Happy New Year

 Over a week into the New Year and we are getting close to the time when two of our little affenpinscher puppies leave us for their lifetime families. They are now sleeping in their own crates at night and becoming used to toileting outside  - in a sheltered spot close to the house as the weather is freezing just now! 

They also enjoyed a special visit from Penny Leedal, who introduced them to ACE freework. ACE (Animal Centred Education) was developed by Sarah Fisher who originally introduced Tellington Touch later TTouch into the U.K. and ACE freework developed from the TTouch groundwork. 

Freework allows dogs to freely engage with a variety of new textures, scents and objects - and today puppies had snuffle toys, a hessian sack full of sticks, interesting surfaces to walk and climb on and lots more. 

The puppies love their toys and have a large collection of soft toys and chew items to enjoy.

They often try to hide them from the others too.

Fíadh is no longer feeding them and the snug suit helps protect her from their sharp teeth if they try!

We have been lucky to escape the worst of the recent storms but it has been very frosty and cold here.

Archie 💙

 

Fíadh ❤️

Moth ❤️

Exploring the frozen garden in their jumpers ❄️

Snuggling in bed and waiting for warmer days ❤️☀️

Busy Times in the Last Week of 2025

 Every day is a fun day for the puppies and they are getting more and more new experiences as they grow. They are fully weaned now and enjoying their raw meat diet and just starting to toilet outside despite the chilly weather. Fíadh still spends time with them but not as much as in the earlier weeks now. 

Fíadh and pups

There is always one who thinks that the food in another’s bowl is better!

Plenty of toys to chew on 

Getting to know the fireside schnauzer 

Having a run with Mum at the chiropractor clinic

The puppies and their Mum always get a check over at a canine chiropractor to make any minor adjustments which may be needed after the stress of birth and whelping. They all loved the treatment and it also introduced them to a couple of new people and two 45 minute car journeys as well. 

We also celebrated Frida’s 11th birthday. Frida is one of Aoife’s daughters from her second litter.

With all the activity around the puppies we couldn’t have our usual trip out for Frida’s birthday but we plan to take her somewhere special as soon as we can do so….and maybe let the puppies come along too

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS ❤️🕊️🐾🐾❤️

Christmas is coming

 Christmas is nearly here and we have been busy with the puppies as well as preparing for the festive season. Every day the pups grow bigger and more lively. They are weaned from Fíadh now and starting to eat their raw meat meals. Their teeth are also coming through and there have been a few squeaks when one of the other bites their sibling in play not knowing it will hurt now. Fíadh still spends a lot of time with them snuggling and making sure they are clean even though we are constantly checking them too. The puppies have also had their first trip out to a local restaurant in the pet buggy and they were quite laid back about the whole experience..even the fire alarm sounding twice for a test drill! 

Fíadh and her babies squashed into the igloo bed

No room in this bed for Mum but she stays close to her babies still.

Tucking into lunch 

Checking out the travel carrier in their pen.

This helps familiarise them with the carrier before they use it for travel. 

In the pet buggy on a visit to the local restaurant for coffee 

First trip out.

Trying on a jumper 

Another fashionista 

Happy Christmas to all our blog friends 🎄☃️🐾🐾❤️

 

Growing up

 Over the past couple of weeks, the puppies have been doing a lot of growing and they change every day! They have started trying some raw goats milk and raw weaning meat although they still love mother’s milk best. Fíadh wants to feed them so we are taking the weaning process gradually. 

Their eyes and ears are open now so we have set up a playpen in the conservatory where they can see and hear more of the household noises and they have met a few of our other dogs for a short while. All the dogs love puppies and the pups are keen to meet new canines. This too is a gradual process though as Fíadh is very protective of her babies and it will take a little while for her to feel confident that her babies are safe away from her and with other dogs. 

Having a laugh 😂

Meeting the relatives 

Saying hello to grandma Phoebe 

Astrid and her new little sister 

Enjoying a quick drink from Mum

 

Trying some meat 

This milk is quite tasty too

Maybe I will have some more

3 little monkeys 💙❤️💛

RIP Trilby (Darksprite Rosa Bud)

Our dear Trilby has passed away after suffering a major stroke on Monday night and, despite our hopes she might recover some quality of life, it was soon clear that she could not go on. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday morning, a peaceful and dignified end but it has left us shocked and sad that she has gone from our lives so suddenly.

Trilby was one of the very first puppies we bred back in 2012, the only girl in a litter of four. She was Magic’s daughter and deeply bonded with her - so much so that she did take Magic’s death a year ago very hard and never quite seemed to bounce back from it. She was a gentle and affectionate girl, loved puppies  - her own and those of her daughter as well as those of our affen Mums and she had been filled with happiness when she had the chance to see one of our newest arrivals last weekend. 

Here are some pictures from her life here with the family from her puppyhood to the present. 

Checking out the rosemary 

With one of her brothers 

Proudly posing with her Bronze Good Citizen certificate

Out and about with her Mum, Magic ❤️

A stunning Cardinal Richelieu at the Affenpinscher Garden Party Fancy Dress

Proud mother ❤️

Devoted to her pups ❤️

Enjoying a race with Leonardo 

Loving the snow 

Soulful eyes ❤️

A beautiful golden girl 🌟

In our hearts always and forever ❤️🌈🐾🐾❤️

Nail Clipping time

The puppies are 12 days old now and growing fast. They have more than doubled their birth weight and their little claws are getting sharp. They need clipping a little so they don’t scratch Fíadh when they are feeding. The pups are quite compliant at this age and don’t seem to mind at all having their nails cut. 

Fíadh watches closely to see they are all OK and gives them a kiss afterwards.

Now we are waiting to see their eyes open 🐵❤️🐵❤️🐵