Holly - 2008 Litter G

3 1/2 weeks

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All photos on this site:
© 2008 White Oak English Shepherds

Holly

My grandmother, Blonza Holleman Smith, has been
inspirational to me for a good many years. She was always
busy doing something, whether it was taking care of the
family, working around the farm, or crocheting or tatting
when she was "doing nothing" at night. The name Holly is
pulled from my grandmother's maiden name of Holleman.
According to story my grandmother told me, the first
children born to Bud & Vera Holleman were named by her
maiden aunt, Bertha. Aunt Bertha was a well read lady, who
came up with some pretty unusual names including the name of
Blonza. My grandmother used to smile whenever she was
introduced to folks and quip that "there aren't too many of us
in captivity."

Holly was the third pup to be born and weighed in at .85
pounds. After delivering two pups over 1 pound in weight, Kira
seemed relieved to have one this size! Holly will be sable and
white. She does have long white front stockings, back
stockings as well, white chest, blaze and muzzle, along with a
white tip on her tail. She was born with rear dewclaws which
have been removed.

At 4 weeks, I have caught Holly watching the TV at times. A
loud noise on the program will make her stop, sit and watch
for a minute or so, and then she is back to exploring. She
continues to lighten up some with age. Her blaze is shrinking
& there is some ticking spots beginning to show up in her
white.

At 5 weeks Holly, like her siblings, seems to know her name.
I always find it amazing to watch them process which one of
them I am calling and then come. My husband and I have
decided that Holly will be remaining here as our next
generation for our breeding program.

Holly is a sweet little girl who enjoys playing with her siblings
& interacting with her grandmother, Bec. When Bec is with
the pups, Holly is usually there trying to get her attention.

At 7 weeks, Holly and her siblings went for their herding
instinct testing at Claire Apple's place outside of Pittsboro.
I didn't get any pictures of the pups working, but Holly didn't
let the wing flapping get to her at all. Holly is a middle of the
pack kind of gal, which should work well with our pack here. I
am planning on working her both at Claire's and eventually do
some agility with her down the road. Whenever I look at
Holly, I see her daddy at this age. I always think about how
pleased Ed Lynn Jarratt would have been with this litter &
especially with Holly. He always thought so much of Dillon,
Russ' boy.

1 week

Roz to left, Holly to the right

Holly continues to lighten up in coloring. I
suspect that she will go through a fading
"gray" stage like her daddy did as well.

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4 weeks

2 weeks