Well, it is with mixed emotions that we announce that the puppies out of Bella Skye and Dozer are ready to go to their new families! We are so involved with the puppies from the very moment that they are born we can't help but form relationships with each of them. I suppose that helps them adjust to their new families all the faster:) Puppies raised inside of homes with their human families do adjust better and faster than their kennel raised counterparts. They have learned to greet their humans and to anticipate interaction with them. Puppies raised in home environments house break quicker and learn to be protective of their families in a way that puppies who do not have early/often human contact are delayed-and sometimes- not able to do. I feel good about are puppies. When you come to meet them you will see just what I mean--they have a calm demeanor and are easily understood!
Stay tuned for new video and individual pictures of each available puppy.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Oh, Mama, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...
The day has finally come..the puppies first day to play outdoors! Our family always looks forward to watching the puppies turn into little explorers...and little explorers they are!! The taste everything..and just let a butterfly land..they even notice the bugs crawling around..and no doubt get a bite of one every now and again!
Why do we wait for 6 weeks to take the puppies out? The main reason is that their mama's are getting a little tired of the constant chewing that pups this age do. When we notice that time is here, we change the puppies environment around so they have something new to do! It is really the beginning of official weaning. Of course the puppies still will continue to nurse but this time spent outdoors starts the seperation between the mama's and puppies. The mama can always go inside the play area with her crew if she chooses, but more and more often she will elect to hang out near the playarea-just a safe distance where she can observe them..but they can't chew her :)At evening we bring the puppies in for the nite and everyone spends the evenings together. However, the mamas are always able to get away from the puppies to rest. Happy mamas make well adjusted puppies!
Can you imagine anything cuter??
Why do we wait for 6 weeks to take the puppies out? The main reason is that their mama's are getting a little tired of the constant chewing that pups this age do. When we notice that time is here, we change the puppies environment around so they have something new to do! It is really the beginning of official weaning. Of course the puppies still will continue to nurse but this time spent outdoors starts the seperation between the mama's and puppies. The mama can always go inside the play area with her crew if she chooses, but more and more often she will elect to hang out near the playarea-just a safe distance where she can observe them..but they can't chew her :)At evening we bring the puppies in for the nite and everyone spends the evenings together. However, the mamas are always able to get away from the puppies to rest. Happy mamas make well adjusted puppies!
Can you imagine anything cuter??
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tell Me Again..?
Every little bit, someone will ask me " So, why does a busy mama of nine homeschooled kids raise Saint Bernards? I mean-- how do you have the time?!". Time..lol..well, to tell the truth this question also comes to me from me every now and then!
To be honest, I do have lots of things I try to work into each day. As the puppies get older, my job as their caretaker grows as well! It goes from monitoring the mamas and their diets and making sure the puppies are warm and full of milk ( and of course, cuddling them!!) to feeding the frenzy and cleaning up their room. It takes a con siderable amount of time to introduce them to solid food and fresh water ( hey, this does not taste like mam's milk!!) and to begin to help them to potty in the litter containers ( containers with wood chips ) and to spend time playing with each one. It is a good thing there is so many little people here--the puppies absolutely adore them and the attention they give them! It is always cool to watch the puppies change. When they are just getting mobile and noticing the world around them all that really matters to them is when their mamas walk in from a break outside. That gets them so excited! After they begin on solid food then they begin to give some of the attention to us, the other food givers..lol! A jumping, barking, tail wiggling throng meets you everytime you walk up. It is a nice feeling :)
Still, though, seriously It comes down to this:
I believe that Saint Bernards are awesome animals. They give so much to the human companions! By their sheer size they offer their protection. They are just as happy with a stroll through the city, greeting everyone with their silly grin, as a romp through the field, giving a bunny a chase he will remember! A Saint will be there first to greet you in the morning, and be the last to bid you goodnite. There is no other 4 legged companion that will offer your children their love and friendship like a Saint will. Time and again, folks will come for a new puppy and warm our hearts with a story of the Saint they had before and the life they shared! I have asked them all the same question, " What made you decide to get another one?" and their answers echo one another, " He was our best friend.", "I can't imagine not having a Saint Bernard now.", and " I want my kids to have the memories I have of growing up with one of these furry giants!". It true, they are hands down the best!I simply cannot fathom our life without these Gentle Giants..
To be honest, I do have lots of things I try to work into each day. As the puppies get older, my job as their caretaker grows as well! It goes from monitoring the mamas and their diets and making sure the puppies are warm and full of milk ( and of course, cuddling them!!) to feeding the frenzy and cleaning up their room. It takes a con siderable amount of time to introduce them to solid food and fresh water ( hey, this does not taste like mam's milk!!) and to begin to help them to potty in the litter containers ( containers with wood chips ) and to spend time playing with each one. It is a good thing there is so many little people here--the puppies absolutely adore them and the attention they give them! It is always cool to watch the puppies change. When they are just getting mobile and noticing the world around them all that really matters to them is when their mamas walk in from a break outside. That gets them so excited! After they begin on solid food then they begin to give some of the attention to us, the other food givers..lol! A jumping, barking, tail wiggling throng meets you everytime you walk up. It is a nice feeling :)
Still, though, seriously It comes down to this:
I believe that Saint Bernards are awesome animals. They give so much to the human companions! By their sheer size they offer their protection. They are just as happy with a stroll through the city, greeting everyone with their silly grin, as a romp through the field, giving a bunny a chase he will remember! A Saint will be there first to greet you in the morning, and be the last to bid you goodnite. There is no other 4 legged companion that will offer your children their love and friendship like a Saint will. Time and again, folks will come for a new puppy and warm our hearts with a story of the Saint they had before and the life they shared! I have asked them all the same question, " What made you decide to get another one?" and their answers echo one another, " He was our best friend.", "I can't imagine not having a Saint Bernard now.", and " I want my kids to have the memories I have of growing up with one of these furry giants!". It true, they are hands down the best!I simply cannot fathom our life without these Gentle Giants..
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Just how does a busy Papa Saint Bernard spends his days??
Did you imagine he would be intently watching over his brood? Ha! No, he is just chillin' and hoping that someone will come by a give him a good scratchin' and maybe even drop a bit of their sandwich! Dozer rarely gets anxious over anything. Unles it is storming out...lol..and then he will be pacing! He will bark at an approaching stranger--and his sheer size is usually enough to cause someone to stop-- which is great because Dozer wouldn't bite anyone :)
Scroll down to get a better idea of what Dozer does for a good part of his day!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Welcome to Kessa and Dozer's new litter of Pups!
Whew! It has been a very busy time here at Maple Acre Farm, between Bella's puppies getting more and more mobile and Kessa whelping her 2nd batch of Puppies...I am happy to report all are doing well, though. Kessa has 5 puppies to drool over (little Saint Bernard joke, lol!) She is getting the royal treatment as a new mama..we do a 50/50 raw diet for our Saints. Except for Dozer, who refuses to eat ANYTHING raw or bloody. He is quite the gentleman:) Anyways, after our mama's deliver we want to encourage them to eat and drink as soon as they are able. This ensures a great start to their milk flow. We feed raw chicken as well as Diamond's Chicken and Rice formula dry dog food.( never feed your companion cooked bones! Chicken bones in the raw are nice and soft-perfect for these beasts to crunch up and very digestable!) We also add 2 eggs to the dry mix--using our farm raised free range chicken eggs. This makes a nice shiny coat-and is a super source of protein for them as they transition into fulltime nursing these large puppies.
Kessa is a wonderful and attentive mama--her puppies bring so much to our home!
Bella Skye's puppies are growing by leaps and bounds! They all have their eyes open now and are getting really good at walking. They love to be held and petted and lucky for them there is alot of hands to do just that! Seth and Francie are very much in love with all the little furballs:) Stay tuned for more coming soon...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Friends Forever!
These are some pictures of puppies we have raised in the past. Each went to a home where they are loved! Many families have kept in contact with us--sending us pictures and updates periodically. It is wonderful to hear from them and to see how the puppies we knew and loved have grown into much loved family companions!
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