Celeste and Dublin's puppies during their sixth week:
Purebred AKC Border Collie puppies.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Puppies' Fifth Week Pix
Celeste and Dublin's puppies, four weeks old.
AKC registered, purebred border collie puppies.
AKC registered, purebred border collie puppies.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Puppies' Second Week Pix
Here are some photos of the Colorado Border Collie puppies leading up to their second week. Click on the image to advance the photo.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Puppies' First Week Pix
Here are some photos from the border collie puppies' first week here in Colorado. Click on the image to advance to the next picture.
Puppy's First Week Video
Astraean Border Collies is proud to announce,
A litter of Purebred Border Collie puppies out of:
Dublin Rex X Adventure's of Arabelle Celeste
Six beautiful and healthy puppies, born naturally on December 6, 2007 in Denver, Colorado.
Three Boys and Three Girls, weighing 10.25 to 15 ounces at birth.
"Nothing better in the whole wide world than a Border Collie puppy."
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Puppies' First Day Pix
Here are some photos from the Puppies' first day. Click on the image to advance to the next picture.
Border Collie Puppy Cam
Celeste and the rest of us are a little tired, so we're about to put the lights out and let her and the newborns get some sleep (it's been a long day for all of us).
But, you can catch some video of Celeste and the pups while the lights are still on at:
http://celeste.mypets.ws
You'll need Internet Explorer, not Firefox. Just click on View Video, and perhaps you'll need to hit the space bar and refresh the page or even install the ActiveX control so the camera will work with your browser. When the lights go out the video is too dark to see much. Celeste does deserve her rest though.
I haven't slept in 24 hours either, but I'm as high as a kite.
I'll try and keep the video on the pups for as long as we have them, so feel free to check back often to watch them grow.
But, you can catch some video of Celeste and the pups while the lights are still on at:
http://celeste.mypets.ws
You'll need Internet Explorer, not Firefox. Just click on View Video, and perhaps you'll need to hit the space bar and refresh the page or even install the ActiveX control so the camera will work with your browser. When the lights go out the video is too dark to see much. Celeste does deserve her rest though.
I haven't slept in 24 hours either, but I'm as high as a kite.
I'll try and keep the video on the pups for as long as we have them, so feel free to check back often to watch them grow.
Boy, Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl, Girl
We just got back from the vet where Celeste delivered 6 melt-your-heart perfect pups naturally with a little help from some Oxytocin. Weights range from 10 ounces to 15 ounces, with no runt, and a big healthy girl at the top. Three boys and Three girls, delivered boy - boy - girl - boy - girl - girl, so the ladies made a big come back at the end to tie it all up.
They are just so boisterous and beautiful. I am SO proud of Celeste, she is a stellar mom and really handled everything with aplomb while the human part of the equation fussed and freaked. Her first pup was cleaned and on a teet before I knew what happened and each was delivered pink and screaming. All toes accounted for, not so much as a hair out of place, and plenty of milk is now flowing to these healthy gulpers.
Truly an amazing occasion. I'll post some photos later, but just wanted to share the good news.
Cheers,
Christopher & Family
They are just so boisterous and beautiful. I am SO proud of Celeste, she is a stellar mom and really handled everything with aplomb while the human part of the equation fussed and freaked. Her first pup was cleaned and on a teet before I knew what happened and each was delivered pink and screaming. All toes accounted for, not so much as a hair out of place, and plenty of milk is now flowing to these healthy gulpers.
Truly an amazing occasion. I'll post some photos later, but just wanted to share the good news.
Cheers,
Christopher & Family
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
98 Degrees and Falling
According to most of the literature and the advice of the Vet, once the Dam's temperature drops below 98 degrees Fahrenheit, you have between 12 and 24 hours before you should expect the first puppy.
Well, Celeste has been putting up with the engineer in me taking her temperature twice a day and she's been gradually dropping for the last two days. Now, taking a dog's temperature is about as fun as taking a toddler's temperature... in the you-know-where; the big difference is that the toddler doesn't have sharp teeth attached to a powerful jaw. Not that Celeste isn't the perfect angel, it's just something to consider.
Just a few minutes ago we had the big drop to 97.6, so it looks like the puppies are on their way and Celeste is right on time with her gestation. Celeste is definitely aware that something is amiss as she's wrapped herself up in a blanket on the couch. She does have a certain flare for the dramatic.
This seems to fit with the observation that the bitch will pick the most inopportune time to go into labor... at night, on a weekend, when the vet is closed and the only other option is the 24 hour emergency clinic if you're fortunate enough to live near one and can hope to afford it if you do.
Luckily, one of the best Emergency and Referral Clinics is right down the street from us in case we need their services and I've filled out new patient information sheets there and at a Vet that's down the street, just in case we're in a rush and can't make it out to our Vet of choice.
A friend from the dog world who is studying to be a Vet specializing in canine reproduction was going to assist in the birth if she didn't have an exam when Celeste decided to whelp, and guess what, she has an exam tomorrow so it looks like we're on our own if Celeste is quick, or we'll make our appointment with the Vet tomorrow if she takes her time.
Fingers crossed that all goes well. Time to go over all my notes and re-read those whelping books again. Nothing better to do, and it's certainly more productive than pacing in the waiting room and counting the cigars.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Celeste Is With Child
That little bundle of white and black is positive puppy sign! The Vet was able to see three puppies, although he suspects that there may be more based on the placements of the three he was able to identify, and his palpitations of Celeste's abdomen. Hopefully 4 is enough to count as "more," since no one wants poor little Celeste to set any records with her first litter.
Ultrasound is hardly the most accurate measure of how many pups a dam is carrying, and I don't feel that an x-ray is worth an exact count. So it'll be a surprise come December 6th, assuming the puppies arrive on time.Doctor Sargent wasn't able to tell us how cute they'd be, although he gave us his assurance that if they weren't cute we could send them back.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Celeste x Dublin
With her chastity belt removed and Celeste in full heat, Dublin proved a willing and able stud and the two have successfully mated.
More than in her previous heats, Dublin has been particularly aware this time around, very keyed in to where Celeste is and what she's doing. There's no denying the pheromone aspect of canine courtship, as Dublin will smell Celeste through her chastity belt and come away tasting the air, sucking in short breaths through parsed lips... almost like a baby suckling on an invisible pacifier. He even makes little sucking noises while doing so.
She seems to me more receptive this time around as well. She was not as nippy to Dublin during her early heat and now that she is standing, her flirtations are becoming much less subtle than before.
Dublin has never been an aggressive dog--especially sexually--and I don't recall him ever humping a leg, or even showing much interest except during Celeste's heats. He certainly exhibits none of the supposed ills of an intact Male: he's not aggressive, frustrated, a wanderlust, nor has he challenged me for alpha male. In fact, I suspect he'd be an omega dog if our little pack were any larger. He's the sweetest boy and that really doesn't change even when Celeste is in season.
The two of them have been quite flirtatious as of late, snuggling and kissing. Since they're only together while they're inside and Celeste has her "Seasonals" chastity belt on, we've calmly managed to suspend any mounting attempts, although Celeste is pretty good at keeping Dublin off with just a "smile."
She started standing last night so we allowed them to mate today. Some of the literature suggests repeating the mating in 48 hours, but as of now we hope one mating will suffice. We're not hoping for a large litter and it wouldn't be a travesty if this mating doesn't take.
Border Collies are a particularly healthy breed, not known for complications during mating, pregnancy, or birth. If today's mating was successful, I hope that the rest of the pregnancy and birth goes as easy as the mating did.
More than in her previous heats, Dublin has been particularly aware this time around, very keyed in to where Celeste is and what she's doing. There's no denying the pheromone aspect of canine courtship, as Dublin will smell Celeste through her chastity belt and come away tasting the air, sucking in short breaths through parsed lips... almost like a baby suckling on an invisible pacifier. He even makes little sucking noises while doing so.
She seems to me more receptive this time around as well. She was not as nippy to Dublin during her early heat and now that she is standing, her flirtations are becoming much less subtle than before.
Dublin has never been an aggressive dog--especially sexually--and I don't recall him ever humping a leg, or even showing much interest except during Celeste's heats. He certainly exhibits none of the supposed ills of an intact Male: he's not aggressive, frustrated, a wanderlust, nor has he challenged me for alpha male. In fact, I suspect he'd be an omega dog if our little pack were any larger. He's the sweetest boy and that really doesn't change even when Celeste is in season.
The two of them have been quite flirtatious as of late, snuggling and kissing. Since they're only together while they're inside and Celeste has her "Seasonals" chastity belt on, we've calmly managed to suspend any mounting attempts, although Celeste is pretty good at keeping Dublin off with just a "smile."
She started standing last night so we allowed them to mate today. Some of the literature suggests repeating the mating in 48 hours, but as of now we hope one mating will suffice. We're not hoping for a large litter and it wouldn't be a travesty if this mating doesn't take.
Border Collies are a particularly healthy breed, not known for complications during mating, pregnancy, or birth. If today's mating was successful, I hope that the rest of the pregnancy and birth goes as easy as the mating did.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Meet My Dogs
Border Collies are a gift I inherited from my father, and most of my 27 years have been filled with at least one by my side. Measuring my life in dog years is as fitting a benchmark as anything that appears on my resume, transcripts, and secret FBI file. The memories and images I store of them in my mind and in my heart are more meaningful than my bank balance or the sum of all my possessions.
Here are 99 images that document the last two years of my dog life and the two special dogs that wrote the story, Dublin and Celeste.
Dublin is an athletic tri-colored male from pure working lines. He has a heart of gold and a playful charisma that you can't help but adore. He talks, especially when he's hungry or wants to play Frisbee, and the morning doesn't officially start until he's climbed up my lap, placed his paws around my shoulders, and gotten his fill of hugging. He sleeps on his back, on my bed, or even cuddled in my arms and when he was a puppy he'd sleep on my pillow and suckle on my hair. He's a soft dog who always aims to please, and he loves riding in the car with his head (or most of his body) out the window.
His full name is Dublin Rex. Dublin is Gaelic for "black pool" which fittingly describes his deep saucer-like black eyes and the depth of his calm character. The Rex is Latin for "king" and stands for the regal quality I so admired in my last Border Collie male, Black Jack, hoping that the name would instill the same confidence and air in Dublin. As a pup and even now, he loves to play King of the Hill, perching on the back of the couch, at the head of the bed, or crawling up to the highest vantage point in the car.
Celeste is a gorgeous classically marked female from American Agility and show lines. She's razor sharp and an outstanding athlete, always topping her class at anything she tries. I'm no judge of conformation, but if she has a fault I can't find it. Her feminine charm has gotten her dubbed 'Miss Priss' around the house (or Miss Piss when she was a puppy, despite the fact that she house trained herself before we used even one box of puppy pads). She's the most affectionate Border Collie that most people have ever met, but she's in no way needy. Her excited wiggle and generous kisses win over hearts wherever she goes, and her complete lack of standoffish neuroticism that is common in Border Collie bitches makes her quite the exception. Her uncharacteristic warmth is juxtaposed with an amazing tenacity, she is proof that the female of the species is more deadly than the male. She's swift enough to run down a rabbit and agile enough to catch and dispatch squirrels as they try and escape the apple trees in the center of the yard. I've seen her catch at least three in mid air as they leap from the tree to make their escape. She's a hard dog who is easy to train, an independent woman who is self assured as any, and in all respects a force of nature.
Her full name is Adventure's of Arabelle Celeste. Adventure is the kennel name of her outstanding breeder and Arabelle Celeste is a combination of "beautiful Earth" and "heavenly" which suits her personality as both grounded, beautiful, and exceptional. The Gaelic for Comet is "Realt Eireabail," with Realt meaning 'star' and Eireabail meaning 'blazing tale;' so Celeste's name evokes a star streaking brightly across the sky. It's also a play on "Belle Star" the famous Wild West female sharpshooter, and Celeste embodies the tough girl who hasn't lost her feminine side ethic. The "belle" in her name is a legacy from my previous Border Collie female, Bonnie Belle.
Here are 99 images that document the last two years of my dog life and the two special dogs that wrote the story, Dublin and Celeste.
Dublin is an athletic tri-colored male from pure working lines. He has a heart of gold and a playful charisma that you can't help but adore. He talks, especially when he's hungry or wants to play Frisbee, and the morning doesn't officially start until he's climbed up my lap, placed his paws around my shoulders, and gotten his fill of hugging. He sleeps on his back, on my bed, or even cuddled in my arms and when he was a puppy he'd sleep on my pillow and suckle on my hair. He's a soft dog who always aims to please, and he loves riding in the car with his head (or most of his body) out the window.
His full name is Dublin Rex. Dublin is Gaelic for "black pool" which fittingly describes his deep saucer-like black eyes and the depth of his calm character. The Rex is Latin for "king" and stands for the regal quality I so admired in my last Border Collie male, Black Jack, hoping that the name would instill the same confidence and air in Dublin. As a pup and even now, he loves to play King of the Hill, perching on the back of the couch, at the head of the bed, or crawling up to the highest vantage point in the car.
Celeste is a gorgeous classically marked female from American Agility and show lines. She's razor sharp and an outstanding athlete, always topping her class at anything she tries. I'm no judge of conformation, but if she has a fault I can't find it. Her feminine charm has gotten her dubbed 'Miss Priss' around the house (or Miss Piss when she was a puppy, despite the fact that she house trained herself before we used even one box of puppy pads). She's the most affectionate Border Collie that most people have ever met, but she's in no way needy. Her excited wiggle and generous kisses win over hearts wherever she goes, and her complete lack of standoffish neuroticism that is common in Border Collie bitches makes her quite the exception. Her uncharacteristic warmth is juxtaposed with an amazing tenacity, she is proof that the female of the species is more deadly than the male. She's swift enough to run down a rabbit and agile enough to catch and dispatch squirrels as they try and escape the apple trees in the center of the yard. I've seen her catch at least three in mid air as they leap from the tree to make their escape. She's a hard dog who is easy to train, an independent woman who is self assured as any, and in all respects a force of nature.
Her full name is Adventure's of Arabelle Celeste. Adventure is the kennel name of her outstanding breeder and Arabelle Celeste is a combination of "beautiful Earth" and "heavenly" which suits her personality as both grounded, beautiful, and exceptional. The Gaelic for Comet is "Realt Eireabail," with Realt meaning 'star' and Eireabail meaning 'blazing tale;' so Celeste's name evokes a star streaking brightly across the sky. It's also a play on "Belle Star" the famous Wild West female sharpshooter, and Celeste embodies the tough girl who hasn't lost her feminine side ethic. The "belle" in her name is a legacy from my previous Border Collie female, Bonnie Belle.
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