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Introducing my puppy!
By Christie Keith
February 25, 2010
The decision has been made, and it’s official: This little guy is going to be my puppy.
His name will be Farallon — Lehigh Farallon of Caber Feidh, to be exact. His breeder, Paula Pascoe, describes his personality this way:
(He’s) the very sweetest, most cooperative and happy puppy in the litter. Since the time they were just days old and I started doing the early neurological stimulation exercises on them, he has been the one to accept being turned upside down and so on, no fussing, just gazing sweetly at me…. He accepts anything with aplomb, and is relentlessly cheerful. He’s playful with the other dogs and affectionate with us.
Which Kyrie translated thus:
He will worship me. Good.
He is 8 weeks old now, and will arrive when he’s around 11 or 12 weeks old, in the second half of March, exact date to be determined.
And here’s the part where I get a little emotional, so if you were just here for a dose of puppy breath, you might want to stop reading now.
I lost my last Deerhound, Rebel, in August. The next month I lost my mother, who was the person who got me into Deerhounds in the first place. We owned and raised many dogs together, and Deerhounds and my mom will always be inextricably linked in my mind.
Being without both of them has shaken my life in so many ways I barely know who I am anymore. But since a short time after her death, I’ve known one thing for sure: I wanted a Deerhound.
I adore Miss Kyrie Borzoi. I have loved all my mutts and rescues, and I know I will have them in my life in years to come. But right now, there is a Deerhound-shaped hole in my heart, and I am so grateful to Paula for helping me find the right hound to fill it.
And so the countdown to Puppy Day begins!
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Congratulations!!
It is wonderful to have a dog who worships you once in a while. I have had dogs who loved me but didn’t worship me; one who made it plain she thought I was stupid; one who loved my husband but put up with me; and one who loves me, thinks I’m pretty neat, but would go home with anyone.
Bashir, thankfully, does worship me. And when we’re going through hard times, a dog who worships you is a treasure.
I am so excited for you. sigh….puppy breath and puppy love…..
Comment by Liz Palika — February 25, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
I. Love. Him.
Luckiest Deerhound in the World, though he does not yet realize it!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 25, 2010 @ 12:46 pm
That is so awesome. Sounds like you are both in for a great ride.
Comment by Verde — February 25, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Unliike YOUR puppy, spawn of Teh Evil McKenzie, Farallon will be a GOOD dog. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 25, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
He is a doll. Congratulations
Comment by Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart — February 25, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
He’s so sleek and tall looking- handsome pup! I bet you can’t wait to get him home~
Comment by ericka — February 25, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
I’m so happy for you. He is so utterly adorable I want to kiss his nose right through the computer screen! Many blessings to you both….
Comment by Rori — February 25, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
Congratulations, he’s adorable! I can’t wait to hear all of the puppy stories
Comment by Cathy Lynch — February 25, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
I don’t believe any puppy could look that sweet and innocent, and NOT be full of mischief
It’ll be good for Kyrie to have another resident worshiper :)
He’s absolutely adorable. Aren’t puppies amazing ? When they’re first born they all look pretty much the same whether it’s a Dachshund or an Afghan, give them a few weeks and they look totally different. Believe me he looks NOTHING like an 8 week old Rottweiler !!! LOL.
Huge congratulations Christie, this year will be so much better for you than last year was.
Comment by Alison — February 25, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
“(R)elentlessly cheerful” sounds like just what the doctor ordered! So sweet, and big already! Looking forward to seeing more of him.
Comment by keenwell — February 25, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
Wanna kiss those white toes of his! What a cutie.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 25, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
It’s so funny that some of you think he looks tall or big — he looks TINY to me! But I know what you mean. For 8 weeks old, that’s a big boy, LOL.
I’m so excited! Expect to hear that a lot, btw.
Comment by Christie Keith — February 25, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
What a handsome boy! Congratulations to both of you!
Comment by Susan — February 25, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Congrats! He is one lucky pup. :)
Comment by Jason Merrihew — February 25, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
Congratulations on the new family member - he is one lucky puppy! I wish for you that welcoming Farralon into your life and into your heart will be the beginning of the process of filling the hole your mother and Rebel left.
Comment by Ingrid King — February 25, 2010 @ 2:03 pm
Very, very cute. And yes, big!
Comment by Eucritta — February 25, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
Christie, Im sure your mom is helping you with this decision. Im guessing this little dog will help you fill more than just one empty hole. She is adorable and she has the longest legs Ive ever seen in a puppy!
Comment by Sandi K — February 25, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
Need…tissues…now…
I am so happy for you both…I look so forward to reading your puppy “tails”…
Comment by Carol V — February 25, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
A match decided in a heavenly place.
Congratulations on getting such cheerful companion. He looks so hugable!
Comment by Evelyn — February 25, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Yay for the new puppy puppy puppy! Of course he will worship you, and you shall worship him, and all will be right with the world.
He looks thoroughly adorable.
Comment by David S. Greene — February 25, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
Congratulations! What a handsome little boy!
Comment by JenniferJ — February 25, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
Congrats! He is adorable!
Comment by Reeta Young — February 25, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Yeee-HAW! and WOOO-HOOOO!!
Er, sorry, I’m from Texas and can’t help myself :-)
But CONGRATULATIONS!! I’m so happy for you! I know how those holes in your heart feel… this will be such a good thing for everyone!
Comment by Barb — February 25, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
congratulations, christie! he is a beauty! when he is able and you are willing, you should hook up with us east bay annice/ben puppies (now almost 5 months old).
best wishes,
jean and leo
Comment by brindlegrl — February 25, 2010 @ 6:18 pm
He’s adorable !
Comment by Leslie K — February 25, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
He’s a beauty! Congratulations!! I think we all know exactly what you mean about that dog-shaped hole in your heart. After my 16 yr old cocker died, my two cats and one dachshund just weren’t cutting it. I went on a mission to find another cocker spaniel. I adopted a 12 yr old because he was sweet and abandoned at a kill shelter for who-knows-what-stupid-reason. We had a glorious 14 weeks together and then came the horrific diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It wasn’t long after he died that I found myself bringing home another cocker spaniel. I just couldn’t bear life without a cocker spaniel in it! I now also have three 2 yr old lab mixes - and yes, I still have the dachshund and the cats - and I love all of them dearly, but my little cocker holds a special place in my heart.
Comment by Sherron — February 25, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
Oh, I can just smell that spicy scent at the top of his adorable head.
Comment by Cate — February 25, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
What a sweetie! As someone who lives with a relentlessly cheerful puppy, I can highly recommend the experience. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
Comment by Kim Thornton — February 25, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
>>there is a Deerhound-shaped hole in my heart<<
I know… I have a Basenji shaped hole in my heart, a Sayblee Basenji shaped hole in fact. Oddly enough, we may be getting heart plugs around the same time. I am so happy for you.
Comment by Debra — February 25, 2010 @ 11:26 pm
What’s the deal with waiting until he’s that old to get him?
You’re reaching the end of the critical period for early socialization at that age.
In gun dogs, the rule is—or at least was—49 days, which has unfortunately been usurped by people who have legislated 8 weeks in some states. 8 weeks is when the fear period begins.
Comment by retrieverman — February 26, 2010 @ 5:34 am
I asked the same question. I knew that reputable, ethical breeders of tiny dogs usually keep them for additional weeks, but giant breeds? That was news to me.
But, no one knows more about giant sighthounds than Ms. Keith, who has been involved with the “wee bairns” for her adult whole life. And guess what? Many reputable breeders of these dogs keep them weeks longer, too.
Ya live, ya learn. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 26, 2010 @ 7:36 am
Deerhounds are pretty fragile dogs in terms of things that can go wrong, so maybe the longer period has something to do with that.
Comment by retrieverman — February 26, 2010 @ 7:55 am
I first heard about giant-breed breeders keeping puppies til 11 or 12 weeks a few years ago when I wrote my Mastiff book. They say they need the extra time to mature, just like tiny breeds. I’ve been asking breeders about it ever since, and it seems to be a trend, the exception being sporting dogs. Behaviorist Lore Haug says if the breeder does a good job of socialization, then letting the pups stay longer is a good thing; otherwise, you should try to get them earlier so you can do your own socializing during that critical pre-16-week period.
Comment by Kim Thornton — February 26, 2010 @ 9:51 am
My dad passed away in March 2005. That summer a starving, pregnant little orange tabby showed up at our kitchen door. Over the next two months we fed her and her 5 kittens after they were born. Then we caught them all and found homes for four of the kittens in pairs. Mom and one of her daughters stayed with us. I’ll always miss my dad, but Red Molly and her kittens was a reminder to us that life is to be lived and enjoyed and shared with other living beings while we can. Your beautiful new puppy is one very lucky puppy too.
Comment by Mark — February 26, 2010 @ 10:53 am
So which of the puppies was this one, in terms of the rickrack ‘collars’ they had on (which they’ve outgrown a couple times, I’m sure)?
I envy you in getting such a lovely puppy and wish you all the best!
Comment by KateH — February 26, 2010 @ 11:51 am
omg puppy ears!
Comment by AnneTea — February 26, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
Oh WOW. How beautiful!
Comment by Glenye Oakford — February 26, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
Wow - He’s stunning. This is going to be fun, getting to vicariously watch him grow.
Comment by FrogDogz — February 26, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
He’s a beauty! Long life, good health and much happiness to you both.
Comment by Social Mange — February 27, 2010 @ 8:06 am