and Yishai went and fetched his puppy to go home to bed. Around 12:30 he called me, "I know it's late, but I have to tell you . . . I was taking a shower and all of a sudden, there's Rippa, in the shower with me. And she's standing there in the water and begging to get picked up, so she was a Shower Puppy. Now she's just running around like a little gremlin." Awwwwwwww. Aussies generally hate getting wet. This morning he reports that she's a good puppy that allows him to sleep through the night (GOOD! Every puppy I ever had refused) and that she doesn't mind getting under the covers and putting her head on his neck. Awwww. I'm glad they're both bonding so well.

So I did decide to get the puppies to stack, so below are the photos. I had to cut myself out because, HOLY CRAP were those unflattering photos. I guess I tuck my head and chin back and hello bad face and double chin! Eeeee! Afterwards, Yishai asked me to go through the photos and teach him about what to look for. He got pretty good at it. I'm very impressed with his desire to be fully involved in Aussieland.

Anyway, wish us well.

Here we go with the stacking and commentary. The theory is, these puppies will look exactly like this when grown (I hope with more hair, it's 70+ here most days so they don't have cute, wooly coast.

First up, Firma:

I think Firma may be the best puppy structurally out of the litter (also with the amount of savvy she is already showing, I will probably kill Bekka if she doesn't WTCh :D No pressure.). Love the dark liver, love that she has obvious copper, minimal white (I know how "in fashion" that is). Top line is good and straight, like her head planes and neck length, like her angulation, and by golly, I like that she's built a bit like a Mac Truck. She's the smallest puppy in the litter, but she is also in possession of some nice bone and substance.

And now Curry:

Sorry she's leaning forward so much, but that's the best it gets. Curry's adorable. She's not been photographic super well for some reason, but she is damn cute. I love that coloration. And can you just barely detect the copper on her legs? I can. Nice length of neck, flat topline. I think her angulation is pretty nice (not WONDERFUL, but nice, and should be dynamite for agility purposes) but I've always thought she was a little short-backed. When I told Yishai this, he goes, "So does that mean she's going to do this" and he makes gestures to show crabbing, I'm not sure. I think sometimes it may just be her coloration.

Rippa:

Boy howdy, does Yishai have good puppy taste in my book. I love Rippa. He always says she's beautiful, has good symmetry, and I agree. Her neck's a little short, but I like everything else I see. I really think I did good picking Ben for adding substance to my puppies. Look at her rear legs? Tough! I like her head a lot - it's got kind of  snubby thing going that should be adorable. She's a bit of a doggy bitch, too, which I personally like.

Moto:

Ugh for that dilute spot, but as he grows older, it will blend with his coat and I'm okay with that. Moto's got it going on, too, though he is a bit lanky compared to his brother. I think that he'll make up for it in coat when that comes in. I have always thought Moto was a nicely built young man, and still agree. Still no takers on him, either.

Fie:

Fie was SO easy to stack, she so wants to be a show dog, but the poor thing is straighter than all the other puppies - not that it matters in working dog land all that much. Or in being the sweetest puppy you can inagine. She's a little lighter in bone than the others, too. She's very, very feminine. But overall, nice little girl.

And finally, Mr. Reidy Man:

I think I screwed up stacking him because when I processed these photos (read, blurred my hideous faces), I was surprised at how roachy and straight he looks. Reid's always been in the contest for nicest-built puppy to me. Good bone, I like his angulation, like his neck, like his head. but not that you can tell much of this in this photo. Ohhhhhhhh wells.  He's lighter than Rippa is in color, but he's still a rich liver.

Overall, I think I did well. Great temperaments so far, like their looks, like the things I see them do with their bodies and minds, and what more can you ask for?