Hi Beverley
These pics have been taken over November and December and maybe early January. We have gotten into some lovely routines over the last couple of months with some nice walks, favourite places to socialise and play, and even favourite holiday spots.  As I said in my email this morning (from the bus ride to work!), Ada had her first beach holiday and LOVED it.  
She absolutely adores the beach.  Half the big stretch of beach at Pearl is off-leash for dogs which is wonderful.  And, as seems to happen everywhere, you become part of the dog crowd and the dogs get to know each other and hang out together while the owners chit-chat in their swimsuits...

Ada hasn't skipped a beat really.  She has had her share of naughty chewing of things (like shoes left wantonly lying about or my spectacles!) and wanting to chase and jump up on people but we've pretty much passed those stages.  She is still teething (she is five months after all) but we are encouraging her to choose the many toys she has, rather than the dining room table and chair legs and the wicker baskets around the place!

She has become a very keen retriever of things - balls, sticks, abandoned single thongs so our twice daily walks have become very active.  She loves the water - especially on a hot day - but she is picky about when she will actually swim, as opposed to wade.  

She has learned to eat very well and seems to prefer human food, ideally the highest quality, to any pet-specific offerings.  I have taken to buying standard grade mince, chicken necks, lamb and beef bones and any meat going cheaply at the supermarket.  But she is a keen consumer of pasta, rice, eggs, bacon, fish (LOVES atlantic salmon), and various 'meals' like sushi, frittata, lasagne, roast potato and other roast veges, steamed greens and even chick peas.

One of these photos shows Ada at puppy school.   Not only was Ada the biggest puppy in the class, she was also the smartest!  She got things quickly, she was keen, confident and relaxed...unlike some of the other students!

One thing she does (which I am hoping she will grow out of) is to get so terribly excited whenever we come downstairs in the morning or arrive home from somewhere, that she leaps up, then squats down and pees!  We have learned to ignore her - no eye contact - and just to walk past her, directly outside to the back garden before acknowledging her.  That way, at least she pees outside!  And she immediately goes into paroxysms of joy, throwing herself on her back, demanding a tummy scratch/rub!  People tell us this is a passing phase (well, the peeing bit).  I imagine it must be.  Older dogs surely don't get THAT excited!

Hope you enjoy the photos and the links and get an idea of Ada's new life. Rest assured she is adored and sometimes (not always, under my instruction) utterly spoilt and indulged.  I try to follow the principles we learned in puppy pre-school. She is certainly very happy.  And so are we.
More in time.  Not sure of the next milestones but I guess the teeth will go soon...
Cheers,
Keryn

 Hello Helen and Beverley!

Oliver arrived at about 10pm on Wednesday evening  20th November and is absolutely beautiful! His pictures didn't do him justice! Abigail was beside herself with "her" new puppy and has taken to mothering him - not that he thinks he needs one. He is bold and brave and wants to explore every inch of our 2+ acres NOW.

He has already learned that jumping doesn't get him attention, and has decided that instead he will run up and plop his little bottom down and try not to wiggle. Nothing rattles Oliver (must be that scary noise CD...); rather, when he hears something he feels compelled to go see what it is- he's simply fearless. He's a very curious, intense puppy with a playful teasing spirit - and his eye contact is outstanding. He seems to be learning the leash VERY quickly, and behaves well - not even one accident in the house. His first night he only woke up once, and I just put my fingers through the crate openings and he settled right down and went back to sleep.

We just returned from the vet, and she was quite impressed with both Oliver's good health and delightful temperament. He was completely at home in her office and snuggled warmly with her.  He's already comfortable riding in the car and settled right in with Abigail (she enjoyed going to the vet and NOT getting poked or prodded!).

We are absolutely delighted with our second Rutland puppy - just as we expected!

Thank you for all the dedicated work you put in to bringing these wonderful dogs to the world.

Blessings,
Marla and Bill

Hi Beverley,

All in all, 10 out of ten and she has exceeded our initial high expectations.

Maia is very bright and is learning exceptionally quickly.  

She is starting to respond to voice commands and she has accepted use of a collar for walks  although we do not put on the collar for more than 30 minutes and always in association with trips to the off leash dog park.

Maia has been very good for the home environment and despite the round-the-clock attention we are giving to her, the investment of this time is paying off.  We are now leaving her for short periods of an hour or so and she is handling this very well without any signs of separation anxiety. She is physically and mentally very robust.  She bonded with us strongly on the first day and always wants to be near either one of us.  

The first day was traumatic for her with a new environment and a strong cat that let her know who had the upper hand.  However, she has handled this exceptionally well and both she and the cat have a grudging respect for each other.

Maia is sociallising very well and has no problems with the tumbling play with other dogs - no problems at all there.  She has the exuberance of youth and this often comes out when she barks at other dogs and cats to try and get them to play with her.

Many people have noted that she is very calm for a  puppy and I have commented that this is the result of breeding.

Regards, Maurice.