Pup-Date

It's day 5, and we still have all 5 puppies. It's been a loooong week with very little sleep, but it will be worth it if the little guys all make it! The liver and white girl has really taken off, and is gaining by the minute. The liver roan boy (Teddy) is starting to pull ahead as well. The liver roan girl is doing better, and the blue and b/w boys are holding their own. Keep the good thoughts coming!

Sad phone call...

I received a call this morning from a very distraught owner; the type of call we all dread. Tammy & Dan bought "Gus" from me six years ago; he wasn't an Ashbrook bred dog, but he *was* sired by Adam, and I was "growing him up" to show. When he didn't get big enough for the ring, I placed him in a pet home, where he has been dearly loved ever since.

Last night, Gus pushed a not-quite-latched door open, ran out, and got hit by a car. Dan noticed he was missing almost immediately and ran out to look for him, but he unfortunately got there just in time to see it happen. Gus died in his arms almost immediately. Since bringing Gus into their family, they've had two children. Their 5 year old son (pictured) just adored him, and vice-versa. This is a very sad reminder to us ALL to make sure doors & gates are closed tightly behind us; these little guys are very quick, and a split second is all it takes.

Our hearts go out to the Gallo family for their terrible loss. May they find comfort knowing he's at the Rainbow bridge, where he will be waiting for them.

Java's puppies...

are finally here! The first one was born at 1:55 pm yesterday, the last at 3:20. We have 1 liver/white girl, 1 liver roan girl, 1 liver roan boy, 1 blue roan boy and 1 black/white boy. Unfortunately, we had a VERY tiny (3.3 oz!) liver roan boy that had a cleft palate and didn't make it. The other pups are doing well, but are also quite small (4.5 oz to 7.2 oz), so they'll need good thoughts sent their way. Normally, my puppies are between 8 and 12 oz.

We're thinking of naming two of the boys Teddy (for Sen. Kennedy, who died the day they were born) and Danny (for the Hurricane possibly headed this way this weekend!)...any other "in the news" names are welcome!

Java pups coming soon...

Stay tuned, folks - it looks like Java's babies will be arriving sometime today or tonight!

Rookie's First Litter has arrived!

Just finished whelping a litter that I co-bred with Maxine Raymond. Mom is "Kat", Ch. Tamray Dillon's Miss Kitty, and proud new dad is Ashbrook Put Me in Coach - "Rookie". This is his first litter, and her last. One blue boy (the white one with no spots, just like dad!) and three blue girls. We *think* the last girl born *might* be blue and tan; there are glimmers on both cheeks at this point. Otherwise, all blue roan. VERY healthy, and wanted to eat immediately - must be English Cockers!! We delivered the puppies here, and now Maxine is on her way home to Kittery, Maine with them; she gets to do all the work from here on out, and I get to sleep at night! Well, at least until Java's pups arrive later this week...

Cookie gets her second Major!

Graecroft Sweet Success


We had a great day at the dog show yesterday. I'm showing one of Domino's daughters, a beautiful blue roan girl named Cookie, bred and owned by Jane Doty. She picked up her 2nd major, so she only needs 3 singles to finish! This picture was taken at this year's National Specialty in Ohio. She's SO much fun to show!

X-ray Results!

Well, the x-rays were kind of murky; my vet is using his new digital x-ray machine, and I don't like it! It comes up very small on a laptop, and isn't very clear or dark - phooey! Sooooo, we *think* there are 5, but not positive.

We'll announce it here when they arrive! We're very excited to see what she has; hoping for some liver like Mom! Java is Dunkin's mom, for those who don't know...

Dunkin, Best of Breed Winner!

Dunkin went Best of Breed over 2 Specials from the Bred-By Exhibitor Class at last Sunday's show under Judge Edd Bivin. He needs just 2 singles to finish now! He's really growing up, and is now the sire of 3 beautiful girls in WA State; 1 solid liver and 2 solid blacks!

Ashbrook Dark Roast, AKA "Dunkin"

Introducing..."Rosie"!

We'd like to introduce the newest member of our clan, Mayflower Vintage Rose! Rosie is an Adam daughter out of a Hob daughter. She is 9 weeks old, and is just adorable! Thank you to Lynn Quintal and Heleyne Mederios for letting her come to NH.

Hello, World!

This is my very first attempt at "blogging", so please bear with me! I thought it would be fun to create a spot to quickly post Ashbrook "news and happenings" in a place that folks could add comments if they'd like.

We're expecting babies in a week; Java is due on Aug 27! We have an appt on Friday for an x-ray to see how many of the little buggers to expect - I can't wait!