NEWS
NEWS
09/15/2026
10/06/2026
09/29/2026
10/13/2026
10/20/2026
10/27/2026
Week 2Weight: 41,2kgBelly: ...
Week 4Weight: 42,6kgBelly: 76cm
Week 5Weight: 43kgBelly: 82cm
Week 6Weight: 45,4kgBelly: 87cm
Week 7Weight: ?Belly: ?
Week 8Weight: ?Belly: ?
09.29.2026
Pregnancy confirmed!!!
Mac Bess & Hati will become parents in early November.
I am so proud to announce today that it worked! ♥
09.15.2026
Today marks two weeks since Mac Bess and Hati's wedding. We have to wait another two weeks to see if the journey has been fruitful.
In the meantime, we've already received our litter lion.
Anyone who already has a puppy from my kennel knows, or should know, that every litter has a cuddly lion from the very beginning—a lucky charm, companion, or keepsake. Whatever you want to call it, it's a ritual.
And yesterday, the one for this litter arrived. Mac Bess is a clown, so it was clear it had to be something colorful. And so it became THIS lion, meant to bring good luck and fun to the whelping box. ♥
Mac Bess is doing well. She's lost a little weight, but she was already in pretty good shape before, and based on my experience from previous years, it's always normal for a bit of weight loss to occur during the first two weeks.
She weighs 41.2 kg and I'll soon take her first standing picture so we can always compare her tummy size. After the ultrasound, when we have it "in black and white," there will be a weekly update picture of her measurements and girth. ♥
09.05.2026
Honeymoon
♥ Hati & Mac Bess ♥
Exciting and exhausting days are behind us.
After Jurell and Coeur celebrated their show successes together in Luxembourg, we set off for HONEYMOON with Hati on the same day.
Jurell and Coeur were dropped off at home, and Mac Bess got in.
The journey began on Saturday afternoon with an overnight stay in a hotel, followed by the drive to Poland: arrival on Sunday late afternoon.
Our meeting point in Poland was almost 1200 km away for us and almost 930 km for Hati.
At our meeting point, there was a very passionate and ambitious veterinarian who also specializes in reproductive medicine and could take care of everything if needed.
So Mac Bess and I were able to enjoy the first mating on Sunday evening. The first mating took place, a little early, but better too early than too late.
We were able to come in for the progesterone test outside of regular office hours. We received the results directly from the lab the next day, guaranteeing us the perfect timing for mating.
Based on the progesterone levels, Monday was a rest day, and Mac Bess and I did some sightseeing.
On Tuesday, we had another progesterone test, and lo and behold, THE PERFECT MOMENT had arrived, and we were able to perform another mating. We repeated this on Wednesday morning, and then Hati and his family headed back home.
Mac Bess and I waited a few more hours so she could rest before the long drive home, and then we set off a little later. We made another stop at the hotel so we could be rested for the remaining three-hour drive the next morning. The total driving time was actually 13.5 hours (due to all the traffic)!
Thank you, dear Natalja and family, for meeting up with us again to give Mac Bess and Hati the chance to have their last litter.
... Now we're hoping that I'll have a positive ultrasound result in my hands in four weeks.
Appointment for the ultrasound: approximately September 29, 2026
08.30.2026
Internationale DOG SHOW Luxbembourg
Grandma and granddaughter on tour
The show in Luxembourg was a last-minute addition to our plans with Coeur, and Jurell was also there, with the chance to earn her first and probably last Champion title.
Especially since, at 11 years and almost 2 months old, she was the oldest in the entire ring.
All the more remarkable was how much fun she had; she was jumping around, clearly enjoying herself, and looked brilliant ♥ Coeur competed in the Champion class and was in top form. She confidently achieved a fantastic 2nd place and received the Reserve CACL.
Jurell competed in the Veteran class with only one other competitor and also received 2nd place and the Reserve CACL.
It was clear that we wouldn't be competing on Sunday, even though we had registered. This meant one fewer dog competed in two classes, making it more exciting for the other participants.
Beforehand, I had asked Jurell's competitor if she still had any of her old sportsmanship skills; that way, they could both earn their Champion titles. I remember from before; we often skipped a competition if the dog had already earned its qualifying certificates or if the prospect of a second one was certain. Unfortunately, our fellow competitor didn't care and wanted to claim the two days for herself.
Afterwards, we learned from many sources that she's known for being a bit more aggressive... and we knew each other.
♥ No big deal. We're taking it easy. Jurell was the oldest and happiest participant, and that will always be a cherished memory. ♥
A huge thank you to Ellen Reisinger, who captured this wonderful moment in photos. We truly know what it means to us to have a girl of this age. ♥
Matobo Hills Vizuri Raza Coeur
Champion Class
2. Place
Excl. Res. CACL
Matobo Hills Jurell Mangani Zizi
Veteran Class
2. Place
Excl. Res. CACL
08.15.2026
♥ Mac Bess's heat cycle has begun. The great journey towards the U-litter is entering its next phase. ♥
If you are interested, please contact me via email.
07/30/2026
The hot month of July is drawing to a close, and August is already upon us. Time is flying—especially when you consider that Christmas is just five months away!
Payton has now gone into heat, and there is still hope that Mac Bess and Coeur will follow suit soon. According to the heat cycle schedule, Mac Bess is due to come into season sometime between late August and late October.
It is quite common in a pack for others to follow suit once one female starts her cycle. So, the coming weeks and months promise to be exciting.
For now, all eyes are on Mac Bess; she will be the next mom here at Matobo Hills.
The newsletter for our puppy owners and prospective buyers has launched, and the first edition went out yesterday. If you are on the list but didn't receive it, please send me a quick email so I can check why it didn't arrive.
I am thrilled that there is already so much interest in all three litters and that I can take everyone along on this journey.
While we try to get through this second heatwave as best we can, Jurell has been attending weekly physiotherapy sessions since turning eleven. She has no issues—neither with her bones nor anywhere else. I am naturally very happy about that, but it is still wonderful for an older dog to keep her aging bones and muscles in shape, especially when she spends most of the day just lying around. ♥ We chose a veterinary physiotherapy practice in Saarbrücken and have been very pleased with it so far.
A few snapshots of the others:
07/01/2026
Some LOVE STORIES deserve a second chance.
Especially when it has been so carefully selected and the pairing is such a wonderful match.
Since it unfortunately took too long for the traveler to acclimatize last time, I have slightly adjusted the plan this time to make it even more secure.
Mac Bess and I will be traveling to Hati; we have arranged for an experienced local veterinarian to be available at the meeting point should the need arise, so all preparations are in place to make Mac Bess’s final litter possible. ♥
Expected heat: +/- October 2026
If you are interested in a puppy from the upcoming litter, please feel free to contact me via email (click on the @ symbol at the top right).
06/24/2026
It’s 43°C in the shade outside by now! What a June.
Inside, it’s a pleasant 24°C thanks to the AC—for the dogs ♥ and, of course, their human mom.
The (doggy) pool is just what we need. Everyone has to take a dip... cool off, and then it’s much easier to relax.
