Last Cold Day of Winter

Today, 19-March, is the last sub-freezing day of the winter season. From here on out daytime highs are above freezing. Despite the cold, the young McAuley pups who turned 8 weeks old today flew out the door in 20° f / – 7° c temps to play in the snow …and save me cleaning up the kennel. They have been *very* good as of late about taking care of business outside. I have split the pups up into pairs because all together they are way too raucous and rowdy for a small space.

Jimmy now weighs 7.5 kg / 17 lbs …at 9 weeks old. Off the scale for border collies: the average for a 9 week old is 9 lbs. Having the other younger pups to socialize with as well as the adults has been super for Jim, avoiding the typical behavioral problems of singleton puppies.

Jimmy (center) and two McAuley puppies enjoying a springtime ice cube
Glove Pull
The smallest and most determined puppy [Joy] came away with the prize. The lone male of the litter is on the right, the dominant female [Josie] is on the left rear with the split facial markings
The puppies saw sideways snow and sub-freezing temperatures outside the kennel door today.

March 10

Young McAuley Male [‘Blu’] – 6 weeks
He’s going to have piercing blue eyes, even as an adult
McAuley Female [Maeve] – 6 weeks
Jimmy – 8 weeks
Puppy Run – McAuley pups run from kennel out to play

March 3

March 3 2023

Jimmy at 7 weeks
Jimmy with a defunct soccer ball
Jimmy Shoveling Snow (or rather stopping me from doing so)
Josie at 5 weeks
Blu (blue eyes) at 5 weeks
Blu and Joy
Maeve at 5 weeks

Winter Puppies

22-January-2023: A litter of 4 pups (3 females / 1 male) was born by my bitch Meg via artificial insemination with frozen semen from Dean McAuley’s Joe. 2 of the 4 puppies will be available early summer.

Jimmy

9-Jan-2023: A singleton pup named ‘Jimmy’ was the result of an AI mating of my bitch Nel to Kevin Evan’s red Spot. Jimmy is HUGE for his age, with a happy, easy nature and full of spirit.

Cute as can be