Marquis and Bridget head for Wisconsin.

We're off to the Badgerland Specialty show this weekend.  Marquis and Bridget are looking forward to lots of fun and cheese curds.  Marquis will be moving to his new home in California in a couple of weeks so this is one of our last chances to show him before he leaves.  Marquis is the beautiful son of our DJ (CH. Hillwood Diamond Jim) and the spitting image of his dad.  It's a little confusing at our house right now as we have DJ, his mom LJ, sister Bridget and son Marquis.  You have to stop and make sure who you are talking to, they are like 4 peas in the proverbial pod.

Thanks to Roxy Hayes and Marjorie Culp for allowing us to show this beautiful boy.

Sean's new home

Sean, one of Summer's black and tan boys, has found a wonderful home outside of Detroit.  He now lives with his new mom Carol, and big sister Samantha, a beautiful tricolor Cavalier.  Carol had been looking for a companion for Sammie and Sean moved right in like he had always been there.  He didn't really give me a second thought as I left.  Many thanks to Carol, and Roxy Hayes and her extended Cavalier family for finding the perfect home for Sean.

Fantastic new home for Summer

We placed Summer in a super new home yesterday.  Since her show career and motherhood are done, we decided it would be great if we could find the perfect home for her to be queen.  Thanks to Jill, we found just that.  Summer now lives near Flint with Kathy Keeley.  Kathy was Reggie's (Jill's first Corgi) middle mom.  She has been without a tricolor Cavalier for several months and was pleased to get Summer.  Our house is a lot quieter without Summer's exuberant personality but she is where she needs to be.  Vera, Summer's baby girl is missing her mom, but adjusting well.   Many, many thanks to Jill and Kathy for giving Summer the perfect new home.

Claude

 This is Claude, Coverdale Phantom in Black.  He is 14 weeks old and is looking for his new home.  Claude is out of our Hillwood Fade to Black and by Orchard Hill Spoken For.  He is a wonderful little boy, full of love and kisses. 

Great Weekend in Goodells

We went to Goodells for the Toy Specialty and the St. Clair Kennel Club Shows last weekend.  Marv went Best of Breed with Bridget's dad CH. Hillwood Picture This ( PT owned by Juli Bennett), Best of Breed with Bridget's brother Hillwood Diamond in the Rough (Charlie, owned by Juli) and Best of Breed with Jill's Cardie Raglan's Just Keep Swimming (Dory). Juli finished DJ and Bridget's sister Hillwood White Diamonds (Taylor).  It was a wonderful weekend all around.

Cleo went along for socialization and was quite a hit.  She is very outgoing and made lots of friends. 

Cleo and Bows making nice.

Cleo and Bows are becoming friends.  Bows let Cleo know that this is her bed, but she is willing to share it if Cleo behaves.  If Cleo gets too pushy, Bows tears into her, it is really funny to watch.  I don't think Bows realizes that Cleo could probably swallow her whole.

Marv and Bridget - Anderson Kennel Club

HILLWOOD DIAMOND DIVA - WINNERS BITCH

Hettie and Marv

Marv and Hettie, September 7, 2011.

Newest member of the family

Meet Chadklier Miss Cleo Rose, Marv's newest show prospect.  We want to thank Jim and Judy Reath of Chadklier Bulldogs for letting us have this beautiful girl.  Marv can't wait to get her out and about.  We met Jim last year and were very impressed with the quality of his bullies and over time managed to convince him to part with one.  Cleo is a most welcome addition to the family.

Gunnar's first major with handler Roxanne Richardson

Gunnar also had a great weekend in Marshall, taking Winners Dog and getting his first 3-point major on Sunday August 7, 2011 at the Sturgis Kennel Club Show.   Many thanks to Roxanne for the wonderful job she did handling him.

Bridget and Judge Edd E. Bivin

Bridget and Marv took Winners Bitch and Best of Winners under Judge Edd E. Bivin at the Jaxon Kennel Club show in Marshall on August 5, 2011.  Bridget currently has 12 points towards her AKC Championship, needing one more major.  She has 5 points in the CKCSC-USA and 6 points towards her Canadian Championship.  This has been a very good spring and summer for her and Marv.  We are very proud of her and grateful to her "other mother" Juli Bennett for letting us have this beautiful girl.

Summertime and the relaxin' is easy

Mattie's girl Mini-me knows just how to relax with her brothers.  There are a few lessons that we could learn about letting the stress of the day go and catch a quick nap.  Really they are just re-charging their batteries for their next round of mayhem and destruction.  It's hard to believe that they are not quite 5 weeks old and already into everything.  Their sister is already missing from the picture, probably plotting her next plan of attack on the unsuspecting boys.

Summer's puppies - ready for new homes

Summer's kids are getting big and looking for forever homes.  They are 16 weeks old and have had their first two shots.  They also have their microchips.  They have had their health check and both parents are heart clear, eyes, knees, patellas and hips checked and okay.  Here are some new pictures of them.  

 Alex

 Graham

Sean

 Vera

 Hettie

 Claude, this is the 3 week old male.  He would be ready to go on September 8th.

Mattie's Babies are here.

Mattie had a c-section last Wednesday because the puppies were big and in the wrong positions to be born.  We got 2 Blenheims, 1 boy, 1 girl and 2 tris, 1 boy, 1 girl.  Mattie is doing fine and has finally figured out what these little creatures are and that she should take care of them.  They are gaining weight nicely and are very healthy.  Their dad is CH. Orchardhill Spoken For who belongs to Karen Ostmann.  We are very pleased with this litter.

I lost my job at the library 2 weeks ago due to budget cuts so I will be home full-time to spoil these babies rotten.  It was a bit scary to think about being without health benefits but my doctors have found ways for me to continue my prescriptions without breaking the bank.  I never thought I would say this, but thank heavens for Wal-Mart.  

Killed 'em in Kokomo

Juli and I had a great time at the Kokomo Kennel Club Show this weekend.  Mattie's brother Hillwood Film Festival was Winners Dog and Best of Winners both days.  Her sister Hillwood Every Picture Tells a Story was Winners Bitch on Sunday.  Her half brother CH. Hillwood Picture This was BOS on Sunday.  Our boy DJ, CH. Hillwood Diamond Jim was Select Dog both days.  We took everything but breed and were very thrilled.

Gunnar got his very first point thanks to Roxanne Richardson, who showed him for me since I can't run.  He was Winners Dog and Best of Winners.  Pictures to follow.  It was hot and humid but worth the trip.

Mattie went along for the ride and laid in her crate with her fan, ears blowing in the breeze, looking every bit the part of a pregnant princess.  She got lots of spoiling.

Packing our bags. Road trip!!!!!

Bridget and Marv are headed to Atlanta Thursday for the Cavaliers of the South Specialty Show.  Thanks goodness they will be showing indoors, Bridget is not a fan of heat and humidity.  DJ, Mattie, Gunnar and I are headed to Kokomo on Friday.  We show inside but it's not air-conditioned, so I hope this cool weather holds on for a few days.  Mattie is not entered, she's getting a little chubby for the show ring, but she throw a fit if I left her home and right now we are catering to her every whim.  She's not the least bit spoiled!!!  LOL

Mattie's ultrasound

Friday we went to see Dr. Will and have Mattie's ultrasound done.  She has 4 nice little blobs in there.  She has been a little under the weather, not liking her food first thing in the morning but that is improving.  She is beginning to act like her old self, not sure what's going on but happy anyhow.  She should be due around the 10th of June, of course, my husband and my backup Juli will be gone to a dog show that weekend leaving me on labor duty.  I'm sure Summer will be glad to be assistant midwife with me.  I told Mattie that she has to have 3 girls and a boy.  Her full sister Candy had puppies last week, she had 6 Blenheim boys (sadly one did not survive) and 1 lonely little tricolor girl. 

Mattie is scheduled to have her x-ray done on June 6th, so there won't be any surprises for me.

Look what Daddy made us!!!!!

Isn't this cool!!  Dad made us this mini a-frame with training sides so we don't fall off.  We love it.  It fits all of us at one time if we want to share, but it's mine, mine, mine.  I think I see a Mach title in my future.

Puppies, puppies, puppies!!

Mattie's full sister Candy (Hillwood Candid Photo) had her x-ray on Monday and they found out there are 7 puppies in there.  Congratulations to Moms Roxy and Juli.  I can't wait to see these puppies, they are by Karin Ostmann's boy Sheeba Expresso.  Mattie is headed for an ultrasound on Friday to confirm her pregnancy.  I'm pretty sure she's pregnant, she doesn't feel well in the mornings and is very clingy, more than her usual queenly self.

The black and tan gang are getting cuter and bigger everyday, they even took a vote and are allowing Kingsley (DJ's Blenheim boy) to be an honorary B&T and join in all their activities.  Summer is still trying to be mom to everyone even though they are 9 weeks now.  She was a born mom if I have ever seen one.

Poopin' in the Yard

We finally decided it's time to introduce the kids to grass and what they're supposed to do on it.  They love the backyard, they trail along behind us like little ducklings until we get out the door and then they sprint in all directions.  Miss Hettie being the adventuress, is often off exploring by herself while the others run and wrestle.  When it's time to got back inside, we call the duckling line to attention and back inside we go.  Now that the weather is beginning to get nicer, I hope to get some good photos of them taken.

Summer goes 6!!!!, I was sure I only had 5.

DJ's son came home with us Sunday to spend some time with Summer's babies.  He needed some competition to get him to eat and it certainly seems to have worked.  He's gained 5 ounces already and even fights to nurse Summer.  It is so much fun to watch them all race around the room and play.

Back from Canada

Well we are home after an eventful trip to Chatham, On.  First thing, we got rearended in Windsor, will probably need new bumper on truck but people and dogs okay.  Bridget was in 4 shows this weekend and 2 sweepstakes.  She got a group 2 in the all-breed sweepstakes but did  nothing in the toy club show.  She ended up being Winner's Bitch in 3 shows and Best of Breed in Sunday's show.  She and Marv came home with 5 points towards her Canadian Championship.  She did very well for Marv but they were both tired by yesterday. 

We stopped in Charlotte and picked up Mattie and DJ's boy Kingsley/Jackson (not sure on the name yet).  He is going to stay a while with us and get socialized with Summer's puppies.  They are hitting it off great.  He does kind of stick out like a sore thumb being a Blenheim in a sea of black and tans but they don't seem to mind.  He just climbed into their bed with them last night and became one with the pack.

Summer doesn't seem to mind that there is one more, she is the world's greatest little mom, I think she could handle anything we throw at her.

Glad to be home, but not impressed with the 4 inches of snow on the ground this morning.

Breeding Mattie

We took Mattie (Can. CH. Hillwood Fade to Black) to Schultz Veterinary Clinic for a trans-cervical insemination.  She came in heat early and did not give us time to get her to Nebraska, so Karin Ostmann was gracious enough to ship semen to us on short notice.  We have bred her to Karin's lovely boy Darby (CH. Orchardhill Spoken For) and are extremely excited about this match.  Darby is out of AKC and CKCS,US CH. Orchardhill Nice Boots, Baby and Eng. CH. Pascavale Enchanted.  Mattie is scheduled for an ultrasound on May 6th.  It's going to be a long 9 weeks, patience was never one of my virtues. 

Cavaliers of the Midwest Specialty Show in Indianapolis

Marv and Juli just called to let me know that our Bridget - Hillwood Diamond Diva went Best Puppy in Show today.  Not a bad start for her first show in the CKCS,USA.  We are super pleased and I can't wait for pictures.  Bridget is out of Juli's AKC and Can. CH. Hillwood Picture This and CH. Winbury Hillwood Little Jewel.  She is a half-sister to our DJ and Mattie's niece.  Many thanks to Judge Dale Martin for this wonderful win.

Great job Marv and Bridget.  Thank you Juli for letting us have this beautiful little girl.

5 weeks old!!!!

Graham as usual was the first to escape from the whelping nest and claim the comfy bed.  He has been the leader from the beginning in spite of being the littlest.  He is going to be a handful.
We're getting ready to start feeding the puppies, they are beginning to wear Summer down.  It's funny to watch when they attack en masse and practicallty knock her down to get dinner.

Happiness is a warm pink dragon

Life is good when you have a warm pink dragon to keep you warm.  My brothers and sisters don't hurt either.  It was a good day today, eat, sleep, poop, eat, sleep, poop.  It's a hard job but I think I'm up to the task.    I hope your day was as good as mine, love Graham:)

Getting busier every day.

The kids are getting bigger every day.  They are walking, barking, fighting and getting teeth.  They run around the pen for a while and then retreat to the whelping pan for a good nap.  Vera is still the largest, she's the one with the biggest tummy and the white toes on her back feet.  Graham is still the smallest but the quickest.  Sean, Hettie and Alex are the same size, but Sean only moves if he has to.  They are so much fun to watch now.  All the other dogs have met them and think they're kind of weird.

Movin' n groovin'

The kids are growing so fast.  Last night we got them out of the whelping box and put them on a drop cloth on the floor.  They are walking pretty well, sitting up and scratching their ears.  It's so funny to see them, they are like teeny tiny Summers.  They have her attitude too, except for Vera who is majorly laid-back like her Daddy.  We hope to get some decent pictures of them this weekend.  I have to admit that they are more fun to watch than TV.

Gettin' too big for our britches

The black and tan gang continues to grow like weeds.  Alex is the most active and is sitting up and wagging his tail.  It's hard to believe how much they have changed in 3 weeks.  Vera and Sean are still the biggest but the other 3 are only a couple of ounces behind.   We trimmed their toenails again last night so they don't shred poor Mama Summer to bits.   Now that Marv is home again, I hope to get some pictures of them tonight.

Wonderful Weekend in Windsor

Marv, Gunnar and Mattie had a dream weekend at the Windsor Show.  In the 4 shows they took 6 Best of Breeds and 2 Best of Opposites.  Many thanks to Handler John Griffith for taking Gunnar in for Breed while Marv showed Mattie in the Toy Group.  All in all it was the best weekend of our short showing career.  Many thanks to the Judges Roger and Paula Hardinger and Michael and Patricia Lanctot.

WE'RE ON A ROLL

Marv and our Rottweiler M&M Special Dark Gunnar von Ballardhaus finished his Canadian Championship with a Best of Breed win in Windsor this morning.  I'm afraid that now Marv's head will be so big he won't be able to get in the door tomorrow when he comes home.

NEW CANADIAN CHAMPION HILLWOOD FADE TO BLACK

Marv and Mattie went Best of Winners and Best of Opposite at the show in Windsor this morning to finish her Canadian Championship.  Many thanks to Judge Michael Lanctot for this win.

Auntie Bridget

We had a chance to meet a new face yesterday, our Auntie Bridget got to come and visit with us.  She's kinda funny, she doesn't look anything like us, she's a funny red and white color.  She gave us loads of kisses and curled up real close to watch us.  Momma stayed close to make sure we were okay but we loved our Auntie Bridget and we think she loves us back.

Momma doesn't want to share us yet but Sunday we are moving out into the living room so we can meet the rest of the world and start learning new things.

Getting wigglier and noisier

The puppies are beginning to scoot around the whelping box, and of course at least one gets separated from the rest and the screeching begins.  The are starting to make more barky type noises now.  Vera and Sean are still the biggest, with Vera weighing a whopping 1#2oz. and Sean is 1#1oz.  Hettie, Alex and Graham are just under a pound each.  There is certainly nothing wrong with their appetites.  Summer is still a great mom although she's spending a little more time out of the box now to give herself a rest.

Five little sets of eyes

All five puppies have their eyes open now and are beginning to move about more.  They are so much cuter with eyes.  I can't believe that they are 2 weeks old.  It seems like we just had them.  We will be taking pictures tonight and hopefully getting them on the blog tonight.  Vera is the biggest at 1 lb. 1 1/2 ounces, Sean is 1 lb., Hettie, Graham and Alex are all 15 1/2 oz.

Beginning to see the world

The puppies are beginning to open their eyes.  Hettie, the littlest girl has both eyes open, she seems to be ahead of the curve all the time.  Vera, the biggest girl now weighs 1 lb. 1 oz. and the boys are not too far behind.  It is amazing to see how fast they grow.  I can almost see a difference from morning to night.  Summer is still the best mom we could ask for, she takes such good care of the kids and she still covers them up whenever she leaves the box. 

On the road again

Hi, this is Moose, now known as Sean.  I had a great trip with dad and met my Auntie Juli in Paw Paw and then went home with her.  My foster mommy thought I was really cute and kissed and loved on me right away.  But, there was a problem with her extra faucets and they decided that she should not try to take on a second baby, so Auntie Juli packed me in a cozy warm box with my new foster brother and set off to meet my mom and dad.  They really liked my new foster brother, but of course he's not as cute as me.  BOL  I came back to my real mom and he went back home to his.  It was quite the adventure, I was able to tell my brothers and sisters about my travels in the big, wide world, and they were really impressed. 

Road Trip

Our biggest boy, Moose, as my friend Jill calls him, is going to his Auntie Juli's house to be a litter companion to her singleton.  Summer has her paws full with the pups and this will give her a break and help out Juli's little one.  Her boy is out of our boy DJ and we don't want him to become too spoiled.  They will be quite the twosome, my black and tan and her Blenheim boy with their tri-colored mom.  All we need to do is find a ruby to put into the mix and we'll have all the bases covered.  Will get a picture of the two of them as soon as I can.

Summer spoils her babies rotten.

Summer went through the house and gathered up all the toys she could find and took them in to the babies.  She doesn't realize they don't appreciate this effort yet.  All five are gaining weight and looking good. 

Babies are getting chubby

While poor Summer melts away, the little critters are getting fatter.  They weigh between
9 1/4 ounces and 10 3/4 ounces.  The one we call Victoria (she has 2 small spots between her front legs that look like a little bra) is the chubbiest.  It's fun to see the changes in such a short period of time.  They are 7 days old today and I still haven't gotten any pictures taken, I am a bad grandma.

Puppy update

Summer and her family are settling in nicely.  She is a terrific mom, we have to make her leave the babies to go outside.  All 5 kids are gaining weight.  They are so much fun to watch, even though they are just little black blobs, they are my little black blobs.  Last night one of our Rotties went in to take a look but he wasn't overly impressed.  He and Summer are best buddies and she didn't seem to mind his visit.  None of our other Cavaliers have met the new kids yet.  Maybe tonight we will let Bridget in and see how Summer reacts.

We will try to get some pictures posted tomorrow. 

New Puppies

Our black-tricolor bitch Can. CH. Wright's RG Black Orchid Summer delivered 5 healthy black and tan puppies on March 1.  We have 3 males and 2 females.  They are by Can. CH Rabymar Adonis, owned by Norma Moffatt of Ontario, Canada.