June 6, 2016 Pupdate

We've been VERY busy having way too much fun.  In fact, we (the humans at least) are exhausted.  THe puppies are sensible enough to take naps but we use that time to hurry up and try to do all of the things we watn with the big dogs and other Villagers.

The puppies are doing very well in their crates at night, no potty accidents and they are sleeping (or at least staying very quiet) until I come to get them up about 6:15.  Im not sure what time sunrise is but it is full on daylight when I get down here and I hear birds clearly through the monitor before I get up.

Yesterday we played outside when it wasn't too hot and then Dog CIndi came and we groomed Jack and cuddled puppies.  We went in and out several times with the pupsters and they played in the wading pool the pit ball pool (which also has some water in it) and the hose.  They kept playing in the planters until I finally moved them out of their reach, the puppies kept smelling like lemony mint dirt.  I prefer lemony mint only ;-)

During their mid afternoon nap, we took James to the pond.  Then there were showers (human and dog) and a lot of the Village came for dinner (we orered, they picked it up).  We had some more playtime outside (it was much cooler by then or at least it felt better, maybe the humidity was just lower) and a nap before last call.  I was not smart enough to nap during any of these times ;-)

I did not use my best judgment for last call last night.  I took the puppies out and crated them before I took the big girls out (Jack can be completely relied upon to take himself outside) and it took the puppies a little longer to settle back down.  But they were asleep not long after I came up to bed (I listen to them through the monitor.)

This am, we were all up and at 'em and then properly back for a nap. The phone woke me up - the puppies rarely get important calls so they slept right through that.    We had another big day o fplaying inside and outside and eating and napping.  I ate twice today so that's better than a lot of days, but I didn't end up taking a nap.

We took the pupsters (there are 3 still here for now), 'Uncle' Jack, grammie Sammie, and Phoebe (mamaMila's first cousin) to the pond.  THey all had big fun, we should have been committed.  But all went well.  There was a lot of voluntary swimming,  a lot of on and off of the swim platform (we started on the blue boat but it is NOT stable enough for 3 big dogs, 3 puppies and me on the platform) - sometimes to shore and sometimes into the water and once, for MayApple, one go completely underwater which, as usual, freaked me out but left the puppy completely unconcerned.  She just swam to shore and then came back for more.  

Once would think that running up the hill to the pond, all around, swimming, running amok more, and eventually running back down the hill to the house, followed by showers would make puppies ready to nap but they ran and ran and gamboled and wrestled until WE were exhausted and took them into the pen.  Where they promptly fell asleep pretty much where they were placed.  At which point, we took James to the pond (I woner if this entry will be evidence for our commitment hearings)

After he had a shower, the pupsters got to watch the MSU mow the grass with the tractor (they seemed to find this fascinating and watched from the edge of the fence) and then he mowed the dog yard for me, too.

The pupsters are napping until time for last call and I am going to rest until then too I think.  6:10 seems to come early and I need to keep her up and tiring out for the first leg of her journey home. Hopefully, I won't be in a Fudgesicle coma tomorrow night but one nevers knows...

Snowdrops had his journey home today and he was kind enough to send us a couple of updates.  Sounds like he had a big day so I hope he has a good night, too. 

Puppy breath to all, Nighty Nighty Nighty

June 4, 2016 Pupdate

I'm a bad blogger, I didn't write for their 9 week birthday.  But we were busy having fun and then resting up for more fun. 

Yesterday was another big day for the pupsters.  They had more company and then the boys left on their way to their new families.  It was just about nap time when they left so they had a pretty good ride.  The girls had a good nap and then a nice lunch.  It was pretty hot so we were in and out and playing in the hose or wading pool a lot.  They come running to the sound of the hose being turned on, they aren't always certain they want to be sprayed but they at least want to play in the water after it has been sprayed.

The girls and a few naps and I had one and then they ran amok for a while to run up a poop before bedtime.  They were quiet by the time I got the big dogs a treat and settled in for the night.  I'm pretty sure they were asleep and they were quiet all night long.  I've been waking up a minute or two before the alarm and listening for them but all I hear is birds.  They are curled up in their crates when I go to wake them up, too.

This morning, all three wanted a cuddle first thing and then they pottied and ate.  I let them run around a few minutes and then put them inside in their pen and I went back to sleep for a while, after some bitey mouth they went to sleep as well. I prepared for our next round of company to arrive.

Most of the Villagers came today and we took the big dogs to the pond. It stormed while we were up there so we had to wait that out.  By the time it blew over and we played a little more and I gave the big dogs baths, Chris and James were here.  The puppies ate lunch and played before we took James for some swimming and romping.

The plan was to take them to the pond as well but it kept storming on and off so that plan was adjusted.  More than once, it poured the rain on us when we were outside but , as usual, they were less concerned about it than we were.

My niece and Guest Blogger Haley sent me an audio file of the 3 songs so the new owners don't have to sing for them or so they can sing along and learn them.   I thought everybody knew Bye O Baby Bunting but apparently, it is regional or obscure.

It's rapidly approaching time to do last call so I am going to do a little cuddling and see if we can't get some pottying done.  Grammie Sammie is back so I need to take her outside, too.  Puppy breath to all, Nighty Nighty Nighty

June 2, 2016 Pupdate

It's been an eventful day around here.  Haley got up with the puppies this am so I didn't have to set an alarm.  But I woke up right before the alarm would've gone off so not too much difference ;-). 

We've had a BIG day of puppy (and some big dog) fun.  The pupsters got to forage for their food in the castle sandbox and the big dogs joined in - Phoebe (their mother's cousin) seems to think she is still part of the puppy set, except that she's been in season recently so lets them nurse, too.  I don't think they get anything but she'll stand there and let them try a lot longer than I would expect.  She actually rather encourages it.  Mila seems to think it is just fine.

Haley and I took the puppies out for walks in the 'free range' part of the yard today.  They all took that opportunity to poop again too.  Funny how quickly a dog/puppy can decide that they want to potty even further from their area.  We also finished assembling the puppy binders since the boys are leaving tomorrow. 

Just as we finished that up, we had more puppy visitors.  The pupsters were sleepy when they arrived but they stayed until the puppies were awake, too.  At least while they are sleeping, they don't feel as compelled to exhibit their piercing techniques ;-). For the most part, they are much better about it but they still occasionally want to sink them into hands or ankles.  A distracto-toy is a great way to keep that from happening.

We took some of the big dogs to they pond this evening for some practice and play.  Unfortunately, it was a little too late for us to take the puppies, tonight.  They played in the wading pool a LOT today though.  Once or twice, I put a puppy into the wading pool to rinse feet after they wallered in the planter of mint and lemon. They smell great but a couple of them also like to get down into the dirt.  I moved the planter for a while this evening because they were reluctant to be dissuaded.  We'l see how it goes tomorrow.

It's about time to do last call and put the pupsters to bed so I'm going to say Nighty Nighty Nighty.  Puppy breath to all!

June 1, 2016 Pupdate

Today's post brought to you by Haley, first cousin to pupsters:

I met the puppies for the first time today, and of course they were very cute. It was mostly a regular day for the young pups but they did meet quite a few new people. After a brief puppy introduction they went back to sleep. Later Cristi and I took the puppies outside to go potty and run them around a bit before putting them back in the puppy pen. As the puppies started to play with each other and their toys, I got in the pen with them. There was slobber, needle-sharp teeth, but also a lot of smiles. I cuddled with a few of them and tried to cuddle with others, but some were just too excited to sit still.  

After an hour or so they calmed down and took another nap. Some slept in the crate, two under the stool, and one was fast asleep in a bucket. Then it was time for the puppies to meet some kids and new dogs that were of a different breed. The car ride was a bit rough for the puppies at first but eventually they were able to settles down and get comfortable. When we arrived to the house that held the pupsters' new friends, the pups were very excited to get out and run around. They responded really well to both the children and the Boarder Collies. The little dogs, big dogs, and kids got tired pretty quickly but overall I think it was a fun and successful experince. 

On the car ride back, the puppies fell asleep almost instantly and could hardly stay awake when we put them outside to go potty. We also got to bring Phoebe Since returning home they napped and napped and napped and then went out again for a long time. The pups, Cristi, and I went outside and stayed outside for about an hour and a half. They splashed in the pool, played tug with me and each other, and ran around with their mother. Long after they wanted to eat, we fed the puppies. Soon they began winding down and now we are in present time. 

Cristi and I are seated on the couch next to the puppy pen. All the puppies are sleeping now and will probably sleep until later tonight when we will take them out for last call. I have offered to take morning duty tomorrow morning so I'll be up early but what better way to start your morning than starting a morning with puppies. TTFN! Ta Ta For Now!

Puppy Breath to All!  Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 30, 2016 Pupdate

We had a big day here today.  I got the puppies up at 6:10 (love that it takes a little longer to get daylight in a room full of windows here) and took them outside to potty.  They ran around a little and then I took them into the inside pen (I LOVE the Treat n Train for getting them where I want without having to round them up), gave them a snack and went back to bed.  I listened to them on the montior but I slept in my own bed last night.

We've been in and out several times today and took a trip up to the pond and a little jaunt up on the hill.  We took the big dogs to the pond before we took the puppies (they needed to blow out some carbon and the puppies were sleeping).  We had Phoebe (a year old cousin), Aunt Caly, and MamaMila at the pond with the puppies and the puppies enjoyed chasing them in and out of the water. All of the puppies had several turns with guided swimming started facing away from shore.  We all had big fun - even if we only had milk bones for treats (GrammieSammie thinks they are the best thing in the world next to meat in a metal bowl)

They had chicken wings for lunch while I bathed the big dogs and then they took a little nap while big dogs got their toenails done.  And then we had puppy baths.  They were a little fussy (some of them a lot fussy even before we got them into the shower) but they were still nice and cuddly afterward.  And then they played and played and took a nap.

We've had a fair amount of napping today in betweeh big bursts of energy.  And during those big bursts of energy, they were quite active.  New things: they use the top of the castle sandbox as a launching pad.  If you sit too close to it, they'll leap into your lap (so I have to sit far enough away that they know they can't make it or they may leap and miss.  One of them stood on top of the castle sandbox (they are really good at getting onto it these days) and then went in the window of the playhouse. That was a little scary for me but no damage to the puppy (or anything else but the puppy is the part that matters.)

I need to go find some string cheese for their going into crates alone treat (I don't have 5 treat n trains to do each one individually.) and then we'll go out to potty and I'll count poops and then into their big puppy crates, we'll go.  Puppy breath to all!  Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 29, 2016 Pupdate

I was up early again with all of hte babies for hte last time today.  My little brown girl went home with her new people: her sire's owners.  She seems to have settled in pretty well once they fnished the long drive home.

Packed everything up and headed back to WV with the remaning 5.  They seemed happy to be here - but they seem pretty happy wherever they go.  I am certainly happy to be here as well.  Have the puppy pen set up again - this time with the high ex pen since I don't want them coming over the wall.  I put a tote on top of the crate, too.  It's not a low crate but I still don't need them on top of it.

I set up their nighty night crates in the pool room and in a little bit, I'm going to take them outside for last call and them put them to bed in a row.

I'm tired from the packing and unpacking and riding for hours (and from crying about my little brown girly leaving) so I'm cutting this short for today.

Nighty nighty nighty, puppy breath to all

May 28, 2015 Pupdate

The pups went to sleep much faster last night.  There was a little fussing in the middle of the night and Tamara and I both responded to to the call and while it resolved quickly, we apparently had a little miscommunication.  So this am, wehn I came down to get them up, one crate door was unlatched (both puppies were still inside) but the crate door we use as a gate was open so while I let the other puppies out of their crates, some puppies went out the gate.  Not finidng the door ot the outside open, they ventured a little farther afield.  The bigger problem for me was getting the door open for them without pinching any toes in it.

After they pottied and had a little snack, I tried to go back up to bed but I could hear them attempting to breach the defenses so I came back downstairs and attempted to lie down on the couch but they were still trying to come over the wall so we came outside.  They were pretty wild for Tamara too, she resorted to toys 

We attempted their photo shoot yesterday evening but ran out of time so we did it this morning.  I think we got some good pictures but I am way behind in getting any pictures from Tamara.

We played outside a little more today because they are so hard to keep in the pen.  It rained during their picnic lunch of chicken legs but, being water dogs, they didn't care.  We did get a nice thunderstorm this afternoon but as usual, they went on about their puppy business and ignored it.  Today, that business mostly consisted of sleeping.

I let them forage for their dinner in the pen and then we came outside for a lot of big romping - including a fair amount of getting muddy and racing around the yard.  They particularly enjoy going at high speed around and around the fencing we put around the tree (more specifically the pebble stones surrounding the tree.)

They wrestled around a little in the pen and then took a good nap. I need to go cuddle one of them a little extra as she's going home tomorrow.  I've already had to have a Fudgesicle.  Puppy breath to all.  Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 27, 2016 8 weeks old!

How in this world are they already 8 weeks old?   This is just NOT acceptable, I am in no way shape or form close to ready to think about them leaving.  So I'm not going to think about it.  Maybe I'll even refuse to assemble their puppy binders and just send them home with a sheaf of colored papers (ok, I won't actually do that but I can think about doing it)

They are getting quieter much faster in the crates at night but I'm also being selective about who gets a 'roommate'.  When we get back home, nobody will get a roommate but we are working up to that right now.

We've had a busy day for their 8 week birthday.  They got up a little before my alarm but it turns out it was already daylight.  We went outside for potty and a little playtime and then came back inside until breakfast at 8. I went back to sleep a little earlier than they did but they were mostly quiet so that's good enough for me.

They had 'big dog' showers today not puppies in the sink baths.  It was still with very diluted baby shampoo and rinsing their faces was mostly with a cup of water instead of the spray but they did all get a pro forma face wetting and rinsing, too.   After that, the humans got to get cleaned up while the puppies played and napped.

There were enough of us here to feed them lunch in individual dishes.  I tried that by myself the other day and it was wildly ineffective.  Today, they sat for their lunch and dinner like big dogs.  Dinner was a little easier because we took them into another room one by one nad fed them.  I'm not certain about the other puppies but the one I fed sat for her food and conitnued sitting while she ate it.  Not that it takes them long to eat but I still foudn it amusing that she maintained her position.  I wonder if she thought that was part of the game and that maybe more would be forthcoming if she kept sitting.

They have started getting things down from the top of the crates bordering their area.  It's a little cute and it is impressive when they know what they want (and know to look up for items of interest) and figure out how to get it.  It's much less cute and a lot more worrisome when a puppy is on to of the crate and another puppy is hot on her heels. We'll have to watch that for the next day or so but it wasn't totally unexpected.  I was talking about that today and someone reminded me of their mother as a puppy balancing on the top of the tunnel to try to reach something she wanted. ;-)

I still find them incredibly engaging.  I had something I needed to do today so I told Tamara that I wasn't allowed to play with the puppies this afternoon until I had finished my 'homework.'  Even sleeping, they are cute (I may have cuddled in their pen on their bed after their showers this morning) but awake they are even more so.  It makes up for the occasional needle teeth they try to sink into our flesh.  We were discussing tonight that puppy toys really should be as much like flesh as possible, it would make it easier to redirect ;-). They are actually getting much better about it and are telling one another more and more often about too hard vs ok.  

Mila seems to enjoy playing with them outside.  She was lying down by the raised bed playing a little game of bitey mouth with a puppy lying underneath it.  She'll also lead them on games of chase occasionally when she isn't busy warning passing dogs away.  Her mama would be proud of her.

It's almost time to call it a day and crate the pupsters.  Puppy breath to all (although a couple of them had dirt breath earlier because they had been joining their mother in a little digging and eating of grass roots). Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 26, 2016 Pupdate

Last night went pretty well except for one puppy who wants to sleep on the dog bed.  So I took it up and put that puppy in the big crate with another puppy and all was good.  I woke them up at 5:45 this morning and they happily went straight outside and pottied.  I gave them breakfast and then we came back inside and I went back to bed.  They played some and then went to sleep, too.  I was back up by 8:30 but it was nice to approximate a normal schedule.

It's been pretty warm and a little muggy here today.  Several times I thought it was going to blow up a rain but it hasn't yet.  We ended up spending more time inside today than yesterday because of that but the puppies were good.  They are adept at finding fun things to do wherever they may be and they are awfully darn cute at it - even when they are loud.  Very loud

Once they have all of the toys out of the toy bin, they play with the bin, too.  With or without toys in it, they spend some time in the bin too.  I find it pretty amusing when they tip it sideways and play in it.  Another favorite game is to put some of the ex pen or crate between them and have 'discussions.'  That game is quieter than you would expect.

I'm afraid to jinx it but they seem to ahve finally synced up on the potty schedule.  It has been carpet grade (maybe even shag carpet grade) pretty consisently, too.  These are the things that make a sleep deprived breeder's heart sing ;-). The puppies are sleeping so I think I'll go take a little nap before Tamara and Roger get back and it's time for last call and going into crates for Nighty Nighty Nighty time.  Puppy breath to all

May 25, 2016 Pupdate

I didn't get a message posted yesterday, we had the temperament evaluations and then more puppy visitors and I slept for about an hour.  I'm just do-less ;-)

The puppies continue to grow and become more adorable - even if the do have the propensity to occsaionally sink their little needle teeth into various parts of us.  They are also doing it to each other more and more and learning that it HURTS and nobody likes it so they shouldn't do it.  It is a hard thing for an excited puppy to remember all of the time though.

Speaking (actually typing) of growing: we held a weight watchers meeting last night.  In the week since we had last held one, we have gained almost 10 lbs of pure puppy goodness.  I don't notice them getting so much bigger but i do notice that they are definitely becoming more and more able to do things.  There are very few uncoordinated attempts to do anything anymore.  It is extremely difficult to thwart a concerted effort on their part to do something they are intent upon doing - even more so if they are doing it as a group.  

Yesterday evening, one of them even managed to get up onto the picnic table bench.  I could tell it was about to happen because the puppy was climbing on top of a basket that was beside it so as soon as success was reached, I gently picked said puppy up to prohibit any jumping/falling onto the concrete patio.  And I've kept the basket away from the area since then.

Individual crating last night was a little noisy but generally successful.  I am somewhat better set up for it at home - plus here I worry about the neighbors hearing the initial cacophany so I suspect it can last a little longer individually.  We're getting there. 

MamaMila spends a lot of time outside standing/sitting guard in addition to playing with the puppies.  There are more things that apparently need to be warned off here than at my house but there are also occasional squirrels she might need to get.  The puppies haven't noticed squirrels yet but they have found some really large worms to hunt ;-)

The puppies are resting up for a big night of individual crating.  I'm going to go get a little rest, too.  Puppy breath to all (although occasionally worm hunting means they temporarily have dirt breath instead). Nighty Nighty nighty

May 23, 2016 Pupdate and Happy 14th Birthday to Jack!

The PWD who started it all for me, Ch Tesouro's BlackJack at Yr Svc, CD, RN, NAJ, CWD (my service dog -guide) turns 14 years old today.  I'm not home ot celebrate with him but we did it early and I'll do it again when I get back home.  If he could still hear, I'd call and have the MSU let him listen to me sing Happy Birthday.  It's also the 11th anniversary of JillyBean's (the pupsters Great Granddam CH Tesouro's Black Magic, RN) Got You day but she's crossed over the Bridge so we can't celebrate in person anymore.

Last call took a little extra time last night, not because the puppies were bad but because MamaMila decided to feed them as soon as we went outside.  Eventually, I picked her up and put her on the picnic table so they could potty.  All 6 immediately peed, 3 of them didn't even go off of the concrete. The Treat n Train worked really well for getting them inside the house and pen and then I got out the string cheese to make crating more pleasant.

And they crated (in multiple crates but not individually yet) nicely, ate their string cheese and just fussed a little bit at the very first before going to sleep.

I stayed awake listening for any issues for about 40 more minutes and they were quiet.  I did hear the clocks chime 3  and then I heard puppies fussing.  I went down and resettled them and came back upstairs only to find it was 5:24am.  So I took my meds and then took my pillow and iffen down to the couch to doze for a few minutes.  At 5:45, my alarm went off and it was daylight so I loudly and cheerfully greeted the pupsters and took them outside for pottying and breakfast.

I had plans to go back to sleep but I didn't quite manage that.  I did take a shower, wash my hair, shave my legs, dry my hair and get dressed while they rested inside.  I even took time to put on moisturizer.  I'm surprised the puppies recognized me ;-)

There was some time to hang out before we packed them up to go to the vet Ophthalmologist at Akron and Mark and Rina came by to visit with the puppies agiain before they headed home.

The puppies were quite good in the van again.  There was a little initial singing but they quieted down.  We did have one puke but they must not have felt too back because they also ate it (it was dog food.)

Debbie Totten (she has Aunt Tootsie) met us at the ophthalmology vet in Akron, OH (the one in Columbus is on vacation all week) and met/cuddled/wrangled puppies in addition to helping with the paperwork.  I try to make it easier by having each item that goes on the forms typed up in order and it IS easier than the old CERF forms but it's still never easy.

The puppies began to fuss a little bit about 10 miles from the house which was VERY good considering they didn't potty from the time we left at 11:30 until we got back at almost 5.  I'm VERY pleased.   And they all had perfect eyes - not even any puppy spots.  I'm also VERY pleased about that.

They had a nice evening playing outside with a shortish nap inside.  They definitely had some carbon to blow out tonight.

I'm finishing this up as I wait to make sure that the crated puppies are out for the night.  I need to rearrange the crates a little.  Usually they start out side by side so I did end up having to put a couple of them in together so they aren't so isolated.  They might have eventually quieted down but we have temperament evaluations beginning at 8 am and I'd like them to be somewhat rested.  All of the humans in the house, too for that matter.  Puppy breath to all! Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 22, 2016 Pupdate

Well, it is daylight earlier here than it is up the holler so the pupsters woke up earlier and it wasn't their mama's fault.  We took them outside, she fed them and they all pottied.  It was dewy and not quite 50 degrees so we brought them back inside.  I gave them a little bit of kibble to come back inside and we went back to bed to rest for a little while.  We came downstairs and woke them up for breakfast about 7:30.

Tomorrow morning, I'm setting my alarm for 5:45 so I can wake them up.  It is better if they get used to the humans waking them up if you don't want to get them used to being the ones deciding when it it time to rise..

They've been happily playing inside and outside so far.  Rina and Mark were brave enough to return to see the puppies so we tested their commitment by letting/making (depedning on your perspective) them help us give the puppies their first feeding frenzy of chicken wings.  I think Tamara took pictures before she had to glove up and help a little bit as well.  They did quite well and eventually consumed some of the skin, meat and bone (very little skin and bone but enough that they are learning how to do it). Since there isn't a whole lot of meal in a chicken wing - especailly when you leave a fair amount of the skin and bone, we followed with a kibble and kefir chaser.  This afternoon, salmonella kisses are available for a very nomial fee.

They had more visitors this afternoon but were sleeping when they arrived.  Fortunately, they are still cute when they sleep and they were pretty lively for Lynne and Harry as well.

We practiced collars on and off for the puppy mousse a couple of times and set the Treat N Train up on the top of the crate so that food falls into the center of the pen.  We did it a couple of times while they were inside and then put the remote beside the door (we've set it up so that there isnt a whole lot of room left between the door and the pen area - by design).  When we brought them in this evening, we pressed the button, treats rained into the pen and puppies ran on in to get it.  I pressed it twice just to make certain they were sufficiently rewarded.

Our excitement this afternoon was when the puppies woke up from their nap and I heard them in the crate that we've been opening to let them out the door.  I went immediately over ot let them outside to find 3 puppies standing in front of the door appearing to wonder why the door wasn't open.  We had carried sleepy puppies inside this afternoon and put them in via the gate.  None of us noticed that the crate door was never closed.  And the puppies weren't seeking a way out either.  I'll check more carefully going forward though.

Mila is being very vigilant when they are outside - more so than when we were at my house but there isn't as much to bark at there (the occasional hawk and maybe the MSU if she doesn't know it's him at first).  She'splayed with them a lot today as well.

I'm exhausted and it's almost time to go do last call and put them into crates for the night.  It usually goes better if it is dark then so I'm waiting until everyone is ready for bed.  I hope this isn't the night they decide to fuss as we have a couple of big days ahead of us.  Pupy breath to all, Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 21, 2016 Pupdate

It's been a big day for the pupsters.  An even bigger day for their humans but the puppies wisely took a few naps and we did not.  MamaMila wanted to greet the day at 6 am again today so the pupsters were also awake early.  Which in turn meant we were up early.  But we needed to pack up everything to go to Tamara's so it was just as well.

In spite of starting pretty much right after I fed the puppies, I still wasn't ready to go until 11:30.  Then we waited until the puppies were winding down after their big play session to load them up and head out.  It was a wise decision, as there was just a little singing from most of the puppies.  One of them eventually protested more but that seemed to be based on being crated with the rest of her siblings. Eventually, she just walked over the top of all of them and went to sleep too.

And then they were quiet the WHOLE rest of the trip.  We stopped to get gas and they didn't wake up.  Nor did they stir at red lights or anything.  We arrived and went to get them out of the crate and were VERY pleasantly surprised that NONE of them had gotten sick or pottied on the trip.

We put them in the henced yard to run amok and potty and they acted like they owned the place.  Very confident and happy to be out of the van, I suspect.

We did put them back in the crate inside while we set up their new digs here.  It took a little while but I think we finally have it just right ;-). There's always the chance that we will need to do some tweaking as we go along but it's pretty nice (and dare I hope, escape proof)

RT had gotten a 12'X14" piece of vinyl flooring and it has. Nice texture so it isn't too slippery for them.  And it will protect the hardwood floor from any potty accidents that might occur, like the one when one of the puppies told us VERY clearly that she needed to go outside to poop but we didn't get her out so she pooped in front of the gate.

Rena and Mark came by this evening and picked up our dinner on the way which was greatly appreciated.  They also brought toys for the puppies and treats for the humans too.  They seemed to enoy the puppies, in spite of the little needle teeth.  I guess we'll see if they really come back tomorrow ;-)

Tamara put Great Great Uncle Clooney's bed in the pen with them.  It took a few minutes for all of them to find it but they eventually did and it's been quite amusing ever since.  They all pile up on it together but then they slide partially or all of the way off, or lie with a head hanging off the side.  Now I have the song, about 6 in the bed when the little one said roll over going through my head.

They had a nice play session outside until after it got dark.  MamaMila payed with them a lot, too.  She played with them a lot this morning, too - maybe because she wondered where they were going to be since their pen was disassembled and I was packing up most of their stuff.

That was followed by a good nap and we just did last call, Mila topped them off and they pottied.  All of them came into the pen and I gave them a very small snack ( a few pieces of kibble each).  They are playing and as soon as they begin to wind down, I'll sing the 3 songs and call it a night.  Puppy breath to all.  Nighty Nighty Nighty

May 20, 2016 7 weeks old

May 20, 2016 7 weeks old

Good morning, good morning the little dogs say.  They happily ran outside again this morning.  I took them their food which they ate quite voraciously.  Then we brought them back inside to the pen and I went back to sleep for a while.  Eventually, they did as well.

It's a nice sunny day so we went back outside about 9.  After the pupsters had settled down into their nappy routines,  a helicopter flew around several times.  Most of the times, it was far away but once it went directly overhead.  I'm not sure it would've woken them up but I did with my happy noises because I wanted them to notice). They picked up their heads but I'm not sure if anyone saw it.  I know htey heard it.  It came back a few more times but not as close.

And then we did big and little dogs toenails and I printed the puppy books and puppies were inside and puppies were outside and we groomed their uncles Armada and Trek for the show tomorrow and we took 7 week puppy pictures

Tomorrow is a big day of packing up, riding to Columbus and unpacking so don't look for anything from us early.

Puppy breath to all, NNN

May 19,2016 Pupdate

Good morning good morning the little dogs say!  We had a pretty good night.  After I took my medicine at 11;45. I took them outside to potty and back into the nighty night section of the pen for a midnight snack.  We all were asleep by 1 - they were asleep before I was but it didn't take them too long.

MamaMila woke all of us up a little after letting us know that it was indeed daylight.   A couple of the puppies couldn't wait until I got them outside so they used the potty area but told me they'd like ot get OUTSIDE if I could just HURRY UP!!!  At least nobody went in the floor.

The Mama came outside with us this morning to feed them.  It was still a little chilly but it FINALLY didn't rain so they ran around and pottied and then when Tamara came outside, I went to the bathrroom.  3 of them went with me in true PWD fashion ;-) although one of them was tugging on my pantlegs which was rather disconcerting.  I dstracted them with a Duttadah (the cardboard spindle form a toilet paper roll).  Again, in true PWD fashion, they recongized the value of THAT item immediately. Afte rthat I got their breakfast ready and we served it out in the grass.  They have gotten quite good at the eating thing ;-)

It was still a little chilly so we brought them back inside for the morning siesta.  Then we had our first full blown vet visit.  THey all got checked out (including temperatures the hard way) and microchipped.  They weren't too enamoured of the temperature taking but they were quite em=namoured of the squirty cheese so all was fine.  Only one acknowledged the microchip (of course it was one of the boys) and he barely queaked (but he didn't stp eating the cheese.). It took 2 tries for her on one of the boys but both testicles have been verified by more than just me now ;-). The vet left with parting gifts of 2 ticks in tape (in case they need to be sent anywhere) and a ziploc bag of puppy poop.  Do we know how to treat guests or what? Not the normal southern hositality but things are different when we have puppies.

During her visit, one of the puppies was fussing to go outside but we were occupied with a puppy on the table so she had to use the potty pan.  After she left, we took them all outside for a little pottying and playing (started with just one as the others were sleeping but they all awoke and wanted to go.). It's much warmer and the sun came out part of the time - if the wind would just stop blowing, it'd be great.

We put the balls back into the pool and they really enjoyed that.  I kept attempting to gather them and put them back in the pool but they'd promptly send them flying again so I'll worry about theat when the puppies aren't outside/awake.  Back to sleep for them by 10, this time under the kiddie picnic table and my chair.  I think I am going to put them in the playhouse so I can go change out their linens or send one of the big dogs out here to protect them.  There are hawks around and while the puppies are probably too big for them to get, I don't want any test punctures as they try.  

And then the day got hectic.  We shaved 2 puppy butts before Tamara had to go to Parkersburg to meet RT to pick up Fergie.  The puppies slept some and played some and it was nice outside so I even got a little sun.  At one point, I tried to put them into the playhouse, go inside to check on the big dogs and get something to eat but they opened the door and came back out so that didn't happen then.  I sent GrammieSammie out with them and she kept protected them from any predators.

After Tamara and Fergie (Fergie is Mila's housemate) got back, we brought the puppies and bg dogs inside so they could go to the pond and get a little exercise.  I took a little rest while that happened and then we shave the rest of the puppy butts. 

After I fed the big dogs, I gave the puppies REAL showers in the dog shower.  Not just baths in the laundry sink but real live showers like big dogs.  I still sang to them and I held the one just bathed wrapped in a towel in my lap while I bathed the next one.  As usual with puppies, I ended up almost as wet as they were.  So after we got them settled in, I took the monitor upstairs and listened to them for alone time.

Then we went outside for more potties and MamaMila fed them.  They've been sleeping since.  The cable is out so apparently this isn't going to post until tomorrow so I'm givign up and we're going to bed. Daylight comes pretty early these days and  I need to get some sleep.  Puppy breath to all!  Nighty nighty nighty 

The pupsters and i had a rather rough night.  They needed to go outside and every time I went outside, I had horrible coughing fits.  So I finally compromised and let them have the whole puppy area again and tried to get to where I could breathe.  I fed them at 5am hoping that they would settle down and we could all sleep late. They were all sound asleep by 5:30 and I texted Tamara that maybe we were sleeping later. That worked for a while but then the MSU got up to go to work and it was kind of loud through the monitor.  I got up to turn it down and go to the bathroom and that got Mila all excited and you guessed it, the puppies were UP!  Tsmara came out and we took them outside to potty/play.  It was rainy and I proceeded to cough again so I came back inside.

They were insistent that they were ready for breakfast - apparently the meal at 5am didn't count.  So Tamara took them one by one into the laundry room and did a little training for their food. It was extra interesting because I used the last of their softened kibble for the 5am feeding and the new batch was still pretty hard.  SInce they managed it, I gave them a few pieces of completely unsoftened kibble in a couple of kong type toys so they could forage for it.  They seemed to enjoy that.

They do enjoy being outside but they have been more amenable to spending some time inside - and they were even more into it with the food occasionally appearing.

Today, the only puppy we hadn't noticed climbing on top of the castle sandbox climbed right up.  She was then the first puppy to climb up on the righted picnic table.  A few others did it after her, one of them did it and then headed right on over to Tamara in the chair beside it.  It would have been really sweet if she hadn't proceeded to immeidately chew on Tamara. ;-)

More than once today, puppies asked to be in my lap and just cuddled up and went to sleep.  Not the same puppy, and sometimes more than one puppy at a time.  It was very sweet, they didn't bite me at all.  One of them gently mouthed at my sleeve and watch but noreal biting like they do much of the time.  

Speaking of biting, they are starting to really use those needle teeth.  Fortunately, they are also starting to tell each other they are biting too hard.  We have a few new tears in our clothing to prove it.  I'm going to have to start stuffinf braided toys all over my clothes to distract them again.  Im not sure why I never remember that until they puppies turn into adorable little bitey monsters.

I'm hoping we have a better night tonight, I plan to try to start sleeping earlier tonight.  So I'm going to post this, and begin the nighttime routine.  Puppy breath to all, nighty, nighty, nighty.

May 17, 2016 Pupdate

The pupsters had a good quiet nighty last night.  I took them out for last potty after I gave them each a bite of snack and most of them pooped and all peed.  I love that they aren't any different out in the dark (there are lights but it's still not all that bright out there.

And they slept quietly until 6:15 - full daylight.  They only woke up because MamaMila heard someone in the kitchen (pretty sure it was the MSU) so she came over to tell me about it which means her tail wags against the pen/crate and winds them all up.

They are so very good at coming out the crate door and running across the floor and outside. Nobody has had a pottying accident either direction and that's pretty good for puppies going out first thing in the am.  I love their little stampede. Tamara tried to video it coming back in after lunch but the Mama got a little distracted on the way into the pen and we had to wrangle puppies.  Note to self: wait to give them ANY of the probiotic paste until we get back into the pen area.  I gave them some after lunch because of the wormer (we've mostly switched over to the powder).  One more day of that stuff - at least they like it. 

My goodness do they like it, they caught on very quicly that I had good stuff on the paper plate and were clamoring for a turn.  I started with me picking up a puppy and feeding (it makes it easier to keep track of who gets what) and the others were milling around at my feet/legs (not all of them were sitting the whole time but I was rather distracted by making sure the one eating got all of theirs - not much a problem with most of them as they gobbled it down but one was more delicate about eating). So Tamara started picking up the next puppy and holding until their turn.  A couple of the puppies were QUITE displeased with that turn of events and were flailing to get away frm her to wait for me.  So, in spite of having puppy brain, I had the good sense to start feeding them while she held them.  Amazing how quicky they quit fussing and waited their turn.  Tomorrow, that it the plan from the beginning - good things can come to you from other people while you are being held, there is no point in pitching a hissy.  I've always had good luck teaching puppies things that way - I learned from JIllyBean, their great granddam - I really really miss that bitch, especially when we have puppies.  She was SO good.  GrammieSammie (fka the MamaBug) is as well but since she came back from 'quarantlne' she hasn't been as involved with the puppies. Then again, she puked for them the other night so I guess she is supervising.

We held the weight watchers meeting this afternoon, we've been too tired/busy or distracted in the evenings.  They were sleeping so it was pretty quick.  Allium is the largest at 9.6 followed closely by Witch Hazel at 9.4. Snowdrops (always seems bigger than the others to me) is 9 and the other girls (May Apple, Trillium and Phlox) are each 8 lbs. That's 52 lbs of pure PWD puppy adorableness.

It is probably obvious that I don't do any proofing (I don't know whether to type proofreading or prooflistening so I'm shortening it to proofing) but last week, my ipad case with the keyboard broke (at the hinge theyve replaced it  3 times in the warranty period of a year) so I've been limping along.  The new case came today but it is somewhat different so I'm certain I'm making different typos. But the odds of taking more time away from puppies/dogs/sleeping are slim to none. I always think I'll go back and fix them after the puppies leave but I never do so I'll not delude myself this time.I'll get used to the new keyboard - and you'll get used to the new typos ;-)

These puppies are certainly getting exposed to a lot of coughing and sneezing noises.  They don't seem to notice and they NEVER say bless you. Rude little monsters ;-)

They were much more cooperative about our desire not to sit out in the rain today.  They played outside when it was nice enough but they came inside for all of the naps and mosty didn't fuss about it.  PLUS, they were closer to all being on the same schedule.

They play a lot of Monarch of the Mountain on the castle sandbox now.  They are also pretty adamant about getting into the planters.  They come out smelling minty and lemony but they are getting dirt everyhwere, too. I attempted to block their access to one of them today, we'll see how long that lasts.  Or whether they just go after the other one now.

One of them got shut in the laundry room for a minute or 2 thise evening. I was trying to figure out who was fussing and why and finally counted puppies.  Sure enough, one was missing so I opened the door and there she was looking for things to get into.  She came right back in there a fewminutes later so she was not traumatized by the experience.

I'm going to do last call and say Nighty, ngihty, nighty.  I'll try to sing the 3 songs but my voice comes and goes with this cold. Puppy breath to all 

May 16, 2016 Pupdate

The pupsters were a little off schedule last night - maybe because they had a big day or maybe because I kept coughing/choking and perhaps wake them up.  I did take a couple of them outside during the night and they did potty but they wanted out.

Tamara came down before 6 this am and, although there was frost, they wanted to stay OUTside!  One of the big attractions appeared to be licking the dew off of everything.  I gave them a little water in the larger satellite food dish and some drank a little water.  At least one puppy decided it was the perfect bed.

Tamara ended up taking a couple of them outside so they didn't awaken the others but it ended up going in shifts.  She eventually put on one of the neoprene hoodies but was still cold.  They mind the cold much less than we do.  Maybe we need a fleecy bed inside the playhouse.

When it warmed up a little and the 2 outside were giving it up, we brought everyone out to finish their naps. They played and slept a few times.

For lunch, I gave them their wormer in balls of meat.  I delayed that until after their trip to the pond yesterday.  They really seemed to enjoy it, a couple of them thought my fingers would make a nice chaser.

In true Water Dog fashion, they enjoyed playing with the paper plate as much as their toys.  The toys had been washed so maybe that diminished their appeal.  Other items considered to be of great interest include leaves (especially dried ones) and grass.

Because it is always full of dew or rain water and the puppies are large enough to use it the correct way now, I turned the play picnic table right side up.  So they all eschewed the playhouse and slept under that this afternoon.

We took them for a walk around the house this afternoon.  Mila wasn't as thrilled as they but did manage to pee.  They swarmed and roamed and swarmed and roamed.  Most difficult to get everyone through gates

Jack pokes his head out dog door to see if it's clear/what's happening,  puppies run over to greet him.  I'm afraid they'll be through it before long as they investigate it when there's no dog there as well.

They played outside after dinner even after if got dark.  As they started to pile into the playhouse for some sleep, I started carrying them inside.  2 followed along behind me as I carried the first one, the other 3 were zonked out so I carried one and then 2 since I won't leave one outside alone.  (Not that we leave any of them outside unattended.)

They were pretty quiet about coming inside so I made this some of their 'alone' time and sat in another room for a couple of hours.  I'm going to go give them a midnight snack and close them into the nighttime area.  Then we'll sing the 3 songs and go nighty nighty nighty.  Puppy breath to all!

May 15, 2016 Pupdate

Good morning, good morning the little dogs say.  I just wish they'd say it a little later.  It is nice that we have a lot of daylight but I don[t need to see every bit of it ;-). Actually, last night/this morning I was awake because I have a sore throat and I was afraid I'd sleep too late for the puppy swim.

The pupsters and I went outside at about 6:15.  It was cool but if the wind would just let up and/or the sun would shine, it wouldn't feel so bad.  I changed out their linens as soon as Tamara came down and we fed them.  Then when they started back to sleep, we brought them into the pen.  The theory was that they'd rest up for their big afternoon.  I did vacuum their room while they were in the pen.  They are unimpressed with my vacuuming skills and just went on about their puppy business (like flinging balls out of the pool and chewing on siblings)

Part of the Village came and we did first swims.  When it was sunny and not too windy, it wasn't bad at all but when the wind blew clouds over, it wasn't very pleasant.  They got warm showers afterward and we skippe dhte plan for them to have a picnic lunch up by the pond today.  Maybe another day will be warmer/sunnier and we can do that.  I think they will probably follow us/their mother.

After puppies were warm and cozy in their pen, we took the big dogs back up to the pond for a romp/swim.  It is safe to say that a good time was had by ALL of them.  Caly, Mila and SammieDoodlebug were all about getting in the water and going after bumpers.  Even if it was supposed to be another dogs' bumper.  Armada wanted to be cutoff man and return the bumpers after the girls brought them to shore. 

I noticed today that when a video of us calling them is played, the puppies want to come.  They will wake up out of a sound sleep and get all excited.  We'll have to be more careful about what they hear when they are supposed to be sleeping.

At leasst one of them can now get through the high door of the puppy pen so those will both stay closed when no human is out here and at night now.

They've done some more playing and resting but the pond was enough adventure for us today.  THey're having last supper and then lasst call and I'm going to pen them in for the night.  Puppy breath to all.  Nighty Nighty Nighty

The puppies were quiet most of the night.  I made the mistake of going to the bathroom at 5am which got Mila all excited.  Which in turn got the puppies all excited.  She went into the pen but the part that they couldn't reach.  So a motivated puppy went over the 'fence' to where she was.  I took it down and we all went back to sleep for a while.

We got up and went outside after it was full daylight (I think near 7 but I have given up on knowing what day/time things are happening). The latest absolutely cute thing they do is run from the pen to the door and on outside.  I should record that sound, it is such a happy little noise.

Blustery, cool, rainy at times day so the puppies were brought inside for nap times, much to their consternation.  But since we are starting to leave them in the room wihtout humans (but monitored), I got a few things done.  Baby blankets are now done.  During another of their naps, we transferred pictures.

In fact, we filled up my ipad with pictures again so I had to delete some before it would even connect to my laptop to copy them off.  That was frustrating but eventually, it worked.

Since we were being mean and keeping them in the house so much of the day, we put the pool of balls in the pen.  They really enjoy that and so do we.  Sometimes, we put other toys in too and that is even more entertaining for them.  And at least a couple of puppies insist that they should sleep in the pool.  Balls fly all over the pen when they get going.

I'm sleepy and we just fed midnight snack so we're going to say Nighty, Nighty, Nighty.  Puppy breath to all

Happy 6 week birthday pupsters.  And Happy Birthday to my human Daddy -he's slightly older than 6 weeks ;-)

They were very good again last night in the much reduced nighttime sleeping area.  They have the large crate, the small crate and the potty area with just a small amount of fleecy sleeping area. They don't make it through all night without any peeing but they haven't been pooping until after they go out in the morning.  And they are good about making it out the door before they pee, too.

Last night, I gave the big dogs their food before I fed the puppies.  Big mistake as GrammieSammie went over and puked for the puppies. Eventually, I got everyone fed appropriately and we went to sleep.  But this morning, Mila threw up while she was out with the puppies and they were nursing.  I'm not certain whether she just needed to eat or if she was doing what her mother told her (she didn't have much left in her system) but we will be more vigilant about making sure they don't feel the need to do it for us.

It was lovely weather for puppies to be outside today so they've taken advantage of it the whole day.  They slept through the time I would normally feed them lunch - I think they are putting themselves on a 3 times a day (plus snacks) meal plan.  I did give them some slightly watered down kefir in the late morning but they weren't voracious about eating that.  They WERE very excited about their afternoon meal though.

One of the daylight meals today was a picnic out in the grass (still in the communal dishes) this morning and they seemed to like that just fine.  They are starting to show real recognition that food is coming and it is something they want.  They still nurse but it's not enough for them so the food is important now.

And later, I came outside while finishing up a piece of bacon. I cannot believe how interested the puppies were in the scent.  Some of them were licking it off of my fingers.  One of the puppies was playing several feet away and she was very very interested.  She kept putting her head up and sniffing for where the scent originated.  Eventually she followed it to me and licked my fingers excitedly.

Tamara and I did the 6 week photoshoot today since the other Villagers couldn't make it.  Holding them up for the pictures makes it obvious that they are gaining weight.  It took a little while because we did it outside and the sun kept shining too brightly for her to see the pictures she had taken.

Mila plays more and more with them and they are often pretty rough with her and each other.  They are learning how ot play a little more gently through those interactions.  They do like to hang onto the flag of the big dogs, though.

They are now good at running around carrying toys including balls and they play a lot of king of the mountain: in the lid of the castle sandbox, on the castle sandbox, on the little hill in the dog yard, and on the bosu when it it is available.

I'm working more on making sure they have time when they know there isn't a human in the room but it is difficult for me.  They are happy to see us but can entertain themselves for hte most part, too.

Since they didn't come inside during the day, we didn't nap in a crate (they go into the playhouse or the airline crate, I won't close them in the airline crate outside but I will close the door to the playhouse - it has more ventilation and is easier to check on them.). We had them run isnide and into (at least towards) the pen for their late meal tonight.  I think I might open the 3rd door on the crate to make that eaiser for them.  As they get better at it, I will alternate which door lets them in to the food and let them problem solve a little more.

I need to sing the 3 songs and say nighty, nighty, nighty.  Puppy breath to all!