We’ve been taking each of the puppies out of their fenced area, just one or two at a time, to explore, run and follow their noses. They’re moving beautifully and are curious and confident.
Finley and Xupe have both been interested in the puppies. Xupe did his best to engage a couple of the puppies in playing with him. He was so sweet with his head down and butt in the air, inviting them into a game that they don’t quite get yet.
Here they are, looking pretty serious for the camera…
Compare those faces to this composite of them at 9 days old…
Here are a few shots from today, the puppies’ 5 week birthday. They played with their toys, piled on top of their mommy and got to explore around the yard a little more. We also welcomed another puppy family who stopped by to meet them all.
It’s not even 3 in the afternoon and we’ve already had a packed day. We welcomed multiple visitors from western Wisconsin who came to check out first the boys and then the girls. All of the puppies had a chance to romp around out in the grass, beyond their fenced grassy area. They explored the wildflower garden and twigs on the ground while they romped and ran around. So fun to see this kind of puppy play!
Number 3 checking out half-brother Xupe
We were fortunate to find some wonderful local dog lovers who have been willing to work flexible hours (during the week and on weekends) to help us with this litter and to spend time with our big dogs when Biff and I have been attending to Reine and the puppies. Each helpers’ affection for dogs is obvious and they’ve pitched in with related chores in the barn and in the backyard. We are grateful! Below are two of the five who are working with us this summer.
If you’re going to have dogs, you’ve got to have polar fleece. We use it folded up for dog beds and as “throws” to cover our upholstered furniture when it’s just us at home and the dogs have free run of the house. The dogs don’t seem to want to rip it apart as they occasionally have done with other bedding. It launders quickly, is inexpensive, doesn’t fray and comes in an array of colors and patterns. Finley is modeling two different fleeces on the sectional sofa and we’re using a lot of it out in the barn with the puppies and in the big dogs’ kennel spaces. Whoever invented this faux-fabric was brilliant.
We welcomed another puppy family this afternoon. They had an opportunity to see Reine nursing, well, nursing the pups that woke up for the feeding. Then they got to meet each of the boys – numbers Three, Four, Five, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten and Twelve. Just four more weeks and they’ll be taking one of the boys home with them. How quickly it all goes!
Although the puppies have nearly outgrown the large bowl we use on top of the scale, they sat pretty still for their weigh-ins today. At 4 weeks and a couple of days they are growing strong, coordinated and confident. Many are now able to move in and out of the doggy door without any coaxing or help moving the flap over the opening. Many have also begun pooping and peeing outside, a life skill we are delighted to help teach them!
One of our extraordinary helpers (who has interests in veterinary care) gave each of the puppies a bath today, not exactly an immersion bath, but a warm towel bath and towel drying. Most of them fell asleep after their drying and they slept well again after their outdoor times. Exploring new terrain must be exhausting for a puppy, judging by the length of today’s naps.
The world began to open up today, as the puppies (4 weeks old today) stepped out of their “nest” and into the fresh air. A few even ventured into the grass.
