3 Weeks Old

It's been a very exciting week here with the 7 puppies. In just the last few days all the puppies have opened their eyes, they can now hear, they walk and pounce on each other and are cutting their first teeth. Whew! They grow so fast. Some have exceeded four pounds and the others are close behind. I have less than a week to go before they will be eating solid food, relieving me of the nursing duty, yeaaaaaa.... Tail wags and licks, Zyla (Leader Dog Mom).

9 Days Old

It's been a tough first week! All 7 puppies are healthy and eating well. However, I (Zyla) got sick with a high fever on Friday night. Gary & Paula took me and all the puppies over to the Leader Dog Kennel where Dr. S gave me shots and an IV. We stayed all night. That Dr. S sure knows how to make a mamma dog feel better. In the morning one of my favorite people arrived to take care of me, Miss J. Later on Gary & Paula came to take all of us back home. I'm happy to report I am feeling better every day. But you can see from the picture it's a tiring job to be a Leader Dog Mom to 7 happy puppies. Got to go.... I think I'm getting a treat. Zyla

Family Portrait

Second Litter

Hello Everyone, I have finally rested up from having my 7 puppies on 11/30/09! There are 4 girls and 3 boys. The last one was my one and only yellow lab, it's a girl. We are all healthy and I'm feeling better all the time. As you can imagine; giving birth 7 times is quite tiring. I'm doing the best job I can to make certain they all become wonderful Leader Dogs for the blind.

Zyla's Second Litter; born 11/30/09

The puppies are coming...

I'm big and uncomfortable. We went to Leader Dog for my radiograph and counted 7 puppies (that's one for every day of the week). The puppies are due to arrive between Dec 1st and Dec 3rd. I'm currently getting my nursery ready; tearing up newspaper and making a nice little nest for the new ones. I'd like to have the puppies outside behind the shed, but Paula insists the puppies be born inside in the whelping box. Since my temperature had dropped this morning I could have the wee ones any time now. Will keep you posted--got to try to get some rest now. Zyla

Ultrasound

10/30/2009 A big hello everyone! As promised Gary & Paula took me to the Leader Dog Vetrinary Clinic today for my check-up and ultrasound to confirm that I am with puppy(ies). Michelle pushed around all over my tummy "Yep, she's pregnant" she said. Then I had an ultrasound where they saw multiple puppies. Someone even said "Let's hope for double digits!". Well, I don't know about that, but I am making several. Stay tuned in to find out how many we expect after my next appointment around the third week of November. Then Birthday will be Dec 1-3. I'll keep you updated, for now it's back to work for me (that's mostly resting up and letting those puppies grow). Big Bow Wow for now friends. Hugs & Licks,
Zyla

Fall 2009 Happenings

I recently went to the Leader Dog (LD) kennel where I was bred with Black Lab Tigger. Tigger is bigger than I am and quite handsome and mannerly. I will be having an ultrasound at the end of this month (Oct 09) to confirm pregnacy. A short time after that I will have an x-ray to let Gary & Paula know how many puppies to expect. LD thinks the puppies will be large and active! My due dates are Dec 1 thru Dec 3.
Even though I was a very happy girl at LD, I was also pleased to be back home with Gary and Paula. Since the weather is cooler now, I have been going on regular car rides. I love going places. As you know I am somewhat of an artist, so I have been doing a lot of "nose art" on Paula's car windows. She keeps washing them off and I keep doing them. What fun.
I was only home a couple of days when I had a close (very close) encounter with a skunk. Another new animal-more great smells! Gary and I went out the back door, down the deck steps and there he was. I guess the skunk didn't want to be friends because as soon as he saw me he turned tail and sprayed an awful smell right in our direction. Oh no! Fortunately, the skunk was not a good aim, but he must have missed me by an inch. Yikes, Gary thought the skunk might have gotten him, too. We were quite lucky, but it was a close call. I thought Gary might have to spend some time in the "dog house" till the smell wore off. Wouldn't that be a hoot? With any luck that skunk won't be back.
That's about all the news for now. I must get back to doing my job-making puppies. It requires much rest. Bow Wow for now.
Zyla, Leader Dog Mom

Fall 2009

Zyla the Artist

Zyla the Artist

Zyla the Artist

I didn't know Zyla was an artist until her puppy raiser sent me these paintings. She really is a multi talented girl.

Zyla Abstract #1: Hen & Chicks

My first year as a LD Mom

My first year as a "Leader Dog Mom" is drawing to a close. Shortly after it was decided my job was to be a Leader Dog breeding female, Gary & Paula became my foster family. Hmmmm......in just one short year here are just a few of the things we have done and experienced together:

• Became a mamma of 7 puppies; 6 boys and 1 girl (they are ALL in the LD first year program)
• Went camping at Sleeper State Campground in Michigan, Tall Timbers in Dayton, Ohio and Allegan State Fairgrounds in Allegan, Michigan
• Attended a Ladies Bible Study (with Paula, of course)
• Had fun at two High School Graduation parties
• Went to two picnics at Frolic Farms (a little farm owned by one of my favorite humans)
• Celebrated my second birthday in May
• Froliced in the "kiddie pool" at home, discovered love of water
• Walked 6 miles for the March of Dimes in Troy, MI
• Attended Leader Dog Breeding Stock and Puppy day, met up with many old and new friends there, including my first born puppy now named Obie
• Made fast friends with other dogs. First a Paws With A Cause puppy named Sampson and recently I met a neighborhood Malemute named Willow
• Visited Paula's parents and their kitty cat in Cincinnati twice
• Watched small aircraft take off at Romeo and Allegan airports
• Visited Linda & Bob at their home in St Helen, MI for the weekend
• Walked over to the youth "house" at church and got to know some of the young people
• Car rides too many to mention
• Let many children around the neighborhood love on me, I love them
• Visited a lot humans in their homes. Including Lori and Jim
• Regularly attended small group meetings at Jeff & Linda's home
• Shopped for my own food at the pet food store
• Journeyed in and out of stores at pet friendly Partridge Creek Mall
• Went to work with Gary and Paula

BOW WOW, just listing what I've done has made me tired. I'm off to do one of my favorite activities, taking a nap. Tail wags and kisses from Zyla.

My favorite time of day, "Food O'Clock" comes around once in the morning and once in the evening. Here you see me waiting (the food is in the bowl) for Gary or Paula to say the magic word-----"Okay"! Then I'm off.

Forty Seconds

I love to eat. My food is gone in 40 seconds, or less.

Head Shot

Head shot of Zyla, she is quite a serious girl.

Michigan Fiber Arts Festival 8 09

I and my humans are just back from a great time at the Michigan Fiber Festival. I knew something special was going on when they started packing up the camper. Was I going? I love to go almost everywhere they go. Paula got special permission to take me along and I am so happy she did. We arrived Wednesday afternoon and the fun began right away. There were so many new and exciting smells to sniff! Then some of my favorite friends started arriving. First there were Linda O and Bob: I last saw them when I visited their cabin in St. Helen this spring. The next day one of my very favorite people came, Annette along with Linda H. Better yet, Linda H and Annette slept in the camper with us. What fun. You know the bigger the pack the merrier. Annette got me so tickled I laughed when she played with me. When I got frisky my foster dad, Gary put me on a long lead and I got to run very fast in a large field. There were only working dogs at the festival. Some herded sheep and another was a service dog for one of the gals who had a booth there. There were also other types of animals; sheep, llamas, bunny rabbits.... so interesting to smell. My nose was working overtime. It was very hot for the first time this summer, we were all thankful to have AC in the camper--now that's "ruffing" it. Well, thanks for reading and I really must sign off for now because it's "food o'clock". Tail wags to all, Zyla.

Obie and Simba 7 09

These are 2 of my "boys". Obie my firstborn of my first litter at 8 months old and Simba, his sire.

Leader Dog and Puppy Day 7 25 09

On a rainy Saturday morning we got up early and went to the Leader Dog Campus. Woof! I was in for a real treat. I saw many of my Leader Dog friends, both human and canine. Among them were my puppy raiser Diane and her dog Donna. Of course the human helpers from Puppyland were there, too. I was even pleased to see the vets--since I was not there for an appointment. And though it rained we had a grand time. The icing on the cake was seeing my firstborn puppy. His raisers named him Obie and he is now 8 months old. I dare say he is a very handsome puppy as he looks much like his mother in stature and has the coloring (yellow) of his sire. I was happily reunited with Simba (the father of my 7 beautiful offspring), it was love again at first sight. Well, the entire day was filled with fun, fun, and more fun. I don't know who had the best time the dogs or the humans. Signing off for now with a big tail wag. Zyla

Sampson & Zyla Playing

Sampson & Zyla playing Winter 08

Zyla shares with Sampson

After a day of play, Zyla shares her big pillow with her best buddy Sampson.

Graduation Party

I went to a graduation picnic today with Gary and Paula. First we went to church where I sat in the car waiting for them to come back. It was an overcast day in Michigan, so it wasn't too hot for me. When church was over I saw my "Paws With A Cause" buddy puppy, Sampson. I think I'll post a photo of him and me later. He's my favorite play mate.
After church we had a lot of fun at a farm picnic. I had a big, long cold drink of ice water; I loved chewing the ice cubes. There was eating (but only the humans got to eat), playing volleyball, a big bouncy thing people jumped up and down on and much visiting. I met a new dog at the party, Katie. It didn't seem fair that Katie got to run around off leash while I was on best behavior. My favorite thing was watching the little kids blow bubbles. I really like the little ones. And of course I got lots of scratches and petting from many folks at the picnic. Whew, I was tired from all that fun. I slept on the way home and then took a nap with Gary. I wonder what I will do tomorrow???

I'm Young

AS you can see, I'm a young mama dog and had a lot to learn (and still do). I will be writting more about my exploits as a "Leader Dog Mom" in the days to come and updating you on all my comings and goings. Sincerely, Zyla AKA Baby Doll

Preferred Nursing

It's unconventional, but I prefer to nurse this way.

We're growing fast

Soon there were 7

Wow! Soon there were 7. And finally, the seventh one a girl.

Soon there were 4

Soon there were 4. They just kept coming. So far all boys.

Number 2 Puppy

About the time one got dried off, another one came.

Number 2

First Things

I wasn't sure what was going on. I was a young girl myself after all. Paula & Gary stayed up all night with me and by noon the next day we had 8 puppies. Seven boys and only one girl.

Zyla's surprise

I'm not sure what it is.

I'm Serious

I was getting BIG

I was having a great time. Playing and laying in the sun; going for car rides and long walks; generally being admired by everyone I met. Gary & Paula started saying "Everyone Loves Zyla". Only one problem, I was getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. I didn't know what was happening to me. Then one day.... stay tuned for the rest of the story.

One of the first things that happened to me at my new home was meeting a cat named Gandalf the Grey. You may notice a stroller in the background. Yep, you guessed it. The cat gets to ride and I do the walking around the neighborhood.

Zyla takes a dip

It was a hot day in Michigan. I like to cool off in a "kiddie pool".