[more pictures]

Thursday 8/10/06 - Sequoia is doing the Whelping Dance! She is looking for a nest to dig under the deck and through my sofa. She has rearranged the cushions (all over the place) at least 10 times. Reminds me of arranging deck chairs on the Titanic....

Friday 8/11/06 - Sequoia "breaks her water" so to speak around 1:00pm. The whelping is at hand. From 1:00pm - 11:30pm Sequoia is busy producing her gorgeous puppies. Being a new mom is hard - the first one was a doozy. She managed through it like a champ. The rest she did on her side while the puppies nursed. She didn't even bother to get up! She really did a splendid job whelping. The first 5 puppies were male, the last two were female. Know anyone looking for a male? We catnapped from 11:30pm to 6:30am. Then started our first day of motherhood.

Monday 8/14/06 -  The puppies are starting to take on color and patterns.  It is so neat to see them develop.  They have all gained a couple ounces - hurray.  Working hard to keep the place clean and neat.  Cleaning up the mess we made during the whelping.  Thank God for all my fellow breeders - I could not have done it without them!

Saturday 8/18/06 - Its now official - our one week anniversary! All puppies are thriving and growing stronger day by day. Sequoia is back up to her normal standards. She is very gentle and loving of the puppies but boy she loves to run and play with the older dogs. I am finally sleeping at night - first time grandma jitters! Every squeal or sound would have me running to the whelping box. Now I just say "Sequoia, take care of your kids!" and roll over (with one eye open of course!). Now I know how my Grandmother felt with all of us grandchildren visiting her and sleeping in the same room!

Friday 8/25/06 - I can't believe they are 2 weeks old. They are growing up into fat little sausages with legs. Yesterday they started to open their eyes. First little slits and now huge round eyes. They have a sort of surprised expression. We started cutting their nails this week. Talk about a challenge - their nails are soooo tiny! They are also starting to climb up on all fours and wobble. Some even take a step before they fall over. Walking is just around the corner....

Friday 9/01/06 - Can we say wow! What a week of changes. They are up and walking a few steps (then tumbling over). Their fur is really starting to grow - it is s soft an fuzzy! Their eyes are open and I think they are hearing now. I am bringing them up right on Country music! They are working on breaking out of the whelping box and it will be any day now.... I have given them their first baby toys to play with. This is a big day of changes for all of them. We are moving to "Big Dog Room." They need more space to play in so my big dogs are getting moved to other parts of the house. Lots of work to do to get the "Big Dog Room" ready.

Saturday, 9/10/06 - Can't believe all the changes. Everyday you see something new. They are playing with the toys now. They are scampering across the floor and landing in piles of puppies! I am starting to see different personalities emerging - so exciting. The are eating mushy dog food and drinking water. They love to lay in the feeding pan after gobbling up the food! Puppies are very messy at this stage and have no manners! Their teeth are now out and very sharp. I sympathize totally with Sequoia not wanting to feed as often - ouch 7 sets of sharp teeth! They are now teething on anything they can get on including my toes and ankles - all exposed skin is fair game. Overall it has been an exciting week of changes.

Saturday, 9/16/06 - We are beginning week 5. Mr. Yellow ears have come up early. He looks so handsome. The pups got to travel the house this week and explore new places. Boy did they have fun. They really enjoyed all the new "educational" toys they received. They have more toys then most human babies! They also got to meet Uncle Aspen, Aunt Lady and Uncle Turner (the pack). All introductions went beautifully. The pups are eating their mush very well. During the upcoming week they will start on semi-soft kibble - Chewing will be involved - good for those extra sharp baby teeth! My feet have been used as teething rings for the pups. Love every minute of it!

Friday, 9/22/06 - This has been a really fun week. We have played for hours. Now I understand why everyone loves this period. The puppies are so cuddly and fuzzy. They love the extra attention and come running when called. They are eating enough food for 2 of my adults each meal! They are chewing everything in sight including tearing up the newspaper into tiny pieces for me to pick up. Poopy puppy cleanup is a full time job but they are getting the hang of using newspaper. They also voice there opinions very loudly at this stage. It is so much fun. Can't wait for next weeks changes.

Saturday, 9/30/06 - These puppies do a couple things really well. They eat like horses, wrestle like gladiators and poop like there is no tomorrow! They are having a grand time together. They enjoyed their first experiences with being outside on grass this week. They loved the playschool jungle gym I got them. They also enjoyed digging in the dirt and chewing up the grass! Time is flying by...It makes me misty-eyed to think of separating them but the time is coming very soon. I hope I don't make a fool of myself and cry during our goodbyes next week....

Raid the Wind's Sweet Sequoia, CGC, TDI
b. January 23, 2003
sire: Raid the Wind’s Taylor Made
dam: CH.ptd. Raid the Wind Four Alarm Chili
Hips: PennHIP (L) 0.35 (R) 0.31
Elbows: OFA Normal
Heart: OFA Normal
Eyes: OFA Normal
Color: biBlack & Cream, Plush

bCH Hilltop's Storm of Barnegat Bay, CGC TDI
b. May 23, 2003
sire: CHptd. Hilltop's Ramblin Man Jake
dam: NS bCH Hilltop-Oasis Good Time Karly
Hips: PennHIP (L) 0.28 (R) 0.24 -No DJD
Height: 31 Inches
Weight:110 lbs
Color: Black/Cream Dual Plush Coat
Bay Breeze Shiloh Shepherds

The breeding of Raid the Wind's Sweet Sequoia (Sequoia) and Hilltop's Storm of Barnegat Bay (Storm) promises to produce some incredible full-blooded Shiloh Shepherd puppies! We are expecting lots of healthy, richly colored sable and black plush coated Shiloh Shepherd puppies. They are being bred to create plush coated Shilohs with big, healthy, strong bone structure, gentle and loving temperaments, and great movement. They will also increase the genetic diversity of this breed. Please take a peak at their fantastic lineage.

If you are interested or know of someone who would like to own a very special Shiloh Shepherd puppy, please contact us as soon as possible. Applications and reservations are being accepted now!