It is quite the endeavor to photograph ten plus ten busy and squirmy puppies who would happily leap off the counter if given the chance. I am grateful to Suzanne for helping — it would be impossible to get these photos without her.
Here are the Moonshadows at six or so weeks old — some wearing the remnants of their breakfast and at least one who clearly used breakfast as a hair gel…
A photo is necessarily a snapshot in time, and cannot be used to understand a puppy (or human). Rather, it is a chance to watch them grow and observe things about them — their markings, the dark eyes, the emerging fluff, the pretty heads.
Personalities are emerging. Structure is becoming more obvious. Potential is being offered.
I want to say this again: My priority is the puppies. There may well be last minute changes and adjustments, and this is why I do not take deposits. Placements are not guaranteed.
My job, which I take very seriously, is to place these babies in the most optimal home for them, and how can I know what that is until I know more about who and what the puppies are?
As I have said before — a puppy is not one-size-fits-all.
I like to consider myself a pretty kind-hearted person; sometimes that can get mistaken for being easy and soft. One would only need five minutes with one of my kids, students, or Dear Husband to know I cannot be pressured, bullied, guilted, or otherwise persuaded to do something if I have decided it is not the best plan.
Add in a puppy I intentionally created and owe the best life possible, and my sense of purpose and resolve is supercharged. It hurts and upsets me when I have to disappoint humans — but those tough emotions and experiences do not control my choices. What I consider the Right Thing for a puppy will always be what I do.
I have confidence that humans can and will recover from disappointments — and they can have other options.
A puppy cannot ask me for a do-over. I have to get it right — or as right as an imperfect human possibly can.