Taking a Mulligan

  We've done a re-do on Callie's name.  I still think it's a cute name but too many people said "Callie the collie"?  Plus, it turned out David didn't like it!  (he should have said something sooner)  At the shows this past week-end, everyone put their heads together to come up with just the right name.  Ellen is excellent at names and suggested "Gemma".  Perfect!  Emma is a favorite name of mine, plus this variation reflects the gem/jewel/treasure theme for the litter.  Gemma will be Hillcroft Gemstone.
  Ellen was on a roll and came up with the registered name for Treasure, the rough girl we are keeping--Hillcroft Hidden Treasure.  She then cleverly came up with names for the remaining two puppies, who we are keeping until show homes arrive.  The girl will be Hillcroft Bejeweled (Bijou) and the boy will reflect his father's name, Hillcroft Play By the Rules (Ref).
  Gemma went to the show with us on Saturday and got lots of practice with her new name.  She enjoyed the atmosphere at the show, was intrigued by the activity in the Group ring and quickly learned that hands often produce treats!

Lots to Do!

It's Saturday, so of course that means the "to-do" list is lengthy!  We need to brace puppy ears, get updated pictures on the website and here and get some good pictures of new champ Dixie for advertising.  But first, we're going to take one of the puppies--the smooth girl we think we'll keep--to a "Barkfest".  There won't be much for us to do but gives us a chance to get her out and socialized individually.
  Last week-end, we did manage to get a couple of pictures.  Here's the rough girl and one of the smooth boys having fun:

Busy Day

  Yesterday was dog day!  The puppies had their eye exam, which is a major undertaking for a large litter.  David and I packed everybody up, loaded up on towels and an extra crate mat for the 1+ hour trip to the canine opthamologist.  The puppies did great!  Lots of crying but no car sickness.  The eye exams were even  better.  One of the smooth boys is normal eyed, and everyone else is very mild to mild for choroidal hypoplasia. 
  We caused quite a stir as we came off the elevator after the appointment.  The pups were in a crate on a dolly and were pretty quiet at this point.  But then, the waiting room of patients practially exploded as everyone started exclaiming over the puppies and rushed to see them.  Several people whipped out their cell phones and started taking pictures.  What could the pups do but look adorable and pose?  It took us quite awhile to get back to the car!
  We swung by the library on the way home so my former co-workers could get a peek at them.  More oohing and aahing then it was time to get home for the second half of the day.
  Dixie got a bath in preparation for a week-end of shows in Cumberland, MD.  We decided to take Jackson along to meet Ellen.  The car was packed up once again with an extra crate and towels and we were under way.  But, somehow, Ellen and I got our signals crossed and we were at the meeting point an hour and a half early!  Plan B was to meet at the Red, Hot and Blue in Annapolis which worked out better for me as that meant dinner out!  Ellen liked Jackson and he showed off nicely for her.  He was slobbery on the trip up, but didn't get car sick until halfway home.
 Dixie was a funny girl though.  She readily went to Ellen's van, but wouldn't jump into her crate like she normally does.  Usually she's so excited about shows that she doesn't pay me any notice but yesterday she looked like she didn't want me to leave her.  She has been maturing and losing her "bad baby" ways.  I've been anxiously waiting for that to happen, but now that it is, I'm not sure I like it!