Upland Hunting with Llewellin Setters

I think it is so very cool that 2 of the puppies from a litter given temporary names that are towns in the great state of Maine are going to live in Maine. They will also keep their names. Ashland and Brook left this morning for their airplane ride to their new home. We spent the last few days getting the pups used the crate. This morning went off without a hitch. The gals were snuggled up together in their shipping crate awaiting departure, after a lengthy romp in an out-of-the-way grassy area at the airport. Five hours later, they arrived safely into the arms of their new, “Mom” and “Grandmom.” Both are just fine. Very cool.

I would like to proudly introduce artist/designer, Sherry Neiderhiser. Sherry is well-known for her work in particular of Greyhounds and her contributions to the rescue and adoption efforts of Greyhounds as well as causes such as the Illinois Bird Dog Rescue. Sherry will produce custom commissioned artwork of your dog via your digital photos. Following are just a few samples of her work:

Here, is pictured one of Sherry’s unique and beautiful paper sculptures. Isn’t that just beautiful? Wow! I love that. I am always in awe of such talent.

Check out Sherry’s web site, Hearts and Hounds, for many more samples of her work and other beautiful items.

Contact Sherry for a custom, commissioned masterpiece of your hunting companion, today!

It has been quite a busy few days at Laurel Mt. Llewellins.

I can happily report that Lincoln made it to Missouri via an airplane ride to his new family, the Messicks. He was a happy camper to meet his new family! Mike called to tell us they just got him and I could hear the kids in the background having a grand time with their new puppy. He also was nice enough to call me Saturday morning to say that Linc had a good first night.

Kittery (now, maybe, Macy), made it safely to Denver, also. Her new family, the Sessions from Boulder, Co. also have been in touch since she arrived Friday morning. All seems to be going very well–except for that dang biting that puppies like to do so much of with those little needle teeth! It does end. That reminds me of a nice article Keith Smith of Lynnhill Llewellins wrote about how to handle situations such as this. I refer you to that article, here.

The photo on the right is Macy with some of her new family.

So, then, Friday evening, a very happy Mr. Robert Boyer, of Claymont, Delaware (pictured at right) arrived with a friend to pick up his new buddy, Weston. They got to spend a few hours with the puppies and the big dogs. Weston will now be named, “Joker” and will have a great life with Robert who says he’ll be taking this pup everywhere he goes! Joker gets to spend every minute with Robert and will have a ball getting to grow up at the 700-acre hunting camp they have, only a few hours from us, near Punxsutawney, PA!

Saturday, the new (old) camera arrived! Between lots of work to catch up on, Scott and I got to play around a bit with the camera and get some great shots of all the dogs. The pups had a full day of romping and playing outside. Finally, we have a bit of dry weather and the pups are very much enjoying being outdoors. As soon as the door opens, they run, run, run to get outside.

Ashland had her very first real point on a bird! Not kidding, one bit. She was off on the other side of the yard and I just so happened to be watching her through the camera, when suddenly she stopped dead, pointed–and a Robin flushed (ha ha , flushed)! She, then, was all “birdy, ” watching the Robin fly away and then going to the spot from where it flew and smelling all around. It was very cool! The photos of it are included, below, although they are not the best shots because it was so far away, you can see the Robin in one of the shots.

I think the pictures are sooo much better–and hope you do, also! We were able to send some beautiful shots of Brook and Ash to their new, awaiting family in Maine and some of Liberty to her awaiting family in New Jersey.

Today, the very excited Greg, Susan, and Robert Jones of Drums, PA arrived to pick up Casco, now named Shadow. Four-year-old Robert says he named him that because he thinks he will grow up to look much like Count and Luke–a shadow! A very bright little boy and his parents had a nice time playing with the puppies and getting to meet all the other dogs. Shadow is a very lucky Llewellin Setter puppy and will grow up with a wonderful family and have lots of hunting opportunities.

Well, folks, that’s it for today. Going to go work our dogs and play with puppies. Blessings to all and may I mention that you remember to honor this weekend those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Have a safe Memorial Day surrounded with those you love and in remembrance of those we have lost.

Enjoy the new photos–and don’t forget to click to see the large version:

Not much posting this week. Sorry. It has been a busy one, for sure. Not only are Scott and I both very busy with our business this time of year, but then the puppies and the training of the older dogs. It’s the only way to live, right? We had lousy weather all week–too much rain for my liking. But, you can’t change the weather so no sense in complaining too much–just like the price of gasoline–no sense in complaining as it doesn’t accomplish anything.

Anyway, on to exciting news: We have heard that Hatch (Turner) is doing well with his new family. They reported that he is getting along well with the “big dog” Mae and sent adorable pictures of him using her as a cushy pillow. Too cute. He is doing well with the crate training and housebreaking, too! We love to hear about the pups. It has been so strange without him this week; we keep counting the pups when we move them from inside to outside and visa-versa and panic when we count 9 instead of 10! Then, we remember, ah, Hatch is gone, just 9 puppies, now.

In other news: Lincoln will be flying out to his new home in Missouri tomorrow morning (actually, today, Friday) and Kittery is leaving for her new home in Boulder, Colorado at the same time. They both received another check-up on Wednesday and the health certificates necessary for flying. We are having a little all-night “party” with the pups tonight. I am just letting them all romp together in hopes that Kit and Linc will be very sleepy for their trips in a few hours. Plus, I am afraid to over-sleep and not make the flight on-time, so I am just staying up with them! They have to be at the airport at 4:30 a.m. sharp. So, we will be leaving soon.

This evening, Weston, will be picked up by his new owner and go to live in Delaware after getting to spend the weekend at “hunting camp.” Very cool.

Sunday, Casco will get picked up and go to live clear on the other side of PA.

Then, next Friday Ashland and Brook will fly to Portland, Maine where they will get to grow-up together hunting the excellent Woodcock and “Partridge” population there.

Very exciting. We couldn’t be more thrilled about the great families the pups are going to. Great pups-Great families! Hooray!

Oh, and if you are wondering about pictures, I have pretty much given that up for a few days. With all the rain and not very good results taking them inside, I am waiting. Any day, now, my new (used) good camera should arrive! I am really, really hoping that will be later, today. Look out for great photos next week, folks… although, many of the “pack” will have already left… We will still have another week until Brook and Ash leave, a month or so until Liberty leaves and Addison and Hope are not spoken for, yet. Still, lots of fun to be had and lots of great photos with our new camera!

Well, I better get rolling to the airport!

The start of the somewhat difficult days has arrived. I both love and hate this–all at the same time. When the pups start to leave, we feel a bit of apprehension; but seeing the looks on the faces of the new families takes that all away.

The first pup to leave today was Hatch (formerly known as Turner). He is going to a wonderful family and we couldn’t be happier. We hope the transition goes well for the little guy and the family. I realized I forgot to include a blanket with the smell of the pack. I’m sorry. We have done this before and it really seemed to help the pups with the transition.

Now is a great time to remind those with new pups of some excellent information on crate training, housebreaking, etc., over at Keith Smith’s Llewellin Setter blog.

Other news: I don’t know if I reported that Kittery was picked and will be going to her new home in Boulder, Colorado, next week. We’ll keep everyone updated on the status of the male pups as soon as we know.

The pups are really tuckered out tonight. We have been trying to dodge the lousy rain and get the pups out into the yard several times a day. I got to take some new photos this evening–and even a few video clips.

Here is a link to photos of Hatch and his new family as well as some great photos of the pups romping this evening–and even some video clips. Enjoy!

Click on the photo below to view all the pictures–some are pretty good–this will take you to a new page to view the album and the videos.

Pups at 7 weeks