The puppies are here, the puppies are here!

They took us completely by surprise, but the arrival of the Moonsetter I-Litter (or iLitter) was welcomed this morning beginning at 8:48 AM. By 11:15 AM all 8 puppies were here, 3 boys and 5 girls. Regan handled every puppy like a seasoned veteran, and our job turned out to be sitting back and watching her bring them into the world. As you can see, she made quick work of it too!

Liam the Dacshie was troubled by all the commotion and noises from the whelping box, and would occasionally jump up to peek inside and make sure Regan was okay. Regan wasn't the least bit daunted by the intrusion, and at one point we turned our backs to find Liam in the whelping box checking out the pups warming in the nest! A tribute to a good-tempered Gordon and an ever-curious Dachshund!

Merry Christmas From Our Home to Yours

Wishing everyone a wonderful, love-filled Christmas - and God's richest blessings throughout the coming New Year.

Chuck, Heidi, Chase & Olivia

The Moonsetter Gordon Setters

and Liam the Dachsie

Welcome Home Liam!

Well, after much anticipation, the latest edition to the Moonsetter Clan came home today. Our daughter Olivia has been diligently saving for her own dog: A long-haired Miniature Dachshund, her breed of choice. Lots of deliberation over breeders, and of course, some time convincing Daddy to let us have a small dog in the house - but we finally placed a reservation on a beautiful Black and Tan "Dapple" boy. His official name will be Starlight Moondox Lil'Man, also known as "Liam". As you can see from the picture, a ten year old girl could not be happier with her new "little man".

Happy Birthday Moonsetter E-Litter

Today marks the third birthday of the Moonsetter E-Litter... the birthday kids are:

Moonsetter Enduring Freedom SureShot (Liberty)
Moonsetter Everso Sirius SureShot (Rigel)
Moonsetter Exactly One SureShot (Wallace)
Moonsetter SureShot Espresso (Shaela)
Moonsetter Emulate the Cub (Maddox)
Moonsetter Eclipse the Sun (Apollo)
Moonsetter Everlasting Style (Bella)

Proud mama Delaney (Ch. Moonsetter Always in Style JH) and papa Jimmy (Rokeena Balthazar) send hugs and wet kisses to them all.

Happy Birthday to the C-Litter gang!

A big Happy Birthday to the Moonsetter C-Litter, sired by SureShot Majestic Consort ("Philip") and our own Delaney (Ch. Moonsetter Always in Style JH). The C-Litter gang is:

Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot (Mairead)
Moonsetter Chasin' the Wind (Chase)
Moonsetter Cutie-Pied Piper (Piper)
Moonsetter Contact at SureShot (Chloe)
Moonsetter Celtic Charm (Kiera)
Moonsetter Captain Morgan (Morgan)
Moonsetter Countess of Argyll (Argyll)
Moonsetter Claire de Lune (Claire)
Moonsetter Clan's Warrior (Wallace)

Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours...

Yes, that's a real turkey in our front yard!

Happy Birthday Moonsetter D-Litter!

A very Happy Birthday to the Moonsetter D-Litter - sired by our own Will (SureShot Crown Legacy) and Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot). The D-kids are:

Moonsetter Decidedly SureShot (Caber - at the Bridge)
Moonsetter D-Lovely (Gwendolyn)
Moonsetter Deputy Dog (Carson)
Moonsetter Derring-Do PhD (Doc)
Moonsetter Dolan SureShot (Rake)
Moonsetter Dasher Jarreau (DJ)
Moonsetter Dobbs-Noel (Booker)

Birthday wishes

We’d like to wish a Happy Birthday to a VERY special Gordon girl who turns 10 today: Our “Belle”, Ch. Timberlane Going in Style JH. Belle is the foundation of everything important in our breeding program; beauty, grace, style and most importantly, the best hunting dog we will ever be blessed to own. We regularly say out loud, “there will never be another Belle”… and truly mean it.

She has given us 28 puppies in only three litters; three beautiful daughters producing 26 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She is the dam of 5 Moonsetter champions, and a host of loving companions and beautiful hunting dogs. Her entire legacy yet to be realized, we could not be prouder.

Although gray around the edges, and perhaps a bit slower in the woods than she used to be, Belle is still the grand matriarch of the Moonsetter Clan.

Happy Birthday Bellie-banana!!

Time sure flies!

It's hard to believe our "little" Aiden (Moonsetter SureShot Hell Yes) is already 13 weeks old, and so far, he seems to be shaping up quite nicely! And he sure does remind us of his mama Aisling!!

Regan's growing up

The lovely Regan (Moonsetter Field of Her Own) has been enjoying some beautiful days in the grouse woods this fall with her favorite person - our son Chase. We thought we'd share a couple recent pictures of her.

Daegan's new home

Our boy Daegan (Moonsetter SureShot Grand Scheme) recently went to live in the coastal town of St. George, Maine. After arriving home from their long journey to pick him up, the Pearson's sent this picture of Daegan making himself at home. It appears he's indeed found the lap of luxury, and we couldn't be happier for Daegs!

Seven weeks, say it ain't so?

Tomorrow marks the 7 week birthday of the two Moonsetter "Heaven" babies... which means our time with both of them is nearing an end (heavy sigh). We've so enjoyed these two puppies and their constant presence as full-time "little" companions (the blessings of just two). We've been asked about recent pictures, so Olivia obliged by taking a couple cuties of them to share.

Two legs for Libby!

Sue Davis and her girl Liberty (Moonsetter Enduring Freedom SureShot) recently attended the Arctic Streakers NADAC Agility Trial in Alaska. Congratulations to both Sue and Libby on earning two Novice Tunneler legs that weekend! Some lovely pictures were taken by photographer David Ramey, who has generously allowed us to share them on our blog (All pictures (c) 2008 David C. Ramey Photography, 29345 Bluebell Lane, Soldotna, Alaska, (907) 262-5642 www.davidrameyphotography.com)

Greetings from Belle!

We received a glowing email from the Gorres' family in Amery, Wisconsin about how much they've been enjoying their girl "Belle" from our G-litter. They also shared this cute picture, showing how much she's grown since we saw her last!

Time flies when you're having fun!

It's hard to believe that Aidan and Maggie are already six weeks old! They've become such a part of our family - spending almost no time in the whelping box, but rather, living like "big dogs" as part of our family (aah, the benefits of just two!!)

Enjoying a day outside

Aidan and Maggie have been busy enjoying the green grass and sunshine !!

Couple cute pics of the pups out playing

Growing like weeds!

With just the two puppies, crate and potty training was able to start pretty early. Aidan shows that he's still the responsible "big" brother when it comes to caring for his sister Maggie.

Puppy Love

With just the two of them, "big" brother Aidan takes the job of looking after sister Maggie very seriously.

It must be "ruff"...

With legs starting to work and eyes peeking open... it's time for a rest! Life is "ruff" when you're a baby :)

It's not easy being cute

One week old... plus some change...

Wish we could say all three of the Heavenly babies made it to a week, but sadly, we lost a girl one day shy of that mark. It's never easy raising puppies, and the unpredictability of neonates is always stressful. Here are the two remaining pups at one week old. We've added a "stuffie" for them, so they have a little extra buddy to snuggle.

Getting bigger...

The "Heavenly" crew continue to grow - and mama Aisling does her best to make sure they keep warm.

They're here!

The Moonsetter "H" or rather, "Heaven" litter has arrived! These lovely little cherubs arrived on July 31st, and "heaven help us", one of them came in her own special color! :-) The two girls and one boy are doing well, and we are anxious to see what it's like to raise such a small litter - after raising so many in litters past. The dam is our Aisling, Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot and the sire is Logan, SureShot 'n Moonsetter Go the Distance. Our daughter Olivia has dubbed them "the Three Blind Mice"... and for a short time, they are! Watch for more of them in the weeks to come as they gain not only their sight, but all of their sea legs!

Congratulations Liberty!

Hearty congratulations to Sue Davis and her girl Liberty (also known as Moonsetter Enduring Freedom SureShot). Libby picked up three points towards her bench championship this weekend going WB/BOS each day! Here is a lovely photo taken by a friend of Sue's at ringside.

The Need for Speed!

Sue Davis in Alaska sent along a couple shots of Lady Liberty, aka "Libby" titled "the need for speed". Both shots certainly epitomize a Gordon Setter out having fun!! Liberty is Moonsetter Enduring Freedom SureShot (Jimmy x Delaney). We'd like to say things look a bit greener in the lower 48, but unfortunately for those of us in east-central Minnesota, it looks about the same as it does in Anchorage!

Sweet picture of Blaece

We received a few cute pictures this weekend of "Blaece", owned by the Beraud's of Vienna, VA. Thought we'd share this sweet one of his typical G-Litter face (boy do they all look a like to us!!) Blaece is Moonsetter Gentle Blaece, out of Logan & Mairead.

Three Cheers for Denham!

This past weekend in Edmonton, Bev Holoboff's boy Denham (Moonsetter Good to Go SureShot) picked up his first point towards his Canadian championship. Denham is the first of the G-Litter kids to step foot in the ring - and we couldn't be prouder! Of course, Bev tells us he looks very nice, but we didn't get a picture to go along with our brag! (Hint, hint :-)

Lovely Shaela

Glenn & Erin in Sacramento sent this lovely picture of their girl Shaela (Moonsetter SureShot Espresso). Shaela is from our E-litter ("Jimmy" Rokeena Balthazaar x "Delaney" Ch. Moonsetter Always in Style JH). We learned last week that Shaela's accumulated Field Trial points from last year earned her a 3rd place ranking for GSCA's Puppy of the Year. Congratulations to a lovely, and talented girl!

The Results Are In!

Well here she is with her BLUE RIBBON after the Science Fair last Friday ! After a lot of hard work and STRESS, Olivia brings home the blue for her project "Dogs & Wolves: How Dogs and Wolves Are Alike". We couldn't be more proud of her!

Better Late than Never!

Poor Mairead (aka "the Divine Miss M") missed out on the spring cleaning by a couple of weeks - but finally, here she is. After suffering a rather ugly injury to her ear (and the loss of most of the hair) she did clean up pretty well for a mother of 13 ! A bit of tail and furnishings to recover after caring for such a large family, we're still very proud of her.

Spring Cleaning!

We have been doing the annual Spring Cleanup here at Moonsetter - which means bathing and grooming Gordons! With five down and three more to go - we thought we'd share a few pictures of our progress. Of course, in true Minnesota style, you can still find snow on the ground in March - but that's life here!

Aisling

Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot

(BIS Ch. Rokeena Swagman x Ch. Timberlane Going in Style JH)

Logan

SureShot n' Moonsetter Go the Distance

(BISS Ch. Bluewin's Gaelic Moon x Ch. Rokeena Downunder Delight + a LOT of agility titles!)

Daegan

Moonsetter SureShot Grand Scheme

(SureShot 'n Moonsetter Go the Distance x Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot)

Will

SureShot Crown Legacy

(BIS Ch. Rokeena Swagman x Ch. SureShot Painted Lady)

Lil'E

Moonsetter SureShot Gravity

(SureShot 'n Moonsetter Go the Distance x Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot)

Belle

Ch. Timberlane Going in Style JH

(at 91/2 she looks pretty smart for an "old gal" doesn't she?)