In some outhouses behind the Castle are three little shiny snub nosed spaniel puppies. The first few months of life are just entrancing and the office team who work with us here at Highclere sit on chairs carefully brought in around the whelping box, happily continuing with phone calls whilst holding puppies.
The first one, a little girl, was born on a sofa in the Castle, 4 or 5 of us sitting quietly around Clemmie, the mother, trying to be supportive. Isabella, whose father Luis works with us, was there watching, an unforgettable story for her friends at school. It was then getting late, so the girls helped me carry a large dog bed upstairs with lots of towels and put it next door to my bed so I could doze and watch during the night. The next one was born at midnight and was sadly stillborn, a very low point, and strangely lonely. Clemmie and I had tried to breathe into it and make sure it’s nose was clear but I think it was dead beforehand. So she left it apart from her bed and I found a small box to put it into.
Number three was born some 4 hours later and I could spot him because he had 4 perfect white manicured feet. Nervous and carefully wiping him, I was hugely relieved he was fine – I had dreaded another repeat. The last one was born at the vets, a little boy who once he got the hang of suckling has never stopped. Clemmie was exhausted but wonderful and so kind.
Their eyes are now open, and their legs becoming stronger, so they pull on tassels, clamber into my lap and slide off, nibble my fingers and make me want to keep them all. Every day is wonderful and I think it remains just so for cocker spaniels for every day of their life. They are a gloriously enthusiastic and full of life breed.
I cannot keep them all and so I am trying to choose homes where they can be loved and love. The other part of the deal is they have to come back to see their brothers and sisters here and have the occasional party. However, I think I cannot help it and am going to keep the little girl, Evie. In a few years we can then make Clemmie a Granny and Rosie a great-Granny. I think Geordie is resigned and but will probably secretly be very grateful it is just the one….
It is magic and my next puppy party at the Castle will be even better with more friends, four-legged and two, and the chaos and pleasure of families.
Instagram
Love the puppies. I’ve had two litters of springers and also had puppy parties here in the glorious Trossachs. We also had a puppy born on a sofa……. Even though a whelping box was 2 ft away.
Most of my friends now have one of the puppies from our litters. It’s also a great way to make new friends. Anyone who likes spaniels has to be ok!!
I’m a huge history buff and I came across your blog by accident whilst looking up houses to visit Lovely. Must keep reading it… Especially as I know there are puppies at your feet. X
Thank you for sharing this wonderful event with us!
Congratulations on your new family additions! They are simply adorable and very lucky pups to be so well loved.
Dear Patsy,
They are so so cute, I can just about carry them in a basket now but they peer over the top and become little escape artists. xx
This was the first email I opened this morning – what a wonderful way to start my day! My first treasured pet was a spaniel named Sweetie, and spaniels have a special place in my heart. How fortunate these lovely dogs are to have a such a caring person to love them. They look so soft and silky, I just wanted grab them right off the screen and cuddle them. Thank you for sharing these precious little puppies with us.
What a lovely story…..though I think I may take the same view as the Earl !
They are beautiful and sweet. Thank you for sharing this happy event!
LOVE that you let your dogs jump up on the furniture! Just like me! Puppies rule!
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt event. Everyday is wonderful,so true and words to live ones life by. Enjoy the puppies!
I’m going to be touring the castle on the final day of the season (Sept 10) and wonder if there’s a chance to see these little cuties?
Precious! Wanted one and am sorry I live in USA and cannot become one’s mommy! Thank you for your blog. I enthusiastically watch for it.
Which one is Evie?
A New young life is just beautiful when you see it like this weather its a human any of the other animals in the world these little bundles of joy will bring happiness to al to of people in the coming years..
Another 1st class Blog with very cute photos of the little ones Lady Carnarvon
Paul 🙂
Highclere Cocker Spaniel Breeding Farm?
The Earl has horses…you could have puppies 🙂
How lovely they are, and what a joyful story you tell.
They are very lucky to have your love and care. Just adorable.
We have rather a lot of puppies/dogs and horses, all a bit mad. Dear Catherine from Greece, just to say we spent a week in Greece and it was wonderful, clear seas to swim in, lovely people and extraordinary scenery.
How delightful…would that every darling puppy life had such love and caring waiting for them. God did such a very special thing for each of us in entrusting animals to us. Obviously these babies fell into the best of it. That wonderful new puppy smell and snuzzling cannot be replicated anywhere else.. Give those cute babies a snuggle for me and thank you for sharing your delightful story. Beth
Lovely, indeed! Whew…hosting newborn puppies ignites the gamut of emotion. All the best, to the little darlings (and your sanity, for the next few months). What a whirlwind to be in?!
Lady Carnarvon, I want to thank you for taking the time to bring such interesting, truly caring stories to all of us that are so interested, The photos are great – I have always loved cocker spaniels. their faces tell the “whole story”. I may not always comment, but I definitely wait for your next story.
Such a lovely post. Clemmie looks very happy with herself. What a clever girl. It’s great that you will keep one of the pups. My dog is Miss Maggie and my daughter has her sister Miss Jay and they often get together for a play or sleepover. Miss Jay was in doggie day care last week and got tonsillitis and then passed it onto Miss Maggie and so they are now both on medication. hahaha !!! I didn’t even now dogs could get tonsillitis !! Life is never dull with dogs….
They are special and a great girlfriend Karine (Hagen of Viking Cruises) borrows Bella the labrador and Rosie, these puppies Grandmother for sleepovers at her cottage.
I met you and your delightful Golden retreiver today in the castle and was delighted to meet you both!
Wonderful, your puppies and their momma are so very blessed to have someone as caring as you for their guardian. Thank you for sharing such a sweet event!
What a wonderful story – you have so many good things too share and this story of life is so amazing! What a strong Mama she was and so happy that you are keeping one of the pups!
“Adorbs!!!”
Oh I want one
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful puppies. Do you also have Sussex Spaniels? A close friend of mine breeds them here in Virginia, U.S. and they are wonderful, beautiful dogs 🙂 Thanks again!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/NK-T_t166TY?feature=player_embedded
Look at this great pup!
That is an amazing video. PS am going to look for next plane soon…
How adorable! Those sweet little faces…impossible not to fall in love with them. I wouldn’t want to give any of them up either! Many congrats on your new family!
What a lovely story to start my day,so nice that you are keeping one i think it’s a must.& what fun you will have when a reunion of the four legged & two get together.hope it will be a glorious sunny day & not this horrid rain.
A truly beautiful and calming story which is the highlight of my day.
Now tell me those are not the luckiest pups on that side of the pond! Congratulations!! Just the other day I saw a dog that looked exactly like the cutie that was on Downton. Made me feel very sad.
I love the Labradors here too but Bella is now getting stiffer and older. This morning was good however, and she hopped in the car with happy enthusiasm to accompany me as I went round checking on horses!
Loved reading this blog. Your pups remind me of my litter which was born in February of this year. Loved every minute of them. Looking forward to reading more about them
What a beautiful bunch! I would have a hard time parting with any of them, at least you can keep one.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for sharing so warmly and generously the miracle of life, and sadness, too. Oh, the hard choice to let go. But puppy parties, how brilliant! That must be a wild and wonderful day! It would be lovely to read that blog!
Your blogs are so interesting, sharing with us the daily life of the enterprise called Highclere Castle. The huge amount of work it requires. Amazing!
And it was lovely to meet you in Houston. Fascinating to listen how you became a curator of the estate’s history. A guardian for future generations treasures.
Sincerely,
Birgitt van Wijk
I would love one of these puppies for my daughter and to train as a therapy dog for children with mental health problems. If they are at all available please please may I be considered xxx
How absolutely beautiful. As a lifelong owner of both Springer and Cocker Spaniels I would be overjoyed to offer one of these little pups a home. Are any of them still looking for a family? A very happy, forever home by the sea in Cornwall awaits!
There was no mention of the sire! Wondering if it was a “Lady and the Tramp” type pairing or if you planned this conception?
Either way, there is nothing sweeter than puppy breath!
Best wishes from San Luis Obispo, California
What beautiful puppies. I have fallen in love with cocker spaniels since I started volunteering for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, they are such bright intelligent dogs. My latest puppy Leo arrived two weeks ago & is quite a little character, in about 18 months time he will leave me to become a life changer, giving a deaf person independence, confidence & companionship. Have you ever considered donating a puppy to become an assistance dog? http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Oh I just saw this blog How cute these puppies are. I don’t have s dog but still think these puppies are adorable. Well done for helping with their births, you are so kind. We are coming to Highclere on the 13th of August. I am looking forward to it so much. I loved the books about Almina and Catherine.
Best wishes
Anne
The sire was planned and was a very nice golden cocker spaniel (some friends of mine had had a litter of puppies from him). Clemmie is 5 years old so I had wanted to breed form her as I have her mother too -so this if the third generation! They are such kind and enthusiastic dogs.
We too have wonderful memories of a blond cocker… The name in our email, Dusty, is long gone, but never forgotten.
Like, but unlike you, Lady Carnarvon, I write a travel column for a local online newspaper, and sometimes share pictures of our trips along with my stories. I mentioned in an earlier response that my husband (of 38 yrs) Cary and I will be visiting Highclere on August 12th. How would you feel about one of your beloved puppies being raised an American? We would consider it an honor and a privilege.
Both retired, with great references, (as pet owners and community volunteers) we would bring him/her back to the U.K to visit often. Even if we are not considered as adoptive parents, a picture and interview for a story would be great. I receive no pay, just a love of writing and a “gypsy” spirit in our blood for travel.
Sharon Kirkham
LaPorte, IN USA
Dear Lady Carnarvon , it is truly a blessed event, when any child or animal is born. Your new puppies, are cute as ever. Give them extra hugs for me. If you have a male, you might consider naming him Highclere, to keep it in his family also. May they grow in love. Desiree.
They are absolutely gorgeous! Such joy it is to experience the birth of so lovely puppies. I have two cocker spaniels myself and they are really giving life an extra dimension. Congratulations to the three!
My first visit to your blog gave me the delightful story of Clemmie and her sweet puppies; congratulations! Doug and I will visit you on August 25th and hope to catch a glimps of them. Sadly, we cannot bring Gaby, our 6 year old Goldendoodle; she would love to play!
Correction: Doug and I will visit Highclere Castle on Monday, Aug. 24th: we’ll keep our eyes out for Clemmie and the new additions to your family!
What beautiful pictures. How nice to have such adorable puppies. Mom looks very proud of her little ones. I’ve had a cocker spaniel and they are very loving dogs. Don’t know how anyone can look at puppies and not want one. Right now I have an all black cat named Jemima and she will be 18 on Sept. 1st. No plans for a puppy while I have Jemima. I do spend a lot of time looking at different breeds and falling in love over and over. The best of luck with the new family.
Carol-Ann
Pascoag, RI USA
We visited the castle on august the 5th 2015 .It took my breath away I love the history of Highclere castle have read both your books and could not put them down really interesting. Have just today found your website, love the puppies hope you have found homes for them.
Lucy
Hi – pups are so gorgeous! I was looking at maybe a second dog and already have a gorgeous liver/white female springer spaniel and was looking at the cocker spaniels like yours and adore the brown girl. How do we get in touch with you about having one?
Many thanks, Maxine.
Forgot to say, we live in Hampshire too so never a problem to join in your puppy parties!
If they could bottle Puppy Breath, they’d make a fortune.
I for all time emailed this weblog post page to all my friends,
for the reason that if like to read it after that my links will too.
Dear Lady Carnarvon
I was just reading about your beautiful cocker spaniels. Last weekend on 16 September we acquired a beautiful 8 week chocolate brown cocker spaniel called Coco Carson as our gorgeous new family pet. It was certainly a great way of celebrating our 17th Wedding Anniversary of our marriage in my village, Sonning on Thames and our wedding reception in your beautiful Highclere Castle. It was an unforgettable day and we have treasured memories of being in your home with our friends and family. My grandfather knew your family and when I was a little girl we would often visit Highclere. Happy memories which I hope you don’t us sharing with you.
Kind Regards
Clare
Thank you – the dogs are just such loves and so lovely – they have a good life here! You will have to come and visit us again