The puppies received lots of love today from all that are here.  Aaron, my little brother, has given them lots of cuddle time along with my dad and Karen.  There was not a moment when a little baby was not being snuggled by someone.  They are yawning lots and stretching even more….they are growing so fast.  Hawaiian Punch is a little snuggler; she likes to snuggle in my neck and hunker down.  Vanilla Creamsicle is visibly bigger than everyone else right now; we will see if they catch up in size.  Tim had most of the dogs in today; he rotated them so, everyone got some individual attention in the cool house.  You can feel the puppies move in her tummy; it will be interesting to have two litters at one again….lots of snuggling and love going on that is for sure!

The house is full family for the weekend holiday.  We are all having a great time conversing around the fire and playing with puppies.  The babies will get plenty of attention with weekend for sure…I guarantee it.  Kahlua and Trixie schemed to pull down a tray full of cookies…they were successful….Aaron heard them outside so, they were not to stealthy in their attack.  I caught them red handed!  They were promptly grounded to their crates.

Tim made it home today after being gone for 24 days; it is great to have him home.  He was so excited to see the puppies for the first time when he got here.  Kahlua decided to share all her toys with the puppies today…she got them out of the toy box in the living room and stacked them in the crate with the puppies.  I found them snuggled in with all the stuffed animal toys.  They are getting so big.  Vanilla Creamsicle is a big girl.  Rambo Shot and Frappe are starting to talk; it is a little startling to hear little barks out of them already…they must have something important to say. I weighted them today; Frappe: 1lb 10 oz, Vanilla Creamsicle: 2lbs, Rambo Shot: 1lb 10oz, Hawaiian Punch: 1lb 11oz.  Tim and I moved the puppies from the bathroom into the heated nest/ whelping box in the kitchen.  Kahlua was a little worrisome about it and picked up Hawaiian Punch and was going to take her back to the bathroom but Tim cut her off at the pass.  Tim had a conversation with Kahlua and explained to her that this was her new nest and her babies are safe here; she understood and has since calmed down.  She in now nursing the puppies with a smile on her face.  SoBe’s waist is now 29 inches around were not to many days ago it was 27….wow, she is growing!

The update from last night….Mighty made it until 2am until she decided to knock something over and wake me up.  She lasted longer than I thought.  The puppies are doing great…they look like little milk cows.  They are fat and happy.  Kahlua has no problem with letting SoBe sit in front of the puppies and watch her nurse.  I took Mighty, Kane, and Beret out to the field in Forada and trained with our training group.  Mighty brought back shot birds which is great…I had a tear in my eye.  I am working on Kane’s flush…he kind of is a creeper…..Beret worked on frozen birds and is progressing.

The puppies are all snuggled into momma’s utter with a mouth full of nipple drifting into sleep…yes, I can tell when they are sleeping even though their eyes are still shut.  They actively twitch in their dreams; how they get any actual sleep is beyond me.  I am going to try the unthinkable; I am going to let Mighty sleep with me tonight…pause for gasp….I think she can sleep through the night with out waking me up or walking on top of me….but, we will see.  I will have a full report for you in the morning.  As far as Mini and SoBe go, we will see if they are alright with a new bed buddy.  Mighty, SoBe, Mini, and Baker are lounging on the couches here in the living room.  The puppies in SoBe’s belly are very active; I gave Tim the report (he is away playing Army) and he is excited to meet them; we all are!

Here is a quick glimpse of what is going on here at the moment……..

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The men that I value and valued came from University of Minnesota Morris.

Nate E. Williams: How I miss you.  It is hard to walk out into a field and not think about how much fun you would be having training the dogs.  You have been missing for almost 6 years; your body remains missing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, but your heart remains with us.  I know that you are smiling every time I shoot a bird.  The area in which you disappeared still remains your grave until we know different;  I know that you would not prefer any other place to be laid to rest.  The wind, earth, water, and trees are your headstone.

David R Gorecki, D.D.S:  The phone rang and I knew that your were dead….I could feel it.  You died on your son’s 21st birthday; it kills to see Tim’s birthday on your cold marble headstone.  Tim says, “God takes the good because they have nothing left to prove; they are ready.” I know that you are good, kind, loving, and caring.  There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of the influence you had in my life.  You helped guide me to be a better person; I know that you are watching above when I step to the line to run a dog and are cheering me on….SoBe finding that bird in the 2nd was all your doing; there is no doubt that you gave SoBe the direction….4th place not only belongs to me, SoBe, but, you as well.  I miss you!

Tim W Gorecki: You are my one and only hero!  We have made it through so much together in the last 11 years.  I have learned from you how to be a better person and wife; everyday that we spend together is a gift.  I love you and thank you for your endless support of my dream of breeding, raising, training, and trialing English Springer Spaniels.  The Army takes you and I play the better part to the deployments.  You complete me; I would not be the person I am without you.

Like the paver stones at UMM; these men have paved a path in my life and have guided me down the right road; I would not be the person I am with out their influences.  God Bless them all!

SoBe is getting very big and her waddling is getting slower.  Her waist is now 27 inches around; her normal waist measurement is 14 inches.  She is having problems getting up on the bed and the couches so, now she is opting for the floor.  She pleads with me to pick her up and put her in the bed or on the couches; she is not use to having such a big belly to maneuver around.  She slept on her back with her legs in the air; I was able to place my hand on her tummy and feel the rambunctious puppies in her….they are definitely on the move! It will be exciting to welcome her first litter into the world.

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The puppies are on the move already…I can’t believe it!  I weighted them today; Frappe: 1lb 4oz, Vanilla Creamsicle: 1lb 7oz, Rambo Shot: 1lb 5oz, Hawaiian Punch: 1lb 3oz.  The music as you can hear is playing in the background.  Kahlua is still a little weary about leaving the puppies just yet; I have to drag her out to go potty.  SoBe and Mini are welcomed into the bathroom by Kahlua; she is unaffected by them glancing at the puppies.

The puppies had their tails docked and their dew claws removed; lets just say they have fantastic lungs.  Everyone is healthy and gaining weight.  I have to say that Rambo Shot is a little chunker right now; pudgy puppy. They are all nice a snuggled in the bathroom in a half crate with Kahlua keeping a watchful eye over them.  It is not too hard to kept hem warm right now with the weather as hot as it is….It registered at 93 degrees today.  Kahlua was a little anxious when I took the babies to the vet but, she was very elated to see them when I brought them back.  All of the babies are enjoying the serenade of classical music that is continuously playing.  SoBe in nesting in the kitchen in the other half of the crate; she is high on pregnancy hormones…a big smile on her face.

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Puppies!!!!  We have been waiting a long time for these little guys; my house was too quite!  Kahlua had 3 females and 1 male.  2 liver and white females and 1 black and white female; 1 liver and white male.  I hope you enjoy the quick peek…I will be having lots more!  SoBe is waddling around the house…her belly is getting so big and her bladder is getting smaller.  She will be ready to whelp her puppies around June 3rd.  The house is going to be full of even more puppy noises….Tim and I can’t wait to welcome SoBe’s first litter in the world!