O Killian! My Killian!

Most all the adopters gathered at our house this morning to submit their adoption contracts for Della's Dozen Danes. It was a very nice gathering, and I'm happy with all the homes where the puppies will be going. We got a group photo, including Della, and then Della met all the puppy adopters. She was very good with everyone, which affirms my good feelings about all the adopters. The other thing I really liked about these people was that when they met the puppies they would pick up and love on all of them, not necessarily just "their" puppy. It was a nice gathering, everyone was happy and excited. They got to know each other, which is good because they will be in class together with their puppies in a couple weeks. I hope they will have puppy play dates, maybe rely on one another for help and advice, and get together for a reunion occasionally so we can see how everyone has grown. There is already a Facebook group for this litter of puppies and adopters.

It felt like a moment of closure for Clay and I, but when it was all said and done, we still had 11 puppies to put back into the shed for a much needed late-morning snoozle. The puppies will be going to their new homes over this next week, gradually bringing our experience in whelping and raising puppies to a close.

Killian went home with his new family today. He was the last adoption to be confirmed, but really he was the first, because Erika had her eyes and heart set on him since the birth day, although she still denies it.

Erika's youngest boy has referred to Killian as "My Killian" ever since he was born, mostly because his mother talked about him all the time.

The puppies, left to right: Allagash, Modelo, Chimay, Paulaner, Stella, Carlsberg, Guinness,
Peroni, Killian, Sierra (with Clay), Abita, and Duvel.
There probably haven't been this many kids here since our house was the home of the Fluvanna
Military Academy before the Civil War. 

Della enjoyed all the attention and was very
gracious with all the puppy thieves. 

Everyone thought Della was beautiful, as indeed she is.

Giving Killian a send off kiss.

 O Killian, My Killian, your fateful trip has just begun.