Guncle Randy came to visit last week and we had big plans for crafting every day in the studio while puppies ran around our feet.
Then this happened. Poor, little Freddy got sick. And the weather turned snowy, so the other pups were cooped up indoors. Not only was I up with Freddy throughout the night, holding him, medicating him and getting him to the vet, I had major cleanup to do nonstop with 15 other pups who couldn’t go outside to play. 
16 pups are a ton of work on a good day, if you want to do it right. It’s important to keep them and their area clean, if you want to housebreak them. They need to know that pottying just anywhere isn’t allowed, so if they do, it needs mopped up. And the scent needs to be removed so they learn that isn’t the spot to go in.
Oh, they got fleas too. And were too young for chemicals. They had to be bathed and gone over with a flea comb, it was the only treatment I could do. Sixteen little wrigglers who needed to be gone over with a fine tooth comb multiple times isn’t a speedy activity.
And with new families being far away, or not able to visit due to covid, I want lots of photos to send to them. Plus, the dogs need to learn manners, I have to de-worm them, do their shots, make special food, and most of all, snuggle them, of course.
(Videos of the babies can be found on Instagram at Cottage Doodles, and a few are on my FB page)
They also needed their fluffy butts shaved for sanitary reasons. Which reminds me, I think they are due for another shave before they go home next week…
But we did not give up. We might not have done all the fun plans we had (face painting for Halloween, working in the studio, watching horror movies all week) but we did squeeze in an hour of air dry clay crafts in front of The Witches.
I made this doodle out of clay, Guncle Randy whipped up some pumpkins. But I was too tired to stay up for the end of the movie. I knew I’d be up taking care of my little buddy, Fred during the night, and needed at least a bit of sleep.
Since Randy has gone, the weather cleared so the babies are running (and pooping) outdoors, and Freddy Puppy is doing better.
I had time to paint the clay piece to look like a Bernadoodle for a friend (she raises those) and make some doodle face cupcakes for her birthday too.
What a relief to have this sick boy feeling like himself again!
What a darling guy he is. After having him inside with me all week, and watching him struggle to survive, while staying soooooo sweet and loving, it will be hard to say goodbye next week.
Even at his sickest, he tried to drag himself to his pee pads, and now that he is running around, he is extra good at hitting them. What a good boy. 
He is able to go on walks with the other pups, but mostly lives inside with us. He has this playpen to sleep in, and it is so handy. Huge and ugly, but handy.
We will use it in hotel rooms when we deliver puppies to the east coast, it folds up in seconds.
Thank you for all of your well wishes for this pup.
And thank you, Randy for your support. Sorry it was such a hectic, stressful visit.
Poor little puppy! Extra sad when they are sick and so young! I’m sure you are relieved that he’s on the mend.