Bittersweet…

This post is going to be both happy and sad.  Saturday night we lost our tiny girl, the one with the purple collar.  She was smaller than her sisters, and we tried everything to save her, but we still lost her.  It’s called fading puppy syndrome, and it’s one of the most heartbreaking parts of being a dog breeder.  She was doing so well, until suddenly she wasn’t.  We tried antibiotics, sub-q fluids, tube feedings, a supplement for fading puppies, everything we could think of and more.  With each thing we tried, she would perk up a bit, but it was always temporary.  We are so heartbroken over her loss, my daughter had named her Melanie.

The happy news, which we are focusing on, the other two girls are strong and healthy.  Yesterday I took a bunch of pictures, and today they are 17 days old.  They are steadily gaining weight, and are just beautiful.  Not sure how we are going to choose which one is staying, as they both have qualities we want in our family of collies.  

Morgan

Morgan

This girl had the aqua colored collar.  She was the 3rd puppy born, and the biggest.  We are calling her Morgan, and even though she is a rough collie, she has her Mama’s markings. 

Rory

Rory

This was the puppy with the pink collar, she was the 1st puppy born.  We are calling her Rory, and she started barking yesterday!  

Rory

Morgan

The owner of their Sire came to see the girls last night.  She said they are both beautiful, and she’s not sure who the pick is right now.  So we will just have to watch as they grow up over the next 6 - 7 weeks.  

Rory

Morgan

This was the most recent, and last picture, I have of Melanie. Taken on 7/11/25

We are feeling grateful that these two girls are doing well and turning out to be so beautiful.  But it’s bittersweet, because we miss our tiny Melanie.  Life is so unfair sometimes, and these newborn puppies are so fragile.  So this doesn’t end on a sad note, enjoy this short video of our two adorable girls…