STEW’S POOS: We don’t have any puppies currently available. Vanna was bred with Einstein on Jan. 30-31. If they are expecting, the puppies will be due April 2.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COCKAPOOS: My partner, Rusty Nelson, of Fresno, has several litters that are available now and coming up. Rusty also has a few older puppies — 6 months and older — who still need loving, forever homes. Their prices have been reduced to $300-$500 each. Photos can be seen on PuppyFind.

Even breeders who have been raising puppies for decades will occasionally have a surprise. On Jan. 23, 14-lb. Willow and 9-lb. Einstein produced 12 puppies in Fresno. Not surprisingly, two were stillborn, but there were still 10 puppies! Fortunately, a friend of Rusty’s had a mom who had recently lost her one pup. So five of Willow’s pups were happily adopted by Molly, a Shitz Tsu, and Willow began caring for the remaining five. On Jan. 26, when Rusty checked on Willow, there were six puppies, which he re-counted several times before realizing that Willow had had a 13th puppy, two and a half days later! Little Wally is strong and healthy.

NOTE: My PhotoShop program crashed last week, so until the new one arrives on Feb. 10, I can’t update the text on the photos. So, in the meantime, FYI: Woody has been sold, and also one of the black & white parti-colored female puppies.

We can ship via air freight out of Fresno or LAX. The cost for shipping is $300-$350, depending on the airline (from Central California Cockapoos in Fresno) or $350-$400 (from Stew’s Poos), and that includes the health certificate issued by a veterinarian, crate, etc. We will not ship toy puppies younger than 3 months/12 weeks on flights of more than 6 hours.

Stews Poos’ puppies are raised in our home underfoot. They are played with, handled daily and well socialized by the time they are ready to go to their new homes. They are also introduced to other dogs in the home, to our cats and to our friends.

The puppies’ dewclaws are removed when the pups are three days old. We do not dock their tails. Litters are introduced, at three weeks, to a top quality puppy food: Purina One. They also start learning to use “piddle pads” (instead of our carpet?) when they have to potty. We purchase small toys for the puppies as their mobility increases. They sleep and play with these toys and each will take a toy to their new homes, so they will be comforted by the familiar scents of their mother and siblings.

All puppies will be registered with the American Cockapoo Club. Proof of the parent dogs´ registration with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), along with copies of the parents´ pedigrees, including available AKC-registration numbers will be provided to new owners. Our parent dogs have their eye exams, as recommended by CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation), however, we no longer register them with the organization since they have adopted the discriminatory policy of charging a higher fee for “hybrid” breeds. We have also begun to have parent dogs’ DNA tested to see if they carry the gene for Progressive Rod-Cone Disorder.

We order crates, toys and grooming supplies from a company that sells to groomers, breeders and pet shops and so we are able to order these necessities at a considerable discount from pet store prices. We offer new families a puppy starter package for $125 (starter crate, bed, food & biscuits, brush, comb, nail scissors, shampoo, piddle pads, harness, leash, toys and more). E-mail us at stewspoos@gmail.com for more information about everything that is included.

Our pups are sold with a one year warranty stating that they are free of genetic life-threatening physical defects which would interfere with their ability to be a good pet or cause great expense. Also, within five days of your bringing your new puppy home, if the dog is not found to be sound and in good health (worms and parasites excepted) by your veterinarian, you may return the dog for a full refund.

Prices for our 1st and 2nd generation ‘Poo pups start at $700-$800. Third generation pups run approximately $100 more, etc. Notice will go out to those on our waiting list after the pups are born. Those still interested should either telephone or e-mail and let us know. At that time, a non-refundable, 20 percent deposit is requested, which will be deducted from the total cost of the dog.