Happy Christmas

Happy first Christmas to Alfie and his eight brothers and sisters.
Alfie wasn't sure about opening presents but Molly showed him how to do it. They have new squeaky toys to annoy everyone.....
They've enjoyed the Christmas break as this meant more people around to play with as well as yummy gravy to add to their food.
This is a recent Alfie pose. He's quite a bit taller than Molly now!

The Labrador Sea

We're just back from a few days in New York: the plane flew over the Labrador sea and I had this vision of a sea full of yellow, black and chocolate labs. The dogs don't seem to be bothered by the cold weather, in fact they seem to enjoy standing on icy puddles until the ice cracks and then trying to eat the ice.

When Rooney met Molly

How can it possibly be a year since Molly met Rooney.....I must admit it was nothing like when Harry met Sally. No candlelit dinner: foreplay wasn't necessary!
Looking at the size of Alfie now, it is hard to imagine that the puppies were microscopic on this day last year.

Alfie unfortunately has been very poorly today had to spend the night at the vets to try and give him some fluids. He started with a stomach upset at the weekend and he hasn't eaten or drunk properly for 3 days. Hopefully he's now inproving as the reports are that he's causing havoc at the vets today. There seem to be a lot of dogs with stomach upsets and nearly every time we go to the vets there's a dog there with a similar condition, including a great dane and a guide dog this week.

All you need is love

Molly has been feeling a little poorly this week with a tummy upset, so she was allowed cuddles on the sofa. Alfie didn't want to miss out so cuddled up to his mum leaving very little space for anyone else! We'll soon be back to bitey-face hopefully.

A word of caution

I just heard this story on the radio - House fire as dog turns on cooker!

The consequences could have been much worse than they were, obviously, but what really amused me was that the dog's name was Alfie! (now known as the Alfonist).

Watch those surfaces now that those 'puppies' are so big. Alfie now weighs 33kg - more than mum and has a fair bit of filling out to do yet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8354635.stm

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Alfie is truely supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

He now weighs more than Molly and still has a fair bit more growing to do. We are trying to teach him lead walk etiquette at the moment and he gets a walk by himself most days into Beeston. We still have daily bitey-face sessions and they remain good friends. They were in doggy heaven this morning when we met another choccy lab who was up for a good run and then later we met five clumber spaniels, one jack russell, two standard poddles and a westie (all at the same time, it was like a dog food advert). They love playing with small dogs who usually out manouvre them!

Here they are in the car waiting patiently.....

It was a busy month for the humans. The highlight was singing with 650 people at the Royal Albert Hall. It was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

STOP PRESS

Alfie now 8 months cocked his leg this morning.....not just a pause to sniff and mark something foul, but a full blown leg up wee!

I'm too sexy....

Here's our beautiful boy posing on Mam Tor. It was a breezy day, but it's always breezy on the ridge up there with Kinder Scout in the distance. Alfie coped well with stiles, but is a total wimp when it comes to descending any slopes and we ended up carrying him down one section, much to the amusement of other walkers.
Unfortunately Molly was grounded as she was in the most fertile part of her season. Alfie is being rather too interested in her at the moment and thinks 'I'm a stallion baby'!

Born to Run

Labs doing what they do best! Run free:) We were up at Chatsworth a week ago and as you can see Molly and Alfie had a blast! BTW Alfie is on the right!

Six months old

Well, the last six months have flown by.....Where has our puppy gone?

Both these photos are of Alfie and not Molly!

We have been away in the US for nearly 3 weeks and we left behind a puppy and a dog but when we got back we came home to two dogs. Ali had a big shock too as he's just returned from Greenland and hadn't seen Alfie for a month and Molly literally licked his face clean she was so pleased to see him.

Alfie is now taller in limb than Molly but still has a lot of filling out to do. It can be difficult to tell them apart when they're asleep. He's had a big shock as we've been bold and stopped his lunch. He still scoffed his bigger breakfast at breakneck speed and then tries to finish Molly's if we're not watching closely.

He has now been promoted to proper walks. Molly was having to have shorter walks to accommodate him as it was impossible to get out of the house with just one dog once they sussed out a walk was on offer. He isn't as water obsessed as Molly (yet) but the Trent seems to be good for their coats. The best walk game is carrying a stick together, but usually the dogs end up facing in opposite directions and it becomes rather comical.

Alfie's training has been going quite well and he is better on the lead than Molly was at this age. It's difficult to work out if this is nature or nurture but we seem to think he takes after dad for temperament more than mum on this occasion. We have been doing some ringcraft classes which help and he walks well on a tradtional gundog slip lead when well bribed. Trying to get him to stand still is rather a challenge

We still have crazy playtimes and the bitey-face game is still continuing with even more aninated noises. They definitely love each other and Alfie doesn't like Molly to be out of his sight for too long. He often sits and waits for her on walks when she's busy sniffing out the undergrowth!

Flower Power

It's summer holiday time and Alfie and Molly really enjoyed playing in this meadow. It was difficult to spot them at times, and even more difficult to tell them apart....we will miss them whilst we're away.

Their favourite person, Ali, has now been away for a week as he has finally gone on his expedition to Greenland.

There will be two very excited labs waiting to meet him when he returns.

Alfie continues to grow quickly. All his baby teeth have gone now and he's even had a slight attack of teenage acne!

Hot Dogs

The Dogs were just too hot to pose this weekend. We were up in the Peak District which was a little cooler but as you can see Molly decided to pose in front of everyone and would only sit still with Ali holding her. Alfie is much more easy going...

Alfie is five months old today and has lost most of his baby teeth now. We've begun some ring craft classes with him which he loves because there are lots of other labs there. He is doing fairly well up to now.

Me and my Shadow

This was taken a month ago, so Alfie is so much bigger now. It was a painful experience trying to get them to pose, and Alfie was fantastic, it was Molly who wouldn't co-operate. It's good to have captured them both whilst Alfie is still a puppy.

The two of them are now inseparable and when they're out walking Alfie has to sniff every disgusting thing that Molly does and they just trot along together. Most evenings they're cuddled up together and the bitey-face games are still on going!

Wet wet wet (remix)

We've been enjoying the beautiful weather over the last week: the dogs aren't keen and it means early walks for Molly. The paddling pool came out for them to play and cool down in and to divert Alfie away from the pond. They had great fun splashing around until Alfie punctured it! Alfie has also discovered frogs in the garden and has been bringing some in to play with.
We spent some of last week in Derbyshire. Molly is back to full fitness and managed the Ladybower Reservoir walk one day (a flat 6 miles) and a couple of days later climbed Mam Tor and Lose Hill with us (a hilly 8 miles). She did find some stinky puddles to cool down in so had to be put in the river for a wash...
Our labs' love of water is written in their stars, Molly being a pisces and Alfie Aquarius. They have water on the brain most of the time - the rest of the time it's their stomach.

Golden Brown

We've had a busy month in Nottingham. Alfie continues to grow at an alarming rate and will soon be as big as his mum. He's all legs, but I'm sure he'll soon grow into them. His coat is a stunning colour at the moment and Molly is also regaining her coat, so they look gorgeous in the sunlight.

They were very naughty a few weeks ago when I left the food cupboard open by mistake and we ended up with pot-bellied dogs! They had no tea and slept all afternoon....

Alfie has now finished his puppy classes and was teacher's pet, behaving beautifully. We were very proud of him! We are taking him for little walks, but he can't wait until he can keep up with mum and go down to the river for a proper long walk.

They still love playing bitey-face, but unfortunately they think Ali is a lab and include him in their games. They're really happy at the moment as he is on study leave so they have an extra playmate, who keeps having breaks to throw a ball for them. (Let's hope they're not distracting him too much)!

Two peas in a pod

Alfie is the dog on the left in case you wondered. We have just spent a weekend in a cottage in the peak district - Alfie's first time sleeping away from home. He was fantastic and settled down really well. They both decided that they liked this bed and had to share. Molly loves running up the road and waiting by the gate to the field, just in case we'll throw a ball for her. Alfie made lots of friends particularly at the ice cream shop.

Alfie started puppy classes last week. He was teacher's pet and was chosen to show the other puppies how to behave: we'lll see how long the good behaviour lasts for!

Mucky pups

Molly's in the dog house again! She met lots of her old doggy friends yesterday when we were out for a walk and they found a dead pike which just had to be rolled on! Needless to say we had to hose her down again......Alfie keeps wonderinh where his mum goes every morning and why she smells strange when she comes back. Alfie is keeping the workmen busy by digging in the piles of sand they have left ready to lay block paving on. He looks lovely covered in sand!

You don't have to say you love me

Alfie knows he can do no wrong! He is nearly 12 weeks old now and has had a great week playing in the garden with Molly and the workmen! He constantly wins hearts and has a real mischievious streak: he loves to take plant labels out of the ground and run away and hide them. He is growing very quickly now and it won't be long before he can go out into the big wide world. Molly disgraced herself when Anna took her out by rolling in a swampy puddle: she had to be hosed down.

Mr Piddle

Alfie is very pleased to have his teenagers back home to play with. We're not sure who the puppy is sometimes as Molly is too playful. He is starting to grow his silky adult coat over the puppy fluff, but his ears stay velvety. He is still being known as Alfie piddle: most of the time he is very good, but there's so much going on he forgets. At least we have a side-on view to show how he could do a show stance, pity he's piddling!

Happy Easter

The lambs are nearly as cute as chocolate lab puppies, but sheep definitely are not cute.

Easter Sunday was Ali's last day lambing. Anna back from skiing now so she had to get up at 6.30 to look after Alfie whilst we took Ali to Chatsworth and Molly came with us for a long walk. We then had to wait for a cafe to open for breakfast as we'd done 4 miles by 9am.

Baaaaaaa

Ali has swopped looking after a puppy for a week of lambing. Chatsworth have had nearly 4000 lambs born this spring and the noise at 7.30 each morning is amazing. He had his first chance to deliver a lamb and found out that sheep need worming just like dogs, but the only problem is that you have to catch them first!

Our Boy

At last a proper introduction to our boy, Alfie. Looking back, it hardly seems possible that the puppies were only conceived on December 1st. So much has happened in 4 months. The main reason for having the litter was for us to keep a puppy and this is the boy that chose us. He is getting used to life without siblings, but Molly is re-living her puppyhood and sometimes has to be told off for being too rough. His nickname is Alfie piddle as he sometimes forgets....

One Little Puppy

One little puppy, feeling all alone,

Molly, woofed hello son and he woofed hello mum.

Kachupicchu Fernando (Brown bones collar) is staying in Nottingham. This is Alfie, often known as Alfie Piddle. We were fairly sure that he was the one for us, even before Molly's breeder had a look at the puppies, and luckily she agreed that he's a gorgeous lab.

Two little Puppies

Two little puppies playing in the sun,

One went off to Bucks and then there was one.

Kachupicchu Name of the Game has left us today. We've had a lovely week with Tilly and Alfie and we'll all miss her especially Molly.

Where have all the puppies gone?

When Ali went to school on Friday morning, we still had 6 puppies. He went straight from school to the Lake District to train for an expedition to Greenland this summer. He returned yesterday to just two puppies and a much calmer house (we have even had two nights with no poos)! Alfie on the left and Tilly on the right.

Wet wet wet

Molly's first 'proper' walk this year really, and she was very happy as you can see. The last time we walked her here at Attenborough it was icy and the trees were bare, but today spring has sprung.

Happy Birthday Anna

Anna is 15 today and her treat was to take two puppies to the vet for their injections as well as a meal at the local italian restaurant (see piccy). They were very good except our boy (Alfie) is a big wimp and squealed when he had his jab. We caused havoc as usual at the vets as they all knew that Molly's pups were in and everyone had to come and say hello. We're now starting to let the two puppies into more of the house, but keeping tabs on both of them can make you a little dizzy. They're starting to go out for poos and wees, but Alfie tends to dribble as he's worked out lots of wees mean more treats!

Three Little Puppies

Three little puppies wondering what to do

One travelled down to Kent and then there were two.

Kachupicchu Knowing Me (purple collar) also known as 'Millie', is the best 60th birthday present this family could wish for.

Four Little Puppies

Four little puppies running round and round

One joined the Army and then there were three

Kachupicchu Waterloo (red collar) has gone to London. He is called 'Bergan' and has not literally joined the Army, but is living with an army family.

Five Little Puppies

Five little puppies wanting to explore

One went to Manchester and then there were four

Kachupicchu Take a Chance (blue collar) has gone to live with two retrievers and a chocolate lab (Rocky, Yorkie and Chief). His new name is Busby.

Six Little Puppies

Six little puppies having lots of fun

One girl went to Leicester and then there were five.

Our first girl has left us today: Miss pink heart collar.

Kachupicchu Dancing Queen who is going to be called 'Molly', just like mum!

Seven little puppies

Seven little puppies often in a muddle

One went to the Peak District and then there were six.

Kachupicchu I have a Dream is our third boy to leave home, (red collar with bones) he's going to called 'Hugo'.

Eight Little Puppies

Eight little puppies making lots of puddles

One became a Geordie lad and then there were seven.

Our big boy has left home now: Kachupicchu Super Trouper. (Black collar)

He's going called 'Jake'

He's joining a chocolate lab who needs a new friend to play with.

Nine Little Puppies

Nine Little Puppies, always in a huddle,

One went up the M1, and then there were eight....

This little boy is our first puppy to leave home: Kachupicchu Voulez Vous. (multi-coloured collar). He's going to be called 'Dillon'.

Save all your kisses for me.

Here's one little boy who loves kisses. We were trying to get some individual photos of all the puppies, but this one decided that he just loved kissing Lizzy. Not sure what she'd been eating to prompt this snog!

Name of the Game

It's nearly time for our puppies to leave home.
We couldn't find a Mother's Day card suitable for a mummy dog from her nine puppies, but she had a longer walk today.

I'm sure all our puppy owners are busy getting ready for their new arrival and are probably more prepared than we are for our Alfie. Chosing names is always fun and we definitely had fun chosing our kennel club names: our boys are called: SUPER TROUPER, FERNANDO, WATERLOO, TAKE A CHANCE, VOULEZ VOUS and I HAVE A DREAM and our girls are called: DANCING QUEEN, KNOWING ME and NAME OF THE GAME.

Living in a Box

The good weather over the last few days has been very welcome and the puppies have been outside three times a day. The fresh air really tires them out and it means less mess indoors.

Their favourite thing remains a cardboard box, I think there may be five in this one.

Mamma Mia

It's been an exciting day here. One of our vets and a couple of nurses visited us for lunch today and weighed, wormed and checked all of the puppies. They have now finally gone back to work! The pups all behaved well and are fit and well. Our big boy now weighs over 6kg.
Molly mummy was also really pleased to see them as they looked after her when she was so poorly.

Let Me Entertain You

Our puppies are an entertaining lot. There's nothing they like more than an empty cardboard box and a few balls to play with - they're taking after their mum. They usually go out to play twice a day, which is the only time you can then clean their bed area.
Jackie, Molly's breeder, came to see them yesterday, and of course Molly who she hadn't seen since she was 8 weeks old. It was fun seeing her make them stand properly and getting them to walk nicely.

Eight Days a Week

Apologies for the lull in blog activity. We've had a busy week and an extra day would have helped. The puppies are very lively and keeping us busy. Getting them to stay still long enough to take a photo is a challenge. Ali and Anna were both playing in a school concert on Sunday which meant having to get puppy sitters. I've also had a day trip to Edinburgh with Ali this week to visit the vet school. I loved the city - the shopping was fab - so it gets the girls' vote. Ali liked the vet school too so it's on his shortlist.

Beautiful

Who could possibly not love me? (the other 8 are just as gorgeous too).

It's a pity there isn't a feely/smelly blog as their fur is velvet soft with that distinctive puppy smell......

On the down side, well they do make a mess, but one cuddle and we'll forgive them.

Eats Shoots and Leaves

I've always tried to place my apostrophes correctly and do get rather annoyed with a misplaced or missing punctuation mark. I'm having a dilemma which has occurred upon writing the feeding chart. Is it goats' milk or goat's milk? The apostrophe before the 's' implies that it is the milk from one goat, which I'm sure isn't the case, so it should be surely goats' milk indicating that the goats from which the milk came were plural. I will have totally lost my teenagers at this point and they will tell me to get a life. Any like minded individuals are recommended to read Lynne Truss's book 'Eats shoots and Leaves'.

Handbags and Gladrags.....

Our owners decided today that it was about time they could tell who was who so we are now sporting very fetching collars which we are very proud off! As the weather has been good we also now manage two sessions a day in our outdoor pen which is very exciting. However, we are not allowed to join our mum playing ball in the garden but we have been promised this will happen when we are older; cant wait :))

Paraskavedekatriaphobia

After such a dreadful day last month, we were hoping that today would not be as eventful as Friday 13th February and thankfully we survived without mishaps this month and we didn't have a Groundhog Day.
Ps Long word means a phobia of Friday 13th!

My Favourite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Or here's our version....

Wet little noses and whiskers on puppies

Bright navy eyes and warm snuggly tummies

Brown little pups and the pleasure they bring

These are a few of our favourite things