Finding the right fit

Decisions, decisions...

The beginning of June, and it is time for them to go

Family photo the last day everyone was here

Nine weeks old. It is now the first of June and time for the puppies to leave for their forever homes. Where do they go? Who do we keep? How do we best develop our bloodlines? Most importantly - how do we let go...by finding the best possible homes for each puppy so they are a good fit for a lifetime. I know the next week will be filled with tears for me - note to self; pick up extra Kleenex.

Before the kids left, we wanted them to have one more California experience. Everyone enjoyed the water.

All our bags are packed, we are ready to leave

The first to go:

Liberty is now Lola

Dave and Lu first met us at a dog show in Sacramento two years ago when they began their search for a Dalmatian. We had all the adults entered at those specific shows in performance and conformation, but it was Ruth who won them over. We knew at the time we would someday breed Ruth, but had no specific plans. That did not deter Dave and Lu. They would wait. They wanted a Ruth puppy. Specifically a puppy just like Ruth. Liberty was Lu's choice. We think she is a good choice-she has her mother's attitude and was one of Jeff’s favorites.

Liberty is the first to go. When I called Dave and Lu asking when they wanted to pick her up, I could hear the excitement in their voice. It was a good feeling. The day they arrived for Liberty, it was as if she knew she was going. She was the first at the gate, saying 'let's go". As we finished paperwork, she was the only one at the indoor puppy area, saying "don't forget me".

I was unsure how Ruth would do with a puppy gone. I frequently felt she was counting puppies. What would she do if one is missing? As Dave, Lu and Lola walked out, I bought Ruth around to the front of the house so she could see her puppy leave. (silly I know, but it felt right) Ruth has this strange bark at times, which we feel she uses when she is not happy with life......and sure enough as Dave and Lu got in the car and drove off, Ruth watched and did that strange bark until they were out of site.



Lola's first day at her forever home

Lola now lives in the Sierra foothills with other housedogs, chickens and goats and is adjusting well. She is already royality in the house, but her crown slips on occassion from Queen to Princess.

Leaving on a Jet Plane....a cross country trip:

Staten has a new love

Morgan contacted us the day Ruth had her puppies, being referred from another breeder. She followed the puppies on the blog and decided a dal and a Ruth puppy was right for her. Morgan lives an active lifestyle and wants a dog that can enjoy that life with her. She would also like to try showing her dog. We selected Staten for Morgan, hopeful he would be one of the best fits for her. Staten has some nice show dog qualities. He is also a very loving puppy and willing to please. We are hopeful Staten will be able to sell Morgan on a lifelong love affair with Dalmatians. He was a personal favorite of mine, it was very hard to see him go.

Ruth and Staten shortly before he left for the airport. I think they both knew he was leaving

Staten with his new collar on. His bags were packed.

A kiss good bye

Jeff and Staten took a red-eye out of San Francisco to Atlanta, and Morgan picked her new love up at the airport. Before we left for the airport in California, I sent Morgan a message her puppy would see her in the am. She was already at a local hotel next to the airport, waiting. Again...another good feeling this is right for us all.

Waiting in line for check-in at the airport asleep in his Sherpa bag

Staten was quite the hit at airport security, and again on the plane with the ladies sitting around them. He pretty much slept the entire flight in a Sherpa bag under the seat. Morgan plans to keep his name as Staten. Both she and her boyfriend are Yankee fans.....and no we did not know that until after she had her puppy :)) Staten lives with Morgan in South Carolina.

Staten ready for his flight to his forever home

Staten and his new love Morgan at the Atlanta airport

Staten on his ride home from the airport in Atlanta

  

 

Staten at his new home-1st day

Staten and his first night in South Carolina..yes he did spend most of the night in his crate

Staten and Morgan at home

Following in his brother's footsteps:

Rockefeller moves in with his brother

Rockefeller somewhere he shouldn't be

Rockefeller & Ruth the eve before he left

Barb contacted me about a year ago. She had recently lost her Dalmatian to older age and was beginning to look for another. We had bred Ruth, but did not end up with a pregnancy, so I referred her on to Ruth's littermate who had also been bred. Barbara has a puppy now 11 months old from that litter that she is in love with. Barbara does search and rescue for the sheriff's department where she lives, and has trained her other dogs to participate in this activity. Her older puppy Riley has been excelling in his training. Barb felt Riley really would love a dog closer to his age at home as a companion and playmate, and decided a Ruth puppy would fit the bill. Even more special was both puppies have the same sire. I guess that makes them brothers and cousins all at once!

Rockefeller has his sire's sleep on your back gene

Playing with Mom the morning he left for his forever home

Riley, Rockefeller's brother

It was important to Barb the new puppy be a good fit for Riley. These are pictures of the two meeting each other. Rockefeller will now be known as Milo and lives in Oregon. He will share hundreds of acres to run and explore with his brother. Rockefeller was another of my personal faves and was becoming a great cuddlier. Knowing he is at such a great home, makes it feel right. He has big shoes to fill...but only someone by the name of Rockefeller could do that!

Riley and Rockefeller

Riley wanted to be almost maternal with Rock, cleaning him and such. At first Rock was not too sure about this. Riley has a very confident and outgoing personality, and loves everyone. Although Riley looks like an adult, he is still very much a puppy. We felt Rock was stuctually sound enough to live with a "large" puppy and participate in a very active lifestyle, having the temperment to mesh well with another dog.

Quiet time with Barb

Rock may be an obedience dog in the making!

This is the moment that sealed the deal

Kirk, Barb, Rockefeller and Riley

One more hug good-bye

Rockefeller, now Milo ready for his ride to his new home

Needing the right home:

Hudson is now Hunter

Although it was not planned, Hudson will become a junior handler's dog. It was pointed out during evaluations, Hudson will be a very independent boy, and needed the right person in his life to help him along his travels. He had already become responsive to one human in his life, and he was willing to follow her direction. So it was agreed, with mentoring to help her set limits with Hudson and learn more about dog training, Meghan could take him home. Hudson has been named for Catfish Hunter and will be known as Hunter.

Hunter finding out he can live with Meghan

The bond was made a lifetime ago:

Brooklyn will be known as Andie

Brooklyn will live locally and will now be known as Andie for Andy Pettit. She will train in performance activities. Jamie feels this is the dog she once had as a kid, and could not live without her. It was obvious Andie feels the same.

Brooklyn, now Andie promising to make life interesting

Continuing the legacy

Madison will stay at Yankee Dals and become JoeDi

If my mother is queen, does this make me a queen in training?

Madison will now be known as JoeDi. Her name is a play off Joe DiMaggio's name, and we are hopeful she will continue the legacy her mother has started for us.

In the cabinet with others

JoeDi clamming her spot on dad's lap

 

Bronx has no plans on leaving

Bronx....what can I say. Bronx is a part of Jeff. Although we are still evaluating his potential for the show ring, he will at minimum be the companion he wants to be for Jeff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manhattan has the potential

Manhattan has the pieces of the puzzle that make the best fit for a show dog. We will keep our finger on him to begin that show career. He is becoming a very sweet young man and will need a Yankee name. We have tried a few out on him, but we think the best fit will be Matt for Don Mattingly. We will continue to look for a local forever home where he can be loved but can play at shows with us.

Matt living the life

And a photo for fun - no this was not posed, the kids did this all on their own

Yankee Dals Rockefeller, Bronx, Madison and Manhattan