Raw Diet for ALL !!!

My dogs and I  have taken a long trip back in time!  Back to the time of our Cave Men ancestors...  Yes, the chis are officially on a raw meaty bone diet, along with cooked veggies and organ meat as a supplement.  Work Wonders Feed Your Animals Raw Meaty Bones, is the book that got me started, thanks to Kristy a past client and owner of Bailey (our Hershey). She started some 6 months ago and claims her dogs are NEW & IMPROVED!!! 

Thanks to Hopkins Meat & Packing in Sanford and Marie, the owner of it, I was able to do this with confidence.  She has a long list of clients who buy from her and will help me in my endeavor to feed my animals the best raw meat available... All it took was 40 lbs. of chicken necks @ $14 a box (and what a BIG box it is !) and some fresh chicken wings, which they were fed today that added another $10 dollars to the bill and off we went.  The amount of raw meat I am talking about is unbelievable--it will be in my freezer and fridge for a LONG time to come...  I still haven't finished rearranging my freezer to fit it all !  Would have been good to have a deep freezer, the kind that is JUST a  FREEZER, in my garage...

Have to say, I was not only skeptical but, afraid too.  All my life I have believed the commericial dog food companies--their food is completely balanced in nutrients and all that dogs need!  Well, guess what--even the finest and most costly of commercial food has not impressed me.  Bouts of diarrhea, vomitting, illness, and obesity all come with the finest of expensive food that claims to be the ultimate for a dog's well being and above all HEALTH...

Chico, who should be short and compact, has become obese over the past few years from all the puppy food he gets to chomp on from us having consecutive litters.  He is the main reason I decided to find an alternative to what I have been feeding them for all their lives...  I can't bear to lose him.  He is on the BIGGEST LOSER diet for his own good. 

Honestly, I know they will all benefit from it.  It just makes sense.  No additives, preservative, by products, fillers, etc... Just pure nature--like it has always been meant to be...  We are the ones, who for whatever reason changed it around...  I am so excited for this new beginning.  I don't care if I sound cooky or eccentric or even crazy.  I LOVE my animals and this is the best thing for them.  All I had to do was watch them this evening chomping on their raw meaty bone--and the "AH HAH" moment was realized for me...
It was like watching a pack of Chihuahuas back in the Aztec era--simply beautiful...

Let me know if this might be an option for your dogs--I would be most obliged to help you get started on what is definetely the "right way of eating" for our dogs... !

Rain, rain go away!

Wet grass makes for sneaky poops in the house!  Since all this rain has come down and swamped up the yard, our chis are tip toeing across the yard quickly-doing nothing at all.  So, after coming back into the house-surprise, surprise little presents are left around the house!!! One of the main culprits shown below...

Sneaky rugrats...  Looking forward to some sunshine very soon!...

TImes are tough...

It seems that most of America is being hit with this slumped economy.  I don't think there is a soul out there who is not suffering because of it...  Plenty of breeders that I know, and some that I keep track of because of the quality of their dogs,  are not able to sell their beautiful puppies... 

And now, with Pancho and Moo Moo falling through-- I am wondering if they will find a new home anytime soon?  The woman who had put them on hold, had to forfeit her deposit due to a family member becoming ill (and what looks to be like a long recovery). 

Well all I can do is hope.  Heck, my family has been so affected--I can't even bear to talk about it...  It's humbling and extremely humiliating to go come down in scale from a quality of life that you are not only used to, but spoiled by... 

Re-invention is the word for much of middle America-doesn't matter where in the middle you are...  But, the older you get, the harder it becomes to re-invent yourself or your profession...

I have no desire to lose my animals--I think it would empty my soul, if that were to happen...  And I mean my both my dogs and horses... I can't see my life without them in it...  Don't want to... But, as I look around--it is happening to many...  So it leaves a big ? as to what the future will hold...

On a happier note, I am soooo enjoying this litter.  The joy I get from just being near them and watching them be rambuncious pups is priceless...  I swear it is a healing experience to be around these dogs...  I think it is one of the biggest things in my life that keeps me healthy!  Each and everyone has such a unique personality--it makes you appreciate all of the universe's creatures...  They are "Pure Life" or  as we say in Spanish, "Pura Vida..."  

Thanksgiving--Turkey and more turkey...

So, we have had a successful Thanksgiving here at ChihuahuaCrazy.com--if gaining 5 pounds in two days is considered anything of a success!  Yup, we ate and ate and then ate some more.  Of course the puppies had their taste of the 22 pound turkey-and then they ate and ate and ate some more.  We still have plenty of leftovers for all...

The day after, we all went out into the yard and had a long play session out on the grass, with the sun, wind and leaves blowing about...  Moo Moo, Pancho, Mimi, Fifi and Chulo think the grass is the most fabulous invention to puppykind.  They explore it like cats-finding things to chase and pounce on.  Funny to watch new life explore this big world of ours--humbling, in a sense... 

Today, we will have some more turkey.  Maybe some more playtime outside...  Sunday lazy Sunday...

Some more fun in the sun--before the rain...

The puppies at nearly 6 weeks of age are getting restless in their big pool enclosure...  I feel for them.  But, if I were to let them run free within the house, we would inevitably have damaged wood floors...  The pees, mainly, that are not spotted until some time later, seeps into the floor and creates spot damage...  So, the system is they stay in the pool, for the most part, but are let out more and more with supervision for short spurts of time--whether it's outside or in the house, itself.  It's a lot of work--hell, I have 4 human daughters that I have to fit in too--ages 12, 11, 9 and 3 !  And trust me the 3 year old, take up twice the time I have to devote to the older ones...  =( 

Some days, I wonder????  Am I doing the right thing--breeding, I mean...  It looms upon me--but, it brings something to my life I have a hard time describing...  It's a sort of fulfillment, pride and joy all mixed into one big ball of emotion...  I get scorned upon by some in the family, who think I have a loose screw up in the noggin--but, you know I am who I am--and I ADORE my animals.  They bring so much unconditional love and admiration to my life--if you are an animal person, you know exactly what I am speaking of... That is all I can say.  I actually feel sorry for those out there that have no empathy toward animals or having animals.  They are missing out on SOOOOO much.  It purifies your soul to have these beautiful creatures of the universe in our every day lives.  Poor souls that are too hardened to experience the love of a pet... 

Estrous? Daisy is still not in HEAT!

Daisy is STILL not in HEAT!  Her sister, Snickie who belongs to Charlotte at TheTinyChi.com
got hers and is in the process of doing the "Tango."  Last time, their very first heat, they went into heat just a few days apart.  But, now--I have to wonder if it will be in November for Daisy, at all...  =(

I am not an impatient nut--it's just that we are really excited to see HER puppies-we just think she is the BOMB!!!  She was supposed to have been in heat before Nini--and Nini is done and over with her "come and get me" phase... It will be non-stop puppies here--which can be so nice-yet, so tiring because of the cleaning and interrupted sleep.  They are in my room-contained-but, where I can watch them at any given moment.  Oh well, all that is good in life doesn't come easy...

On to wet/dry food--no more boob!

Okay, so Lucy has had ENOUGH of the breastfeeding--can't blame her with five to feed...  She is now sleeping the nights and feeding them maybe once during the night...  At 5 weeks of age, they have their teeth now and could, if they wanted to, eat their Biljac Puppy food and the wet food...  But, you know the snuggling up against mom's warm boobies is much nicer... 

The stress for me during this phase is a bit hard to handle--I don't like to see them go hungry--but, nature is much wiser than I am .....

Backyard fun again!

The horses have been moved from what used to be the dog yard.  With all the grass gone, due to our horsies eating it all, we are having it re-sodded this morning. Hadn't realized how big the area was until we measured it for the sod--5000 sq ft. square (can't see it all in the pic)!  Can't wait to get the doggies back into the yard for them to run around ChihuahuaCrazy like...  No more minnie dog run for them.  It's exercise they have been needing--especially Chico Boom Boom... 

Playdate with the BOYZ from FloridaChi.com

Sunday was a nice LAZY day here at home, at ChihuahuaCrazy.com...  KZ's puppies, Oliver and Boom Boom Jr (No Official Name Yet???) from BB x Chico's past Aug litter came to play with Boogie.  Remember, they were milk brothers early on. Canela was being a surrogate mom to the two boys... 

Well, we set up a comforter in the back yard and took out the new lot of puppies too... It was fun to watch all the different personalities intermingle.  Boogie was all over the place--trying to find the biggest branch to chew on...  Oliver and Boom Boom were venturing out a bit, but always running back to home base (mom) for comfort in what must have seemed like a jungle to them.  The horses from next door were up against the fence peering over at us--wanting to know what was going on??? They had never seen so many little chis (what must look like rats to them) pacing about...  And on our end, our chis were like, "What are those Giraffes doing there???"

So, they romped in the cool sunshine for a while.  Lucy's lot became tired after a bit.  And then we all said our goodbyes, until the next time...

I would love to plan for a big CHI get together--meaning all our past puppies--coming over at some point for a big ROMP... That would be a blast---hmmmmm......

Ayyy Chihuahua again...

I had to send Mimi's new owner, in Mexico, a bunch of pictures of her outside in the sunshine.  He wanted to be able to see her true blue color without the flash...  I took Mimi & Fifi together, so he could see the difference between them--and be sure of his decision.  Anyway, here are some of the pics
which I think are adorable. 

He loved them, by the way--and is still buying Mimi...  =)

Ayyy Chihuahua!

Get this--one of my Chihuahua pups from Lucy X Chico's current litter is going to live in Mexico!!!! Can't tell you how it makes me feel--ecstatic that someone from Mexico is wanting one of my chis due to the fact that he isn't happy with what he has shopped for in MEXICO--the country of origin of the breed itself! Sorry to brag--but, once in a while you have to indulge yourself....

Mimi, the blue girl which is more blue than the others, will find her new home in Mejico (Spanish form of spelling).

I have to consider myself fortunate for these little babies of ours---many chi breeders out there are struggling just to sell one puppy, much less 3. Gracias a Dios...

The puppies have now graduated to the big puppy pool--but they are still in my room. They are getting used to their legs and walking better every day. Now, starts the paper training phase. All they have is a square of a comforter to sleep and nurse from mom. When they step off and feel/smell the paper it causes them to pee pee/poo poo. So far they are getting the hang of it!

Show pups?

Smokey here at ChihuahuaCrazy.com, about 6 weeks of age...

Now, Tucker, in the above 2 pictures at 9 mths of age.

I get so many inquiries about whether I breed show quality pups. Well, in my opinion it's not that easy to tell if they will turn out to be "show quality" by the time they leave here at 8 or 9 weeks of age. A better marker of what they truly look like as adults is the 4 month point, if you ask me. And, yes, I believe that many of my puppies here have ended up as show contenders--but, were bought by Pet only homes.

The latest show quality puppy we produced here was Tucker (original name Smokey). He has remained on the small side, at almost 10 months of age--just a little over 4 lbs. But, it's not his weight that makes him show quality--OMG! It is the conformation, bite, coat, color and head that I think are SPECTACULAR!!!

I had a suspicion about him--and I was right. If it were a perfect world I would be showing my dogs--but, heck, you know a little thing called life makes it kind of hard... Maybe in the future...

All is good...

Everything is going well with Lucy and Chico's puppies. They are now beginning to peek--hopefully we'll have some pretty eyes to look at soon... Funny how time flies...

Nini seemed to be coming into heat--but, nothing is happening yet.???? We'll see. Love the excitement of waiting to see what colors she gives us...

Funny thing happened lately. Two young couples, past customers of ChihuahuaCrazy, Tucker's mom & dad and Chili's mom & dad bumped into eachother, with each respective dog, at a dog park in Winter Park. They recognized each other's dogs from the website and introduced themselves. Both couples let me know about the encounter. Small world. =)

Lucy is doing great and so are her pups....

Can't believe they are 7 days old, today... Time just rushes by and you have no control over how fast things move. Lucy is doing phenomenal. I have found that by keeping her full in small bites of protein rich snacks, along with others that are more carbs, keeps her feeling well and energized. The pups have grown so much--in my eyes! I can't wait until they open those eyes--let's see what eye colors we get???

Nini, it seems is just beginning to come into heat. She is marking--lovely, right? But, hey, out in the wild she would have to leave her scent to find that wonderful Romeo... And, Chico is not leaving her side--although, he hasn't tried to mount her yet... She is in great shape--lost all that baby belly from her last pregnancy. She and Chico are going on daily bootcamp walks with us--for Chico's sake, mainly. Chico has lost a teeny bit--Nini just loves to go along for the ride. I love that my chis are strong and athletic and can go out and enjoy the outdoors with us... It's so much fun to take them camping or to the beach and to actually watch them frolic and enjoy the outdoors with our family...

Lots of people like those pocket pups--but, heck, they are a lot of work. Constant worrying about where they are at--under human feet??? near the edge of the couch, ready to fall off??? being picked up by little hands??? Those issues are non-existent in our home. Tough chis--I like em that way...

Lucy had her puppies

Yes, Lucy finally gave birth to a beautiful litter of 3 girls and 2 boys. They were born on 10/16/09, but her labor actually started at around 2 pm on the 15th! Man, was it a long wait for them to arrive--the day could not have progressed any slower, it seemed... Her 1st puppy, the white silver spotted female was born at 12:08 am on the 16th. She screamed as it peered it's head through her canal. I had to assist her with her contractions in easing it out. But, all was well. The last puppy, #5 came into the world at 1:52 am.

Weights on them were not taken that night--as you can imagine she and I were exhausted... So, on the evening of the 16th they were weighed and I was sure they had already changed from the moment they were born--a mother's milk--nothing like it in the world! Puppy 1, white with silver spots, weighed in @ 5.8 oz., #2 black boy with white and now tan, weighed in @ 6.2 oz., #3 blue/white and now tan female, weighed in @ 4.5 oz, #4 blue/white and now tan (too) weighed in @ 5.5 oz and finally #5 blue/white and also tan girl weighed in @ 5 oz, exact.

I know what you are thinking, those of you that put a lot of faith on the weight chart--MAN ARE THEY BIG--they will be gigantic chis!!! Well, Lucy's last litter which had 4, were all born at 5 oz. on the nose. I know of Lulu weighing 4.12 lbs. at 9 mths of age and of her brother Tucker (Smokey) who seems to be weighing around the same. So, HA to the chart!

I'm proud of Lucy and her healthy pups... I can't wait to see how they all grow throughout the weeks...

Ready to pop...

Yup, still here waiting---no real signs of anything yet. Good news really. Lucy is trudging along--not wanting to go very far. Getting up on the bed requires that I, or someone, put her up on it. She has been eating--TG! Puppies are kicking like little Ninjas. She sits and looks down at her belly and freaks when one kicks too hard sometimes... Funny to see her react like that. She may make it to the 20... Stay tuned...

Waiting and then waiting some more...

So, Lucy is still hanging in there--we are down to 4 days only to be in the clear! On the 15th she will have 58 days of gestation, which is the benchmark for lung development in the puppies in utero... She is huge but getting around even jumping on the couch when she has the energy. Her appetite is still nit picky--but, she is eating what she likes (chicken jerky for dogs, cooked steak and chicken that I make her and Milkbone dog biscuits)...

When she sits on a chair and cleans her privates, she looks like a Weeble Wobble from the 70's--remember those? She weebles and wobbles to the point of losing her balance. It's funny to watch.

Three days and counting tomorrow Lucy--hold on...

The Boyz and Lucy

Well, we visited with the boys- BB & Chico's two. Charlotte hosted so all could have fun. Our little boy, now called Yogi Bear, loved seeing his brothers (milk brothers) again! He remembered them and they all played. It was cool to see how they have all changed throughout the weeks. Kirby, the white with fawn (which you can barely see) is a looker! Blue/green eyes and square like daddy--with the Cowboy look from behind... And, Boom Boom Jr. is teeny!!! He doesn't seem to be growing!!!! OMG, has the porcelain doll look--like he belongs on a commerative Chihuahua plate!

Yogi Bear almost went home with them--cuddled up in their cage at the end with no intention of getting out... But, they had to part and say goodbye until nextime.

Lucy is miserable--and has me miserable... She is wanting to eat only lunch meat, basically. Which has too high of a sodium content for her to have, not to mention nitrates! So, here I am cooking for her like madwoman, and she barely takes a bite of what I make! Hey, I am a really good cook--no dog has ever turned their nose to my cooking.... But, C'est La Vie--and we are just nibbling on what she can throughout all hours of the day, fun fun....

Lucy and morning sickness

Lucy has not been herself this pregnancy--which has me worried. Knowing how fragile life can be-I am not feeling so good about this. I spend many hours out of the day just trying to figure out what I can feed her... She is not eating wet food and wanting to eat only certain treats--which she cannot live off until she gives birth! Dog food is kinda out of the question for her now--so, what do I do? It's nerve wracking!

I had to give her Nausea Relief syrup this morning, as she was vomitting bile. Let's see if it works. She has eaten 3 Milk Bone small dog treats so far, not much more. We'll see how the day progresses...