Though the country has been in turmoil, we here at Catherton have been kept busy with Molly and Roscoe’s brood. Our daily routine has been pretty much as it would have been feeding, poo picking and hunting for puppies. They are a gorgeous bunch, they have missed out on visitors but Chris and I have tried to stimulate them as much as possible, giving them as many life experiences as we could.

I know many of you have been following our “puppy diaries” , we have posted as many videos/ photos as we could just so the new owners could feel a part of the families development.

They are 8 weeks tomorrow, 2nd May, and are ready to go and start their new lives with their wonderful families. Vet check and microchips happened yesterday and they were all given a good bill of health. They were so good considering their lack of human interaction. They coped with being handed over to a vet nurse in our vets car park, being taken into the surgery for their examination and then delivered safely back to the car. It was an odd experience for them and us. Really missed  our hands on helpers John, Jas’ dad, has sat in the back of the car with them for many litters , but alas not this one. Missed you. 

The weather has been condusive to plenty of adventures into our fields, several have been swimming, Tom actually swam right across the pond, bit disconcerting, but they all shook and carried on. They thought the”rub dubs” with towels afterwards was huge fun.

We took them onto the arena and introduced them to the wobble boards and agility tunnel they loved them, no fears. When I compare them to how some dogs worry when doing these pieces of equipment for the first time I was so thrilled with their bold attitude. Its such an important time in a puppies development. I am feeling confident they will thrive out there in their new homes.

We have been through the pecking by the chickens without mishap. Great Granny Cassie has done a sterling job of teaching them manners when approaching other dogs, unlike Granny Kite who allows any amount of mauling.

They are a fantastic bunch, Chris and I are very proud as I know Jan, Roscoe’s mum, is to.  So sad she has not been able to come and see Roscoe’s babies. We will have mixed emotions when they leave but they now need to have that one to one attention we cannot provide.

Fingers crossed, if the showing season ever starts, 2 puppies from the litter will be coming out, Bob who is going to a family in Cannock and my little girl who will keep her litter name of Puzzle.

All of the families have been so supportive in these unprecedented times, so lets hope we are beginning to see the long road to normality.

I wish them well and know they will gain huge pleasure from their new family members. Life with a Munster especially a young one is never dull!

We are still riding our horses who are really well. Not hacking quite as often but the roads are so quiet, which is a joy. Their schooling is coming on though. We lunge, do pole work to give some variety and they are enjoying the Spring grass. Life for them is pretty much the same. 

The garden is doing OK. Loads still to do so I am looking forward to having more time in the soil! 

Some of you may remember we were open for that wonderful organisation the National Garden Scheme last summer. I doubt this will happen but we have offered to open at short notice in the Autumn if allowed. There will be charities everywhere struggling for funds this year and a lot of worthy causes will be struggling, so I hope to be able to do my bit . 

Must sign off now, puppies to feed for the final day ,it is the last day they will be all together.

Stay safe everyone.

Molly and Rosko’s puppies are blooming. They are currently having their second worming which necessitated a weigh in. Their weights are within a few grams of one another, around the 2 1/2 -3.0 Kilo. They are real chunky monkeys, relishing their food and are now receiving 4 meals a day.

The weather this weekend has been a lot warmer, though still windy, so we opened up the patio. They were out there in seconds, so confident and have already begun to poo and wee out of doors. Another few days and we will let them out into the big expanse of our garden/drive.

I have received the registration documents from the Kennel Club, the theme for this litter is wild birds local to us here at Catherton. My little girl, whom ever she may be, will be Crumpsbrook Swift. There are a few locations locally where the swifts nest every Summer. Cleobury High Street, hopefully will have the usual colony around the church. We do have swallows nesting in our stables but the name didn’t appeal.

Our days in this lockdown situation are spent split between riding horses, gardening and of course the puppies. As they get older they will take up more of our day, but what a joy that is, they are so gorgeous. Mind you they are beginning to explore with their newly through needle teeth which are already sharp. They are a welcome distraction.

My thoughts go out to all our care workers, NHS staff, retail workers, and all the army of delivery folk and service industries, which keep us going. I have no idea how families cope without outdoor space, I am thankful everyday for where I live. Keep strong everyone especially with Easter around the corner and if we stick together we will beat this virus.

We are posting regular video footage and photographs on my website under puppy diaries and I know the families who cannot come and see their munchkins are loving seeing them develop. It really is second best but hey ho needs must.

Stay safe everyone.

Here are the gang at 6 weeks. Gosh we are proud of them all, absolutely gorgeous.

Pleased to say that a boy will be joining my girl in the show ring.

The Boys

The Girls

Bit colder today but puppies still loved their time out meeting the hens and playing with Kite. Heathcliffe, Jo’s horse, looked on with interest.

Happy Easter everyone from the Crumpsbrook gang.

Meet the family. First time in show pose.

Fun outside with Kite, great granny Cassie not convinced.

Molly and Rosko’s puppies are blooming. They are currently having their second worming which necessitated a weigh in. Their weights are within a few grams of one another, around the 2 1/2 -3.0 Kilo. They are real chunky monkeys, relishing their food and are now receiving 4 meals a day.

The weather this weekend has been a lot warmer, though still windy, so we opened up the patio. They were out there in seconds, so confident and have already begun to poo and wee out of doors. Another few days and we will let them out into the big expanse of our garden/drive.

I have received the registration documents from the Kennel Club, the theme for this litter is wild birds local to us here at Catherton. My little girl, whom ever she may be, will be Crumpsbrook Swift. There are a few locations locally where the swifts nest every Summer. Cleobury High Street, hopefully will have the usual colony around the church. We do have swallows nesting in our stables but the name didn’t appeal.

Our days in this lockdown situation are spent split between riding horses, gardening and of course the puppies. As they get older they will take up more of our day, but what a joy that is, they are so gorgeous. Mind you they are beginning to explore with their newly through needle teeth which are already sharp. They are a welcome distraction.

My thoughts go out to all our care workers, NHS staff, retail workers, and all the army of delivery folk and service industries, which keep us going. I have no idea how families cope without outdoor space, I am thankful everyday for where I live. Keep strong everyone especially with Easter around the corner and if we stick together we will beat this virus.

We are posting regular video footage and photographs on my website under puppy diaries and I know the families who cannot come and see their munchkins are loving seeing them develop. It really is second best but hey ho needs must.

Stay safe everyone.

Escapee’s this morning playing in the lounge with me in my jim jams! 

Probably a mistake because they will expect it every morning ! 

 Oh and by the way their teeth are sharp ! 

Puppies are now spending time in the day in the conservatory. New things to explore, see and hear. They come back in to the house in the evening.

Cleaning, feeding and puppies getting to know us

Puppies developing at a rapid rate of knots. Had their first meal provided by mummy Jo and Chris. They are interacting and making lots of noise! 

Molly and her family are thriving. They had their first weigh in today and all have gained significant weight. To be honest I didn’t need the scales to tell me that, I swear they grow while you watch them. 

Chris and I have an easy job at the moment, Molly does all the hard work, toileting, cleaning, feeding. Our duties revolve around Molly’s needs. She eats as much as she wants, when she wants, and has started to feel comfortable leaving her babies for a few minutes to stretch her legs. This morning she left the whelping box to come for her toast with Kite and Cassie.

Hope you enjoy the photos, we separated the girls from the boys.

We have given them their nicknames. Some very tenuous links with thier markings. We have Puff, Ziggy, Quill and Puzzle for the girls and Bob, Tom, Chess, Asterix and Romeo for the boys.

Bob was named because he has a black band around his tail which led to Band Aid then Bob Geldoff. Asterix because he has an exclamation mark. Puff, for those of you who are old enough to remember was a magic dragon that lived by the sea.

We will leave you to match the name to the pup! Good Luck.