Two will stay

It's been a busy week for us. Tessa (aka Smut) came back to us and promptly became ill. She stayed with the vet for about a week, but is now much better. She was delighted to see her family again -- especially her mother and brother. She and Thunder are learning "guarding" skills by watching their elders in the pasture. The livestock guardians have a lot going on right now. We have had three sets of twins (goats) born -- two sets on Sunday. Bella's babies were born during the early morning hours. We heard the dogs bark, but didn't see the new additions until after lunch. About that time, Bonnie had her two. Today, Betty added two to the mix.

With this group of livestock guardians, no coyotes have crossed the fence into the pasture.

Smut

Smut (who had a large black spot on one side of her nose) looks most like Sweet P and Sophie, who are Great Pyrenees livestock guardians. She has lost the black spot that caused her name. This often happens with badger marked Pyrenees puppies as they grow. She has the double coat, pyr claws and beautiful brown eyes!

Collie Pyrenees Sharpei

I've been trying to figure out what to call Sweet P and Safari's puppies. They all exhibit the manners of their father, Sweet P, the Great Pyrenees (shown in the photos -- lying down in pasture and in between Safari and Sophie). Sweetheart looks the most like him, but has collie colors in her coat. Bashful seems to want to smile like Sweet P (he really does smile when we greet him in the mornings...his upper lip stretches right up to his gums). And, Sweet P was the bashful one as a puppy, too! Double Dot has his mom's face and the Sharpei wrinkles around his neck and back. Thunder is the one pup who seems to be equally mixed between his two parents.

I have started training them on a leash and will be giving the next vaccine this week. I like the name Pyr Pei because it includes the Sharpei, but Collie Pyr sounds good, too. Oh well, they seem to respond best when we call, "Pup-PEES!" -- especially at dinnertime! :-)

Snuggle-Pyrs

Though Safari is weaning what's left of her very large "little family," the puppies still like snuggling with her to stay warm.

Thunder

Thunder was the biggest at birth -- with the biggest feet. So, we though he would sound like thunder when he ran one day. He has a soft double coat with badger markings on the face. He has the Pyr claws, but his face resembles his mother. He has bright blue/green eyes that will likely be brown. The Sharpei grandparent gene has been apparent in Thunder with wrinkles around the face and eyes. If you look at his earlier pictures, you'll see he is growing into the wrinkles and we can now see his beautiful eyes! He is always happy and likes to be cuddled.

The puppies are all very intelligent and Thunder proved that today when the game hens hopped up on the back porch where I'd just put their food. Thunder saw what was happening and quickly lay down on the food -- irritating the hens and making us laugh!

Sweetheart

Sweetheart has found a home in Sand Hill, Georgia.

Sweetheart is a pretty girl with deep "chocolate" eyes. Like most of the others, she has the Pyr claws. She wags her tail and "throws kisses" each time we call her (gives quick licks at the air). She's a real beauty!

Thumper

Thumper is now "Murphy" and has found a home in Carrollton, Georgia. Murphy came back to us when the owner got sick. He now lives in Ranburne, Alabama with his new family.

Thumper listens and seems to understand us. He's learning to "wave" and "shake hands." He's was the first puppy to "talk" to us. He barks (just a little every once in a while) and seems to want to tell us something!

It was Thumper's turn for a bath last night and he really did enjoy it -- but he'll never let on that he did. We've started calling him "Professor" since he's so good at listening and so good at looking intelligent!

Zorro

Zorro has been the favorite of anyone who has visited. He has a unique light brown/tan mask around his eyes and a soft white coat. The Sharpei grandparent gene shows up in Zoro more than any of the others. He does not have the Pyr claw like most of the others. His eyes are blue/green that will likely turn brown. He is sweet and likes to be cuddled.

Zoro and Pooh have both found a home together with the Pollard family of Franklin.

Trouble

Trouble is now "Hardee" and she found a new home in Carrollton, Georgia.

Trouble is really sweet and is the first to come running when we call, "Pup-EES!"

It's hard to catch her by herself. She likes to take charge at dinner and seems to make up the rules when they play!

Pooh

Pooh is the "biggest" baby now. He has huge feet, soft dark brown eyes and collie markings. He has the Pyr claw on his back legs.

Double Dot

It was Double Dot's turn to be "pampered" with a bath. He thoroughly enjoyed the water (really, he did!) He never moved a muscle while the water poured all over his back and face. Of course, he managed to keep his trademark "sober" expression.

Double Dot likes to be active -- even when it's time to eat. We put water in a small, clear plastic storage box and DD likes to lie down beside it and pat it with his feet. He watches the water slosh, but won't pat hard enough to make it spill! Smart fellow...

Double Dot appears thoughtful and serene at times. He's learned to shake hands and wave, like most of the others. Because they will be big dogs one day, we try to get them to wave instead of jumping up. They tend to wave and shake best when they see food coming! But, we generally reward them with an ear rub -- they all really like that!

Double Dot has found a home near Roopville.

Pup announcement

Sweet P and Safari announce the birth of nine -- that's right -- nine puppies. The six boys and three girls are eating quite well. They've been de-wormed each week since they were three weeks old, had a Parvo vaccine (through the vet) and have been truly babied. "Pooh" has turned out to be the "big boy" of the litter, with "Thunder" right behind him. The little girls are "Smut," "Little Sweetheart" and "Trouble."
The pups are gentle and sweet. Their father is a great Pyrenees (livestock guardian), who stays with our goats and cows. Their mother is sweet and joined our family last year. She also stays with the cows and helps watch the chickens and guineas.

The Collie-Pyr family

Pooh...

And... Sweet P and Sophie

Bashful...

"Grandma Sugar"

Sophie and DDot...

Little Smut and ... "Mama Safari"

Sophie and Sweet P

Sophie and Sweet P when they were babies.

Pups at 5.5 weeks

This is Safari and Sweet P's puppies with "their" rooster, Fuzz.

Zoro


Little Sweetheart resting...

This is Bashful, the runt of the litter.

And, this is Double-Dot.

Little Sweetheart and Smut...

Fuzz makes sure no one bothers "his" puppies...

Thumper

Zorro

Turkey

Thunder and Double Dot

Thunder 4 1/2 weeks

This is Thunder, the biggest pup of the litter.

"Smut" the pup at 4 weeks