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.

Today’s visitors reminded me why we do this.  Their smiles upon seeing and holding the puppies were priceless, even when one of the snuggled puppies pee’d on them!

At 3 and a half weeks, the puppies are ready to begin lapping up more than milk.  We’re introducing them to “gruel” made with milk-soaked, mashed dog food.  The first three of them to try it really got into it.

Biff bought some new toys this afternoon, and the puppies responded to them right away. Their teeth are just starting to come in so they’re not shredding anything yet, but that behavior is not too far off.

Here are a few images from today.  They include both Chev and Finley interacting with the puppies and a visiting “puppy family” meeting the puppies for the first time.

Poop happens and so does pee, and it happens often with puppies.  The puppies potty habits are developing as they learn that there’s a place to go (and not to go.)  Reine still licks to clean them when she’s nursing but the time between nursings has grown, and they can now go on their own.  They squat like dogs when doing their business, the stance for peeing being a little different than pooping.  Both pooping and peeing require them to hold steady on all 4’s.  It’s amazing to think they weren’t physically coordinated enough to do this even one week ago.  Now they’re old enough to begin to get a sense of the proper place to do it.

We work to keep the sleeping and playing zones dry and clean, so they will grow increasingly accustomed to moving out to the “approved area” to do their business.  It’s working!  They’re only 48 hours into it and we see many of them walk over, then squat and go without any guidance from us.  Smart puppies!

Oh my!  Things are gearing up as the puppies now begin to paw, wrestle with and mouth each other – every imaginable body part, often while the other is fast asleep.  Biff put out a few puppy toys and a couple of them began to gnaw on those, too.  I even saw one little guy carry one of the toys in his mouth for a few steps.  This photo doesn’t reflect any of this action, as we are supervising the active times (primarily for who looks like they might be about to pee and needs to be moved swiftly to the “pee pad” area).  Thank goodness for the nap times between romps!

Meanwhile, Chev, Finley and Xupe have been living in the background, well cared for by the “helpers” who have been working with us.  Finley’s been markedly interested in the puppies and is especially attentive when they’re drinking from bottles.  Xupe has been very curious of them as little creatures, but he keeps a little distance.  Chev should be the proud papa of 12, but he, well, he simply doesn’t seem to give a rip about his offspring. He is enthusiastic, however, about every meal that includes a few pieces of the various “extras” we’ve been working into Reine’s meals – beef, chicken, liver, etc.

The puppies outgrew their whelping box and have moved out to one of the kennel “stalls” in the barn, all rigged up for sleeping, playing and a special area for peeing and pooping. They took a long nap when we settled them into the space, looking pretty comfortable in their larger and luxier surroundings.  The flap to go outside is covered for now.  They’re not ready for that yet.  But it won’t be long.

Three weeks old today and we’ve begun introducing the puppies to drinking milk from a shallow pan.  We had a clue that they were ready.  Many of them have been lunging for Reine’s food and water dishes when we serve her as she nurses.  Now, with only a little encouragement, the puppies are figuring out how to lap up the millk for themselves without sucking it into their noses.

The puppies turn 3 weeks old tomorrow.  Reine now has one more position for nursing them as they are now big (and strong) enough to reach up to her.

The time between feedings is growing longer and Reine spends about 3/4 of her time out of the whelping pen.  But she’s attentive and checks in regularly, even if she doesn’t stay to nurse.  In fact she often naps just outside the whelping pen.  The puppies have been guzzling the bottles of formula that we give them and those full bellies trigger good nap times so we humans have a couple of hours between the times they are all awake and needing attention.

Here they are, changing day to day…

A few, as you can see, were a little sleepy for this photo shoot.  All in all, 12 precious faces!