Aunt Silken's Day Camp

We've had a busy couple of days.

Made our first car trip on Monday (to Amherst island).  Even though I lost my usual front passenger seat riding position to a puppy crate I didn't mind --- Pack Leader was able to keep my boys settled --- only a little bit of squacking at the start of the trip, and when we were on the boat.  No upset tummies as well.


While the big dogs and Pack Leader went for a swim, Gayla and Reta looked after the pups.  We're going to go back on Thursday and slowly start the introduction to all the farm animals. 

The boys are eating and drinking for themselves now but they are still after me for a slurp at the all day milk diner.  Fortunately Aunt Silken provided lots of diversion for the pups today which was a great relief.

Aunt Silken Playing with #2 (and #3)

Playing with #3 (and #2 and #1)

Even when pinned they continue to wag their tails.

Pouncing, stalking and heading have been dominating outdoor activity.  They all could use more work on their stopping skills, but going faster is of much more interest.  All of the pups watched Faolin, Silken and I play fetch today, and were beginning to noticeably follow the movement of the frisbee.  However, they are equally captivated by wind blown leaves.

Didn't get any good pictures of #4 today, but Joyce (Trim's Pack Leader) sent on a great shot she took on Sunday.

#4

And some new shots of the other pups.

#1

#2

A plastic water bottle was the favourite toy of the day.  Following are shots of #2's stealth attack to get that bottle --- this time #3 fended off the attempt.  But today, is another day ...

My Water Bottle

You Asked For It

A Defence Completed With A Face Plant

Five Weeks Old

Yesterday, "dear old" Dad came for a visit.  Fortunately (for him) he brought liver treats.We tried to get a family shot, but my boys just weren't interested in sitting around for that.  So instead, Joyce (Trim's Mom) held each of the pups for a picture.

#1

#2

#3

#4

Joyce took each of the pups out for a little one-on-one, and had the following comments:

• All pups were confident, had no reluctance to being held, and quickly followed a new human.
• #2 is a little smaller than the other pups, was squirmy, and more active than the other pups.  To quote, "he is a lot of dog".
• #3 was the only pup to track a piece of liver treat. 
• #1 and #4 were the calmest.

At any rate, this is a snapshot at five weeks, and we're going to try to get more assessments done of my boys over the next couple of weeks.

Last night was the first night for making a middle of the night (around 2:30 a.m.) bathroom break.  Each of the boys went out and did some of their "business". 

We've been trying to get an action video for the last few days and this is the best we have come up with.  We're heading to the island, and then on to Kingston today, so hopefully we'll get some visuals to share.

Gayla's Pictures

Pack Leader was in Toronto yesterday so Gayla came by to look after us.  Following are a couple of pictures she took.

We'll try to get an action video later today --- my boys are getting fast, and exploring a wider area.

# 3 (in action)

#4 (Blue eye?)

Exploring, Playing and Sleeping

Sorry for the long delay in postings.  Pack Leader was away for a few days (but we had Gayla and Kirsten looking after us), and we've been spending lots of time outdoors.

We had our first little hiccup.  #2 (Trim Jr.) had a swollen right eye-lid which seems to have corrected itself over the last couple of days.  Could have resulted from puppy play or an insect bite --- we made a trip to Dr. Michelle to rule out worse possibilities.  At any rate he now seems to be just fine, and we'll keep a close watch for the next several days to make sure.

The pups are getting quicker with each day, and aren't tumbling as much.  They are a very happy bunch.

I am astonished that they are now over four weeks old --- the time has passed so fast.  I enjoy playing with them, but they are still at the stage where they want more nursing than play from me.  However, there are a few pictures of #4 and I playing after nursing.

Pack Leader starts a three week stretch of holidays on Friday so we hope to do better with the blog over the final weeks we have the pups.


First some new pictures, followed by a short video.

Pack Play

Playing With Mom - #4

#2 Stalking Silken

Play Can Be Tiring - #1

Pack Leader's Leg is a Good Place to Nap - #2

#3

Early Training on a Weave Pole Type Apparatus - #4

Silken is the Girl of My Dreams - #3

Pillow Talk - #3 and Silken

#2 Tackles #4

#4 Pounces on #1

Rain Barrels, Ladders and Grass

3 1/2 Weeks Old - Puppy Play

The boys have been outside for 15 minute adventures, once or twice a day since the weekend.  Play time is gradually increasing to almost 30 minute stretches, but that is followed by lots of sleep.  They are starting to make short little running bursts, and picking up more visually --- their noses aren't having to work as hard at plotting where to go next. 

They are very interested in playing with me after nursing, but unfortunately Pack Leader has been slow on capturing these instances with the camera.  As with all puppies, their attention span is a work in progress.  One second they are after me to play but can be easily distracted by the wagging tail of a brother that might require a bite.  Wagging tails are almost constant when awake.

#4 learned from #1 today that if you bite, expect to be bitten back.  Over the coming weeks, many more of these lessons will be learned.

Beyond Mother's Milk

I was able to get out for a swim this morning.  We've had a real heat wave lately, and it sure felt good.

After that my boys were indulged.  Each of them spent time in the living room, individually, exploring, their sniffers going at maximum.  Before making the long (according to Pack Leader) journey back to the whelping room, each of them snuggled and slept for a while with Pack Leader on the couch.  Pretty pathetic --- Pack Leader gets the cuddles, and I get them when they are desperate for a meal.

They love to be petted, and enjoy human interaction.  On that front, our neighbour Denise and her youngsters Devon and Rochelle visited today.  Next time we'll try to get pictures.

#3 and #4 initiated play with me today, and they were a lot of fun, nibbling at my ears and paws.

The boys also had their first meal today.  Pack Leader gave each of them a little bit on the end of his finger, and then all bets were off.  They attacked that donut bowl just like they have been attacking me lately.  My favourite part is that I get to clean up (and there is a fair amount of spillage).

New pictures of #1 and #2 follow.  Sorry that #2 is sleeping --- seems to be the only way to get a picture of him in focus :)

#1

#2

Out of the box --- it's a big world

It is hard to believe that the boys will be three weeks old tomorrow.  Today they had there first brief trip outside, and made the most of it.  I was so proud of them all. They sniffed and waddled and investigated --- lots of confidence.

So far, there is not much to distinguish between the boys in terms of behaviours, disposition or abilities. 

• They all wag their tail for me (and sometimes Pack Leader). 
• They are getting steadier on their feet, and are getting fast.
• Their vocabulary has increased --- new trills have been added to barks and howls.
• All are participating in puppy wrestling, and they seem to organize a scheduled rotation so that everyone gets to square up with everyone else.
• Their favourite place to curl up for a sleep is under my chin or tail.

We'll start using a flash in a couple of days so hopefully will get some better pictures. 

# 1

Little "Potter" reminds me a lot of Benny from the first litter.  He loves to cuddle, and studies the situation that faces him before launching into action.  This picture doesn't show off the considerable brown on his cheeks and his three tone front right leg (and back left leg).

#2

Little "Trim Jr." is a close looker for his father.  Not unlike his father, he launches into action with authority and fast pace.  He has perfected the under/over move and does a little run to celebrate his wrestling success.   So far, he is the smallest of the boys.  Very happy all the time.

    

#3

Little "Angle" (for the white triangle on his collar) was the first to open his eyes and has been the most social (thus far).  He comes to the side of the box for a pet before turning to the next wrestling match and he has fallen for Silken and wags his tail so hard when he smells or sees her that he sometimes falls over.

#4

Little "Disney" provides both choreography  and comic relief for his brothers.  First puppy to bark ferociously and wag his tail (at the same time).   Doesn't like getting his nails clipped, but does enjoy cuddling with Pack Leader and me when he is tired.  But he has to be good and tired, otherwise there is too much else to do and investigate.

Power Nursing

2 1/2 Weeks Old - Going Faster (Falling Harder)

The puppies are playing almost every waking moment and demonstrating more interest in their surroundings.  They won't be in the box for much longer.  We'll try to get some new pictures up tomorrow. 

New Video - Two Weeks Old

Low lighting (and a little blurry) to protect newly opened eyes. 

Two Weeks Old

Pack Leader has been trying to get pictures of the pups and their newly opened eyes for the last couple of days.  Unfortunately the natural light conditions are just not adequate to capture them yet.  We will try again after the next nursing session.

The brown markings for #1 and particularly #3 are growing in --- quite striking features with the brown on black, particularly on their faces. Both #1 and #3 have their father's eyebrows, and #2 looks like a complete Trim clone.  Still not sure about #4's brown/tan markings --- might be a grey butt rather than their father's tan butt.

Also not sure about eye color for #4 --- he seems to have slightly lighter blue eyes --- Trim has one blue and one brown eye.  The eyes for the other three are the deep blue/brown that the last litter had, which suggests they will have brown eyes.

They are all moving much better, and they all can toilet on their own, because they can stand long enough to complete the process.  We also had tail wagging this morning from #1 and #4.  I'm also hearing more barks and the first signs of play growling. 
 

Eyes are Opening

Puppy #2 was first.  Puppy #3 is in the process of opening his eys for the first time.  Hopefully by morning we will be able to take some pictures. 

Exploring the Box

My boys discovered their front legs overnight, and over about an hour each of them undertook detailed explorations, sniffing and licking. They are also getting quite vocal.  I am noticing eye activity behind their little eye-lids, but they haven't opened their eyes yet. 

Maggie (from the first litter) is visiting for a couple of days.  She was shocked by her first glimpse.  I have let her come into the whelping room, but only for a quick peak.  Silken and Faolin are very good at respecting my rules, but can be a little bit of a pain --- they think all puppy sounds require my immediate attention --- they don't understand that a mother always knows.

Weights continue to climb:

• #1 - 1.22 kilograms (2 pounds, 11 ounces)
• #2 - 1.12 kilograms (2 pounds, 7 ounces)
• #3 - 1.24 kilograms (2 pounds, 12 ounces)
• #4 - 1.17 kilograms (2 pounds, 9 ounces)

We're limiting light in the whelping room until the pups eyes adjust to the bright world that awaits.