Wednesday 19 September 2007

Welcome Cassidy

Hello all,

Any of you that read Oscar's blog will know something of ours tears, heartache and sadness in recent weeks, but we have some happy news to share with you. Oscar's breeders had puppies in the early hours of Sunday 9th September and we have decided that we would like to give a home to one of the puppies.

We have always been in close contact with Oscar's breeders, and they have been a great support over the last 7 weeks. Oscar had a big place in their hearts, especially after being taken back to them by his original owners. We have known since Oscar died that the puppies were due, but at first we were too distraught to even think about the possibility of a new dog entering our lives. We were so numb from the loss of Oscar that all we could think about was being without him. I felt overwhelmed with guilt at the thought of getting a new puppy or dog, thinking Oscar would feel he was easily replaceable, when this is so, so far from the truth. I also didn't want to get too excited about a puppy to find something had gone wrong with the pregnancy or birth and face yet more heartache. We have come to understand now through talking to each other and other people, that by getting a new dog we are in a way honouring Oscar and the love of Airedales that he gave us. I know deep down that he wouldn't want us to go through life unable to open our hearts to another dog, and to have one from his breeders who have litters very infrequently seems fitting.

We do not know yet if we will get a girl or a boy, but as long as they are happy and healthy we do not mind at all. They will not have the same sire or dam as Oscar. This should mean that the puppies have very distinct personalities, looks and traits to Oscar, but no doubt will share the same clownish love for life as he had. We do not want to be forever comparing the new puppy to Oscar as that isn't fair on Oscar's memory, us or the new puppy.

However, as you may know, Oscar's KC name was Sherifs Sundance Kid, and we have decided to call the puppy (Butch) Cassidy as a way of remembering and honouring Oscar. Cassidy is a fairly unisex name, so it should equally suit a boy or a girl pup. Funnily enough both Martin and I decided on the name independently (Martin at 4am after waking from a dream about Oscar, and me after talking through some name suggestions from a very good friend who I came to know after her own Airedale died suddenly earlier this year, and she found solace in Oscar's blog).

Here is Cassidy's sire, isn't he handsome? He's English and American Champion Joval Jumpin Jack Flash at Jokyl. His pet name is Jack.

Here's a photo of the dam, Maggie. Her full name is Magwyr Starlight Over Sherifs. Here she is giving the first alert that the puppies might be on the way. Maggie was discovered in the garden having dug a nice comfy mud hole to give birth in. She was quickly rounded up and washed down (as you can see from her paws, she's made quite a mess!), and was settled in the whelping box. She became unsettled at about 10:30pm on Saturday 8th September, and gave birth to the first puppy at 2:00am on Sunday the 9th. The last one arrived at 9:45am. All the pups were vigorous and healthy despite being a few days early, and all took well to mum's milk bar.

Here is the beautiful Maggie with the puppies at a few hours old. It's hard to see the puppies, but they're all there at her tummy. Airedale puppies are almost totally black when they're born. The tan slowly grows through as they get older. She looks bright eyed and bushy tailed despite being up nearly all night giving birth.

So here begins Cassidy's tale. We will give you weekly updates until he or she is ready to come home, then hopefully we can pass the reins over. We are planning to go for our first visit when the puppies are 3 weeks old on the last weekend in September!

Katy and Martin xxx

13 comments:

Noah the Airedale said...

Hi Katy, Martin,
We can't wait for Cassidy's arrival. Look forward to reading he/she's blog. Congratulations again on this wonderful news.
Hugs from
Denise & Bryan
Woofs from
Noah, Willow, Lucy & Tess

Lacy said...

woofies, katy and martin, i b kinda new here. but me and mama can c from the blogs that ur oscar was special boy...and whichever one u decide boy or girl, they will b special too, in their own way...

;) lacylulu

ps, i use to have a brother named oscar too, but hes at the rainbow bridge, mayb even playing with ur oscar..

Amber-Mae said...

Hey Katy & Martin! We totally can't wait to see Cassidy. I bet he/she's going to be a bootiful wee pup...

Always thinking of you both!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Opy - the Original GruffPuppy said...

This is a very happy welcome to www.dogswithblogs.com.au to Cassidy - we all look forward to reading more :-)

Love
Opy

Ruby Bleu said...

Yay!!! I just can't wait to meet little Cassidy! Cassidy is one lucky pup to have you as pawrents!!!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

Mojo, Digger and family said...

Aha! Now I can't wait for Cassidy to arrive, now that the blog is all ready and waiting. I think this will be the longest month and a half ever!

Aroooo!
Mojo

Molly the Airedale said...

Cassidy has his/her own bloggy already! This is awesome! We can't WAIT for pictures!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

Hey Cassidy, looking forward to meeting you! J x

Oskar the Airedale said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
the many Bs said...

We're so happy to hear about Cassidy and can't wait to see some pictures, hopefully soon.
Woofers.

Nugget said...

Hi Martin & Katy,

I am so glad to hear you are giving a home to Cassidy and I can't wait to meet him or her :-)

Licks, Nugget

Oskar the Airedale said...

Welcome to the world Cassidy!

You have some pretty big shoes to fill, my little puppy pal. Oscar was the most fabulous Airedale ever... he was my best buddy and mentor (and continues to be). My mom, dad and I miss him sooooooo much, even though unfortunately none of us ever got the chance to meet him in person/dog. He especially helped my mom through some very rough times without even trying or knowing it... for which she'll be forever grateful.

But I'm sure you won't disappoint. I too was thrust into the position of filling some big shoes... that of my predecessor, Buster. My mom says that despite the fact that I have caused and continue to cause her some serious physical pain, she loves me much more than she imagined she would be able to and that I'm an extremely special dog in my own right. I'm sure your new parents, Katy and Martin, will also experience the same thing (but perhaps without the physical pain part).

Maybe I can be your mentor. I'm still an inexperienced Airedale puppy myself, but both Buster and Oscar have given me lots of good advice that I could pass on to you.

You don't realize it yet, but you are one lucky dog. You are going to have the most fantastic life ever - because your new parents are the absolute best!

We look forward to seeing more photos of you and getting to know your personality in time.

Sending you lots of slobbery osKisses,
osKar

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Welcome, welcome, Little One...so so happy you have arrived!

Scruff, Lacie, & Mumsie!