04/30/18 Pupdate

You’d think the puppies would be tired out from yesterday but they wake up raring to go.  They really enjoy playing outside and almost always go running out into the grass or rocks to potty - such smart puppies!
This afternoon they added more new people to their list.  3 adults and 3 youngters.  As is often the case, children are more interested in playing with all of the toys we have out for the puppies longer than the actual puppies.  That’s just as well because I really just want the puppies to be exposed to children.  The playhouse and the ball pit were of high interest but they were very helpful in making noise when requested.  Singing, clapping, hollering, cheering, stomping feet; I think we covered the gamut ;-). It was naptime for the puppies so they eventually sacked back out all over the deck.  The big girls were VERY interested in watching them eat the string cheese.  (I divided an extra stick up amongst the girls for behaviors so they didn’t ‘share’ the ones belonging to the humans.
The water bucket is a great item as far as the puppies are concerned.  Nanny McPhoebe is almost obsessed with their bucket outside.  I fill it and she drinks half of it (the big dogs have a BIG stainless bucket inside and she has a coop cup in ‘her’ crate but she usually knocks it off).  Granted it is a much smaller bucket so half isn’t THAT much but 9 puppies need to drink it, too.  Since they are inevitably spilling it,  maybe she is trying to minimize cleanup.  The puppies seem to think that mopping it up with their hair is the perfect solution, good thing it was warm and sunny this afternoon.
We had a new milestone this evening.  I fed them a little less for dinner (well first they each got a ball of meat with the latest dose of pyrantel/praziquantel in it) and then as they finished up, I sprinkled some dry kibble (they’ve only had it soaked in goat milk/kefir/yogurt/etc until now and they make it pretty cleara they aren’t any too impressed with it) into the dish and they actually ate it!  I added more several times and they kept eating it.  So I filled up a few of the kong type toys (one of them is a pyramid that was their Daddy’s when he was a wee one) with kibble and when I brought them into the pen, I made them sprinkle into the dish.  They ate that with interest and then knocked some out on their own.  That means I’ll be able to put the Treat N Train in the pen and reward them remotely (as a group).  It’s especially handy for getting puppies to go into the pen on their own because I can just press the button and they’ll run over there to eat it.  The trick is keeping the big girls  from running it as well but we’ll work something out ;-)
I’ve been doing puppy laundry a lot today (swims took 9 fluffy towels, plus 4 big crate pads followed by baths which took at least 12 plus the MaterGator got to go for a swim so she needed a shower.  And that’s on top of all of the normal puppy linens.  (I’m glad we got the BIG washing machine but still a lot of litters).   I don’t bounce back as fast as the puppies (nor do I sleep as much or as soundly as they do) so I think I’m going to try to take a nap before it is time for their midnight snack.   Tomorrow is supposed to be even prettier (80 and sunny) so we may go to the pond again and let the puppies (in small groups) play on their own.  Good thing I got all of that laundry done ;-). Puppy breath to all, Nighty Nighty Nighty

04/29/18 Pupdate

It’s 5:54PM and the puppies have definitely gotten their second (or third or 12th) wind.  They’ve been outside playing for nearly an hour, they were awake and  insisting that they needed to go out to potty or we’d still be inside.  It’s windy and I think it’s cold in the shade (I’m wearing long pants and a coat).  They think it’s fine weather to run and play and romp. MaterGator has been playing with them about the whole time we’ve been out, too.
They’ve had a BIG day and so have the humans.    This morning, I fed them in the pen because it was in the low 30s outside.  They probably wouldn’t have cared but I did.  So a few of them pooped in the potty pan and the rest of them held it until I took them outside at 10am.  They pretty consistently wake up for midmorning romp and are thrilled to play outside in the sunshine.  It was warm in the  sun but the wind felt cold to the humans.  They showed no sign of concern.  It took them until after 11:30 to even begin to settle down for naptime.  
As they started to settle in for a nice little rest, the Aunts arrived.  Most of the puppies slept through the commotion and I carried the other one in for Cindi to hold while I finished up getting things ready to go up to the pond (and for 6 week old photoshoot).  
After we took care of all of the unavoidable delay (crates, crate pads, towels, props, treats, etc., etc.), we put the puppies in crates in the vehicles and drove up the hill to the pond.  6 of the puppies were quiet and sleeping, the 3 in the other crate were awake and not so quiet.  But by the time we took each of their pictures, they were all quieted down.  
But we didn’t let sleeping puppies lie, it was time for first swims!  The water was chilly (but bear in mind I prefer the pool temperature to be 98 degrees) but the sun shone most of the time and the puppies weren’t in the water nearly as long as I was.  None of them were even wet completely through their coats.
Each puppy swam twice, a couple of them went rogue and tried to go a little swimabout (and once kept putting it’s head under the water like the MaterGator likes to do) but they eventually got to shore and had some starter mousse (aka puppy crack, even Uncle Armada likes it and he’s PICKY! Or selective as RT so kindly phrases my food preferences)
After swimming, it was time for baths!  They were all very well behaved again but I needed to ditch the little basin in the laundry sink because they’ve outgrown it.  I think next baths are going to be in the shower.  The puppies took a nice nap all cuddled up together.  They didn’t sleep as long as I expected and they insisted on outside playtime for over an hour before their dinner time.  The MamaDog played with them for almost all of that time.  She’s been working on playing with them but they’ve been more interested in nursing than playing with her. 
Tune in tomorrow for another adventure.  Nighty, nighty, nighty.  Puppy breath to all

04/28/18 Pupdate

Against all odds, the puppies have become even more adorable.  They had a nice quiet night and I fed them breakfast early because the MSU was up early.  At least it was daylight or we woudn’t have gotten up. Everybody made it outside - off of the deck even - to poop.  They played for a few minutes and then I brought everyone back in side and we all went back to sleep until mid morning.
It was sunny and very windy so we played outside until after lunch.  They are staying awake and active for longer periods of time.  I know I type this frequently but it is amazing how fast they develop.  They are playing with all kinds of toys (but still find dry leaves quite the prize).  
I bought a little more time with the adventure box by putting it in the gate section of the railing so they can only pull it apart in half of the directions.  The pool full of balls is of more interest to Nanny McPhoebe than the puppies (the balls specifically interest her, not running through them.  They go through it but they don’t seem to notice or care.  Maybe I should put a few leaves in it ;-) 
I put the cat tunnel back in the pen with them and they seem to have missed it.  A lot.  I keep putting in the noisy toys but no one seems at mind judging by the fact that they sleep on the buttons that light up and play really loud noises.  If it bothers me (and it does sometimes), I have to dig it out from under at least one sleeping puppy.
There’s a BIG day planned for tomorrow so we are going to say Nighty nighty nighty, Puppy breath to all

4/27/18 Six Weeks Old!

I have no idea where the time has gone but the babies were born 6 whole weeks ago. They seem to think they are on the accelerated path.  They aren’t always completely coordinated but they are pretty good even at high speeds (they seem to be pretty fond of high speeds)
They also seriously enjoy being outside.  I was carrying them back inside this am and one was snuggling until we got close to the pen and he noticed and was ready to go the other direction.  After I brought the rest of the puppies in, I picked him back up for a cuddle.
Every puppy managed to not poop from the time we were outside after dinner until I took them out around 7 am.  Such good puppies!  So far, we’ve only had poops outside since the morning 1 went while we were going outside.  Most of the time they are making it out into the rocks and grass -they will poop on the stepping stones ;-). Pee is not so reliable but it never is and now that they drink water, it’s harder but they are catching on and MOST (not all) of the time they at least make it to the potty areas.
Aunt LeAnne and Aunt Cindi came over today and we had ADVENTURES!  First they had to get some cuddles and then a trip outside and lunch.  As they settled down to sleep, we put them in the crates in the car (2 crates) with their fleecy beds and drove them up the hill to the pond.  They were in the crates in the shade in the open car while we flipped the boats and put them in the water and let the big girls romp in the pond a little.  Then we drove the puppies back down the hill and brought them back into the fence.
When they settled down again, I bathed the big girls and the Aunties did toenails. I had saved them for a couple of days because we meant to do them last time Cindi was here.  Since they were so long, they clipped them and then dremeled them.  The puppies were remarkably well behaved for it, except when the MaterGator was riling everybody up with false advertising about the bar opening up.   
And toenails are a reasonable length again.
We stayed outside to do the big girls’ nails and then brought the puppies inside.  When almost everyone was asleep we held a weight watcher’s meeting.  The puppies are obviously eating well ;-) 1 puppy is over 6 lbs; 2 puppies are within half an ounce of 5 lbs and 5 puppies are in the 5 lb range and 1 is 4 1/2. 
They are very interested in the dog door, I hope it’s a while before anyone goes through it but I’m not going to bet on it.  They’re too close to seeing where the big dogs went for it not to happen soon.
I think the adventure box’s days are numbered.  sometimes they play nicely with it but others they are really going at it hard.  When they attack it in concert, it doesn’t stand a chance ;-)
During their after dinner play time outside, MaterGator took the high ground to escape their continued request for another dessert nursing and GrammieSammie sought refuge from the little needle teeth but Nanny McPhoebe played Gulliver and the Lilliputians for at least an hour and a half, possibly more. Eventually, only one puppy was awake (last 2 were still outside) and playing with rope out in the yard so she lured him up onto the deck and was playing bitey mouth with him until I finally got tired of waiting and brought him inside for nighty nappy time. He protested a few moments but then sacked out like the others.
So we’re going to wind down for tonight and see if I can start adjusting the time between last call and wake up call to get a little more sleep.  Puppy breath to all, Nighty, Nighty, Nighty

4/26/1 Pupdate

I slept upstairs for part of last night but kept that camera on the pupsters.  All was quiet until daylight and then they still were quiet but the camera kept notifying me of motion so I got up and came down to get the day started.  Sort of.  The puppies and big dogs had breakfast and we all went back to sleep for a while.
I took them outside for their mid-morning romp and 8 of the 9 pooped outside.  1 of them had to go in the potty area before I carried her outside.  They are quite quite adventurous outside.  I spend a lot of time trying to keep track of all of them as they go exploring all over the dog yard.  When they settled in for a nap, I brought them all back inside until their lunchtime.
They had a picnic lunch and another chance to run amok in the sunshine and I sat out in the sun (they spend more of their time in the various shady spots) while they played and napped.  Eventually, I got sleepy so we all came inside for naptime.  They had another picnic for dinner complete with more gamboling around the yard.  I finally gave up and took the ex pen off of the gate on the deck side of the taller ramp because they were going out into the yard and coming up the ramp and fussing that they couldn’t get through to us on the deck.  They were also showing interest in the big dogs going through the dog door and I wanted to be able to get there quickly to put the kibosh on that.
Our music choices today were Meatloaf (what day does that make today?  All I can keep track of is if it is daylight or not) and Brad Paisley.  I made sure to thump my feet, clap and sing for them.  If I knew any Zumba, I’d do that.  (It’s a good thing I decide when the camera is on and off because I wouldn’t want most of what I do for the puppies documented.)
We have big plans with the Aunties tomorrow so we are going to say Nighty Nighty Nighty.  Puppy breath to you all

04/25/18 Pupdate

Good morning, good morning the little dogs say.  They were sleeping quietly again this am when the alarm sounded at 7 so I didn’t get up until they were stirring at 8:15.  Their mama had insisted on feeding them between 6 and 6:30  so they weren’t starving.
Aunt Cindi came to see them this afternoon so she served them lunch.  They ate well and then the sun was finally shining so we took them outside for a while.  They were not respecting the gate to the dog yard so we finally gave up and let them out into the yard.  They were adorable little amok runners but it’s hard to keep track of them without calling them together and playing duck duck goose.  I felt better since Cindi had trouble too and she can see them.  They come running when I call them so the system works (and has for the other litters but it seems as if these are a little more adventurous - I’m not certain they are, it may just be because there are 9 of them to track)
They settled in on the raised bed with a fleece and we did the multiple blanket thing and they did the getting out of under the blankets to sleep so we finally decided they weren’t cold while they had a nap.  We did interrupt their nap to bring them inside when the rain began.  This bed is too big to fit in the playhouse and eventuallyt he rain will come through the shade sails.  They ran around in the rain to potty before we carried them back inside and they played for a while before they went back to sleep.
I was getting tired of the dog show noise CD so I played them other CDs we have.   I need to get the others out of the vehicle and Cindi is going to bring some various genres as well.  Just to keep it interesting for them, I sang loudly to part of the songs and we danced them around a little. They noticed the noise but didn’t seem to phased by any of it.
I took a little nap while they did before Cindi left.  I needed it since I didn’t sleep much this weekend.  If I’m only going to sleep 5 hours maximum at night (the puppies eat at 1 and 7 and it takes at least half an hour to get it ready for them; the mama dog; and feed everyone plus I have get back to sleep - I can’t go to sleep nearly as quickly as the puppies), I definitely need to nap during the day.
This evening after they had dinner, I took them outside again.  I managed to get them outside for 8 out of the 9 post prandial poops so Yay us!  One of them went in the potty area while I was getting carrying puppies out but that was still pretty good.  It wasn’t raining but it was wet and they ran around like joyful little hooligans.  They are really into trying to chew on the items on the adventure box and they run through it like they don’t care.  Good little honey badger puppies, that’s what it’s supposed to be used to do.  
I couldn’t figure out the best way to hang the soft inflatable Courier ball on there so it’s just out there with it.  Well it was with it, they have dragged that thing all over the deck.  They are getting better and better at running with things in their mouths but sometimes I do think they are running faster than they are thinking.  Dragging heavy/large items is a new favorite pastime, one of them was dragging the smaller flying saucer food bowl until another climbed half in it today.  They like to pull the pad off of the potty areas so they are also starting to enjoy playing with the alfalfa pellets.  (And that is why I use food grade pellets in the potty boxes, I don’t worry so much about the dogs consuming them.  Phoebe kept going in and getting them as if they were treats today.)
We’ve started to introduce “teeth are for toys” because those teeth are coming in faster and faster.  Just as they should but there are spots that they get that smart and that is only going to become more pronounced.
I’m sure more happened today but those are the current highlights.  Well, that and the fact that they are REALLY adorable!  Puppy breath to all. Nighty, nighty, nighty

4/24/18 Weight Watchers Meeting

More growing, growing, growing for the pups!  Since the last meeting 5 days ago they have collectively gained 8.5 pounds.  That's 40 pounds since birth.  Imagine that - it's almost as much as an adult PWD!  One of them is over six pounds, another over 5 pounds, and the other 7 are closing in on 5 pounds.

As you can see, they have about outgrown the weighing system in use since birth.  Hope the Aunt Mamma has a plan for the next weigh in.

04/24/18 Pupdate

We had all kinds of fun today.  I woke up at 6:30 but Caly came to cuddle so I didn’t get up until the alarm to feed the puppies sounded at 7.  They ate breakfast pretty well once everyone woke up.  I had some last minute cleaning to do before their visitors arrived so I stayed up this morning.
Aunt LeAnne came to visit and help wrangle puppies while I cleaned their pen.  It was rainy and not very warm so we took them on the porch/deck instead of the dog yard deck.  They ran around like crazy pups and enjoyed their first experience in the rain.  We worried about them being cold so we had the raised bed, a big piece of their fleece, a fleecy bed and lots of blankets - most of whice they eschewed in favor of running around/lying on the deck.  As they went to sleep, LeAnne moved them on the warm stuff and covered them up.  If they were asleep enough, they stayed but at least one kept moving back off.    I cleaned as quickly as I could and as soon as their floor dried, I quickly put their stuff down.  They were sound asleep when I went out there to wash off the toy tub (it was hamster wheeled through poop) but a couple of them woke up to help me so I brought everyone back inside.  They pottied and interacted for a few minutes and then went back to sleep.
We met 2 brand new people - one of whom is a very tall man (but currently no facial hair).  They arrived at the puppies lunch time but they puppies were just waking up (their schedule was a little off since they insisted on playing in the rain) so we delayed lunch a few minutes while they cuddled in the pen with them.  I had the visitors serve lunch and everyone ate from the dishes.
I did my best to stay away from the pen and stay quiet but one puppy did keep track of where I was and occasionally come over to see if I’d interact but she’d go back to play with them if I didn’t acknowledge her. 
I got plenty of puppy cuddles after the company left and when they went back to sleep, we held a weight watcher’s meeting.  I think LeAnne is doing a fun with numbers post on the results but it’s apparent that they are doing well enough with the eating thing.
Puppies have finally started sleeping in the toy tub, some of them still want it to be a vehicle but that’s more difficult with another puppy or two in it. There’s not much cuter than puppies sleeping in it though.
Tomorrow I get to figure out how to get squirty cheese off of the ceiling.  There was an incident as the company was arriving and I was crating some  of the big girls for the initial greeting and managed to get it to spray the side of my head, the curtain over the shelves and the ceiling.. We wiped it out of my hair before they got to the door but the other part is still waiting for me.  Maybe I could just let a dog climb the ladder and lick it off of the ceiling.  I could probably hold a puppy up there from a shorter ladder.  But for now, I’m going to feed and cuddle puppies and sniff a little puppy breath.  Nighty, nighty, nighty

04/23/18 Pupdate

Once again, I have lost all concept of time with puppies.  When I did yesterday’s blog (the only time I can be counted on to have any clue what the date is), I remembered today is the Pupsters Human Didi and Mimi’s anniversary.  I remembered again tonight when I checked the date to start the post (too late to call).  We all hope they had a Happy Anniversary!
      Against all odds, the puppies have become even more adorable.  I LOVE that they come running when they notice me and that I can call them away from the gate where they are waiting for the MaterGator.  (I don’t try to call them away from the Mama in the pen but sometimes they are engaged with me and don’t notice she has entered.)
It wasn’t very warm and it was rainy today so they stayed inside and listened to all of the noises the guys made with the tools.  And all of the cleaning noises and the pressure washer and the CDs and the singing.  Some of them prefer to sit in my lap while they eat.  Maybe more people need to feed them.  Or maybe I should hand feed all of them all of the time in my lap ;-). 
They still sleep a lot but they do it adorably.  It’s hard not to spend all day cuddling them while they sleep.  When they are awake, they are somehow even more adorable.  Maybe not quite so much when they use those emerging teeth on me but still awfully cute.
Some of them mastered carrying a water bottle as they gamboled  around the pen today.  It took a long time to get a hold on it but then it was carried like the prized possession it was.  I also gave them more duttadaduhs, this time while they were awake.  That was also quite the coveted item.  
I THINK that Nanny McPhoebe is taking the new toys I give them before they play with them.  She trades for other toys and eventually brings these back to them but I think I may need to give them a new toy while she is contained and they are awake just to make certain they CAN play with something that doesn’t have ‘older dog approved’ spit on it.
I need to cuddle a few puppies toward sleep and sing the 3 songs, we have an early morning tomorrow.  The puppies will go back to sleep after breakfast but not I.  So we’ll send bitey kisses full of puppy breath and say Nighty Nighty Nighty to all

04/22/18 Pupdate

The puppies had a quietish morning with a healthy breakfast served at 7am.  The MaterGator decided at 6ish that she needed to feed them so they had gone back to sleep but they were willing to wake up and eat their breakfast.  Then they pottied and played a few minutes and we all went back to bed for a while.
They played with some new toys and decided to demonstrate that they could easily go over the short ex pen over the low ex pen door so it is now closed unless someone is going through it. 
I’m amazed again by how they adorable they are.  I repeat it frequently but I don’t know how they keep getting cuter.  All of a sudden, they can run (with coordination); play bow, wag tails and pounce.  More and more teeth are appearing and they are learning how to use them.  Sometimes on me.  I’m thinking of getting a kevlar bodysuit made ;-)
They’ve started to attempt climbing.  Mostly, it’s on the side of the ex pen but they are game to try the ladder, too.   They tried both sides of the ladder and when they couldn’t make much progress, they tried chewing on it.
This litter has found a new way to play with the toy tub in the pen.  Instead of just climbing in and pulling out toys or taking a nap, one puppy flipped it up onto the side.  Then he climbed in and proceeded to roll around the pen.  While I can’t swear it wasn’t a fluke the first time, he did it more than once and then other puppies did it as well.  Funny puppies.  Maybe they’ll dream about it.  Nighty nighty nighty,  Puppy breath to all

04/21/18 Pupdate

We had another big day here today.  The puppies were really quiet (perhaps even sleeping) until a few minutes after 7 when I took them their breakfast. Dare I hope the new schedule is takig effect?  They are awfully good puppies.
 As soon as it warmed up enough this morning, I disinfected the deck, the new railing, and all of the puppy play equipment plus the ladders.  Then I rearranged everything somewhat back into place with some new tweaks since I don’t need all of the old ex pen now.
When Cindi arrived, we took the puppies outside where they promptly scattered all over the deck, through the new gates and down the ramp.  So I worked on ways to contain them while allowing the big dogs access.  Then they had their picnic.  I have no doubt they’ll breach those defenses soon but they’ll probably be allowed in the yard by then.
After we finally had them reasonably secured, Cindi protected them from the potentially marauding hawks while I went back inside to scrub the floor of the pen.  I had an ‘incident’ while clearing out their potty area and dropped puppy poop all over the floor.  Of course, the puppies were right there ‘helping’ me so there was quite a mess even though it HAD been pretty good poop.
Then Aunt Colleen came and we did the photoshoot (extra points if you can figure out the theme).  The puppies were somewhat cooperative at times but way too awake to attempt a group shot.  When the puppies wound down a little, I gave them each their first REAL bath and puppies were cuddled in towels until they were dry enough.  2 puppies whined a little during part of it but were still pretty cooperative.  I sang a whole lot of “this is the way we take a bath” today.  After I finished the last one, I got to do a little cuddling but then the MaterGator came in to rile them up.  Apparently Uncle Trek had been doing that with the ones Colleen was holding, too so we didnt get as long as the MSU (he held the first 3)
I stretched out in the pen with them and some cuddled up to sleep and some practiced their piercing skills.  We changed out their collars since the others were wet and stretchy.  Eventually, they all went to sleep and I had to wake them for dinner.  We’ve all rested much of the rest of the evening so we can have no adventures tomorrow.  Puppy breath to all.  Nighty, Nighty, Nighty 

04/20/18 5 Weeks Old!

And growing like weeds.  (That’s my concession to marijuana references today)

Notes from the last few days:
I dragged out the CD player - they definitely noticed the noise.  I started off with some sort of relaxation CD that came with my pillow speakers and we worked our way up to the ones with thunder and one with all kinds of weird noises (I think it’s called a dog show CD but it includes goats or sheep noises and all kinds of weirdness). Today we didn’t need to play those because the noise from the guys putting up the handrail on the deck and changing the snow/ice thingies on the roof was plenty loud enough.  They use a generator and a REALLY loud saw.  The puppies weren’t too impressed when I carried them outside in pairs to listen and look (but not to be put down until I re-sanitize everything)
They also don’t move away from vacuum cleaner even though it doesn’t give treats yet.

I can’t beleive they are so very cute in little lion butts and they were really, really good while we did it, too.  It’s hard to beleive that they couldve become any more adorable but they managed again.  These clippers are quieter than the electric toothbrush I’ve been practicing with for this.  I think that the quiet clippers made a huge difference because none of them fussed at all.  They were mostly asleep before but they were all awake (and sometimes gently mouthing my fingers/face) during the actual clippering. We’ll need to work on getting their line straight but it was a really good first start.  Muzzles are waiting because I still don’t like to lose their whiskers.  

We lost our streak of pooping only on the potty area. They dragged parchment paper off to play with it (that was a fail anyway - not good traction, urine stays on top) and left it in the middle of the pen. A puppy stood on the paper and pooped on the new crate bed. Fortunately it was good poop  but I’m not sure it counts.

They now come to my voice even if I’m not really close.  Caly wanted in to nurse them but I was being cuddled by Phoebe so I called the puppies.  They ran to my side of ex pen so she had a clear path to jump.  I like that because I don’t have to go in and sit on the milking stool the whole time (but she likes it so I still do it most of the time.)

Tomorrow is their photoshoot and we have plans to have first real baths.  We’ll be cuddly lots of clean puppies in towels, I hope we have enough cuddlers since there are 9 of them.  It’s a tough job ;-)

They are going 5-6 hours without eating so I think I’ll post this and sleep from 1am until at least daylight.  I had to juggle their schedule a little because they didn’t want brunch so that threw off lunchtime. I switched brunch to a midmorning liquid snack and they ate at 7 and 1 and 7 and I’m hoping that schedule continues.  They didn’t wake up for the 10 o clock liquid snack but MaterGator had nursed them at about 8 so I’m thinking that will tide them over.  I plan to keep the pen closed tonight so I know if she needs to go in and feed them or not (there’s an off chance I could sleep through it otherwise.  Not likely but possible so this way I’ll know and we all know how I feel about KNOWING things ;-)
Wish us luck on the schedule tonight! Puppy breath to all,  Nighty nighty nighty!

4/19/18 First Haircuts (guest blogger - Aunt LeAnne)

Today was a busy, busy day for our puppies.  They had three visitors, got their first haircuts and had a weight watcher meeting.  There was also feeding and playing and napping, oh my!

Aunts Cindi and LeAnne and one of Aunt LeAnne's many kids (Laurie) came to visit.  After an initial happy greeting, lunch was served.  Then the playing and napping began.  During nap time Aunt Mamma quietly removed puppies one at a time and held them while Aunt Cindi gave them their first lion haircuts.  And what good little puppies!  They took it in stride with only a minimal amount of wiggling and absolutely NO fussing.  They acted like they had been doing it all their life instead of this being the first time. (Maybe because Aunt Mamma, aka that lady, had been using a battery powered toothbrush to introduce them to noise making vibrating devices.  Or maybe just because they are the BEST puppies EVER!)  For being not even 5 weeks old, there was a lot of hair!  And they were quite cute with their little shaved butts.

Not only are these puppies good at growing hair and getting haircuts, they are also good at eating as evidenced by the results of the weight watcher meeting.  Their total weight today was about equal to Uncle Armada's weight!  Three puppies are over 4 pounds now and the others are closing in on 4 pounds. In the six days since the last weight watcher meeting they gained a total of over 7 pounds -  that's a pound a day gained by the 9 little darlings!

The people decided it was too cold for them to go  outside today, although the puppies wouldn't have cared.  Pretty sure none of the people wanted to go outside with them though.  So playtime was all indoors.  There was still plenty of romping, running, and wresting.  One puppy even dragged around their little dog bed and laid under it playing with the tag.  There is no end to their cuteness.

April 18, 2018 Pupdate

We had a BIG adventure today.  The weather was forecasted to be nice so while they napped after their second breakfast, I put the ex pens back up on the deck, assembled the playhouse (except for the roof, that’s a 2 person job), and arranged beds for them.
When they woke, I carried them outside in pairs (second to last trip, I carried one so nobody would be left alone).  They almost immediatey pushed open the gate and were going in and out the door but eventually, I corralled all of them outside (the key was getting all of the big girls outside, the MaterGator been following me in and out with puppies) and the puppies had a picnic.  
They seemed to really like the outdoors and found all kinds of fun things to play with.  Who needs toys when one can play with leaves that are blowing around?  I don’t trust the hawks and the big girls don’t trust anything else so we all guarded them.  Nanny McPhoebe alternated positions facing out intoand I gave the Mama a perch so she could guard but not necessarily be accessible to the puppies when she didn’t want to nurse them and GrammieSammie took the defensive positions from the house side.
Judging by the racket the crows were making, I think there was a hawk on the hill but I don’t know if it was eyeballing our puppies or not.  Since they are all brave little toasters and have no compunction about roaming all over the deck (I’m glad I blocked it off or I think they might’ve gone on out into the rocks and yard),  I don’t trust the stupid birds not to try to get one.  I’m not sure they are much bigger than rabbits right now.  Once we put the shade sails back up, it will be more protected on the deck but not nearly as sunny.
They eventually took their post prandial nap outside but they kept insisting that they didn’t want lie on the fleece, bed or warm blanky from the dryer when they could sleep on the cool wet deck.  They’d go to sleep and I’d gently move them and they’d wake up and move back.  That’s how we progressed until they all woke up at almost 5.  I let everyone have time to potty and then we attempted to follow inside.  It went well until we got into the house and then one of the big girls started to go out the dog door so some of the puppies followed her into that ‘hallway’.  4 followed me and the Mater Gator to the pen.  3 more came running over when I called and the last 2 were finding their way out of the dog door hallway when I went to help round them up.  They followed me to the pen and I put them in with everyone else and they all nursed a few minutes.
It was really hot inside (80 degrees is hot in the house) so we switched from windows to a/c and the puppies cooled down.  I made a ‘pillow’ from the Totofit roll and laid down with them.  I was a puppy jungle gym, they were chewing on my hair and ears, climbing all over me and doing some cuddling as well.  Caly couldn’t figure out WHY I was lying on the floor in the puppy pen so she kept coming to lick my face, too.    All but one went to sleep so I carried her (I think it was a her, it seems to cycle through so I can’t remember which puppy it was which day) around with me while she got sleepy.  It was sweet but it meant that I didn’t get a nap today.
Everyone has eaten and we’ve sung the 3 songs; puppies are sleeping (big girls are wanting to make sure their dish is clean) so I’m going to say Nighty Nighty Nighty. Puppy breath to all

April 17, 2018 Pupdate

I have no idea whythis didn’t post last night
Eating, sleeping, growing and playing.  They are awake and much more active each time they have a play session.  They actually run around now.  They very quickly figured out how to get into and out of the crate (I removed the doors on the ends) but so far it is mostly just a pathway.  They do take different toys into it (and back out)
I put a balance disk in the pen for them to experience an unstable surface and they really seem to like it.  None of them avoid it or try to get off when it moves but they have been caught playing king of the mountain on it repeatedly.  It’s also a good spot to sleep.  Funny little things.
They are working more and more on those teeth, so far they are just getting more little points poking through, I’ll miss these days when there are 9 sets of needle teeth flashing all around.  I’ll be saying “Teeth are for toys” a LOT.  Fortunately, they have plenty of siblings to practice learning bite inhibition.  I wonder if Nanny McPhoebe will be tolerant of puppy teeth or if she’ll seek higher ground.  She really likes those puppies.
The new defenses are holding pretty well but I’ll have to leave the ex pen door closed before long. I think tomorrow night I might try closing the play area off during sleepy time.  We need to work our way toward sleeping in crates and that’s a good start.
The puppies were sleeping quietly until well after daylight this morning.  Their mother, wanted me to get up at about 7:30 so she eventually resorted to riling up the puppies to get me up.  We both fed them and then ALL of the dogs went back to sleep, I did not ;-(.   Maybe tomorrow, she’ll be more cooperative ;-).  For now, I’ll sing the 3 songs and we’ll say Nighty Nighty Nighty.  Puppy breath to all!

April 16, 2017 Pupdate

The day started off nicely enough.  The puppies slept most of the night so I began to fantasize about sleeping for several hours at a stretch and not serving breakfast until well after daylight. (I prefer the puppies not think they need to rise with the sun, it’s been my experience that it’s easier for most people to switch puppies over to rising early - by feeding them breakfast early- than it is to teach them to sleep later once they get used to eating breakfast at daylight). 
We had a leisurely morning with some cuddling and napping and I prepped breakfast and some of the staples for the rest of the meals for the day.  They ate breakfast well but when I put the thin oatmeal milk in as a chaser, they came through the dish (full of the sticky liquid) to see me.  It was cute but oh so messy.  I sang what I could recall of my sister’s Messmaker song to them and called her to find out the rest of the lyrics (turns out, there aren’t more)
Eventually, they settled down and everyone dropped off to sleep.  I gave them a little longer and began to transfer the sleeping puppies into the pool with the ferret ex pen. And shortly after I transferred the last sleeping puppy in there, they suddenly were NOT sleeping.  9 puppies were out of the pool and not being contained by the little fencing (I assumed they’d come out of the pool on that side and most of them did but it didn’t take them long to figure out they could go out the other side and be FREE!  
Suffice it to say Pandemonium ensued.  I alternated between trying to put the puppies back into the pool and get their milky/oatmealy linens out of the pen area; clean the floor and put clean linens in the pen.  The puppies alternated between breaching the defenses, following me, chasing big dogs and voicing their displeasure at me putting them back into the pool/fence.  It was quite the adventure.  I’m sure it would have been hilarious to watch if I hadn’t been trying so desperately to keep track of everyone.  Nanny McPhoebe tried to play with the escapees but Grammie Sammie told her that wasn’t appropriate so she stopped bouncing around them.  
I fairly quickly called it close enough for government work and put them back into the real pen.  But they wanted ME to cuddle and play before they’d settle down so I stayed in with them until the Aunties came.  They’d texted during the melee and when I didn’t answer, called since they were shopping for me before their visit.  Cindi noticed the vociferous puppies in the background and me sounding breathless and harried because I couldn’t keep track of puppies; clean AND talk on the phone. I believe I told her to just buy me whatever else they wanted.  2 puppies were still awake and wanting to be held when they arrived, carried in the provisions, washed up and greeted the big dogs so I handed those 2 over to them and considered taking up drinking.
At some point, I had some things I wanted us to do but I could no longer remember any of them so I ate some cereal and rested for a little while. The puppies all napped but I was to wired to sleep after all of that so eventually carried some of their stuff in from the deck.
After the puppies napped and then eaten another meal, Cindi and LeAnne corralled the puppies while I improved the defenses.  They now have quite the little set up complete with a crate (2 of the 3 doors removed); a play area; a sleeping area and an en suite toilet facility.
I accomplished nothing else after that  but all 12 PWDs are still alive, fed, and sufficiently loved on so I’m calling it a day.  I’ll nap until they eat a late meal that allows us all to sleep until after daylight (I hope but it should work out)
They DO still have a pooping only in the potty area record going but aren’t quite as accurate with the pee.  In their defense, they get the pee there a lot but they also pee a lot more often than poop.
And on that positive note, I’m going to say Nighty Nighty Nighty.  Puppy breath to all!

April 15, 2018 Pupdate

The unduplicated census after 4 weeks has a name on it! Hopefully, we’ll add a lot more soon but they have 4 weeks and we’ve never failed to meet our quota ;-)
The pupsters had a good night but the MaterGator has been nursing them while she stands AND puking for them.  Apparently, she doesn’t find the rice cereal in formula ot be complete nutrition for them.  Nanny McPhoebe agreed with her this am but I don’t THINK SDB hurled for them again.  It’s hard to tell at times though.
But this afternoon, they had their first real food!  As usual, the first real meal is ground beef soaked in goat milk and, lucky me, I get to start it off from my fingers.  A couple of puppies skipped that step and went right into the dish which worked for me.  They woke up before I got to them.  (It’s slightly less chaotic if at least part of the puppies are sleeping when this starts, especially with a large litter)
It wasn’t quite as messy as it has been at times with other litters but they’ve already had some messy adventures with the formula and rice cereal.    Uncle Trek came to see them today and help clean them up after the feeding frenzy.  He absolutely loves puppies and was as interested in cleaning their back ends as licking the food off.  Their Mama was the only one not so terribly interested in their food but she did come in and top them off for quite a while after they ate.  They’ve had 2 meals so far and the MaterGator hasn’t puked for them since!  Win all around!  And Colleen took and posted some pictures on the facebook page, too.
Pottying continues to go well with a couple of minor mishaps.  One puppy stood in the pan and pooped outside it and several of them drag the paper towels off to play with them.  Another sign they are real PWDs ;-)
This evening, the MSU and I were talking while the puppies slept and then a couple woke up to go potty.  I talked to them and that apparently woke ALL of them up and they came scurrying over to see what I was doing/saying.  Have I mentioned that they are adorable?  It bears repeating ;-)
I think I’m going to try to get some sleep before it’s time to feed the babies again. Tomorrow, I’ll start attempting to adjust their schedule to maximize a night’s rest.  Puppy Breath to all, Nighty Nighty Nighty!

April 14, 2018 Pupdate

The puppies adjusted to their new digs a lot easier than I did.  They slept as soundly as ever, I kept waking to check on them ;-). I don’t think I disturbed them much, they seemed to wake refreshed the rest of the of the time.
The beautiful weather held through the day so when I wasn’t busy playing with the puppies, I re-sanitized all of their outdoor stuff since the coyote (and other creatures) had access to it.  Now only slithery things (I don’t think the snakes and skenks are out yet though), flying things, and bugs have access and I’m not so worried about what diseases they may have being transferred to puppies.
Before it got too hot and dusty,  the puppies got to hear the tractor go by over and over as the MSU cut the grass.  They didn’t seem too concerned, which is just as well because Aunt Colleen was here and we did the 4 week photoshoot.  I think the pictures should be on the facebook page tomorrow.
They are working on their startle reflexes though it requires things a lot closer than the tractor outside.  Another stage of development!  They are starting to figure out space, too but not terribly consistently.
The puppies are working hard on those teef.  And apparently the Mama and her Mama think they are doing a fine job because they decided it was time that the puppies start eating ‘solid’ food. I  didn’t let them eat the remains of MaterGator’s chicken quarter but they did get some of Grammie’s Sammie’s 2nd lunch.   I’ll take over from there ;-) Puppy breath to all! Nighty, Nighty, Nighty!

April 13, 2018 4 weeks old!

A big day for the 9 cutest little PWDs around today!  MIlestones were acheived - they were no longer willing to be contained by the ferret ex pen so instead of taking them on a car ride with Aunt Cindi and Aunt LeAnne, the sleeping puppies were corralled in the middle of the floor while I changed out their ‘walls’. They have 4 panels of the tall ‘fancy’ ex pen (a door on each side) and the 24 inch one with the walk through door.  I’m waiting for tomorrow to change them back to the washing machine pan potty pan (it has the higher lip but I’m pretty sure they can do it just fine now) but not for any real reason.  Just a little more continuity for them.  
The new arrangement is larger so they have room for more toys but I can’t lie with my arm in the pen as easily now.  Nor can I recall exactly where the best location for the ottobenbed is.  Fortunately, it’s on wheels so not too difficult to try in different placed.
They have ANOTHER day on their pooping only in the potty area record.  I’d have to check to find out exactly  how many days but I know it’s at least a week tomorrow and I’m fairly certain it’s more than that.  They do pretty well with the peeing, too but not quite as perfect.
They are seriously playing with toys and and each other now, in addition to the humans and the big girls.  And the Totofit equipment is just another thing to go over/through.  The activity box is on the agenda now.
The unduplicated census of people to meet starts at 0 today.  We need to get started meeting new people and kids very soon.
The big girls took a short jaunt to the pond while Aunt Cindi sat with the puppies this afternoon.  That’s where their car ride was supposed to go - up the driveway.  They’re little, that would count as a ways but alas it was postponed.  They were VERY happy to get to swim and it was beautiful weather for it.  That was followed by very thorough showers before coming back in to the puppies.
The last big thing today is: TEETH!  They are each getting tiny little pointed teeth poking through their gums!  I predict puking by the big girls before the weekend is over and that means - feeding frenzy time.  I’ve laid in the supplies so we’re ready when they are!  At least for the feeding them.  I’m not certain anyone is ever ready for the onslaught of their little needle teeth.  But I’m actually looking forward to that, too.  If only because we’ll get a few more hours sleep at a stretch when they aren’t just nursing.
We held a weight watchers meeting today since we could and the puppies are growing, growing, growing.  There are several 3 pounders and the others are closing in on it.  Caly’s doing a good job.
We have a visit from Aunt Colleen, Uncle Jeremy and depending on who they’ve been fraternizing with, maybe Uncles Armada and Trek tomorrow.  Not new people but new pictures should be taken.
So we’re going to wind up this Friday the 13th with puppy breath to all.  Nighty, nighty, nighty

April 12, 2018 Pupdate

      The pupsters hit a new milestone today.  They can nurse while the MaterGator stands!  They can’t quite maintain it if she doesn’t hold still but they can all manage it.
So far, no teefers but they are pretty good at lapping from the flying saucer.  And wallowing in it.  They are all ready for when they get meat soaked in goat’s milk to really get in there and wear it.  They had a little formula snack while the Mama and Nanny McPhoebe ate chicken in their crates.  GrammieSammie was on hand to clean them up afterward just like a good Grandma should.
They are becoming more and more coordiated and I’m continually surprised by how people oriented they already are.  It’s a good thing but still amazing how happy they are to see us.  They are also pretty happy to see the other dogs but so far, people win out over dogs (except their Mama, she always wins)
Today during one of their nursing sessions, the ones that finished up first (they can eat FAST) were playing with Caly’s ears and trying to lick her face and chew on her feet - general puppy stuff - when I realized that Phoebe was letting puppies do the same thing to her (she was lying in the pen with us).
The pupsters are awake for longer stretches at a time now, too.  They have a few minutes to develop new interests and explore the new toys.  They do get the caterpillow and the piano every day, at least so far.  Those are popular toys.
It was really nice outside today so we spent a large chunk of it with the doors open and letting the breeze blow through.  Better than the snow Monday morning.  Pretty soon, we’ll all be heading outside.  I spent part of their naptimes today getting things prepped.  There’s still more to do but there’s always more to do ;-)
Tomorrow, Uncle Indy and Aunt B are supposed to come with the aunties.  The puppies are planning an adventure.  Smart puppies are resting up now for it.  I’m going to try to be smart like the puppies and say Nighty Nighty Nighty for now.  Puppy breath to all

04/11/18 Pupdate

Another successful day being a puppies is in the books.  Other than having to get up in the middle of the night to eat, they have a pretty cushy life.  Well, they also get moved around when I need to redecorate their ‘room’ and sometimes they find that annoying.  Especially when Mater Gator or one of the other girls comes by and teases them but the mean humans make them stay in the pool.  They seem to be pretty forgiving of us though (as soon as we quit thwarting their will) judging by the kisses and nuzzles they give.
They are really working on getting those teeth through - at least when they are awake.  Very rarely do they try to nurse on us, but they do put our fingers in the back of their mouth and gum , gum, gum.  They also gum on each other and on the big dogs when they can catch one.  MaterGators face and ears are prime targets as are her feet and flag but feet and flags are common targets on all of the big girls.  So are my bare toes.  Fortunately, right now it’s just a little ticklish.
Another new thing, they play in the blanket hanging over the ex pen.  It’s apparently quite fun to grab at it or go behind it and try to grab it from that side.  
Aunt LeAnne and Caly’s human Grandma came to visit today.  They got to witness the puppies working on mastering that lapping up food thing.  Then they helped contain the horde while I finished changing out the linens.  Before they left, we held a weight watchers meeting.  The average weight gain since the last meeting was held is 2/3 of a lb.  2 puppies are over 3 lbs (Pink Tart and Great Scott) and Red Velvet Cupcake is within spitting distance at 2 lbs 15.3 oz.  
Nanny McPhoebe has decided to help with the enrichment items.  This morning one of them was attempting to chew on a water bottle that she had put in the pen,  This evening, she gave them the piece of pool noodle she’s been carrying around.  It’ll be interesting to see what she brings to them next but they ARE playing with the noodle (even though it is larger than they are) so I guess she made a good choice ;-)

April 10, 2018 Pupdate

04/10/18 Pupdate
Good morning, good morning the little dogs say!  They start looking for me right after they wake.  They still head over to potty first (I’m on the other side of the pen) and then come to talk to me unless the MaterGator is coming in to feed them then.  She often wants me to help with that (she likes me to help make sure the puppies aren’t in the spot where she wants to lie down) so they talk to me, too.
They have a pretty consistent routine: wake, potty/eat, play for about 3 minutes and fall back asleep.  Eventually, they wake and we do it again.  So far, the pooping only in the approved area record is continuing.  Such SMART puppies!
During several of their naps today, I worked on  5s.  The totes are now rearranged for (hiopefully) easy usage/access for the current and next incarnations and the room is almost clean again.  (With it so wet outside, the floor doesn’t stay clean for the whole day).  
I put new enrichment items in their pen each day and sometimes Nanny McPhoebe tries to tell me that those are only appropriate for OLDER puppies - like 3 years and up ;-). I remind her that those aren’t for her and if she REALLY wants something, I get out another one for her and that seems to satisfy her.  I did put the little strawberry flat (completely covered with a blanket for extra traction) in the pen part of the day and they all just climbed right up on it and mostly tumbled off the other side.  That’s why it’s low and has soft landings all around it.  If I’m going to keep adding things like that (and obviously I am), I’m going to need to increase the pen size soon.  For small beings, they take up a LOT of space ;-)
The formula is in the needs to be consumed stage again so I supplemented the puppies some today.  SInce I now have the flying saucer dishes out and clean, I decided to try to see if they could catch on to lapping from the dish.  I took each puppy individually and started the bottle in front of the dish and gently dripped then squirted the formula into it right in front of the puppy.  They started licking it off of the dish so I’d squirt in a little more.  I didn’t want anyone to choke so it was a pretty light layer, I just kept refilling it.  GrammieSammie knew exactly what was happening and was on standby to clean the formula coated puppies when they were finished.  I have more for another snack later, but small quantities because I don’t want the Mama to stop feeding them.  She may have to eat some of it.  And then I’ll make more for just in case.
Hopefully, we’ll manage to hold a weight watchers meeting tomorrow.  The weather is supposed to improve so I hope to get the outside stuff closer to ready for the puppies to venture outside when they are ready.  I didn’t take any naps today so I’m going to encourage Caly to feed the babies and then we’ll all sleep for a few hours.  They’re pretty wound up at the moment so I’m sure they’ll be all for midnight snack as soon as she finishes hers.  Puppy breath to all!  NIghty Nighty Nighty

4/9/18 Pupdate

The puppies have seen snow!  It didn’t last and I didn’t put them down so I’m not really going to count it as an event but we did have it this morning.
No teeth just yet but they are doing more and more practicing for when they come through the gums. They mostly chew on each other or me, their mama a little bit and are starting on the toys.  The toys are more for climbing and wallering so far (their Daddy had a lot of Portuguese Waller Dog in him, their Mama has a lot of cat in her) but they were mouthing select areas of them tonight.  Not in a testing it out as a possible source for milk mouthing, real biting.  It’s adorable but not much they do isn’t.  The Vtech piano is used as a pillow or jungle gym.  I’m not sure how they can sleep on it while it makes all of that racket but they do.
Judging by their antics while they eat these days, I think they are practicing in case they need to become circus dogs later.  They COULD nurse while MaterGator sits up but she hasn’t worked out the most comfortable position for that just yet.  Soon she’ll just top them of while she stands there but for now, she lies down with them.
I spent much of today on the puppy schedule, I took lots of naps today.  I’m pretty far behind on the sleep so it was nice to just keep going back to sleep when neither the big dogs nor puppies were eating.
And we have ANOTHER full day free from pooping outside of the designated area.  They are definitely actively seeking out the other area for pooping and mostly for peeing as well.   This amazes and pleases me to no end.  If the mama isn’t going to do the cleaning (and none of them have done as thorough a job as Jill and SDB), this is the next best thing.  If only they could EAT so i could reward them for the decision.  Soon, little ones, soon.  And since I’m going on and on about poop again, it’s probably time to say Nighty, Nighty Nighty.  Puppy breath to all.

04/08/18 Pupdate

I almost typed 4/8/07 because I use that more ( I used to inadvertently date workpapers on my birthday with my birth year.  Force of habit 1/7/ is followed by those digits most often).  The pupsters helped us celebrate the 11th birthday of Grammie Sammie and her 6 littermates  from the Master’s litter today.  Only Uncle Indy of those puppies came to see them today though.  Aunt B came too. They were mildly interested in the puppies but more interested in seeing me and Uncle Daddy. 
Aunt Cindi came along with Indy and B since neither of them are old enough to drive yet. She brought Caly some more chicken, too.  While she was here, the MSU and I brought up the other puppy paraphernalia so I can clean it and have it ready to use when the pupsters are ready to go outside and learn about crates.  She cut their toenails while she was here too.  One of the little collar pieces fell off of the velcro last time she was here so she almost missed doing Blueberry Muffin but we remedied that.
The puppies entertained Aunt Cindi while we were getting that and while I took a nap.  I didn’t plan on napping but I couldn’t hold my eyes open.  
Nanny McPhoebe is on high alert today.  This morning (in broad daylight, not even at the edge of dawn) one of the cameras alerted and a moment later Nanny McPhoebe was quite adamant that there was SOMETHING that DID NOT belong in the side yard/hillside.  She was growling and barking with the hair standing up and she was STIFF.  I tried the cue to signal the end of the alert but she wasn’t backing down.  SDB and Caly backed her up so I figured out it was something and let them decide when it was good enough.  When the MSU got up, I had him look at the video and it was a coyote.  That’s the first we’ve known of them coming that close to the house.  We’ll have to guard the puppies against them in addition to the birds of prey.  It’s not like I leave them out unattended anyway but good to know the old bitches are still on the job.  Tonight at the edge of dark a single goose flew into the pond.  So long after dark, the geese that think they live here and that goose have been having discussions about it.  Nanny McPhoebe, still considering herself on sentry duty, has been monitoring their discussions carefully and occasonally contributing thoughts of her own.  I think she may sleep in the crate tonight so she can rest.
The puppies are more and more like little dogs.  They are interacting more with each other with mouths and paws but the big milestone is: they’ve started kissing back!  Today, when I was giving kisses to whoever came over to my face at the edge of the pen (and it was everybody) they started licking my face.  Later when Grammie Sammie and Nanny McPhoebe were doing the big time face washing, the puppies started licking them back as well.  We don’t have any actual teeth yet but they are close and with this behavior, I suspect there will be bitches puking for them before long.  That’s my cue to start feeding them but I prefer to wait for those cues.  It’ll be interesting to see if they all do it and which one does it first.
We have another full 24 hours (plus some at the moment) added to our poops only in the potty area record.  There are some pees at the edge and a couple of little ones further out but they do all seem to try to head in that direction when they need to go.  Such smart puppies!
At the moment, that’s all of the news I can think to type up.  We didn’t attempt a weight watchers meeting but we did loosen some tight collars which is a sure sign of growth.
We are going to do another round at the bar, feed the big girls again (you have no idea how hard it is not to automatically include Jack in the ‘other dogs’ category - this is the first litter he hasn’t been here) and take a nap until the 2 am feeding of both sets.  Puppy breath to all!  Nighty, nighty, nighty!

4/7/18 Pupdate

It’s been another adventurous day here in the rubber room.  After a nice greeting by dogs little and big, and feedings for all (I just pet the Mama while she feeds them and hand out the occasional squirt of cheese when she wants to get the potty taste out of her mouth - and pet the pupsters, too), I did some cleaning and straghtening.  I finally got all of the ribbons, etc into the shadow boxes (I’ll have to start rearranging again when Deja gets ribbons but that’s at least 5 months and 1 week away) but we put the front’s back.  And then I cleaned the hot glue drips off of the counter (it’s kind of fun as long as one waits for it to cool before sticking one’s fingers into it)
In between puppy feedings and cuddles, I got things ready for Aunt Colleen to come to have a photo shoot (the pictures are already up on the Facebook page, thanks Colleen) and changed out the puppy linens.   Uncles Armada and Trek came to visit them today too.  Armada visits from a distance if he has a choice in the matter (and we try really hard to give a choice so he didn’t have to interact) and Trek visited with his tongue down their throats and cleaning up after them.  And he peed in the potty pan, too.  He’s such a funny boy and he LOVES him some puppies (golden puppies, PWD puppies, he doesn’t discriminate).  Then the non-residents went back on the hill to blow out some carbon.  Maybe next week, the resident girls will take a trip to the pond.  It’s supposed to be nice towards the end of the week.  I’ll need to get the outside puppy stuff ready, too.  
We have gone MORE than 24 hours without a poop not in the designated area.  Great job pupsters!  The pee isn’t quite as accurate but there is a lot of going over to the right spot to do it.  Even if it doesn’t hold for an extended period of time, we had it for this long and it was glorious (but I hope it continues and that the pee part improves as well). I did remember to add the grass smelling pellets (it’s rabbit food or such, maybe alfalfa?). So far, no one has eaten it (it’s mostly under a pad but their Daddy Jack acquired a taste for it so I had to keep it in pillowcases in the potty area so he wouldn’t go in and eat it all (when the puppies weren’t around)
For the past couple of days , the puppies have been making different noises.  I am always surprised when nursing puppies make the noise that sounds like the Canada geese discussing their plan before the flock takes flight off the pond. It’s a lot cuter in puppies than geese (puppies poop less).  Last night, one of them soinded exactly like Cousin It.  They are so very entertaining.
We entertained them this evening with a little hammering.  I’ll probably entertain them with more as I hand pictures on the grid we put on the walls.   The old girls didn’t care but it was the regular hammer instead of the ratcheting one.  Much better in my opinion but I will expose the pupsters to it and noises like it soon.
I’ pretty sure we had a shorit game of bitey mouth today.  Definite interaction between puppies and they like the big dogs and people. The MSU was looking at them after they ate tonight so they were kind of sleepy.  He was standing in front of the pen and he said they were looking up at him.  Such sweet puppies.  They seem t enjoy their toys but the piano is turned off for the night now.  And I will probably gather the toys, too just so I can more easily id puppy vs toys in the night.
If there’s anything more, I’ll try to remember to include it in another post.  In the meantime, I’m going to kiss everyone goodnight and try to sleep until the 2 am feeding for the big and little dogs.  Puppy breath to all!  Nighty, nighty, nighty

4/6/18 3 Weeks old!

               The wee ones are not so wee as they were. They recognize people (especially me), the big dogs and they are REALLY into the piano toy that we’ve used with every litter (their Mama’s Mama’s Daddy sent it to them with the help of his humans). Other than the microphone cord being chewed in 2 years ago ( I haven’t put the microphone in with them), it still works really well.  I think this litter has hit the right buttons to make it play the William Tell Overture more today than most of the others did the whole time.
They are starting to really gnaw on fingers and each other (in the few minutes at a time they are awake) but I don’t feel any teeth yet.
They come towards an open hand especially if it has fingers gesturing them to come.  I added the PupPupPuppy call to that today and got Nanny McPhoebe even faster than puppies ;-). They’ll eventually give her a run for her money (and she’ll probably ignore it a little more as she realizes that it’s for them). They still have a pretty natural chin rest in my hand so when they start eating, that’s one of the things I will reward (with food, not just the affection they get for it now.)
Toys and sibling are quite entertaining but they have fairly short spans of consciousness and a lot of that is consumed with eating, followed (sometimes interrupted by) the need to potty.  They continue to do pretty well with the potty area, better with poop than pee.  And we still get the occasional feet on, potty off the right area.
Auntie LeAnne  came by today and brought Laurie to visit with the puppies.  (I don’t know it that’s the correct spelling and LeAnne is likely in bed by now so I can’t find out tonight so if it’s wrong, I’ll get it correct when she visits the next time.)
Aunt Colleen is supposed to come tomorrow (and brave the potential snow) to do their 3 week old photoshoot.  I have the props all ready, I hope it goes well.
I’ve been singing to the 3 songs to them as I’m putting them to sleep.  I guess they can also hear me when I sing them to the girls each night as well but I’m not certain they are awake enough to notice.  RIght now, they still do more nighty nighty nappy than nighty nighty nighty.  It’ll start sinking in though, it always has.
In a week, we start the NEW list of people to meet.  We’ll have to start contacting everybody we know with children again and try to schedule visits.    And we also need to find large men with facial hair.  Hats never seem to be scary here, probably because they usually mean we are going out to play.
It’s cooling off, I guess it’ll have to if it is going to snow but I still have a door open. My head says that a front is definitely moving in so I need to try to maximize my sleep time tonight to cut down on the headache turning into something more.  I’m still in the ‘good’ time for Botox thankfully so it shouldn’t get too bad.
I think I’ll get the puppies ready for nighty nighty nighty.  I can’t leave the toys in the pen at night because I have to wake up too much to tell puppies from toys.   And I DEFINITELY want to turn the piano OFF.  Puppy breath to all!

04/05/18 Pupdate

We’ve had another busy day of growing and sleeping and yawning and stretching.  They also grew hair and, of course, toenails!
They are doing a WONDERFUL job using the lower potty area.  More than 24 hours and all poops have been on it or just barely off the edge (pretty sure that was feet on and rear over the edge). And almost all of those were puppies getting there on their own.  (I helped one puppy because she was getting hung up in the cleanup linen on top).
Aunt LeAnne and Aunt Cindi came today to visit and help.  There was some playing with puppies, some cuddling, and some grooming of big dogs.  The puppies and I may have done a little napping, too.  The big girls now have nice clean shaven butts and muzzles again and their dremeled toenails.  
We also had a successful weight watchers meeting.  LeAnne has the spreadsheet but with one exception (and it’s 1/10th of an ounce worth); the pupsters are all over 2 lbs.  Growing, growing, growing.  Good job little puppies (and MaterGator).  They are really packing it on and using what they are taking in very efficiently judging by their condition.  She’s fed them a lot more often today but generally for shorter sessions.  Tomorrow, he caloric intake increases again - this will be the peak week for her.  After that, the older bitches usually say it’s time for them to start branching out (by regurgitating for the puppies.  After that, I take over providing the additional sustenance)
I think their eyes are starting to really function because they were using their powers of perception to make the Aunties pick them up for cuddling.  It’s definitely time to add the noisy toys and small obstacles.  I’ll probably need to assemble the adventure box in the next couple of days, too.  I’ll have to start collecting all kinds of different things to include.  It’s so exciting.  Every day is an adventure.
It’s allegedly going to snow this weekend, so I may need to carry the puppies outside to see it.  Hopefully, this will be their last chance to see snow this year ;-). I’ll have to start playing the CDs for them soon, too.  In the meantime, I’m going to sniff some puppy breath all, and say Nighty, Nighty, Nighty

04/04/2018 Pupdate

Another day down in the puppy pen.  The pupsters had a nice quiet night, the MaterGator and I must have the same idea of when they need ot eat because she’s coming over to feed the pupsters as my alarm is getting ready to sound.
The puppies did get to enjoy their first thunderstorm last night but it didn’t amount to much.  The first clap of thunder, Grammie Sammie barked at it, which set off the younger girls so I grabbed the squirty cheese (it’s a good treat for them to lick and keeps hands clean ad slobber free) and we watched for lightning and when the thunder followed, she got a little cheese.  We did that for a few and she stopped entirely (but we did have a few where she turned her head to wait for her cheese, she’s not stupid). I don’t think the puppies were even aware of the storm which is just how I want them to continue reacting.
I ended up staying awake until after their 4 am feeding so after I got the big dogs’ breakfast, supervised the puppy breakfast, very quickly bathed, got the MSU off to work and did dishes; I slept for an hour or so beside the quiet puppies.  I woke up before they did ;-).  And then I cleaned, cuddled, supervised, etc.
They don’t stay awake for very long at a stretch but they are really cute whether they are awake or asleep.  Awake, they are really beginning to interact with the world and each other, and they don’t have any little needle teeth yet.  They mouth me, their mama’s feet, and are starting to do each other.  I think we had our first, extremely abbreviated game of bitey mouth this afternoon.
We had visitors today: my mother, Paul, step brother and nephew came to see the puppies.  Shawn (nephew) was happier this time than last time he visited puppies because they don’t have those needle teeth yet.  Everyone held every puppy at least once (the rotation came ot a halt when CalyGator decided that she was going to feed them.  She didn’t do it for long but it wasn’t really time either.  Mostly the puppies were very good to go back to sleep whie being held, it’s all of that training ;-)
The rest of the evening has been sleeping and eating and stretching and yawning for al of us.  I  rearranged the pen a little before the company arrived and changed out the potty pan.  This one is smaller but the edge is lower than the pan for a washing machine so they shouldn’t have as much trouble.  They’ve used is several times today but I still forgot to put the alfalfa pellets in it.  Maybe I’ll remember it tomorrow.
Still haven’t managed to hold a successful weight watcher’s meeting, I should’ve tried it while they were here.  I DID manage to get my voicemail recorded, not on the phone but on my ipad.  Turns out the big trick is using the correct email login. ;-)
I did do toenails again, not that anyone could tell it.  Those suckers are sharp. Hair continues to grow as well, I bet they’ll be adorable in their little lion rears in a few weeks.
The weather today wasn’t nearly as nice as yesterday so we didn’t include outside in our carries (they aren’t going for walks yet, just carries).
I think Caly is considering feeding the puppies so I’m going to assist with that.  Puppy breath to all, Nighty Nighty, Nighty

4/3/18 Pupdate

Happy Birthday to the puppies’ human Nana and great Aunt Marolyn!  The pupsters woke up to sing to their Nana, they don’t really know the words or the tune but with 9 of them, it’s loud ;-)
I didn’t take notes today so I’ll have to go from memory.  Considering that I have no concept of time, that may be a stretch.
Things I DO recall, somehow the babies managed to get even cuter.  They are more and more coordinated all of the time. And cuter and cuter, too.
Since puppy yoga is done, it’s time to create new adventures for the wee ones.  Today, that involved taking a puppy with me when I did really interesting things like go to the bathroom or do laundry.  When I need 2 hands, I’ve been putting the puppy in a sling.  Some puppies were adamant that they are not marsupials but I think it depended more on whether they were tired or not.  It’s awfully nice to have a warm puppy snuggled up.
It was warm enough to have the doors open today and I also carried puppies outside as I did various things.  (I didn’t put them down)
Weight watchers was a bust again tonight.  I’m starting to think I need a scale that has a sling, I wonder if anyone makes a talking or brailled version of an angler scale...
I DID manage to update the sidebar of the blog with the latest cast of characters and a link to the pictures on the facebook page.  It requires using a laptop and I MUCH prefer the screen reader on my ipad.  Between that and attempting to get GoogleVoice to let me personalize my voicemail greeting (spoiler alert, I was unsuccessful so far.  I press the key it claims will work but she just ignores it), I didn’t get an afternoon nap (I sleep in up to 3 hour increments, it’s actually more of a split shift than a real nap).
The pupsters are using their paws to bat at me and each other, I cannot believe how fast their little nails grow. I may try filing them again tomorrow.  They’ve been mouthing at each other and one of them played with Caly’s foot after finishing eating this evening.  She’s doing a lot better cleaning them up but she still doesn’t clean it up if she didn’t make it happen.  I think I have placed the potty pan pretty strategically because the puppies manage to use it a fair amount.  We had 2 semi -accidents: one puppy got all 4 feet in the pan and pooped over the side and another only got the front 2 feet in it.  At this stage of the game, any success is strategic placement, quick action (if I realize a puppy is about to potty elsewhere, I move it into the pan), and luck.  I think SDB is shaking her head about some of Caly’s mothering choices but I understand that’s par for the course ;-)
Caly gets squirty cheese for lying down quickly when she gets into the pen.  I hold the puppy horde back until she gets in and lies down so that neither of us needs to worry about a puppy underneath her.  If she remains sitting too long, then likely as not, someone has squirmed in underneath her and she has to maintain an awkward position once she does lie down.  If I pull said puppy out from underneath her, she gets up and we have to try again.  So speedy downs are rewarded with squirty cheese and everyone is happy (thank goodness we train them).  However, squirty cheese means GrammieSammie and Nanny McPhoebe want in on the action.  As they are vulturing over the little ex pen waiting for an occasional lick, puppies will often attempt to interact with them especially if they have finished eating.  GrammieSammie will lick faces but Nanny McPhoebe’s been going full puppy cleanup.  I don’t want to tell her not to do that because if we ever breed her, I’d like her to be more like her grand damJillyBean and Aunt Doodlebug in that department.  But it means that I don’t want kisses from 2 out of the 3 big girls.
There’s a storm moving in, I can hear the thunder in the distance.  This might be their first storm, at least with their senses somewhat intact.  As long as the power and cable (internet) don’t go out, it’ll be good for all of us.  If the power goes out, we’ll have to start the generator.  If the cable goes out again, I’ll be incommunicado so I’d better get this posted and go cuddle some puppies.  It’s a rough job ;-). Puppy breath to all. Nighty, nighty, nighty