The Jack and Marie Litter - Week Five

Ongoing Saga of Northrock’s Beach Blanket Bingo Litter – Week Five

Friday August 28, 2020

Dear puppy pen diary,

As soon as the beach bums got the hang of the great outdoors that’s exactly where they have spent a good deal of their time this past week. By Tuesday, Day 32 they had been outside a few times a day enjoying the texture of the deck, graduating to the feel of the grass. Three to four times a day the pups are outside learning about wind in their faces and the feel of dirt beneath their toes, warm sunshine on their faces and the cool shade under the tree.

They met their Adventure Box on Tuesday afternoon. Uncertain at first it did not take them very long to figure out how fun it was to be grabbing the items hanging in their faces or that the clang of the metal wasn’t anything to be worried over.  

Mid-week a ramp was installed over the stairs for easy access to the yard for the pups. It has cleats that run horizontally to give them better grip. It has been very interesting to watch them on their journeys both up and down on that wooden ramp. They sure are getting stronger and much more coordinated as this week rolls along.

Eating 3-4 meals a day now, some of these are being served outside. Their most favourite meal is lunch whether courtesy of mom in their pool or whether being served inside their Adventure Box. After which these little porkers are guaranteed a long afternoon snooze.

Mom Marie is doing beautifully and back to her usual schedule in life. Walks with P!nkie up the hill and goes rock hunting in the creek, she is attentive to the pups when they need her, ever watching them from the deck when they are out on the grass.

P!nkie is having the time of her life and man what a great big sister she is. She loves to play bitey face with them and holds her enthusiasm at bay with magnificent restraint until her zoomies get the better of her. She gets excused from the puppy yard until finished and then is welcomed back into the puppy pen. Just a pupper herself she is the epitome of all that is Barbet. Honest, joyful, gentle and incredibly smart, she is such a fun girl.

Til next week!

Susan, Sweet Marie, P!nkie et al  

These puppies all have special homes waiting for them. If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

The Jack and Marie Litter - Week Four

Ongoing Saga of Northrock’s Beach Blanket Bingo litter – Week four

Friday August 21, 2020

Dear puppy pen diary,

Such a busy and eventful week we just finished here in the puppy pen. The pups settled into their new digs immediately last Saturday and were right at home in no time at all. By Tuesday they were out of their whelping box and their space had been slightly increased.

Pee pads were exchanged for litter boxes staying in the exact location as their pee pads. Rib bones for 10 minutes a day were introduced on Monday to prepare them to start using their jaws in advance of the introduction of solid food later in the week. 

I must say, the bones went over very well! Pups had their first solid meal late day on Wednesday and as usual they were quite up for their newest challenge. I am very pleased to report those pups ate with gusto, nothing left in those bowls!

How delighted the pups were when they met some puppy people from 2 of their family homes this week. Their first and earlier visit had some charming, sleepy and mellow babies in the arms of their admirers. 

Very much awake for their second visit later in the week they again were their usual

charming selves, especially Mr. Von Zipper as he ripped around the puppy pen doing his best impression of being a “big boy.” Talk about zoomies!!

Their 4^th week ended with introductions to hard interactive toys the morning of their 28^th day, a switch from all their soft stuffies. 

And best of all their outside playground was finished and ready for their first adventure. What a fun time they had even if it was only a mere 15 minutes. They were pretty sleepy puppies after that excursion.

And so ends their 4th week and as they greet their 5^th week there are many more new adventures on their agenda.

Til next week,

Susan, Marie, Pinkie et al.

These puppies all have special homes waiting for them. If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

The Jack x Marie Litter - Week Three

Ongoing Saga of Northrock’s Beach Blanket Bingo litter – Week three

Friday August 14, 2020

Dear puppy pen diary,

So many new things this past week. Everyone’s eyes are fully functioning and in fact I found Lorelei one day growling at the Mickey Mouse toy that sits on the bedpost of her whelping box.

When I started laughing it startled her and she toppled over. Well that just confirmed all hearing is also functioning, they can sure hear their mom and sister when they are using their outside voices, haha. The pack also graduated to their wearing their big dog collars early in the week.

It’s a daily observation that this bunch are growing by the minute, just look at the whelping box pictures! It is definitely getting smaller by the day. Made even small after I started lining the one side with pee pads. They have been very successful with using these pee pads and by instinct make their way across the space and hopefully get there in time. They are pretty good already, encouraging for the introduction of their litter boxes next.

While they mostly spend a great deal of their days eating and sleeping you can find them playing with each other in that clumsy puppy way. Large soft toys and cat beds have been added to the whelping box to get them more coordinated and for stimulating their senses as they go over and under them.

The finale for this week was their move from the whelping room into the kitchen space so they can continue on their journey where there is a lot more action and noise. They have handled the move extremely well and are completely at ease in their new environment. A much larger space with lots of light and sunshine and of course fresh air. Although still in their whelping box for now, at the rate they are progressing they will be out of that in just a few more days ready to get exploring.

Who knows but maybe they will be outside for some recess play by the end of their 4^th week? Time to get their playground all set up and ready to go.

Mom Marie is doing well, catering to her litters every whim and P!nkie is still enthralled with her siblings yet keeping a respectful distance….for now!

Til next week,

Susan, Sweet Marie, P!nkie et al

These puppies all have special homes waiting for them. If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

The Jack x Marie Litter - Week Two

Ongoing Saga of Northrock’s Beach Blanket Bingo litter – Week two

Friday August 7, 2020

Dear puppy pen diary,

Still neonates with specific needs, this crew has been fascinating to watch as they develop and you can start to see their own little personalities emerging. From Day 3 through to 16 we have been doing some Early Neurological Stimulation. Basically we introduce them to such stressors as having their feet tickled and being held in different positions. This crew does not like their sleep interrupted to have these exercises done and have made it very loud and clear to me in no uncertain terms just what their impressions are.

However, at the end of the above stimulating exercises is the Early Scent Introduction where I hold in front of their tiny little noses a new scent every day. This calms them almost immediately and cranky pants puppies become very keen and very much awake puppies. They have liked all the scents, were instantly drawn to the blue jay feather and then the coffee grinds. But, the best introduction to scent was meeting their sister P!nkie over the side of their pen.

Marie has let P!nkie into the whelping room all this week but never allowed her to get too close to the pups until just this Friday when she permitted these siblings to meet each other for the first time, even if for just a couple moments. P!nkie was delighted as were the pups at her fresh smell. I am sure many good times are ahead for this bunch.

The beginning through to mid-week eyes were opening and the room had the shade pulled down so as not to damage those wee puppy eyes. By the end of the week we had 14 little eyes gazing into the distance, everything is still out of focus of course but, this will improve over time. Those little ears are well on their way to hearing so maybe in just a few more short days they will begin to hear own barking….yup, they bark already.

Marie is doing well, eating like a horse and is slowly getting her fitness back. We have started to take her on “leashed” walks around the pond once a day. While on these walks P!nkie careens through the forest and crashes through the creek and Marie gazes wistfully at the fun she is having. Poor Marie would love nothing better than to take part in this adventure if it weren’t for that darned “leash.”

Week 3 starts with introducing puppy pee pads in the whelp box to encourage them to start keeping their house a little cleaner but it also is the first step to the use of puppy litter boxes which will be introduced in their fourth week.  This will be their last week up in the puppy whelp room as they will be in need of much more stimulation….much more!

And it just gets more fun every week! Oh and by the way, Lorelei is the first pup to graduate to her “big girl” collar from her puppy collar on her 14^th day.

Catch you next week from the puppy pen. Over and out.

Susan, Sweet Marie and now P!nkie et al

These puppies all have special homes waiting for them. If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

The Jack x Marie Litter - Week One

Saga of the Northrock Beach Blanket Bingo Litter - Week One

Friday July 31, 2020

Dear puppy pen diary,

On Friday morning July 24, 2020, Our Sweet Marie with her usual flair decided she would have her pups in the closet of the spare bedroom completely disregarding the fact we had been sleeping together in the whelping room for the past 5 days and she knew the space well.

Marie made it very clear to me standing outside that closed door at 7:15 am, after being in Stage 1 labour all the previous night that it would be in my best interest to open that door. Now to be fair to Marie it is a room she was familiar with and the closet did have a stash of stuffies and dog beds but it was a room we did not use.

I have come to understand in our 3.5 year relationship together that Marie always knows what is best for Marie and so deciding to go with the flow I said “Sure, let’s get it done. But just to let you know it will only be 1 pup!” We barely had time to strip out the closet and lay some bedding down for her before she presented us with Frankie at 7:33 am Friday July 24, 2020.

We moved swiftly to the whelping room as soon as Marie gave us the green light where she quickly had Annette, Sugar Kane, Bonnie, Eric von Zipper, Bullet, Lorelei and was finished whelping by 8:52! That’s approximately 11.5 minutes each. Let me tell you it was all hands on deck at our house that morning.

Marie is doing very well physically and has rebounded with great aplomb to her typical sweet self. She dedicates her days to cleaning and feeding her offspring with great gusto and stands politely with a watchful eye when I am cleaning the puppy pen and weighing pups twice daily. Which by the way by Day 6 all the pups had doubled their birth weight, good job team.

Nail clipping commenced on Day 3 and will continue every 3 days going forward. Oh my gosh, let me just share how difficult a task that is to achieve, those nails are itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny little things that are clipped with human nail clippers, a very steady hand and nerves of steel.

Some soft toys have been introduced to the whelping box on Day 5 to give a little bit of a challenge crawling over and around them. They stimulate their senses and besides that they also make a great place to rest and snuggle for a minute while on that long trek across the pen to get to the other side.

P!nkie has been an incredibly patient big sister this week. Although she can hear those siblings she has yet to meet them and she is so very intrigued. Perhaps she will get to meet them this coming week but, first we will have to have Marie’s permission of course.

Week 2 is about to start and we just may find a few eyes opening and maybe some ear flaps dropping and their hearing kicking in. Then we’ll be in for a noisy rambunctious time after these 2 senses are functioning.

Catch you next week. Over and out from the puppy pen.

Susan, Sweet Marie, et al

These puppies all have special homes waiting for them. If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

Welcoming the Jack and Marie Litter

GCH Treebeard's Jack Of All Trades x CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN      ****These puppies have all been spoken for *****

On July 24th, 2020 under Susan Luyendyk's watchful care, Marie gave birth to a beautiful litter of seven puppies. There are four females and three males. Many thanks to Jack's owners, Janet Black Evans and Brittany and Karsten Grolle for all of their co-operation. 

Mama Marie and her little ones are doing great and we are looking forward to watching these precious pups grow and develop.

If you would like to follow the litter's progress please join us on Facebook and like our Northrock Barbets page to see frequent updates and photos. 

Upcoming Litter Plans at Northrock Barbets

Summer 2020

*** THIS LITTER HAS ALL BEEN SPOKEN FOR ***

   The interest list for a puppy from this litter is full.

Jack x Marie
GCH Treebeard's Jack of All Trades x CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN

This litter is co-bred with Susan Luyendyk and the puppies will be born and raised at her country home which is located east of Toronto.  The dam of the litter is Susan's wonderful girl Marie (CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN) and you can read more about her on her page.  The sire of the litter is GCH Treebeard's Jack of All Trades.  A healthy, handsome and good natured Barbet who is a big teddybear of a dog. Much gratitude to his owners Janet Black Evans and Brittany and Karsten Grolle for their support and co-operation in making this litter possible.  

The Mango x Marie Puppies Leave the Nest

Northrock's "K" Litter  

Born Oct. 8, 2019

GCH Courailee Roi de Thulé Mango x CKC / UKC CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN

Time flies when you're having fun as the saying goes! How true. What started out as just a "dream"  the beginning of 2017, when a young Barbet, Sweet Marie entered our lives, came to fruition finishing off 2019 perfectly.

Marie and Mango have produced such a lovely, evenly matched litter that are happy and well adjusted youngsters. It has been a great pleasure handing them over to their owners and families to continue on their life's journey. Very delightful when we have updates and pictures of their progress and hear of how much they are loved. So very satisfying to see them becoming good, solid citizens.

It truly does take a village and so many names to mention and friends gained along the way, that I think it wise not to try in case I miss someone. The exception here will be to thank from the bottom of my heart Stephanie Dixon for her guidance and unfailing support along every step of this journey. Without it, we would still just have that "dream."

Erik, thank you so much for the many hours preparing in advance for and then helping me raise this litter. You have once again been a "jack of all trades" as you supported yet another adventure. 

Marie will continue on in 2020 with her Rally-Obedience work, Scent work and she is scheduled for Therapeutic Paws of Canada testing later in the summer. As I watch keeper pup, Pinkie grow, once again "it started as just a dream the end of 2019" comes to mind. Watch for Pinkie in the show ring spring/summer.

Over and out!

Susan Luyendyk and Sweet Marie

And now to present the Mango and Marie puppies, in order of departure;

Northrock's Kamloops Mister B (Butterball) went home to Prince George a couple weeks ago. Dave picked up this brown bundle of adorable puppy and flew him home with a stop over in Calgary where Mr. B charmed all in sight before he finished the long trek home to his waiting family. This gentle soul is in for the time of his life hiking and swimming during the summer and cross country skiing in winter with Annie and Dave and their family, lucky boy! Looking forward to seeing this little man grow over the years.

Northrock's Kindred Spirit (Pumpkin Pie aka MJ) was our second pup to leave the puppy pen. Our little "Kissy Face" girl with her sweet and gentle nature is now known as Stella. Mary and Dom are head over heels in love with little miss Bella Stella and we look forward to hearing of her life with grandkids, walks in the park and maybe even accompanying Dom on his photo shoots. 
  

Northrock's Khloe is Keeping it Real (Apple Crisp) was our third pup to leave for her family. This incredibly cheerful little sprite left with Michele and daughter Kate and Khloe hasn't looked back. Khloe's family are all thrilled to have her join their lives and spend time with each of them. Khloe's future involves barn visits to see the family horses, enjoying the great outdoors with all it has to offer and future performance competitions. Her mom, Sweet Marie is thrilled to know she may see her "kid" out there in the performance world at some point in the future. We can't wait to see Khloe progress!

Northrock's Knock Knock Who's There (Nutmeg) was puppy number four to exit to his forever home. Kash is one lucky boy as he gets to live with another Barbet, Chloe. Now, Chloe is still warming up to having to share her people with this rambunctious boy but, by the looks of it "King" Kash has definitely moved in! His new family are delighted with him. Hanging out with his sister and swimming in the family pool when the weather is suitable are the future for Kash. I expect we will see Kash often!

Northrock's Keep Calm Carry On (Maple Syrup) is one lucky little girl! Maple gets to live with this young family and be the dog they will all remember growing up. This affectionate youngster has won her entire family over with her gentle and soft ways. Maple's future sure looks busy as her  family include her in extracurricular activities that are likely to include walking, hiking and beach visiting in summer with snowshoeing in the winter. Young Isabella has agility in mind for Maple as a future activity and again mom, Sweet Marie looks forward to perhaps meeting up with another one of her "kids" in the performance ring....can't wait!

So, this brings us to puppy number 6. Erik and I are the lucky new owners of Northrock's Key to my Heart (Sweet Potato). Pinkie is staying here on the farm with her mom, Marie and her people. Confident, joyful, saucy and precocious all rolled into one, this bundle of energy has turned out to be a great fit for her mom. Already Marie is teaching Pinkie the tricks of the trade and we are now the proud owners of not one but, two Frisbee freaks. We start puppy classes in the new year and Pinkie along with her mom will be out in the show/performance world this coming spring and summer. Some fun times lie ahead for us in 2020. We are betting we may just run into Khloe and Maple somewhere on our travels, won't that be fun?

Mango x Marie Puppies: Eight Weeks Old

Dear Puppy Diary,

Such a busy week the pups have had as they finish up their eighth week. For the first time in their young lives they are acting like real "dogs" albeit little ones but, dogs none the less. Personalities are shining through in the puppy pen and it's getting easier to recognize the barks and play sounds of the individual puppies from another room.

The beginning of the week definitely had great weather allowing for plenty of puppy play out in their outdoor puppy pen.  Some cold early morning romps put a glow on those little cheeks. Four to six times daily for thirty minute stretches at a time.  Their conformation has been studied twice and their temperament test was completed on Saturday. What an amazing litter, they are all so close in every aspect.

 
The potty box is a favourite place to nap LOL

We stepped up the potty training yet again.  After their late night meal, we put the pups out with their mom for their last evening potty break.  This is working very well.  No playtime allowed at this potty break.  The only good thing about it being so cold at 10:00 pm is the ease of getting pups back inside quickly.  Brrrrr, too cold to be out.

🎶Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow 🎶 

The Mango and Marie puppies think this white stuff is terrific! December 1st.

The pups finished this week with the best play time ever after we received a snowfall that started midday Sunday and stopped Monday afternoon.  The pups were so delighted to be chasing each other and chasing these funny things falling from the sky.  They came in from that morning's romp, wet, weary and completely satisfied.  They were smiling as they settled for their morning nap.

The pups are busy putting the finishing touches on themselves in preparation for their departure to their forever homes in the next week.  Just a few more appointments and they will be ready....where has the time gone????

                             Until the next update,

                                                          Susan Luyendyk and Sweet Marie

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress.

Mango x Marie Puppies: Seven Weeks Old

In this video the puppies are 42 days old. They are enjoying some playtime in their puppy pen. They are a quiet and content bunch, for the moment anyway.

The weather has been very good this week and the pups are outside several times a day now and enjoying every minute of their new play spaces. Here they are exploring their exercise area in the front yard.

It was so much fun to be able to get together with other Barbet breeders and go over the Mango and Marie puppies on Sunday the 24th. The sun was out and we enjoyed observing the pups at play, running about the yard and we were able to get them up on the table and evaluate their conformation. Thank you Carole Bouthillette and Janet Black Evans for sharing your opinions of the litter. Susan Luyendyk and I are so pleased with the overall quality and consistency of the pups. They are a nice bunch of Barbet babies and they have wonderful personalities.

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress.

Mango x Marie Puppies: Six Weeks Old

Frequent updates and photos are posted on our Northrock Barbets Facebook Page if you would like to follow the litter's progress.