Before the babies started to leave us, Aunt Sandy and I took them all outside on a pretty day to get some last pictures of them all together.
She bought them each a colorful, embellished tee shirt from the Dollar Store to pose in.
The trouble was, they wiggled out of the shirts as fast as we wiggled them in.
And corralling them in one spot wasn't easy either. The swing was a good place to hold them captive for a bit.
But we still couldn't get all 9 to look at us at the same time. Even with Aunt Sandy holding their mom above my head as I kneeled in front of them.
At first, they were just too excited. But of course, that means, that soon, they all tuckered themselves out with the excitement.
So, we took advantage of their exhaustion and got some close ups.
Not everyone was worn out, these guys are little bundles of curiousity.
And snuggles.
This is our forever baby. The New Agnes Rosebud, as Sugarwings insists on calling her. I keep reminding her that the name is Dorothy Rosebud, but she likes T.N.A.R.
I have a major decision to make on pup #2
First of all, I don't know if I am up to the task of taking on two.
Second, if I do, how can I chose? These little boys are as sweet as can be.
One baby might be all I can properly tend. Of course, after weeks of bottle feeding and care-taking 9, 2 or 3 should seem like a piece of cake!
Twinkle still is tending to them too, so she'd be a help. But Aunt Sandy is back to work as an RN and has some long days, so I can't count on her for puppy wrangling with me as much as she did when they were tiny. She was a huge help. I don't think one person could have raised all nine and gotten any sleep at all.
While Sandy lives with us, we have her two Yorkies too. We can not convince them to use the doggy door, so I'll be taking them out for potty breaks while Sandy is gone on her long 12-14 hour nursing shifts. Maybe I should take advantage of that and haul pups out at the same time. (yes, we'd be a FIVE dorkie household if I kept two!)
But its not the housebreaking that worries me. Even though that is a concern.
Its the attention. I want to be able to nurture the babies and spend lots of time with them. I'm not sure that I want to divide up my time between two pups at once. Will I be able to raise two at a time to be wonderful companions?
On the other hand, these might be the last puppies we ever have! And I have to admit, without bragging, that I raise good pups! I've only kept two dogs from previous litters and they were the best dogs ever. Attention from the minute they are born, lots of cuddling and exposure to various experiences makes for a confident and good natured adult dog.
So, I hate to miss out on keeping another one like that!
Well, I still have some time to think.
Not everyone is gone yet. And not all are spoken for. Maybe once the herd is thinned down a bit, and I'm left with a couple of babies, I'll find it impossible to part with the last little boy.
I've bonded with this little snippet, and am just afraid that I won't be able to give enough of myself to one of her brothers too. And these guys are all sooooo special, that I want them to have the very best home.
And this might not be the best home for him, if I give my time to his sister first.
But, if my husband bonds with one, then it could be his dog, that could work…
Thanks for listening to me muse out loud about my dilema. Its a small problem to have, and I shouldn't even call it a problem, how many people would be complaining about whether or not they should adopt one or two of the worlds cutest puppies? I'm pretty lucky if this is all I have to ponder and worry about!
I know how lucky I am, and I am so thankful that good things have come my way.
I've already gushed about how excited I am to be one of Kim's Fairytale instructors at the Enchanted Affaire in April, and you'll probably for sure hear more gushing about how much I am looking forward to that as the months go by.
Now, I've got something equally wonderful to tide me over a bit- Carol Spinski
and I had lunch last week and she was brainstorming some ideas about a get together at her home for the holidays.
I'm so glad the details worked out for her and its a go, and I get to be a part of it along with Amy Barrickman and Debbie Dousenberry.
These three are in the latest issue of Matthew Mead's Holiday magazine together in a Christmas spread shot at Carol's farmhouse. If you'd like to see her magnificent home in person, and get tips from these three pros, as well as make a sparkly tree ornament with me, here is the info:
and creative types filled with ideas and inspiration provided by our
featured guests, all with amazing backgrounds and talents.
9 – 9:30 am Morning coffee, muffins and introductions.
9:30 – 11:00 Carol Spinski: Tips and resources to help your creative business sparkle.
11 – 12:00 Karla Nathan: Make and take ornament. Topic: Blogging and how to do online classes/tutorials.
12 – 1:00 Lunch
1 – 2:30 Amy Barickman- Expanding your creative business.
2:30 – 4:00 Deb Dusenberry- Making your brand shine; display, graphics, store front, web presence.
4:00-
5:00 Carol Spinski- Photography tips for marketing and web. Stylized
photo shoot using the make and take ornament from Karla and other props.
OMG Karla….your puppies in tshirts pictures are adorable !
first of all: KEEP TWO PUPPIES!! I’d hate for you to regret it later if you didn’t. They are absolutely the cutest things, and all of your pictures capture their sweetness so well.
second: CONGRATS on the two cool engagements you have coming up! How nice for you, and fun for everyone to have you involved. The one in KS in November looks sooo interesting. Wish I was closer.
These are way, way, WAY too cute! And yes, keep two! I know I always say I wish I lived closer. I’ll say it again!
You MUST, MUST. MUST, keep two of them!!! They need each other to play with, fight with and back each other up when mom gets mad…. tee hee hee!
They are all so sweet! My son and his wife had their first baby Oct. 12 and she’s adorable, too. Little Lucy!
Have fun with them! And, thank you for sharing these gorgeous pics.
Keep those babies!! You can do it–Sugarwings is getting older and can be a big help.She’ll lavish them with lots of attention. Do it!!
They really are the world’s cutest puppies. I think I’d have to keep two – don’t they kind of keep each other busy and play and bond and all of that?
Kind of, our house guests dogs and my dogs dont get along. Its getting complicated!
Sent from my iPhone
Hi Karla, I have been away and just trying to get caught up and had to visit to see these beautiful puppies, oh Karla they are just so cute, it would be hard not to keep all nine of them. I love dogs so much, if it was me I would keep two, how much fun would they be together! It would also be fun to see the difference in a boy and girl. But I also know how much work they can be. Hope you can decide, boy it would be so hard. I just love seeing all these beautiful puppies, it has been so much fun visiting you. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Terri
Okay, after reading this blog post I’m going to make my husband sleep on the sofa. Not really. But almost. I cannot believe he doesn’t want one of these puppies! Of course you know I’m going to say you need to keep TWO!
Listen to your own heart, and of course, hubby. You are experienced enough to judge what will be the sane decision for you. I’ve had multiple dogs over the years and as your dealing with now, when there isn’t harmony, it’s a big prob. And you cant know when dogs may just not like each other. (I don’t know if litter mates come to dislike each other?) On the plus side dogs can keep each other company for those times when human attention is scant. Whatever you decide, just keep going forward, Karla style!
Say yes to the two puppies. I have two 11-month old puppies, Suzanne and Anderson, who I got when thry were 7 weeks old and while I have completely bonded with both of them in different ways, more importantly they have bonded with each other as best friends. I can’t imagine my life without them. Beet of luck and faith to you as you make this decision!
Dearest Karla,
I have no doubt in my mind that you won’t be able to give another puppy enough attention and love ..it’s you girl!!Of course you can and they will keep eachother company when you don’t have a lot of time but I know they will be showered with love by you and your family … so pick a baby boy too!
much love and hugs
Karen B. ~ Todolwen
Aw… keep them both… How could you not? You already are twice or three times the puppy-loving caregiver that most people are… Come on…. I think you can’t refuse… They are sooooooooooooo adorable.
Way to cute!!!! I say you just go for it.. Keep 2. Especially if this may be your last time having puppies!
JUST GO FOR IT!!!!
P.S. I want one LOL…
Hi Karla…those babies are just adorable. You have a hard decision. I am “owned” by 3 beautiful Havanese pupsters…can’t imagine life without them. I know they will be my last dog family….one of the saddest things for me getting older….
I think you will know if a good family turns up for them…or if they are meant to be yours….and then some how…it will just all work out on the journey!
Your puppies are just TOOOOOOO cute!!! If I ever thought I could handle a dog, I would want a Yorkie, and I’d have to get one of yours because I know they’d be well taken care of.