Everything’s about Ooly, at least for these early days of her life in the house with us. Either Biff’s or my schedule is built around Ooly’s cycle of sleep, pee, play, pee, eat, wrestle with Finley, chew on toys, pee, play outside, sleep, pee, chase Finley/tease the big boys, eat, poop, explore outside… you get the idea.  In between we get done what we can – read a chapter of a book, create a blog post, change a load of laundry, etc. She loves her meals and gets a little crazy when she’s hungry, as determined to get to the food on the counter as she was to get to the nipple when she was nursing. Oh, puppies! They are adorable and exhausting!

We’re using a “check cord” on her some of the time we’re outside.  She now runs fast and far and we don’t want her heading into the ponds. Also, she likes chasing Chev and Xupe and they are still acclimating to her puppy energy. It’s interesting to watch Finley play interference when she persists in going after the boys, but we’ve also kept an eye on her antics as we affirm the boys for tolerating her annoying behavior.

Chev was keeping his distance from Ooly when I left town last Tuesday, but things have changed in the time I was gone. Biff said that Chev began tolerating her curious approaches and now he lets her snuggle up with him. Xupe is still wary, seemingly not able to figure out just what she is about. But it’s OK, because Chev is the one Ooly’s seems more interested in.

I captured these photos of Ooly yesterday and the day before as we transitioned her into the house. We’re still using the familiar puppy space in the barn but are increasingly having her in the house. Finley is a terrific playmate for her, but the boys are keeping their distance.

I’m off for a post-litter mountain-hiking vacation while Biff remains at home with our puppy, Ooly, and our other three grown Griffs. (Thank you, Biff, I owe you big time!)  I’ll begin to post again when I get home early next week. I’m imagining I’ll see significant changes in our little girl after now seeing her for a number of days.

Zip and Ooly played tug-the-crinkle-dog during their last morning together. And, further below, the three had their last nap together before Griffith departed. Sweet puppy memories.

Number Two’s family arrived on Saturday night to meet their puppy. His call name is “Zip.” They returned this morning to pick him up for the two-day trip back to Colorado. That leaves just Number Three (“Ooly”) with us. We’ll post her further adventures in the days ahead.

Number One’s family arrived yesterday afternoon to meet their puppy in person for the first time. They just picked him up this morning and are heading back to Nebraska. His “call” name? Griffith!

Bye, bye, Griff. We know there’s a great life ahead for you!

Two puppies waited for their turns to play in the yard, while I had one of them out running around the garden, trees and pigeon loft. We take one out at a time because they are fast and adventurous now and we have ponds we don’t want them going into. The photo seemed fitting as families are on their way to pick up the boys this weekend. They look ready for the big wide world!

The puppies experienced their first car ride to the vet yesterday for their wellness checks. Although they were unsettled initially, we had treats to distract them and they settled down and slept, a good part of the way there and all the way back. They’ve had their vaccinations and have been microchipped, too, ready for families coming to meet them this weekend.

This morning was rainy (and chilly) so the puppies did most of their after-breakfast romping inside, part of it with their mom, Finley.  Number 3 (Ooly, the little girl in the group) will live with us, so Finley won’t lose her entire brood.

The puppies’ attraction to the garden has been ongoing, and the perennial beds near the barn are now pretty trampled. As curious as the puppies have been to check out the leaves, stems and flowers, what they seem to love most is tearing through them, as if running and leaping through a forest.

There they are, from left to right, puppy number one, number three and number two, napping after breakfast this morning.

Plans for today include time with Jan (our puppy care provider) while I’m in town, connecting with quail, time in the pool, and we’re planning to do a practice ride in the car (in crates) to prep them for their upcoming trip to the vet for their wellness checks.

And here’s the face that got us into all this – Chev, sitting with me on the sofa the other day. The look of Griffons change as they develop. Their coats and furnishings develop over time. We love the puppies and we love the big dogs.