Elfin Havana Silk Dogs

The Nursery...scroll down for our current litter!
At Elfin the nursery is an accurate description of our puppy rearing facilities. Our philosophy is that puppies, like children, deserve a safe, enriched environment with plenty of opportunity for socialization so that they can grow into adults who will be welcome in our society.  They are encouraged to play and explore and learn both inside and out.  Their nursery is in the front of a large open room whose back half is the kitchen so they are constantly exposed to activity, noises, smells (mostly delicious...grin), people and the other dogs. By 4 weeks they have been introduced to the outside in our puppy proof playground that includes grass, concrete sidewalk, brick patio, steps and a porch. They have a variety of playground 'equipment' including balls, tunnel, beach chair, concrete block 'bridges', skateboard, teeter totter, etc. Nothing like fresh air and sunshine to grow happy, healthy puppies.  Because we live out in the country, we have to import more people so we frequently invite friends and  people interested in the breed to come visit and play with the puppies. I used to have to borrow kids but now have 2 adorable grandchildren to help!

Raising puppies right is a LOT of work...it's time consuming both physically and mentally. In addition to socializing and caring for the physical needs of the babies, a good breeder will spend a lot of time screening homes so that she can find the very best home for each puppy based on the mutual needs of the puppy and new owners. A good breeder takes responsibility for the puppies she produces throughout the puppies' lives.  And the effort does not end when the puppies leave for new homes...support for owners is critical to the success of placements. At Elfin a good percentage of our puppies are sold either to repeat buyers or to people who have been referred by happy owners who adore their dogs.  We must be doing something right.  What makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile is the satisfaction of knowing that I been able to help others know the love and joy that a happy, healthy Silk Dog brings to our lives. 

Have we never had an issue? Health or otherwise? I wish!  But, no one can ever guarantee that she will never produce a puppy that may end up with a problem...all we can do is make the best breeding decisions we can, always work to improve, learn from mistakes, and stand behind ALL the puppies we bring into this world.  No breeder wakes up in the morning and says, "Gee, I sure hope I have an unhealthy puppy to bring misery into someone's life..." but, what separates a good breeder from the pack is how she handles a problem when it arises. Some try to put the blame on the owner or on outside issues...anything but accept the possibility that they have produced a puppy with a problem.  And it may very well be that an owner did not follow recommendations but that doesn't mean they need to be sent on a guilt trip, either.  Just as no breeder hopes to produce a health issue, I doubt that a properly screened owner wakes up and says "How can I screw up this puppy so I can complain to the breeder?"  The Golden rule is truly precious and one that I do my best to live by...and always, my first allegiance is to the dogs...their best interest has to come before any other motivations.  They bring us such joy and ask for nothing in return except to be loved and cherished (well, ok, let's be real...they want us to be their slaves...but I'm trying to be nice here...grin.)  Buying a puppy is a major exception to the statements that you 'can't buy love' or 'money cannot buy happiness!"  You can!  It's called a Silk Dog.

CH Bydand In The Mood At Concordia x CH Elfin No Limit Lollypalooza are pleased to announce the arrival of Lolly's Lasting Legacy, born 1/28/2012.

The Beginning...

Lolly, at 8 lbs, is a smaller Silk Dog.  We scheduled a C-section with my good friend and wonderful veterinarian, Steve Escobar DVM, who has a practice specializing in reproduction. We consulted on the radiographs and agreed that it was best to schedule a section as the best way to ensure both Lolly and the pups' health. I am very fortunate to have a colleague with Steve's skill to rely on when deliveries are non-routine.   When her little black beauties were passed out to us to work on while Steve worked on Lolly, we were so pleased to see them looking healthy and beautiful. As is usual with sections, the puppies were very sleepy from anesthesia and took some time, and lots of stimulation, to wake up but, when they did, they were robust!  We'd decided to use names beginning with Cl for the babies to honor Curtis and Lolly so have been tossing around scads of Cl names.  We finally agreed on Clever, for the girl, as we are sure she will grow to be a very intelligent, and clever, Silk beauty. Clever weighed 7oz.  Our little boy is already SO handsome that we simply had to name him after the sexiest man on the planet, hence Clooney. Clooney weighed 8oz.

Lolly came through the surgery beautifully...once she got home and into her whelping box, she was very happy to wolf down chicken and roast beef (Cathy was trying to eat lunch but Lolly insisted that she SHARE!), and sardines...along with her kibble. Dr Steve uses multi-modal pain management so she was feeling pretty good. The pups are nursing well and Lolly, who at first was a bit skeptical about the joys of motherhood, has decided that pups are pretty cool.  And, again, I am ever so grateful to Cathy and Les for allowing me to breed their baby, Lolly!  One of the many wonderful things about being involved with Silk Dogs is that there are the nicest people dedicated to these dogs!

Lasting through Week One...

Cathy will be providing the narrative for the Phase One while the babies start their lives at the Foldesi's home: 

I love just sitting and watching the pups grow and observing Lolly’s interaction with her babies.  I know I do not need to stay in the nursery room but I do not want to miss anything. I may never have this baby puppy opportunity again in my life so I want to enjoy it as much as I can. Les is such a great guy he said he understands.  When I sign off from emails now I write to folks by saying "I got to go now to watch my puppies grow." I have my phone, books on tape, TV/DVD player a puzzle, exercise equipment and cards to entertain me while I hang out with Lolly and pups. Lucky me!  This is a joyful time.  I am still managing to keep up with my household chores and not neglect my other pet’s kids. Am not cooking very good meals for us but Lolly is offered the best food. Have lost out on sleep this week but I don’t mind being a little tired. I can always sleep later.

Even after having surgery Lolly was doing great by Sat evening. After just a few hours she seemed strong and healthy again.  We seem to have a new kind of bond and communication between us. I seem to know when she needs help like for example when she needs to go outside. She only gets out of the box to do her business. On Sun night she jumped up on me while I slept and walked on me to say “I need to go out now”. Of course I helped her get out.  She always hurries back inside and watches for me to come down the hall too. She wags her tail all they way back to her babies. Lolly and I seem to have an understanding of our jobs. Mine is to take care of her and she takes care of the babies.  

TUESDAY  Doc removed their dew claws. They were troopers. Doc said they might be a bit fussy during the day but they were fine.  They are quiet and comfortable babies.  They are perfect babies.  Doc has been monitoring Lolly carefully too and was going to give her a laser treatment but when she saw her she said her incision was healing great. Her stitches will be removed on Mon. Lolly was glad to get back home to take care of her babies. 

Lolly has shown me a side of her I never knew existed.  She has been taking charge and seems to be a mature adult that is a leader rather then a pampered fairy princess.   When I try to massage the pups she is a bit pushy and does not really want me to handle them much.  She has really let me know what she needs.  For the first time in her life she has been telling me when she needs to go outside. We have had no accidents. The room the whelping box is in is a room my dogs hardly ever went in to.  In the past she has always followed the other dog’s lead. Thinking about it I guess she has never had to make decisions on her own, because at least one of our other dogs has always been with her.

Ahhhhhhhh I love just holding Clever and Clooney each in one hand while they sleep in the palm of my hand for a few minutes.  They curl up and seem so sweet and innocent. It makes me feel like I am doing yoga.  It is very calming, soothing and relaxing.   Maybe some folks would say it is a Zen like experience. Call me crazy but I even think the babies know their Grandma Cathy because when I give them their baby massages I put them near my face so they can smell me. When they are in the box I pet them and they seem to like it and do not squirm or flinch.