Friday, April 30, 2010

Meet Midge, the Mother-To-Be


We've been celebrating ever since we found out that SSD Midge is going to have puppies. It has been a while since our last litter, the Crayon litter, and we're very excited.

Midge flew all the way to California to be bred with a handsome dog named Paxton from Canine Companions for Independence. She spent two weeks with him, and the end result is puppies! The ultrasound revealed six puppies, which gives us an idea of how many to expect around May 24, when her puppies are due. It you'd like to see sonograms of all six puppies, read our Puppies! post.

This is her first litter and as a new mother-to-be, she needs lots of encouragement and well wishes. Use the comments to write her a note of encouragement and let her know what a good girl she is! We'll make sure she hears every one of your messages.

Midge's puppies will be born in the spring, but when Midge herself was born, winter was just starting. She was born on December 1, 2007 in the Adirondacks. Her mother is Cinder's SSD Stellar Choice, and her father is a dog named Mark from Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Midge belonged to the Small litter - all of the puppies were named after small things. Some of her brothers and sisters include SSD Lil, Gnat, Mite, and Natalie (formerly Barely There). Many of her brothers and sisters are now working service dogs.

We chose Midge as a breeding dog for many reasons. She has excellent hips, good health clearances and a wonderful temperament. When she spent time at the kennel, she was perfectly relaxed and did not get stressed, and she trains well, which is a tribute to both her and her puppy raisers. We believe that she will improve the genetics of our dogs.

All of our litters have a theme when it comes to naming the dogs. We'll be revealing the theme of Midge's litter soon!

Don't forget to leave a note for Midge!

20 comments:

  1. Good luck, Midge! You're going to be a great mom!

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  2. There is nothing better than a service dog puppy! Congratulations, Midge, and good luck as you enter motherhood. You are a beautiful mom-to-be.

    Best of luck.

    --Marcia

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  3. Midge, you are a beautiful mommy to be!! And you will do well. Keep us posted.
    Sue

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  4. Oh Midge . . .you are going to be a wonderful new mommy. Your little ones will be so lucky to have such sweet and gentle mom. Exercise carefully; don't gain too much pregnancy weight!

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  5. Midge,
    you've got that "Tough, Resilient, looking Lab face, like my last Guide Dog, Romance has. I know you'll pull this off just fine, and Chevy, My current Guide Dog, sitting here next to me sends you his Congratulations!

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  6. Dear Midge, If no one has told you yet, motherhood completely changes your life! No more smelling just "anyones butt", you have standards now to live up to. No more "me" time, no more quiet moments, and your going to have to share EVERYTHING! On the bright side, puppies snuggle SOOOO sweetly.

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  7. My daughter has a birthday May 30th and is hoping for birth that day! We're so excited about the babies!

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  8. You'll be a great Mom, Midge--try not to worry! Eat right, get plenty of exercise, and catch up on your sleep. We're all so excited for you! Congratulations!!

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  9. awe, congrats and hugs and good luck. Cannot wait to see the pics of the puppies

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  10. Midge, we can't wait to meet your puppies!

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  11. Good luck Midge,
    You can do it! I know a 4 legged mom that had 15 and loved them all!
    eat well, get rest, and enjoy your 2 legged companions.
    Maxine B

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  12. Midge - Congratulations! You and the organization are awesome!

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  13. May our Annie's sweet motherly lab spirit be with you during this wonderful time in your life! You will be an amazing mother.

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  14. Midge - your a natural birth mother!You may not know it yet, but you soon will.Nature has provided you with all you,and your pups will need.Love & Best Wishes

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  15. Midge, congratulations on your pregnancy! You will be a terrific mom and we look forward to meeting your own "small wonders"! Take good care of yourself, get lots of rest and hugs, and exercise in moderation!

    Sue & SSD Thunder

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  16. Midge is a great looking Lab. Its obvious she is very intelligent and possesses a very happy go lucky soft temperament. Midge will prove to be a responsible mom who cares deeply for her litter of recently born pups.

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  17. Midge!!!! I'm so excited for you!!! You were in our classroom at HillTop and the kids fell in love with you, as did Sue and I!!! You are the kindest, sweetest dog I know! Can't wait to see what your babies look like!

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  18. Midge came to us at 8 weeks for what was to be a short stay, but we soon knew that we wanted to raise her ourselves. From the first day she had an intensity and focus that was almost frightening to watch. But she also loved people and her tongue and kisses were legendary. And at the end of the day she would curl up in your lap and just snuggle in.
    But she can also make you laugh. I still don't know if she really thought she wouldn't be seen running off with the cleaning cloth. and how she loves to play with a stick, or goad the other dogs to chase her.
    I hope that some of the endearing qualities that make her Midge will show through in her pups, and I hope that their puppy raisers enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed having Midge.
    She will be a great mom. licking and kissing and licking and kissing and licking and kissing.....

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  19. Congratulations Midge & Paxton!
    Looking forward to working with some of your puppies one day. If they are like you, it will be a real pleasure.
    We can rescue those who need it and some of us will sniff out the bad guys. :)
    Sincerely,
    May, the K9 Spy

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