The Daddy

Wyatt

or properly Starquest Wild West Legend of MW, RN

What a gorgeous, sweet, smart 2.5 year old boy. You can check out his pedigree right HERE.

We can't wait for the puppies to arrive!

Expecting

Yes we are. Well...Shallbe really. But it sorta feels like us. When will the puppies will come? We expect by the end of the August. How many will she have? She seems tiny this time, but who knows. Will the puppies be black or chocolate? We hope a little of both. The Dad is chocolate so we hope for some chocolate butter balls. But in the end you just get what you get and that's fine by us because puppies are cute no matter what!

HenRe

We Love updates!

Hi Monte and June-

We're all doing great here. Henry has had a lot to adjust to, and is doing remarkably well. We're training him the basics right now and he really loves learning new things.

our snowstorms last week were very intense! There were several commercial buildings in town with flat roofs that collapsed under the weight of all the moisture we got.

I'll attach a picture of myself and Re (the kids still insist on calling him Re!) on top of the snow mound we formed from shoveling our driveway. When the snow got to the basketball hoop I couldn't get it to the top of the mound any longer and had to move the snow into a new mound behind the hoop.

Henry LOVES the snow. He looks like a swimming dolphin diving and jumping into the deep banks. He's been playing a lot with his new girlfriend, Molly, the chocolate lab who lives next door.

The boys are completely in love with him and my oldest, Ethan (9), has been taking his training very seriously. He's been a great addition to our family and we're so grateful to you both for breeding the "perfect dog".

Warmly,

Merk

See Ya In The Spring

Our last puppy Re HENRY left the ol' farm last week to live the good life in Flagstaff, Arizona. What a lucky pup!



So, for now we'll just hang out with the girls and wait for spring and our next litters of pups. This year will be Jessie and Shallbe. Should be a good mixture of chocolate and black!

Running With The Big Dogs Now

Since Re's brother Triever left the farm a couple of weeks ago, Re has been running with the big girls. It doesn't seem to bother him one bit. He keeps up pretty well for only being 3 months old.

Puppy school is going VERY well, he is such a smart dog! We are working on sit, back and fetch. Boy, does that boy love him some bumpers. Sit and back are his mastered commands, this boy show a strong desire to learn and please. If he wasn't a boy, Monte would surly keep him!

Good Bye Triever

Today was the last day of swimming lessons with both boys. Triever is leaving our farm to go live on another farm outside St. Loiue. I know Re will miss him as much as we will. It's been a little harder with this litter since there were only two pups. They felt more like our dogs than ever. But we knew the day must come for them to go to their forever homes and families.

Good Bye Triever, you are a good boy!

Crazy Black Fur Balls

How much is that puppy in the window, I mean farm??

It's getting close to the time for the puppies to go to their new homes. BUT we haven't had one serious inquire yet. Maybe we need to implement as new selling technique and have Monte dress up on the side of the road as a big dog bone with a sign that says, "Black Lab Puppies For Sale!"

This week at school...

This week in Arkansas Gun Dog obedience school the puppies learned sit and don't bite humans. Especially ME!! Puppy teeth are sharper than vampire teeth and they have already mastered the fine art of the sneak attack. My elbow is proof! Their little personalities are really starting to show. They will make great black labs for some lucky family.

Go Dogs!

Go Hogs!

Got Labs?

YES!

Aren't they cute??

Razz had a litter of 2! Yup, only two. Doc did have some trouble during the IA with her hormone levels. They were on the rise and then suddenly stopped, then several days later on the increase again. I guess with the changing hormone levels you get a litter of two. We are thankful to have any, if Zack would have "done it" the old fashion way we wouldn't have even know about the hormone level dip. We have two PERFECT little black labs and can't wait for them to start getting fun. All the grandkids will be here in 3 weeks for a 2.5 week vacation, so it's perfect timing! Good Job Momma Razz!

Puppies TODAY!

We are pretty sure Razz will have her puppies some time today or tonight. She refused to go for a walk twice today, barely ate breakfast and pooped in her whelping kennel. I don't think she's done "that" in over 3 years. Then after all the work we did to upgrade the whelping house and kennel she decided to Houdini escape it (not sure how she managed that one) and is now bedded down in the hay in barn. So now we wait......come on pups!

Expectant Father

Zach is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new puppies! Only 4 days left. woot woot With it being so close it really could happen any time! Hold on to your cigars proud papa.

Heelllooo Charlee...

Hello Angels!

Nope, that's not quite right. Unless the 3 angles are Shallbe, Razz and Jessie.

I guess that would make Monte Bosley!

Anywho,
we got a wonderful update from Michigan on Charlee, known previously on this blog as Boo Berry. Lee his owner says, "He's the world's BEST dog!" It's hard to believe that litter of puppies will be one year old the end of the summer. Time sure is flying by. We'll have a new litter of puppies by then! WoW! THanks for the update and picture!

Momma Razz??

Razz has been over to see her main squeeze Zach in hopes of a July litter of puppies. Poor Zach can't figure out the old fashion kinda way, so we had to go with the IA kinda way again. Good thing Zach's owner is the local vet. In a week or two we'll head back over for an ultrasound and see if we hit the black lab jackpot. Should have a litter around mid- July!

Arkansas Gun Dogs & Michigan Grandkids

The grandkids came to visit for Easter.
They love the dogs and the dogs love them!

Ozark Ice Photos

Dragon Fly Farm is covered in 3 inches of ice! We (us, the girls and the cows) are all fine. We have been without power for 3 days. "They" say it could take a month to restore it. Let's hope not. I guess we'll get every penny's worth out of that generator we purchased four years ago and had never used! They girls seem unaffected by all the drama. The poor trees did not fair as well. EVERY SINGLE tree on the property is damaged. We have months worth of work a head. But it is beautiful, almost like another planet.

Razzy!
Shallbe!
Jessie Girl!


Path to the new house
Our icy lake
Yes, those are our power lines only 5.5 feet off the ground. Be sure to duck!

The cows and our new calf. Baby girl was born only 2 days before the storm. We were scared that we would lose her, but her momma took good care of her and she's doing fine!

Puppie Update: Sookie

We recently got this update on one of Shallbe's puppies from last year. In past posts we called her Sugar Bomb, but her real name is Sookie. Here is what her mom Angie had to say...

Sookie is a FABULOUS dog. Everyone in the family is over the moon about her and everyone who meets her falls in love. She weighs about 45 pounds now, and itʼs her 5 month birthday today, right?

She has an incredible disposition. Just as sweet as she can be. And soooo smart. She already has sit, down, leave it, and place down pat. And she will stay for about 15 or 20 seconds which I am told is very good for a pup her age. I just canʼt say enough about smart she is and eager to learn and please us.

I attached some photos. Sheʼs a very handsome girl.

I have moved my blog over to ESPNoutdoors.com and you can visit it HERE






Thanks for the update and pictures, Angie. We love them! Can't wait to follow your journey of raising a good brown dog!

1/29/2009
We also just learned that Sookie has been selected to participate in the Therapy Dog Program due to her excellent temperament. Good luck to Angie and Sookie in the year long training program! We know you both will be GREAT!!

HELLO-Is anyone out there???

Oh, Hi!
We are looking for updates and pictures from any of our last 2 litters of puppies! We would LOVE to hear all about them, you and what you both have been up to. Please drop us an email or leave a comment. As we gear up for the new breeding season we would love to include some testimonials and pics of just how beautifully the puppies have grown up!
THANKS!

Planning for the new breeding season

Yes, with the ringing in of the New Year, we are starting to think about our next litter of puppies. Actually, this year it will hopefully be 2 litters. Our plans are to breed Jessie and Razz. This will be Miss Jessie first litter and the second for Razzy. We are hoping for more black and chocolate mixed litters.

We are also in the process of building a new log cabin style on on the farm, so we are building the girls a new kennel too. We have some new and improved ideas for making the whelping kennel more user (user meaning me, I'm a tad on the short side) friendly.

So much excitement here on old Dragonfly Farm. We can't wait to see who will go into heat first. We've been interviewing potential poppas and will make the choices soon and get everything lined up.

I had a very nice gentleman stop by the farm this afternoon and try and sweet talk me into selling Shallbe. He asked 10 times and 10 times I said no. 10 times he asked how much and 10 times I said, "There is no amount that could pay my heart to send her away!" So Shallbe old girl you're stuck with us!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

Freakish Coincidence

The day after Shallbe got stung, our daughter Jennifer's lab Bella got stung as well. Bella is a pup of Razz's litter from 2007. Jen and Bella live in California close to Mount Shasta.

Jen and Bella were out at the lake for a run when Bella was either stung by a bee or bitten by a spider on her eye lid. She then proceeded to vomit numerous times in Jen's car on the way home. By the time Jen got home Bella's entire face was swollen. Jen loaded Bella back up in the car (more vomiting to ensue) and took a emergency ride over to the vets.

It was a little crazy at the vet's because they were treating two dogs that had been mauled by a bear. Crazy!! Anyway Bella was treated by injection, just like Shallbe. We're happy to report that Bella is fine and doing well. The same can not be said about the smell in Jen's car! PHEWWW.

How Do You Make A Lab Look Like A Chow??

By a bee sting to the face. OUCH! Our poor Shallbe was stung by a bee in the pastures and now her face is huge and swollen. The vet gave us some medicine to take down the swelling and prevent infection, so she should be better in a few days. Poor Pup!!

Unwelcome Visitor

With Razz in heat we've had an unwelcome pit bull male lurking around the kennel. We're are not sure where he lives. I tend to think that he is coming down with hunters on the weekends. I have never seen him during the week, only on the weekends. He is collared and seems very gentle. Monte has actually walked right up to him, put a leash on his collar and lend him down the road. He has been "visiting" for about a month. We shoo him off and then don't see him again for about a week, but now with Razz in heat we can't seem to get our unwelcome guest to leave. He is trying like crazy to find a way into the kennel. Sorry buddy, NO DOIN'!! ( HA, HA) We had to have him removed from the property this weekend.

It really angers me that people assume just because we live in the country that it is okay to let your animal run wild. It is NOT! There is a major highway right next to our farm that semi's barrel down, many natural predators, not to mention farmers that will not tolerate dogs on their farms.

Be responsible dog owner. Protect your animal from the dangers of country life!

Stinky Skunk Dog

Our morning started off with Jessie getting SKUNKED! That is not something you want to deal with before you have even had breakfast! This happens a couple times a year on the old farm. Thought I would share the remedy for this stinky problem.

Here is the formula to get rid of SKUNK.

One quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
One quarter cup baking soda
One teaspoon strong liquid soap
The ingredients will fizz when mixed together. Use the mixture while it's still foaming.

Bathe your dog as soon as possible preferably before the dog's coat dries with the SKUNK spray on it.

Remember to wear rubber gloves and old clothing! Or you too will have ode de skunk!

Last Hoo Rah!

Saturday was quite the adventure. We loaded the last 3 boys up at 4 o'clock in the morning to set out for Indianapolis. The puppies were SO good, we couldn't believe it. The never whined or made a peep unless they need to stop to do their business.

When we did stop for a potty break they caused a ruckus everywhere we stopped! They would gather a crowd and put on a very interesting show. Who wouldn't love these dogs?? We could have sold them about 10 more times over the course of the trip.

We met with Jamie and the kids outside Indy where they continued the journey. Cookie and Count were picked up in Tiffin, Ohio by their dads. Count was originally supposed to go to a horse farm in Missouri, but that fell through. Now is going to be a hunt dog in Akron, Ohio. Count and Cookie went to two friends that hunt together, so the puppies will get to see each other often. How Awesome!

Boo, now named Charley Brown was picked up yesterday from Jamie's house. The kids had a fantastic time playing with Charley. Lee and his wife almost didn't get him. I received more than 1 call asking if the grand kids could just keep him. Allie told Jamie if Lee looked shabby or shaddy Charlie wasn't leaving. Jamie reassured her that Charley was going to a great family. Next recourse-- maybe Lee wouldn't want Charley. No doing! Charley is going to live the life of a king up in Michigan!!

So all in all it was a great year. Thanks to everyone who purchased a Shallbe puppy and to all those who visited our blog and followed our journey!

Razz came into heat this weekend. Yippy! Although, we don't breed in the winter. Her next cycle should be in early spring with pups in early June, just in time for the grand kids' summer visit!!