Happy First Birthday!
2025 Birthday wishes to the Name that Tune Litter - Maple and Arlo's pups
A lot is happening in 2025 - some of it is pretty stressful in the world and each other's lives. Thank goodness we have each other.
​
A lot of good is happening in this year, too - in big and small ways.
-
If you haven't seen Mary Chapin Carpenter's music video, A Girl and Her Dog, check it out on our News page and you'll see a few Chinooks among the many wonderful dog photos.
-
The bronze statue of Chinook was unveiled in Tamworth this November. Make sure to fit that into your travel plans when you can.
-
The first Chinook "graduate" from the Chinook Breed Conservation Program (CBCP) has been registered as a United Kennel Club (UKC) purebred Chinook, along with the rest of her litter and 2 other litters are in process, including these pups.
​
For the moment, our attention goes to a happy 1st birthday to 6 puppies born to Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae x Desert Sol Arlo Baci on December 9 and 10, 2024. We're here to share updates and news of the happiness (and maybe some mischief) that they are bringing to the people in their lives. These pups are CBCP graduates and should receive their UKC purebred registration soon!
Each pup in the Name that Tune Litter was named or a song that contained lyrics that are suitable to sing to your pup!
Join me in wishing a happy 1st birthday to these sweet pups.
GreatMountain Sylvie Sol (Sylvie)
Sylvie's puppy name was Daisy Jane for the song by America. I imagine her people singing these words to her across her life with them:
Do you really love me - I hope you do
Like the stars above me - How I love you
​
Her people describe Sylvie as "the snuggliest dog that we have ever met. She always has to be touching one of us as she sleeps and it's not uncommon to wake up and find her head next to mine on the pillow. She is such a joy, we love her so much."
Sylvie and 8-year-old, Cole have a strong bond. They build forts and hide under blankets, play hide and seek or chase, or make up games. They play together until Cole tires her out. They often fall asleep together in Sylvie's dog bed.
Sylvie loves children - the smaller, the better. She is respectful, a good listener, smart and communicative. She rarely barks but she does talk in a howley voice if her people have left her home alone or if it's time to go to the dog park - she always knows what time it starts.
​
​She loves looking out the front door during the day and watching the squirrels run about and the gingko leaves fall. She loves picking her boys up from school. She loves all kinds of dried animal treats and every time she is given one, she happily puts it in her mouth and does the same happy trot to the living room to eat it. Her favorite treat is a scrambled egg.
GreatMountain Sylvie Sol
(F)
Puppy Name: Daisy Jane
​Date of Birth: 12/9/2024
State: OR
COI: 37%
Height: 22"
Weight: 47 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear - MRD1 and Chondrodystrophy, Carries genes for - IVDD and ALT Activity
Breeding Status: Intact
GreatMountain Willing and Able (Able)
Able's puppy name was Sweet Baby James for the song by James Taylor, I imagine his people singing these words to him across his life with them:
Goodnight, you moonlight ladies, rockabye, sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose - won't you let me go down in my dreams?
And rockabye, sweet baby James​
What does Able not like? He does not like when Alice or Jamie leave. He is a somewhat fussy eater, except when it comes to people food. He does not care for having his nails trimmed. Periodic trimming and the “scratch board” are working ok. Able HOWLED on his first car rides, but he is now fine with car travel.
Able's list of what he loves is much longer!
Alice is his #1 mom and Jamie, his best buddy. Able is happy to sleep in a bit. His people are happy about that, too. He does rise in the night to give them kisses or cuddle, then back to bed. A quiet morning with a collagen stick is a great way to start the day! He enjoys daily hikes with Alice at the land trust preserves, especially in the snow and colder weather. Curling up next to the woodstove is the best (River, Juniper, Maple, and Brother agree). He loves when Alice or Jamie return home and likes it best when both are home with him. Able loves his daily game with Jamie – “Hey! That’s my hat!” where Able steals Jamie’s baseball caps off his head.​
Able has an enthusiastic recall so he gets off leash walks at the preserve where is runs up inclines and dashes through the trees. He is reasonably good on leash – they’re working on it! Alice said, “By our third class he was the best-behaved dog in class as I could have him lay on his mat, tell him to ‘wait,’ and walk halfway across the room and then return with him staying put, although not without him complaining.”
GreatMountain Willing and Able (M)
Puppy Name: Sweet Baby James
Date of Birth: 12/9/2024
State: ME
COI: 36%
Height: 25"
Weight: 75 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear MRD1, Chondrodystrophy, and IVDD; Carries genes ALT Activity
Breeding Status: Intact
We hope that Able will produce a litter or two after completing health test.
GreatMountain Granite Quimbo (Quimbo)
Quimbo's puppy name was Bridge for the song Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel.
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
At 10 weeks old Quimbo had surgery to remove a squeaker from his intestines. Thankfully he recovered well without any problems and has been very healthy since. Sometimes he has looser stools and he still puts stuff in his mouth that he shouldn’t. This is getting better since he is getting older.
He is a great love and really enjoys his belly rubs and head pats. Children are his favorite (he went for a dog sled demo at a local elementary school last spring - all 80 children loved on him). “Quim” plays hard with his pack “sisters” racing around the yard, in and out of the trees. He crouches as if stalking prey, then attacks his pack mates, Misty and Taaku. Quimbo knew to play gently with the elder Chinook, Izzy. Izzy passed away last week and he is missing her. They used to cuddle together in the evenings.
Quimbo did really well in his basic obedience class - except for learning “down.” He just doesn’t want to miss anything! The trainer fell in love with him and he flipped for her, as well. Quimbo is a big talker (actually “yodeler”) - especially in the mornings when he wants everyone to get up. He’s probably the biggest talker out of all the Chinooks that have lived with John and Les at Granite Hill - and that's a lot! Quim is a joy to walk, no pulling, unlike packmate, Misty. He doesn't like bicycles but is working on it.
GreatMountain Granite Quimbo
(M)
Puppy Name: Bridge
Date of Birth: 12/9/2024
State: NH
COI: 35%
Height: 24"
Weight: 65 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear MRD1, Chondrodystrophy; Carries genes ALT Activity and IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact
I was glad to visit with Quimbo at the unveiling of the Chinook statue last month. After a couple of sniffs he said, "I remember you" and jumped up for kisses and pats. Quimbo loves his pack and life in NH. He loves snoozing on his back and being with his people. No visit with the family granddaughters is complete without Quimbo.
​​
Everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He adds a lot to the Donais family and is very loved.​
GreatMountain Bowie
Bowie's puppy name was Friend for the song Whenever I Call You Friend by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks. I imagine his people singing this to him forever:
Whenever I call you "friend" I believe I've come to understand
Everywhere we are you and I were meant to be forever and ever
​
"Bowie is a joyful addition to our family. In our nighttime bedtime routine, Bowie visits both girls to say goodnight. He starts in Addie's room, jumping on her bed and burrows into the quilt. Then 20 minutes later, he switches to Izzy's room and does the same thing. It's very, very sweet. He is an INCREDIBLE cuddler - he melts against us, and snoozes like there's no tomorrow. He's super cute and we love him!"
​
Bowie is totally devoted to his Chinook brother, Blue - always checking in on him. Blue likes the company and has that little kick in his step when Bowie starts egging him on. He loves to play chase in the yard, snuffle under the field grass to hunt voles, and to walk in the woods. He has good doggie friends – Bruno, Katniss, and Hank.
​
He's a smart cookie. A new command feels pretty easy to teach. Tricks in the house - simple. Recall in the field - still a work in progress! He travels very easily, never pulls on the leash.Bowie is reserved with people outside of our family, but they are working hard to keep exposing him to new (and familiar) faces and helping him find ways to feel comfortable. He's making a lot of progress.
GreatMountain Bowie
(M)
Puppy Name: Friend
Date of Birth: 12/10/2024
State: ME
COI: 40%
Height: 24"
Weight: 55 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear MRD1, Chondrodystrophy; Carries genes ALT Activity and IVDD
Neutered
GreatMountain Lovely Juniper
Juniper's puppy name was Lovely for the song Isn’t She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder. Juniper lives here at GreatMountain Farm with me and her kin, so I still sing these words song to her (I am also learning Donovan's sweet song - Jennifer Juniper):
Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she precious?
Less than one minute old
Juniper loves her life here at the farm. Like her siblings' families reported, she is a snuggler! Her early life was spent hanging out with Dirigo, the elder, until it was warm enough and she was big enough to transition into the kennel during the days. She loves being close to her momma, Maple (as seen here). She also snuggles and plays with abandon with her grandpa, Brud; cousin, Moon; and Maple. Dirigo's play sessions are short lived, but she joins the fray at times.
​
​Juniper happily gets periodic play times with brother, Able and sister, River. Now that River has moved to Maine, perhaps all 3 can play together more often.
​
She attended a Meet the Chinook event at Maine Historical Society and was adored by attendees. While a bit shy, she greeted the people and loved the other Chinook. When other dogs bark, she pauses to see what all the commotion is about. She prefers to be near me in those instances. She is not much of a barker herself but has some creative vocalizations that I enjoy.
​
Juniper has been the most petite among her littermates, though she decided to grow a bit this fall. She is nearly the same height as Maple and has filled out nicely. She has lovely structure and a beautiful gait.
​
She is a digger and loves to chew on random things - firewood is one of her obsessions. She is quite responsive to redirection. She is smart and learns fast. She is a very loving girl, seeking out connection and snuggles. She LOVES mealtime!
GreatMountain Lovely Juniper
(F)
Puppy Name: Lovely
​Date of Birth: 12/10/2024
State: ME
COI: 33%
Height: 22"
Weight: 45 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear - MRD1; Increased risk - CDDY/IVDD, Carries 1 gene - dwarfism, Carries ALT Activity
Breeding Status: Intact
GreatMountain Kennebec River (River)
River's puppy name was Sun for the song, Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, I imagine her people singing to her:
Little darling, the smile's returning to their faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say it's all right
River is a love. She is a snuggler as others have said. River and her Chinook brother Dawson are only allowed to sleep on the bed with their people when they are at camp - a special pleasure for them. Picture River and Dawsom at the baby gate - they sit outside the bedroom and stare (perhaps dreaming of camp).
She has moved to Maine and enjoying every minute of it. Their new home comes with first floor living which everyone is loving. River is very curious about life in and around her new home - she loves the snow and is enjoying all the deer tracks around her new home.
River will be heading to a new training class with her people soon - the biggest goal is improving how to walk on a leash.
River is a beautiful girl with a strong body. She is lean but tall. She is fast and agile.
GreatMountain Kennebec River
(F)
Puppy Name: Sun
​Date of Birth: 12/10/2024
State: NH/ME
COI: 38%
Height: 24"
Weight: 45 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
​
Genetics: Clear MRD1, Chondrodystrophy, and IVDD; Carries genes ALT Activity
Spayed
What else?
Syvlie met Lisa at a ballgame, Lisa recoganized Syvlie as a Chinook because she lived with GreatMountain Tilki for a good, long life. Here's Lisa and Tilki on "going home day."
Able and Blue visited over the summer. Able visited Juniper and Maple a few times, too.
Quimbo with the Chinook statue. River and Dawson were there as well.
River has visited with Juniper and Maple a couple of times. Now that they live in Maine, we look forward to seeing them soon. River gives an enthusiastic hello!
We hope to breed Maple again in early 2026. We are awaiting health test results for a boy in NJ. Fingers crossed. Brud looks forward to puppies again. Dirigo say, "meh."