Part of the workforce

3 cockers reported for work today - top photo Snickers and Candy taking a break - doesn't everyone get an afternoon Siesta? 

Bottom photo is Clark hiding from the boss -- good job, kids!

Lexie and her new Big Sister

Lexie has a new big sister - Lily.  Pictures don't lie - they have bonded!  Looks like they're sharing a beautiful tree too ~ Merry Christmas pretty girls!

Friends now - soon to be Brothers

This Clark from Mercedes litter on the left and Snickers from Birdie's on the right.  They will be going to the same home.  Yes, they are mad about the Santa hats, but it was a Kodak moment.  Sorry, boys!

Clark and Candy -

Beautiful day out today!  Puppies were outside again - Candy (left) and Clark got their picture taken before we went back inside.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The puppies put on their "best" for the holiday - cannot believe they are 5 weeks old today -- This is Clark - he wore a bandana so he didn't look too girlie!  There's also a little video on the website.  Today was their first day to go outside - They loved it and slept the rest of the day!  What a life!  :))

It's a dog's life

 Lexie is on the left - Almond Joy to the right - exhausted!

Lexie's family visited over the weekend -She posed with her brother, Clark - a good time was had by all!

Snickers ~ 3 Weeks old

Our little man's pictures are on the website - He has such a pretty face!  Ooops - should say handsome!

New Picture Frame!

These pups really don't need "dressed up", but I couldn't resist playing with these picture frames - do you know who is who?

Our little surprise boy is 2 weeks old today!

Birdie's boy is growing so fast - he gets all the milk!  He had a hard time staying awake - maybe it's the "time change"!

Does anyone agree with Maxine?

I love Maxine!  And, you probably don't know - Maxine is my middle name!

I'm looking at you ~~ Lexie's eyes are wide open!

Check out their two week old pictures~~

One week old!

Our little Snickers is growing nicely.  The initial shock of his arrival has worn off, and we're settling into our routine.  Mercedes still thinks that this little guy belongs to her.  Fortunately, Mama, Birdie makes it quite clear who his mama is.  His one week old pictures are on the website - Enjoy

Almond Joy Invites you

to view the new pictures on the website - one week old!

I know my name!

I finally have a name ~ do you want to guess?

Clue #1:  I am a sweet treat

Clue #2:  my name is another word for chuckle - since that's what my Mama Birdie is doing - since she was the only one that knew I was going to born!

What's my name? 

p.s. for Birdie

We'll take pictures tomorrow - and update the website.  Of course, he is available - we didn't know he was coming!  He's a striking bl/wh tri boy - we're working on a name for him -- Any suggestions?

Birdie's Big Surprise

Birdie was bred a day or two after Mercedes - Mercedes had her puppies on October  20th.  There was no sign of pregancy with Birdie - well -- it was a well hidden secret!  At 6:00 p.m. she had a puppy - no long hours of labor - no watching her like a hawk - she simply had a puppy - I was running vaccum!

Birdie was bred to Charlie - who came out of retirement for this event -- Hats off to Charlie and Birdie - Is today April Fools?  I feel like a fool!

Baby Ruth found out her real name today

Here's the proud mama with her kids - don't mind my messy bedroom -

When little Clark's family visited on Saturday, they took a picture similar to this - so I suggest the pose to Judie ~ What do you think?  Kodak moment??

Same pose different view - Baby Ruth will now be called Lexie - and can't wait to meet her new older sister, Lilly

Sunday dinner with mom ~~

All of the puppies are growing by leaps and bounds!  This was the line-up at the dinner table - Notice Almond Joy finished first!

Newborn pictures are on the website

This is the little black/white tri male -

A promised picture

Here they are!  3 girls and 1 boy -- sorry it's not the best picture.  Better pictures to follow!

Puppies are early!

Mercedes presented us with 3 girls and 1 boy last night - Everyone is doing very well (Ralph and me too!).

We got to bed after 4:00 - everyone is resting - of course the other dogs wanted their breakfast at 7:00 - normal time - no rest for me!

We will be taking pictures this afternoon and should be on the website later today. 

The "wait list" has been notified of the early arrivals.  I'll try to sneak a picture soon -

Halloween Parade

Our little Cherry Pie as a good witch

This is Mya (she a Visula)

This is Deb with Noah and Cookie (they are red & green M&M's) !

Isn't this clever?

This young girl won a $100 prize

And the larger dog is Jasper - not sure who the little hotdog is-

What a pretty girl - Pebbles

We received such a nice e-mail from Pebbles and her family!  She's two years old already ~ of course, this is her "adopted" sister.  It looks like she finally accepted Pebbles into the family. 

Remember Popcorn?

This is Popcorn from our 2010 litter.  This was also the litter that Mercedes forgot to think "pink", and we had all boys.  They celebrated their 1st birthday in August - my apologies to all the boys for not posting that on the blog.

Popcorn is now known and loved as "Louie".  He lives with his family near Pittsburgh ~

Isn't it amazing . . .

the difference a kind pair of eyes and encouragment from a friend can make?

Hugs  :))

E-mail from Kolby - a.k.a. Cotton Candy

This is an e-mail we received from Kolby - puppy from last year's litter.  We called him Cotton Candy.  The funny part is that Kolby's new daddy refused to have a male puppy but finally gave in to his wife's pleas to adopt our boy ~ it sounds like it's a happy ending - what do you think?


Hello Grammie Lois,




This is Kolby checking in. Today daddy put me in the pool. I can swim and I even fetch my toy when someone throws it into the pool. Mommy and daddy are so....pleased! Daddy always wanted a dog that would fetch. Sometimes we play fetch for an hour or two before I go to bed.



I also will wag my tail when daddy calls "Kolby, Kolby, Kolby" but when mommy calls, I don't wag my tail. Mommy thinks I'm broken. LOL Even the UPS driver likes me. When he pulls in our driveway I sit and wait for him and start wagging my tail when he comes to the house. He has a little boy name Colby, I think that's why he likes me.



Piper ( my sister) has started to sleep w/mommy and daddy again. I guess she doesn't mind me sleeping on the bed anymore. One time I got off the bed and scatched the door to go out. Mommy let me out but she didn't follow me down the stairs so I started howling until she came down and let me out. I had to go potty! Remember that I like to sing, that is how I got my name after all.



We love him so.....much! Thanks for letting us have him! I'll send pictures soon. Hope all is well w/you and Grampy Ralph.

Update for Mercedes

I'm sorry to tell you that Mercedes' pregancy was determined to be a false pregancy - we were at this vet this morning. She is perfectly healthy - just no puppies this time. I am very disappointed - I thought she was having a very small litter - 1-2 pups.




The good news is she passed her physical with flying colors and can be bred in late summer. We will also be breeding our Biride around the same time.



My good friend Connie Probst (she owned the dog that would have been the father of Cedes' pups) is having a litter early May. I encourage you to give her a call 570-769-6958. She is located in Lock Haven - central PA. Also, Lynda Brittain 570-660-8397 is having pups this spring. They are both people who I trust and would recommend to anyone.

Mercedes pups - due soon!

Mercedes is doing very well - scheduled due date is April 28th - two more days.  She still has her appetite (takes after me!) - no early signs of labor yet - Stay tuned! 

Easter is coming - puppies are checking in!

Remeber Kolby from last year's litter?  He traveled to Maine to find his forever home.  From the pictures he sent, I would say he picked a perfect family.  We love you - Kolby!

The great American past time ~~

This is our son's senior year - had to share a couple of pictures.  I'll miss going to games.

Catcher

plays 2nd#3A hitsafe on first

A big hello from Charlie - we have quite a few Charlie/Mercedes kids

Charlie is dad to 7 of Mercedes pups.  Many of you know he had a serious back injury about a year ago (yes, they still think he fell off his bed!).  The good news is he has recovered completely.  He is now 10 years old - quite a good looking guy!  We love you Charlie ~~

First cookout of 2011

Master chef, Ralph

Birdie - waiting -or - sleeping

Mercedes with Cherry's tail!

How to Teach Your Dog To Use a Treadmill (American Cocker Spaniel Dog)

This was too cool not to share  . . . I think we'll have to give it a shot!

Happy Valentine's Day

These are some very old pictures -- Lol!!  Everyone on Facebook was posting old wedding pictures -- I did the same - if you're on Facebook and want to be my friend -  just Friend Request me -- Lois Lelii  --  I'd love to be friends . . .   Happy Valentine's Day ~~  Ralph and Lois Lelii   :)))))