Sugar Plum Fairies and Chin Babies

Sugar Plum Fairies and Chin Babies
This Saturday I went with my hubby and family to see The Nutcracker Ballet for the 100th (ok, maybe not that many but ALOT) time.  It never gets old for me.  The music, the dancing and the Sugar Plum Fairy.  Her crown and wand, I just love it....even though this year I thought the dew drop outshined her....

All the while, Aijou decided to go into labor.  These babies were anxiously awaited as this is Aijou's last litter and her owner (I co-own her) and I didn't have a girl out of her.  Luckily, my very good friend who has delivered many babies for me, was on hand to deliver the first boy.  I came home and then the 2nd boy and lastly the girl we were waiting for.  I am so thrilled.  They babies are just gorgeous and nice and healthy.  My heart was set on keeping that girl but alas, it is not meant to be, at least not in my home.  Her owner has decided to keep the girl with her in NC and I will keep the first boy in my home.  Am I upset, YES.  Aijou is one very special dog.  First off, she is a breeders dream, consistently produces herself (which is awesome) and better then herself (even awesom-er).  She is a fabulous mother and whelper.  More then all of that, she walked into our lives and changed them.  She touches everyone she meets with her kind and nurturing nature.  She took over as guardian of Draven (my 14yr old shepherd).  She barks when he gets stuck on the bathroom floor, she cleans his face and eyes each night and follows him around the house.  When she was gone being bred, he just moped, looking for her.  More then once he tried to squeeze into her tiny dog bed.  She has a way of making everything ok in the world.  The Jou is very special....very very special.  Am I mad, NO!  If I were in the owner's shoes, I would be doing the same.  (keep in mind, the owner is my "family", one of my very closest friends and mentor in the breed).  It is just a bit sad and disappointing for me.  But I will enjoy every minute I have with these babies.  The first boy will stay with me and grow out....I am hoping he will be the group winning special I have been breeding for. 

Aijou and her newborns, boy 2, girl and boy1

 

I bring all this up because we truly should be thankful for all we have.  As breeders we are always striving for the perfect dog, although one has never been made.  We can get so caught up in the competition and gossip that goes with it that we don't stop and look around at the ones doing the competition, THE DOGS!  At first I was so upset about not getting the little girl but then thought, "She could have no babies!  She could have had a complication and lost the babies or worse, we could have lost her!"  I am getting so upset because I am not getting the girl, but yet I have so much to be thankful for, even The Jou!  She was a gift.  She was graciously given to me by the owner to co own.  And now I have her son.  This boy who will bring wonderful things to my breeding program.  STOP and be happy Marisa....lots to be thankful for!

Merry Christmas to you my friends.  Hug your family (and I mean your human and dog family).  Give them extra special stuff and thank them for always listening when you need an ear, giving you a paw to hold and excelling in whatever competition you choose.  For them, they don't care about ribbons or group placements or national finals.  They care about you, their owner.  They just want to make you happy every day.  That is truly something to be thankful for.

Kazi at work today with me

 oh, and cute costumes to dress them in.  I will forever be thankful for that.  I just can never get enough of it.  Never gets old....