First class working collie, Strafford Pr1ma, is off to Sally and Michael’s farm in Rhode Island, where she will work sheep, cattle and everything that moves on their farm. Pr1ma is Sally & Michael’s 5th working collie. She will be on duty 24 x 7 as Sally’s executive assistant. Thrilled for you, Pr1ma!! You have that never-ending working joy you wanted and deserve.

Pr1ma is Sue x Ormond Mirk, the same breeding as the 10 surprise pups who hit the ground 10 days ago. All 10 doing well.

6 month old Taff (Nel x Blu) joins Sabine and Geoff on their horse farm in SW New Hampshire. Taff is the second Thundering Paws Farm pup for Sabine and Geoff. 11 month old Sunny (né Leif) is already on their farm.

Taff is naturally biddable. Confident, well-balanced pup, with push. And she will be looking for work straight away . Sabine who has not trained a pup before plans to train her on neighbors’ sheep.

Sabine is so very thoughtful. She sent a photo of the two Thundering Paws Farm dogs when she got home …Taff all cleaned up. Very elegant pair. Taff’s intensity and strength shows in that icy stare. It is clear who will be boss!

[26-Apr-2026]

When a female has 11 pups, the pups have to take turns feeding. There are only 10 teats, and the best teats are nearer the back end. Here, one group sleeps while the other group feeds. Maintaining a very warm temperature is essential. Hypothermia is the pups’ enemy, the chief cause of early pup death.

Sue is doing incredibly well, for having delivered all these pups just a few hours ago. All look healthy. All are feeding and active. I am feeding her premium chicken breasts, anything to keep the nourishment up.

Sue’s pups will not be staying with me. They will be fostered by Lucy and Jim on their dairy farm in Massachusetts once they are weaned, vaccinated, chipped and ready for travel.

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Update:

When I went to change the bedding in the late afternoon, there were only 10 pups. Nature and mothers have a way of ‘taking care of things’ …if we do not intervene first. Sick, failing or dead pups are removed by the mother for the good of the litter (they simply ‘disappear’). I am familiar with this. We can’t and shouldn’t try to save everything. That is not nature’s way. Susie is in charge, not me. And she does what is best / needed. The 10 puppies look healthy and alert. They are loving the 85°f temps in the whelping room. Susie, less so. She goes out every so often to douse herself in the cool brook.

5 month-old Fluffy Jac has been in seclusion recovering from a left shoulder problem. He has been so patient and so good, I just had to let him out to enjoy the day half way through his 3 week rest. This pup exudes joy. Happiness is wherever he is –‘Happy Jac’. Recover soon Jac, so you can enjoy more days like this one!

Sabine sent a photo of Leif, who will turn 1 on June 1, among the horses at her farm. The puppy who could not sit still here looks happy and composed on the farm. Little does he realize that Sabine is bringing him a little ball of fun, high-spirited 5 month old Taff, from a littler of 10 here.

Ticks reappeared with Tax Day 2026. In from a day out with the dogs, there was a nymph …very, very small… crawling on my wrist while eating dinner.

I recommend Bravecto for ticks and fleas, a 3 month (12 week) treatment that really works. The ticks I see on a dog taking Bravecto are already dead.

3 year old Gail joins Kristian on his sheep farm in Maine. Gail is one of the nicest and most talented dogs to leave the farm. She needed / wanted / deserved a one-on-one relationship with a kind human …and sheep.

Work began immediately for Gail …and she is just fine with that! The dog who always has a smile on her face has reason to smile.

10-April-2026. The dogs are enjoying snow-free fields again. Winter is over. We are waiting for spring to arrive. The 5-month-old pups are in heaven! It has been snow and cold since they were born on 25-October-2025.

…and my #1, Peter. I can never take too many photos of this dog.