5th June - seven weeks old

Freddie is six weeks old and Benson is seven weeks old.

The weather has been inclement again but the puppies have managed to amuse themselves - sometimes by doing things they should not!

When it is raining outside you can always practice your "hunting" skills on a pair of old trainers......

 

a school tie......

 

 or a member of the family......

 

The person behind the camera is also fair game!

 

8th June

Today Benson has been for a check up at the vets, tomorrow we are taking him to our friends in Hertfordshire, where he will start his new life as a much-loved member of their family.

He had lots of cuddles at the vets, the biggest with the vet nurse who revived him after his arrival into the world by Caesarean, and with David the vet, who delivered him.   He also raised lots of smiles, in true Golden Retriever tradition, in the waiting room!

All went very well and he was given a "clean bill of health", was micro-chipped, weighed and wormed. 

Benson weighs 8.9 kgs, which is just over 18 lbs.  Summer has certainly fulfilled her role as a superb mum!

During the examination I was told.......

"There is only going to be one problem with this dog..................

.......................and that will be letting him go".

How very true!  

It will be a very sad day as we all adore him - but he will be loved just as much with our friends,  and we will see him and spend time with him on family holidays, and possibly show him. 

Words are not enough to say what an emotional journey this has been:

• the search for a foundation bitch, which started three years ago

• the subsequent health clearances

• the miles travelled to shows and hours spent watching dogs

• the search for a stud dog

• the great time Summer and I had in Wales with Harry (Sh Ch Shardanell Castaspell), and his owners Stephen and Margaret (a Valentine's Day to remember)

• the disappointment not only for us but for those families waiting for a puppy, when we were told Summer was expecting a single puppy

• the worry that complications may arise

• the scans and vet checks Summer had in the run up to Benson's arrival

• his delivery by C-section

• the arrival of foster puppies

• the hours spent watching them as they have grown and developed.

But I would not change a thing! 

I have been very fortunate and made many good friends during the past three years, who have given me endless advice and support and they have been there for me throughout this time - thank you!

******

Benson.......

.......you are our beginning - and by no means our end!

    

 

Of course none of this would have been possible without Harry - Sh Ch Shardanell Castaspell.

 

Harry gained his Sh Ch title between Benson's conception and birth.

And Summer - our "Ladette" who has transformed into a "Lady" and a fabulous mum!

 

Solo is leaving us on Sunday - to start his new life with his dad, Ch Brensham Newsflash.  We will miss him too as he is a very confident and cheeky puppy, with a tail that does not stop wagging.

Despite being the smaller of the two he has thoroughly enjoyed rough and tumble with Benson.

   

 

This evening Benson had a shower.  All of our dogs enjoy a shower and Benson was soon tempted to have a look - with the help of some chicken.

 

Soon he was wet - and did not seem to worry!

 

Soggy doggy!

 

With Benson wet it was an ideal time to have a look at his outline again.

 

During his last evening at home Benson played with Summer and Solo.....

  

 

 

and enjoyed a cuddle with dad.....

 

before snuggling up with Solo.

 

9th June

Today Benson started his new life with our friends. 

It was a very sad day for us here, but thankfully he was oblivious to our emotions and has had a wonderful day!

Libby joined him for some moral-support on the journey to Hertfordshire. 

Although Benson has had a number of short journeys this was the big test! 

Thankfully he was not poorly at all - so we were off to a good start!

 

Benson has a very large and secure garden to play in at his new home, just as he did here.............and he was soon exploring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before falling asleep on his new dad's foot!

 

From the expression on Libby's face and her wagging tail she approved of Benson's new home!

          

 

   After Benson fell asleep it was time for us to leave - the most difficult part of the day!

I have been told that he has been eating and playing again since then - and also going to the toilet in the garden - well done Benson!

Thank you John, Margaret, Kevin and Emma - I know he will be very happy with you all.

 

10th June

Today it was time to say goodbye to Solo - the last of Summer's foster puppies to leave us.

Last night he had time for one last cuddle with Colin......

 

......and a play with one of his favourite toys.

 

This morning it was time to pose again.........

 

 

 

..........before he made the journey to his new home, with his favourite toy going along for the ride too.

It has been a privilege to take care of Solo - he is a wonderful little puppy whose tail wags non-stop and has made us laugh so much during his stay.

His transformation from the day of his arrival through to today has been amazing to watch.

Although he and Benson were like "Chalk and Cheese" - they have had a wonderful time together and despite the difference is size Solo has always been able to stake his claim at the milk bar and enjoy rough and tumble! 

              

 

They have been inseparable..........whether sleeping......

 

........playing.......

 

........or just looking cute.......

 

......and "Partners in Crime" just does not cut it!

 

He will be a much-loved family pet, alongside his dad Duff (Ch Brensham Newsflash),

and his half-brothers.  We know he will make his owners extremely happy and we look forward to hearing about his progress.

Solo's registered name is Burelind Bulletin and he may also be shown - but most importantly, as with Benson,TLC and muddy puddles beckon - and what more could a dog ask for!

 

And so we have come to the end of our Puppy Diary.

 Thank you for all the lovely e-mails, phone calls and messages in our Guestbook, regarding the puppies and their progress.  We are very pleased that the Puppy Diary has been enjoyed by so many friends, both here and abroad, and by visitors to the website.

Summer - our "Summeramba Smiler" - will now be taking a well-deserved rest from motherhood...............and next week will start hydrotherapy to help her get her figure back in shape!  All being well she will be back in the ring at the end of the year..........if she can drag herself away from the long country walks and muddy puddles that she adores so much!

No doubt our Ladette, who transformed into a Lady, will soon be a Ladette again - but we would not have her any other way!

 

 

12th June

Well as suspected it did not take Summer long to find some Mud!