Happy New Year!

We wish you health and the true riches of life - Ralph & Lois

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

Zayne can hardly wait!

 I'm trying to stay calm -- Santa is coming -- Santa is coming!

I know this is my stocking - Even though I have undecorated the tree - unwrapped presents -- I know I'm going to have a great Christmas -- love, Zayne

K-9 Christmas

This photo has been attached to several e-mails, and I've seen it on FaceBook.  I'm posting it here - just in case you didn't see it.  I can't imagine how they got all of them to sit there for the photo ~~

Nitro's mom was afraid

that the first picture she sent us didn't show off his handsome face, and she was right!  Just take a look at those beautiful tan points and his sweet sister, Lucy.  Thanks for sending more pictures!  We love seeing them ~~

Nitro and his sister visit with Santa

We received a nice e-mail from Birdie's sweet boy, Nitro:

Hi Lois,

Please show Birdie her beautiful baby boy during his first visit to Santa. It’s not the clearest picture, but he enjoyed his visit with Santa and is sure to get everything he asked for since he is such a good boy! His stocking is hanging next to Lucy’s, just waiting for Santa to arrive…………the anticipation is killing him! LOL.

Birdie wants her boy to know she loves seeing his picture and wishes him a very Merry Christmas - She's excited for Santa too - - I keep telling them they can't bark so loud or they'll scare the reindeer!  

Congratulations to our Cherish!

Cherish graduated at the top of her class from the ABC Puppy School.  This class was for basic obedience, but the instructor added a lot of fun stuff.  The last two classes included a little preview to agility.  I'm not sure that's something we want to pursue, but our little Cherry loved it. 

The classes took place on the basketball court of our local YMCA - lots of distrations!  It was a great experience, and we plan to continue her training/socialization in January. 

Zayne giving Rudolph directions to his house!

Here's little Zayne chatting with Rudolph - maybe he thinks he get a message to Santa this way!

One of Birdie's boys catching some zzz's!

The tri pup to the left of the picture is "Nitro" -- a puppy from Birdie's litter before she came to live with us.  Nitro has the same father as our Cherish and Mercedes' August litter, too.

He's napping with his new sister, Lucy in Maryland. ~~ Merry Christmas, Nitro!

Reindeer practice - Dancer and Prancer

 Birdie - trying to shake the antlers off

 Okay, I'll keep them on, but I won't look at the camera, and I will NOT smile.

 Cherish - playing reindeer games!

I'll only do this if you sit really close to me - I don't want to look silly by myself!

Where did I go wrong?

One minute I was helping put lights on the tree - next minute the lights were on me!  It's a good thing I have this cute face, or I might be in trouble.  This is our little Zayne formerly "Snowcone".

Merry Christmas from Cheyenne

This is Cheyenne and her family - what a handsome trio!  They wrote to wish us a Merry Christmas, and we want to wish them the same!  I love getting their Christmas pictures so I see how quickly they are growing!

Cheyenne is one of Ivy's pups. 

(Hey, guys - you should take a picture of your mom and dad with Cheyenne!)

Another puppy checking in - Kolby (Cotton Candy)



This was the day I met Kolby's family - we met in centeral Penna to make the trip a little shorter for them - then he headed to his home in Maine




Kolby has reached his destination - Skowgean, ME




He made himself right at home very quickly




Practicing to be the world's cutest Rudolph!

Now, we've heard from another one of our boys!  Kolby is doing very well in his new home.  I think he's found a wonderful family to care for him - His family is going out of town for a couple of days, but Kolby and his sister are going a babysitter - much better than going to a kennel!

Look at our boy, Louie -- aka Popcorn

 Napping on the blanket we sent home with him - blue is for boys!

 Here he is meeting friends -- they were afraid someone might snatch him and take him home! 

This is a photo from 11-28 -- our precious boy -- growing so big!

We had such a nice e-mail from Popcorn's family -- I have been thinking of him so often -- the last puppy to leave is always the one you get attached to . . .  Louie is doing fine - they had just returned from the pet store where they bought the "squeakist" toys they could fine -- we love you, Louie!      

Funny story for Black Friday

Yes, I was up at 3:30 a.m. and out of the house by 4:00 a.m. - I swore I wouldn't do it again this year, but here I am again.  First stop was our local Walmart - picked up a couple of their electronic specials and saw a 5 lb bag of sugar on my way to he checkout - of course, I need sugar -- good time to buy it.

So, in my buggy it went.  I took the Walmart items home and threw them on the couch ~~ safe place ~?~  Jumped in the car again and headed for a local mall in Ohio.

We came back to find the our dear, sweet little Cherish had ripped open the 5lb bag of sugar on the couch ~ Was it a mess?  yes!  I don't think she ate too much but certainly had fun with the paper bag it was wrapped in - Moral of the story -- whatever you buy -- don't wait - put it away!

if you missed it on tv, we have the link! We're proud of you!

This is Ch GRF's Legendary Heart Breaker a.k.a. Little Chip.  Cherish is quite proud of her cousin!

If you were still cooking, eating or cleaning up your Thanksgiving meal,  this is the link to see him show - Keep in mind he is only 11 months old.  I held him last year as a puppy at Connie's.  His mother is Lloyal - Llinger's sister.

Click to watch:  Link

Thanksgiving through time . . .

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Mr. Emerson wrote this in the 19th century - my great grandparents would have been alive in this time frame - the same could be written today in the 21st century --

I know that Willow will be cheering!

AKC dog show ~ after the Macy's parade

The AKC dog show will air at 1:00 p.m. following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on the ABC network.

Our friend Connie Probst will have one of her dogs in the show - The show is being held in Philadelphia.  The dog that is entered is Little Chip - This is Llinger's nephew - which means he is  cousin to anyone who has a Mercedes/Llinger pup or Birdie/Llinger -- Of course, he would have to win his class (Am. cocker / parti variety) to be part of the sporting group.  It's still fun to watch -

We cheering for you Chip!

Do you know what a "Thunder shirt" is?

Many of you know we have been taking Cherish to puppy classes.  I have been very impressed with the wealth of information the trainer has shared with us.  She teaches more behavior modification than obedience - well the two go hand in hand.

There is a 7 month old rescue dog in the class - "Gracie" - she's a designer dog -- labor - doodle.  They got her from someone who kept her in a crate 24/7.  She really is a nice dog but has a long way to recovery -- I give them all the credit in world for adopting her.

The trainer is really trying to help them make her recovery easier - last night she gave them a "Thunder shirt" to try to help calm her down - ease away the stress.  Gracie actually looks like the top photo. 

It's the same idea as wrapping a newborn infant as tight as you can in a receiving blanket - remember that?  The gentle pressure from the shirt is to calm the dog and ease some anxiety-  Velcro holds it tight under the neck and under the belly. 

If anyone wants more information on the price/website - just let me know.  I'm hoping it helps Gracie.  p.s. - Cherish was the star pupil - I'm so proud!

Easy Pumpkin pops!

Many people know the secret of feeding their dog canned pumpkin for a case of the "runs". 

A few weeks ago a woman who was in PetSmart started talking to be about natural food for dogs.  She asked me if I knew about the benefits of feeding canned pumpkin.  I told her that I did but didn't do it on a regular basis because of the mess - (you know pumpkin in their ears!).  Well, she had the rememdy - she opens a can of pumpkin (plain - not pie filling), spoons it into icecube trays and has pumpkin treats on hand all of the time ~ genius!

We've been doing it for a couple of weeks now - no fuss, no mess and our dogs love it.  Birdie wasn't to sure about it the first day but can't wait to get hers now -- just thought I should share!

A tired girl - Birdie

We spent a large part of the day outside splitting and stacking wood.  Birdie enjoyed her day - she's making friends with our other dogs very quickly.

Everyone is bushed tonight - She's found her spot - Ralph's lap.

Fable of the porcupine

Fable of the porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever. - Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

Moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities

One more picture of our happy day -

Mercedes and Birdie posing for another picture - That's our Zoe Rose peeking out from behind me - she didn't want her picture taken because she needs a haircut!  They're acting like sisters together -- I think a pajama party is planned for tonight - they're taking naps as I type!

Bringing Birdie Home

Well, the big day finally arrived - Mary's friend Janice and her husband drove Birdie part way to meet us with Birdie.  What a sweetheart!  It only took a few minutes to calm her down - too much noise around us.  She just needed a little bit of one-on-one attention.  I know it was hard of Janice to say goodbye to her.  Janice, Mary would not let me have her if she didn't trust me to take care of her - and that is a promise.

30 minutes later - we're home and introduced her to all of our kids one at a time.  Ralph sat on the ground and held her while I brought them out one at a time for "meet and greet".  She was a little bit scared of Ralph's scooter but now thinks nothing of it.  Soon she'll be like the other dogs and expect a ride!



Am I still shining my sink?

Well, yes I am - they keep talking about babysteps, and that's what I'm doing!  We also get a daily e-mail.  This was today's - so I guess I better get moving.

Thought I would share -

Dear Friends:







It has come to the time to go after those counter tops!! Your


mission for today is to scrub those counter tops. Not just the


average wipe down that we do after dinner. Now it is very easy to


make this task overwhelming but if you take this slow and easy you


can do this! DO NOT TAKE EVERYTHING OFF OF THE COUNTERS AT ONE


TIME!!!! I promise you will get sidetracked and then you will all


email me crying that it is all my fault!! LOL! You just move your


toaster (or coffee pot or whatever this is an example here! :>) )


over to one side and wipe down the counter, then move over a foot or


so, move aside what is there and wipe down some more and so on. We


are not marathon cleaning the


kitchen here, just getting all the crumbs and junk that seems to


build up behind and under things. Have fun! Don't obsess! Enjoy!

Big Day Tomorrow

 Tomorrow Ralph and I are heading out to pick up a little red/white girl, Biridie.  She is currently owned by SBG cockers.  Due to health reasons, they are placing her with us.  ~ ~  No, that sounds too cold -- My friends, Mary and Phil are having some serious health issues and are shutting down their kennel.  Biride was looking for a home, and Mary knows what kind of home we can provide .  Birdie was actually bred at Crescentmoon Cockers and found her way to Pennsylvania.  She just had a litter to Llinger (same dog as Mercdes' mate) this past fall.   We are happy and sad - happy to have a beautiful girl like Birdie be part of our family - but sad of their circumstances.

I am excited to see her in person - I just bet she loves to have her ears rubbed, and I'm the girl for the job!  Check out for more pictures - I hope we remember the camera for once! 

Promised Pictures of Cherish

Well, here we are in the rain - don't expect great pictures, but I wanted you to see her!

We started puppy school with her last week.  I haven't actually formally trained a pup in a long time.  She's doing fine.  We enrolled her in a formal school so that she can earn her K-9 Good Citizen Award and then hopefully go on to be a Therapy dog.

We're like the Post Service - snow, sleet or rain won't stop our training.

And we're back - We actually went up the road and back - A car going way to fast for our little road scared her half to death.  She's a good girl.

Go Shine Your Sink - will it work?

We've just finished up with 10 weeks of 4 puppies (although precious) running our household.  That's not to mention 5 adult dogs (and soon to be six - another story) in the mix.

I also failed to mention that while I'm work everyday Ralph can absolutely trash a room - or given the chance - the whole house. You know I love him dearly, but 3 dog crates still in the living room, the kitchen table piled high with AKC information, bills and junk mail - and did I mention the sink is stacked with dishes that were not there when I left to do the weekly shopping this morning.

I am willing to try just about anything to get our life back in order - atleast improve our present situation - this is where "go shine you sink" comes into the story - the website is flylady.net  this is the link "click here".  She's talking about babysteps - I can't imagine starting with more - - - Anyhow, my sink is shining (at least for the moment) supper is in the crockpot -a recipe from her site, and I'm going to read some more of her ideas.

I realize this doesn't have too much to do with cocker spaniels, but maybe it does.  I spend a lot of time with them, and the house continues to look worse.  The first five years of my life we lived with my grandparents.  My grandma was the world's best cook, housekeeper, and anything else you want to suggest.  She didn't wash her windows twice a year - she washed them weekly.  She would cringe if she could see how me now.

But not to fear - new day -- hopefully new ideas from Flylady - I'll let you know what else I learn!   P.S. our new little girl Cherish is doing great - I promise pictures soon.

Look - I found my family

Popcorn found his forever home today - He's 10 weeks old - several families liked him, but it just wasn't quite the right fit.  The search is over - can't you just tell they're meant for each other?  Check out the other goodbye pictures on the website -- sunsetoakscockers.com / nursery / goodbye  - - the house is quiet again.

New kid in Town

Here we are again, and I can't post pictures to the blog - very discouraging.  From what I can tell, it is a widespread problem, and I'm not alone.  I will try again later tonight to post a picture with my story.

Many of you know I traveled last Saturday to deliver Kolby to his new family in Central Pennsylvania - in essence "drop off" a puppy.  What you don't know is - I drove a little bit further to "pick up" a puppy!

We have a new girl here with us.  She's a very beautiful brown/white parti pup.  Llinger (who is the father to our litter) is also her father.  We're still working on the AKC name, but her "call name" is Cherish.  We'll probably call her Cherry for short.

Another happy story!

Today was an extra special day for us!  We delivered Maxwell to his new home.  He is going to live with his half brother, Murray!  They both have the same mother, our Mercedes. What a joyous time.  I havent' seen Murrary for a whole year.  (I think he remembers me - dont' you?).   He is a beautiful boy, and I can tell Marcia takes wonderful care of him.  He has such good manners - Marcia, do you give lessons? 

 I'm calling them the "M&M boys".   - please visit the website - click Nursery - then Goodbye for more pictures. 

The hardest part of raising a litter of pups is letting go - There's always a little tug at my heart when the day comes for the puppy to leave us.

Click on the Nursery tab and then Goodbye Pictures - Two have gone to their new homes today, and one goes tomorrow.

Now we have pictures!

If you know me, you know that I don't give up easily!  I got the pictures to load.  This is part of Kolby's new family.  They're staying at home in Maine, and Mom and Dad are picking Kolby up.  What a wonderful week for them all!

Last Night in Penna for Kolby

Well, the blog is playing tricks on me once again, and I can't upload any pictures -  It's too late, and I'm too tired to figure this out tonight.

Our little Kolby (Cotton Candy) will meet his family tomorrow and head back to his residence in Maine. 

He's our first little guy to leave - I know he has a wonderful family to go home to' it's just hard to say good-bye.

8 Week pictures

Our 8 week old pictures are ready for viewing - click here!

Snow Cone

Yes, that's a leaf in his mouth!  They don't want to take pictures - they want to play!!  Check back - we're working on it!

Cheer for "Little Chip"

This pup belongs to Connie Probst (Llinger's owner).  His mother is actually Llinger's sister and litter mate.  (Cousin to our current litter of puppies).  He'll be showing in Maryland this weekend and might capture is Championship title.  This is quite an accomplishment since he is less than 10 months old!  Way to go Chip - Way to go Connie!

A beautiful day in Pennsylvania!

With temperatures near 80 degrees today, we spent a lot of time outside.  The puppies loved it!  Enjoy ~

Almost forgot!  7 Week pictures are posted!