ROUX is a Cedar X Trigger pup whose Human dad says at 10 months of age: "Finally - some ducks for Roux to retrieve. Four of the five in the photo would still be hiding in the tall, thick weeds if it weren't for her. She loves to hunt, but still thinks some of what she finds should be hers.

I really have to work on getting her to stay at the shot. She hears the gun and she is off, knowing I must have shot something. She has more confidence in me than I deserve!

She made 8 retrieves, sort of. She got all ducks she was sent for but didn't want to pick all of them them up. She did pull the three out of the weeds and she grabbed any wounded bird and held it until I arrived or it died, though she did retrieve three to hand.

A big problem is that she doesn't want to sit quietly by my side while waiting. She wants to explore the weeds and water. Not the best trait in a duck dog! We will work on that but for now, I let her go and it doesn't flare the incoming birds.

The temperature was 45 with a steady, strong wind. The water is probably around 38 degrees. She wore her vest but shivered most of the time though she remained warm to the touch. After about 5 hours of hunting ducks, on the return to the car (1000 yards), she covered the fields of wheat like she just woke up.

Now the hard part - cleaning her up. I showered with her and the water ran black. Then she shook and the bathroom became covered with tiny burrs. Tomorrow she gets clipped again to remove the remaining 5 million burrs and tangles!

Here is the proud puppy with her first five (center picture in 2nd row above)!

KALE'S Human Parents say (in the left picture, she is the dog laying with her head held high): "Kale is just as sweet as can be.  She is a lover.  Kale's color is darker but not sure what I would compare it to. She is so quiet and mellow.  Sure she gets rowdy now and then but she settles very easily." Kale is loved by the owners of Autumn Shades Standard Poodles.

BOOTLEGGER'S Human Parents say: Bootlegger is growing so fast, and he is so laid back. I really want to tell you, I'm so lucky to have found you. He has a little buddy right now, same age, but different breed--a miniature ShihTzu. They really are a pair. Bootlegger doesn't realize he is a tad bigger..same age even." Bootlegger goes to work everyday with his owner at HBJ's Grooming.

SANDER'S Human Parents say: I have to share with you again how awesome Sander is. Fantastic in his obedience classes – wins the mini competitions with no problem, and we will start puppy agility soon, too. And handsome! He is 34 lbs. at 18 weeks and 21 inches to his shoulder. Here are some recent photos. I’ll try to wait a decent amount of time before updating you again. I can’t help myself! Thanks for the object of our affection!"

PIPER'S Human Parent says: She wants to chase the rabbits, but the squirrels really make her crazy.  I bought an Easy-Walk harness which hooks in front of her chest.  This was worth getting.  It's like she knows she has it on, so she doesn't pull.  She's a doll.  Every once in a while she gets "wild'eyed and crazy. Having her is a true joy.  She has so much energy, and really wants to run all the time.  Her vet said she is very healthy.  She is funny.  When we are in the car coming home from training, she'll try to chew or lick the top of my water bottle because she wants a drink.  She knows the bottle has water in it.  She is so much fun, and I've said this before, she is so smart.  I talk to her like she is a person, and she understands what I say.  Being her mom, I guess I am prejudiced, but she is both gorgeous and brilliant."

CEDAR'S Human Parents say (and yes, Cedar's pup is also named Cedar): "Last night we were watching Cedar puppy and we have never had a poodle who follows her nose like her!  She gets a whiff of something and her nose is high in the air, on the ground . . . pretty interesting to see how different she is than a ‘normal’ poodle.  I do like her face – I prefer the squared off nose, verses the pointed ones.  We just love her!"