Week 5 Pupdate
5 weeks? Impossible! The pups are as cute as could be -running, playing, wrestling and doing all the other crazy things that puppies do. They are LOUD when they are hungry and so sweet when they cuddle up and fall asleep. They have been introduced to all kinds of weather this week – snow, ice, rain, freezing rain, wind, and finally, today, sunny and seasonally warm. They eat outside, and then get some time to explore the front yard. Until the last couple of days, they were easy to keep track of. Now that they’ve gotten the lay of the land, it’s hard to keep up with them.
They have the run of the house most of the time while we are home, so they have worked out their relationships with all of the big dogs, as well. Ande has a love/hate relationship with puppies, but he has been remarkably brave/tolerant of these guys. Calli is the slightly grumpy grandma, who loves them but has rules. Willow is their constant snuggle companion, keeping them clean and making sure everyone is accounted for. Sky is less obsessed with them than she has been, but she’s first choice as far as they are concerned for a good wrestle. They LOVE to play in the dogs’ crates, jumping in and out, digging in the bedding and eventually falling asleep. Madeline is not nursing a lot these days, but as often as not when she does, it’s in her crate in the back room.
Puppy Weights
Ull – 8lbs, 7 oz
Rhiannon – 7 lbs, 6 oz
Aske – 7 lbs, 0 oz
Aquilo – 8 lbs, 7 oz
Week 4 Pupdate
It is unbelievable that we are already halfway through our time with the puppies. They are moving pretty fast these days – it’s impossible to get pictures of them being their cutest. They have started eating kibble soaked in goat’s milk, but they still nurse when Madeline lets them. Every night when we come home is playtime with the big dogs – it gets pretty crowded in our small living room. All of the big dogs love them. Calli is teaching them manners, Willow protects them, Sky lets them bite her and climb on her, and Ande is desperately trying to figure out what to do with them. He is afraid of them, but intrigued as well.
We have snow, and the pups have had a couple of short adventures outside. They will start eating all of their meals outside, regardless of the weather. They don’t like it at first, but it’s a great learning experience for them. As soon as dinner is served, they forget all about anything else.
Puppy Weights
Ull – 6 lbs, 7.1 oz
Rhiannon – 6 lbs, 1 oz
Aske – 5 lbs, 8.9 oz
Aquilo – 6 lbs, 8.6 oz
Week Three
This has been a huge week for the pups. They are walking, running, wrestling and barking. They get some “floor time” with the big dogs and even short ventures outside. Sky continues to help with them, but over the last couple of days Willow has taken up more or less permanent residence in the box. Madeline still nurses them, but takes advantage of the babysitters and seeks out time alone in her crate or for a snuggle with the humans on the couch. She’s spending more of the night upstairs with us, venturing down several times a night to nurse or just check on the babies, which of course causes them all to squawk like a flock of seagulls, usually around 2 am. Puppies are great fun 🙂
Their box is now separated into half sleeping/play area and half potty area. Even at this young age, they “get it”, most of the time. We’ve started them on goat’s milk, which is a mess but a BIG hit, and they will transition to rice and oatmeal baby cereal and finally crushed kibble/goat’s milk mash over the next week. I can’t believe how fast time is going; we are almost half-way through our time with them.
Rachel Fentzke, who is owned by Tala from our last litter, came to spend the weekend. We had great conversation while watching puppies play. The Kramers from Skyland Chinooks stopped by for an afternoon visit as well, and helped take some good pictures. We had a bit of a jolt when we brought the pups out to learn about snow; while we were musing over whether or not the pups were being tortured or having a “learning experience” in the cold, a hawk swooped over our heads with a loud “kree-eee-ar!” causing an abrupt end to the photo shoot. Enjoy.
Puppy Weights
Ull – 4 lbs, 9.4 oz
Rhiannon – 4 lbs, 3.6 oz
Aske – 4 lbs, 1.3 oz
Aquilo – 4 lbs, 10.3 oz
More Week 2
Thanks to a visit by Karen Hinchy and her camera, we have some awesome pics to share this week. We took advantage of the above average January temps to take the pups outside for a photo shoot – natural light always makes better photos, and no flash necessary. The pups are fascinating to watch – noticeably changing from the time we leave for work to when we get home in the evening. Their eyes are open; they are beginning to walk and make clumsy attempts at playing with one another. Madeline continues to be a great mom, along with her au pair, Sky. LIG.
Two Week Pupdate
Madeline and Winter Solstice Litter, Week 2.
Today marks the end of Week 2 with the pups. It’s unbelievable how fast time has flown. They are changing every day, even between the time we leave for work and when we get home. Aske’s eyes are open, and everyone else is in various stages along the way. By the weekend, they’ll all have a whole new world to explore.
There are a few pictures to share. Check back for more over the weekend when we have access to natural light. Flash photography is hard on their brand new eyes.
Weights
Ull – 2 lbs, 14.7 oz
Rhiannon – 2 lbs, 12.1 oz
Aske – 2 lbs, 11 oz
Aquilo – 2 lbs, 15.4 oz
(Do not EVER underestimate the smallest/last puppy born. Aquilo hit the ground running and has not stopped eating or growing since).
Callicoon Chinooks 