Finally get back to finish blog and second thoughts as the old grey matter churns around

Oops, accidently published before doing the word stuff. Will hope to get back later with the words. School run beckons.
Back again. First some updates, starting with three pups from Dolly's Cavapoo litter who left us around five weeks ago.
The first is Molly over in Jersey. Thanks Andy and Lynne for the updates, video and photos of your Molly. Especially like the email that came with the photos, which I have copied below.

Hi Jane,
video to follow.
Love her, love her, love her!!!!
Regards
Lynne & Andy

And heres the video of Molly.

Next is Molly's sister Dotty. Thanks for the updates Caroline and great to hear how your daughters are bonding with her.
Hi Jane!
Hope all is well your end! Just thought I'd let you know that we're changing to Millie's wolfheart dog food as they were EXTREMELY helpful and it has sorted the loose stool situation. And that Dotty is fabulous still-she's growing fast (and looks identical to your pics of Treacle)! Was so proud as yesterday my daughter Annabel, aged 9, who had severe cynophobia in the past, went (fairly) confidently into the ring and trained Dotty for the whole hour session-including a fantastic recall performance-their bond is obvious, and so very special for us to see!
Best wishes
Caroline x

Dotty

Last but not least from Dolly's last litter is  Darcey. Thanks Karen for the updates and photos.

Hi Jane,

Sorry we haven't been in touch, we waved goodbye to Cary's exchange partner this morning and I must confess I am reeling ! As you can see Darcey is just fabulous! I have had to tell someone this morning that we will not be breeding from her, the lady was almost in tears!

She continues to delight everyone who meets her, she has zero problems with other dogs and is a star with children. She starts puppy classes on 1.10, but already knows sit, stay and down.

Everyone who meets her comments on her looks and they must think I am heartless mummy when I say but they are all like her!

We have had gardeners in this morning and she demonstrated her fearlessness by watching while they used a power saw!

Hope all is well at Pound Lane and love to all of you!

Karen

Next tonight is Poppy who is from Dolly's Cavapoo litter 2011 and she is a full sister to the three above but not obviously from the same litter. Thanks Julie for these cute photo's and update. Always good to hear from you. I think a lot of dog owners will know the 'look' you mention and recognise it from the photo.

Hi Jane
Thought I'd send you a couple of photos of Poppy, including one taken by my daughter capturing what we now call 'the look'. This look is used by Poppy on various members of the family in order to get what she wants and is used to ask for different things from each of us. She uses it on me whenever I'm in the hall with my keys for an extra walk or just to come with me, on my husband for a taste of something he's eating and with my daughters to be on their laps while doing their homework at the kitchen table (not the most efficient way of getting homework done!). As you can see from the photos it is pretty hard to resist.
She continues to be an absolute delight and I honestly can't get over how much we all love her. I take her up to Durham on the train to visit my parents as her appearance really perks up my dad who has dementia. He'll often get mixed up with who I am but never forgets who Poppy is!
Best wishes and a big get well hug for Reggie.

Julie and family x

Last update now with Jenson who had his first Birthday just over a week ago on the 22nd August. Thanks Nadine for this group of photo's of Jenson.

Hi Jane,
Firstly, we wish Reggie a speedy recovery, we're sure he'll be back to his usual sprightly self really soon.
Thank you for the birthday wishes for Jenson. We had a lovely day celebrating with him yesterday.
Please see attached for some recent photos of Jenson. He is a gorgeous dog, really lively and such a character. When we go for a walk inevitably someone stops us to ask what breed he is or comment on how handsome he is... which, though biased, we always agree!
Love to you and your family.
Nadine, Ben, Lula and Jenson x

I just would like to say at the end of the updates tonight. Reggie is back fighting fit and thank you for all the get well wishes for him. Much appreciated.

Ysobel pups are now just over nine weeks old and all will have their lastfull weekend with us this weekend and the next weekend they will of all flown the nest. Their second vaccinations are booked on the next Wednesday and I am busy getting their puppy packs ready for them to join their families. Ysobel has done a grand job yet again of raising her pups and they are ready for the off. The first group of photos are over the last few days.

The next group of photos are of the pups today just after going out in the rain, hence Charlie looking a bit wet and curly. These four pups have got real Teddy Bear coats.

Because its getting a bit late just a few words on activities at Poundlane. Firstly breeding from Smudge with Reggie is not yet written in stone and a few second thoughts are creeping into the old grey matter and when you see the photos below of Smudge and Henry together you might understand.
Smudge is not just a good looking dog, if temperament was measured  on some sort of scale she would be exceptional. From a pup just days old it was evident she just was very happy being close to humans and happily would lie  in your hand relaxed on her back Like her Mum when you touch her you can see that it instantly relaxes her. I'm pretty sure we will only breed one more litter from Smudge and this litter I will want to retain at least one if not two pups. So I'm thinking I might be kicking my self if I don't breed her with Henry. That would mean not going on her heat around December time but waiting until the later part of 2014.
Crossing with the Brittany which is a more lively breed it is best to use the most soundest of tempered Cavaliers, as we attempt to breed a healthier Cavalier type spaniel. Although Henry is also a very affectionate dog who sleeps most of the time on his back, which shows he is not to stressed about much. He also loves human contact and very bright  at six months old already knows how to open most doors in the house, can ask (bark) on command,sits, lies, leaves an object on the word leave and retrieves. Nearly forgot that he also kisses on the command, "Kiss, Henry." Unless I have been just terrible fortunate I think the Brittany may prove to be the right cross. Very low average breeding coefficient in this breed and  four generations back on Henry's pedigree he has eight relatives with unknown parentage on his Dads side. No noticeable line breeding on Dads line but a line coming through on the Dams side with her parents being second cousins. Believe me for a purebreed he is about as good as it gets for genetic diversity.
I did say just a few words and it is getting late, so will try and wind it up for now. I think a Smudge, Henry litter might be a good mix, just concerned about to much white and maybe a pirate or two, which is when their is only coat colour over one side of the face over and around the eye but that is just aesthetics.
I know next year I can put my hand on my heart, all health tests okay that Jessica will have a litter of first cross Cavapoo f1's but still not so sure on other litters. Once Ysobel's pups have left we will get on with getting MRI scans done for the rest of the pack and that will also give me some help in making the next moves with breeding from our dogs. Some may of noticed a new page, The POUNDLANE Spaniel. This page I will hope to soon get thoughts and an outline of what I am trying to achieve and for those who think you can't breed without a wriiten standard I'm going to give you one, admittedly a vague one but it neither the less will be a place I will strive to arrive at, a spaniel happy and healthier than the pure Cavalier.
Now I must go leaving you with photos of Henry looking a bit like a Beagle or is that a bit like a Irish Red and White Setter.

Nearly forgot these funny photos our son Bert took of Treacle and Henry snuggled up together. They are real mates, as the photos bear out.
Finally because I have had such lovely email updates lately and from some who before having a pup from me, have either never had any pet or never a dog as a pet and are realising the bond is much stronger than they imagined that connects between a dog and a human. I finish tonight on this touching quote, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of the soul remains unawakened", by Anatole France.