Mom's 89th Birthday.....

What a beautiful sunny day. Mom began her day with strawberry/cream covered waffles with blueberries in each hole....her favorite. Flowers are being delivered and she is feeling so special. Becky is preparing her favorite Poppy Seed Chicken for her dinner, a strawberry cream cake is ordered and the Macintosh Apple Pie is out of the oven cooling. Mom is sitting in her new burgundy colored lift chair completely content with her life. Tonight there will be more family members and plenty of gifts to open. Pictures will be posted Sunday after I return home. Nothing like a sweet smile and a hug from your mother to start the day. I thank God that we have her here to enjoy and not in a nursing home, her worse fear. Thanks for the good wishes. She is stunned that so many people she doesn't know are thoughtful enough to send them. As I keep saying, cocker people are the best. Mary

Mom's home.....

Seems the insurance people have a time limit on pneumonia patients and Mom's time was up. She was able to walk well enough this morning with the physical therapist and us. So they released her to come home and see how that works. She's happy sitting on the couch watching the Food Channel with Mindy, her Bichon on her lap and Bonnie and Buffie, my cockers beside her. Life is good once again in her world. Your kind thoughts and prayers helped. M

I'm in Indiana............

Left yesterday morning at 5am. There was heavy fog for the first three hours driving out of the mountains to Rt 80. My way was lighted by the green eyes of the forrest creatures watching me go by. By the time I reached Ohio's Turnpike, the storm hit and sheet of rain filled the roadway with deep puddles and idiots driving too fast for conditions. One lady in a SUB spun out and into the cement wall. The old claims adjuster in me shook my finger at the guilty and reminded them to slow down! I arrived at 2:30 in Wal Mart's parking lot and called Becky for the shopping list, shopped, loaded up and on home. Mom is still in the hospital and will have therapy to reteach her to walk with her walker. We are hoping she will be home again by her Wednesday birthday. Thanks for your kind words and prayers. Philip tells me Thyme is doing better every day. Mary

My latest adventure......

I'm leaving here at 5am tomorrow morning for Indiana. Mom's 89th birthday is on the 30th and I don't want to miss it. She has been in the hospital with pneumonia and more of those small strokes. They are talking about releasing her tomorrow. I check my emails several times during the day, so please continue to write with your wonderful stories and photos. I will post them from Becky's if I can. Otherwise, I'll do it when I return in a week. Philip is staying here to watch over Thyme, who is recovering nicely. And, Archery starts on Oct 3rd and he doesn't want to miss a day! Gotta love the hunter. He provides us with delicious meats all year long.

Sienna's summer photos........

These photos were taken this summer as Seinna was lounging by the pool. I swear I'm coming back as one of my puppies and be spoiled, too! And.......did you ever see such a big mouth on a little girl! What on Earth is she saying!!! Oh Waiter.....where's my drink with a flower in it?

New Litter Announcement......

Thyme's littermate, Sky and our Pansy's son Frankie have had their second litter. All are healthy and beautiful. There are two black & white & tan males (one definfitely had tan ? about the second at this point), one buff/red female and one chocolate & tan female. This litter is owned by Marc and Michele Crews of Crews Cockers in Rochester, NY. We have trained them to raise their puppy exactly as we do and with the same guarantees and care. All are availaable at the moment. We encourage anyone who was waiting on Thyme's litter, to contact them immediately if they would like one of these sweethearts. Here is a link to their web site. Individual photos will be posted soon.
http://crewscockersandmore.com/Nursery.html

Update: Sienna's coming home........

Spoke to the doctor and he said Sienna is doing very good. He said the wobbliness will disappear in time. She can come home tomorrow Friday. Also here are a few pictures of her from this summer sitting and resting by the pool. Love Doris
(Photos will be posted tomorrow when they are resent small enough for me to get them with my slooooooow dial up. There will be some of her Homecoming as well. What a joyous day it will be. Mary)

Jason Link.....a soilder's true story of the power of prayer

The shot of Jason (my son) sitting on his HumVee was taken right after an IED attack on his vehicle. Bullet holes are visible through the front window. Jason was gunner that day. As they were driving through town, 2 IEDs exploded on each side of his vehicle. My son was not hurt, nor was anyone in the vehicle! A miracle? Absolutely. You see, Jason always said his prayers in the morning before a mission. This day he forgot -- until he was on his way as gunner to their mission point. As soon as he remembered, he ducked briefly back into his vehicle to say his prayers. That's when the IEDs went off. Because he was praying, he was not injured at all, even though he had shards of glass down inside his vest. Equally amazing is that no one in the vehicle was injured. His prayer protected his entire crew. I haven't worried about him so much ever since! I know God is watching out for my son.
........by Barb Link......yet another mother devoted to the safety, concern for and appreciation of our military family. Thanks for sharing

A word from Thyme........

Hi Everyone, I'm home and feeling much better. They have put me in the big 3x3 puppy pen in the living room so I can be a part of the family, watch TV and everyone can visit me without hurting my incision with their curious noses! I truly am blessed by all your good wishes and shared feelings for the loss of my babies. I know they are running and playing together over the Rainbow Bridge and will wait for me to come for them. Thank you, too, to all those who want me to be their Queen. Momma Mary tells me that my new life will be a pampered and fun filled life. Of course I have that here, but am willing to think about it. But for now, I plan to rest and heal and enjoy life again. I am one lucky and loved little cocker girl. Thyme aka, Little Kid

A sad end to Thyme's story.........

It has been a very hard day. Thyme had an emergency c-section and the entire litter was lost. Thyme has been spayed. Since she is such a young and sweet girl, only three years old, we will consider offering her for adoption to the right family. She deserves to be the Queen in her very own home. She is doing well and will come home tonight for special loving care. We are devastated.

Thyme's update.......9:38am

.......was a long night. This is a short note so you don't worry. Just checked and she is now almost fully dilated. The first puppy should arrive in another hour. Thyme is tired, but doing wonderfully. The first litter always takes longer. She is showing no stress or reason for a visit to the vet. More later........

Thyme's preparing for her puppies......

Today's the day. Thyme has begun the basic labor actions. She has refused to eat......a very big change in her routine! She is searching for a dark protected place and making sure I'm by her side. This process can take up to 24 hours. As soon as the litter is safely delivered, warm, fed and sleeping with Mom, a group photo will be posted here. Then the wait list will be contacted and the Nursery newborn page with all the individual pictures will be posted to the site. A link to that page will be sent to the wait list. After their selections have been made, the link will be added to the Nursery page for all to see.
Of course, it's raining today. Yesterday was beautiful with warm breezes and sunshine. Thyme's labor will be completed in the house and on the upper covered deck in privacy. This is a very exciting time for us. The miracle of a new life being placed into my hands is a very humbling experience. I'm truly blessed to be a part of it all.

Look how Charlie's brother Brinkley is growing.....

Kevin and Marsha report that Brinkley is so laid back.....such a good boy. He loves playing with his brother Jasper and helping Marsha to water the plants. I see he loves to lap water out of the hose just like Charlie. It's so wonderful to see how the puppies are living the good life!

Philip's birthday....

The day was a good one indeed. Janice and Lloyd Brooks had us over for a delicious supper of roasted pork and all the trimmings. Janice baked a ginerbread cake with a fabulous lemon sauce. And they gave him a large book of birds complete with recored sounds. The Ivory Billed Woodpecker went extent in 1935, however, they had included the recording of the call. Philip loves this gift, but the cockers can't understand where all the birds are making those whistles! LOL. Thanks, Janice and Lloyd. You're the best!!!

Happy 70th Birthday, Philip!

Grooming Expo '09..........

.....Hershey's Convention Center, Hershey, PA. I am watching the grooming competition. The black girl on the table being groomed is our Bee's sister. I wish the photo was better, but it so hard to capture a black dog! Connie Probst of Grumble Rock Kennels and I spent the day looking at new grooming equipment and products and meeting up with good friends. We met Bill Gorodner of Ging's Kennels, his friend and groomer Sue and her friend Lidia who has a mobile grooming van. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch and lots of laughs, too.

Sienna's 17th update.....

Hi Mary - Busy day yesterday sorry for not writing last night. Sienna was discharged from the surgical part of the hospital and admitted into the Pet Wellness Center where her rehab will take place. The vet said she would have - therapeutic exercise, gait training, hyperthermia, cryotherapy and neuromuscular stimulation. They're going to take each day as it comes and see what she can do. Today when the vet called he said - that for someone who had surgery only 5 days ago she is doing very, very well and responding excellently. She's eating and they love giving her attention because she's such a sweetheart. He also said as time goes on they'll know better how much strength she'll regain in the hind legs.

Tell Philip his house is awesome and good luck on filling the freezer.

Give all the gang hugs & kisses (extra to CC). Love, DORIS

Perspective.........

One day , the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the trip?"
"It was great , Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah , " said the son.
"So , tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.
We buy our food , but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added , "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have , especially your friends!
"Life is too short and friends are too few."

I thank God for all of mine. M

Phil's home away from home......

It's that time of the year again. Leaves are turning and tree stands are going up all over Tioga County. This was my tree stand location......a platform out in the open attached to three trees. When I could no longer hunt (or wanted to), suddenly my location became the choice one. As you can see, we now have a covered, secured, heated house safe from the wind, rain, ice and snow. Funny how that works...........hmmmmmmm.......might have stayed a little longer in this Taj Mahal! Philip also has three open ladder stands for archery season, but has been known to use this house in bad weather. Can't say as I blame him. The meat products produced from his harvest is well worth whatever it takes.....or so he tells me! God Bless the Hunter and keep him safe.

Livie......little CC's sister

............is waiting at home wondering where her little sister is and when she's coming home. Doris tells me she is getting a lot of kisses and special attention. Livie's love of chasing the critters around the yard was rewarded yesterday when she caught one and brought it proudly back for all to see!

Sienna's update this evening......

Hi Mary - I just want to say thank you to all the cocker lovers for all your prayers and kind words - they've been keeping us going. The vet that called today said "Sienna was eating but wobbly on the hind legs when they try to get her walking. So they have suggested for the good of all, to keep her there for a week of therapy and then teach me to do it at home. So with heavy heart, we have decided to let her stay the week. I've done nothing today but pray we are making the right choice. Love Doris

Update: Sienna this am.......

The Vet called and said she is eating and walking a little. He says she will need some therapy and hopefully will know more in a few days. So far so good. Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes. I know it has helped and will continue to do so. What a precious little red & white angel she is....just like her Momma.

Sienna......little "CC" needs your prayers.....

Please say a prayer for one of our puppies. Sienna is from CC and Charlie's first litter. She has injured her back /discs and is undergoing surgery tonight to repair them so she can live a normal life. Gary and Doris and CC's sister Livie are very sad and hopeful and can use some support from fellow cocker

lovers. Thank you. Mary

11:00PM Update from Doris:

The surgeon called at 7:35 to say she's doing well and sleeping.

She was a big hit at the surgery hospital. Everybody thought she was the sweetest thing. Such a good temperament. This couple had a 7 yr. old cocker and when they looked at cc all they could say was "what a beautiful face-where did you find her?"-- so I gave them your web address because all Gary keep saying to them - is you have to see her web site to understand what a great breeder you are and to see the great puppy's you produce. lol Doris

Boats' put away for the winter......

........Macey and Ron had their fun again this summer. Now it's time for those days to be sweet memories before a winter fire. I talked to them on Macey's second birthday. There were no new pictures of this summer's sailing, so I've posted the ones from last year.

Remember..............

Summer (Qyooby & Quincy's sister) sends new photos.

Summer's Mommy tells us what a sweet and good girl she is. She loves to go to her Grandma's house and swim in the pool, too.....just like her brothers. She is a very happy and loving young lady and well on her way to be completely house trained. We are very proud of our Summer!

From the look of these photos,

Summer sure enjoys her naps, too.

Qyooby & Quincy take a car ride.......

Momma took us for a ride to her work so everyone could play with us. We didn't like it at first and howled loudly. Then we had such fun at work that we were too tired to care on the way home and caught up on some most needed zzzzzzz's.

Here's our boy Shea......

This is a Daisy/Weylin son from our 2008 litter. His family reports what a happy and fun loving boy he is. Seems, like most of our cocker babies, he has a lot of admirers when he goes to the park to play. Of course with his happy-go-lucky personality, he makes a lot of friends. Shea was one year old last June.

Rolling right along.........

Driveway repairs completed, loads of new dirt/stones delivered and installed. Of course, that meant running to Sears for a new roller to pack it all down. A man and his tools.... adding to his never ending collection "to make my work easier." Gotta love 'em.

Note: Philip's riding his favorite garden tractor he purchased used in 1990.

It was ten years or more old then and he's kept it running and doing most of the work

around here. His Cub Cadet is used only when his old Sears riding mower fails.

He says the old Ford is him....when it quits, so does he.

Philip will be celebrating his 70th birthday Sept 19th.

Football season starts out great for #23......

Grandson Sam is running with the ball in green and happy after a great win in white. Looks like the Spartans are off to a great start! Go team Go!!!

Bella's first Agility trial.....

Hi Everyone. I'm Bella........Bailey's adopted sister (CC's daughter). A good friend of our family trains dogs for Agility and saw me playing in the back yard one day. She said I was a natural and began to train me. In a little over a week, I was entered in my first event. What fun!!! And they gave me a ribbon for second place. Everyone was thrilled and said I could do it some more. I'm so very happy they decided that because I absolutely love to run and jump and play. See me flying!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Dove!

We're having a Birthday party for Dove. I baked special biscuits for everyone and we've been playing ball all morning. Dove sends her love out to all her puppies and thanks their new families for taking such good care of them. Qyooby, Quincy, Otis, Summer and Sophie Ann have reported back to us that they are healthy and happy. Look for more photos of them in the near future.

Special "Hi" to Gma Sue!

Happy Labor Day from Thyme

No, I am not in labor on Labor Day! I have a little less than two more weeks before my puppies arrive. I just thought you'd like to see for yourself that I'm well and happy. My tummy is growing nicely and we can feel the puppies moving around. That's a strange sensation for me and I stick my nose on that wiggle wondering "what the heck is that!"

Hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday.

Thyme

Grandpa Basil and his buddies..........

Norton (red) and Ike or Mike (his brother left and we never knew which was which. So the name Ike -or- Mike stuck.)