A Free For All Having a little trouble getting these little monsters to transition to basic kibble.
For sure prefer the blended and wet variety... but we'll get there. A little spoiled right now... Great appetites though. In general. So it seems this morning I get to taste a bit of humble pie or eat a bit of crow as they say. Sort of anyway. What I wrote last night and my intention came straight from the heart. It's true these pups mean the world to me and I want them to mean the world to each of their future guardians. More so, if that's even possible. And yes lack of comments is disheartening and in a way a little worrisome. I never intended not to provide updates actually. My intention was to deal with my own weakness. Felt if I posted on a standard page, where the option of commenting was removed, I would at the same time remove any expectations on my part. I know each of you waiting for a pup is committed. We wouldn't have gotten anywhere near this far if I felt otherwise. This morning I'd like to send out a heart felt thanks for the compliments, comments and encouragement received in response to my post. Maybe I was feeling a bit sorry for myself when the words went down. But... not entirely. It's important to me to have a good rapport with my pup pals. And historically the blogs have allowed us to get a bit more familiar with each other. It was great to wake up this morning to hear from new friends and old. The blog will continue.
I've decided to discontinue the blog due to lack of viewer interest/participation. It's discouraging to me to wake up and see no comments added to my posts. I realize this is within myself... not each of you. We all have different means and avenues of communicating. I prefer an open line. But... I have to do what feels right for me. The posts I provide are time consuming and thoughtful. But honestly I'd rather spend the time with my own dogs and the pups. I will continue to post weekly updates to the individual pup pages so you can see the pups progression in the upcoming weeks. My only hope is I have chosen right for them. They mean the world to me! A couple of you, I have history with, and no concerns. And one... has been so forthcoming with many comment and interest. Sorry if you were expecting more... but honestly, so was I.
Wow! A whole day without rain and I nearly got all photos complete. Saved the hardest for last and need to take her back out tomorrow. White has already developed and excellent "follow me"! Good tracking and trailing abilities on that girl. While I was somewhat disappointed not to get them done, I can't complain about the days achievements or Miss Whites stick to it-ness! She has got it down pat! And tomorrow is a new day. Officially exhausted!
And The Beginning Of No More Free Rides! Each day I like to introduce the pups to something new. Whether it be different textures, toys or challenges. They've become pretty in tune with meal time and generally start getting a little noisy when they hear the blender going. Last night I made them work for their food. They knew it was there... their challenge to work their way out of the enclosure in order to get to it. No huge surprise Yellow got there first. Might have something to do with why she's the biggest! Consistently the one who always got her fill and best position at the milk bar during the first 4 weeks. Surprisingly Grey, another of the larger pups though was last! Always interesting to see how each reacts to new challenges. I've noticed White is a pretty decent climber but isn't wild about climbing down from things despite the things being pretty low... Was a bit surprised she wasn't last. Hungry overcame fear I guess. Success! Reward For A Job Well Done!
So I finally got week four photos under my belt with the addition of the girls to Thursdays post. And if you're not yet suffering from photo overload... it's time to get to work on week five pup pages. Working on those this morning. In reviewing the photos of the girls, it seems Pink is this weeks star. She's also a pretty good climber. While none effectively escaped the whelping box, she was the one who nearly did. I witnessed her do a pretty fair chin up earlier in the week. And white... well, she seems to enjoy water. No fear of it on that one. She seemed a bit confused as to the purpose of the water bowl. Yes, for drinking... but maybe wading too?
Yesterday was a big day in the land and lives of pups! I set them up in their new indoor habitat located in the mud room. They seemed to enjoy the added space and variety. I sat with them for a while on the sling bed hoping they'd quickly claim it as their sleep quarters. Despite the encouragement some still preferred to lay in the shavings. And this morning when I woke up it appears they are a bit confused. Seems they think the bed was placed as a pedestal for pooping! Not particularly unusual actually. I had one litter that actually never did get the various areas very well figured out. Most though have, which simplifies my life by a good bit. Helps too to keep them clean! Prior to introducing them to their new living quarters, each got their first bath yesterday followed by another nail trim. All did amazingly well. No fret or fuss. Actually seemed to kind of enjoy it! It was quite the assembly line... First I submerged them in a bucket of soapy water, baby shampoo, then rinsed with a sprayer. Seems they learn early on the best part of bath though is the toweling afterwards. I suppose it comes as no surprise that I get pretty attached to my pups prior to the time they leave me. Watching their personalities develop is something I gain great joy from. And today I had an awesome day with all of them!!! I noticed in the last slide show, the boys were to a degree under represented. As a way to remedy that I took them out as a group this morning with camera in hand. They were the first to break in their new outdoor habitat aka holding pen. They actually won't be spending a whole lot of time in there but while I'm taking photos it's a place I put them while waiting their turn. It's also a place that keeps them safe from birds of prey etc while I'm shuffling them as a group from inside to outside and vise versa. The boys had a pretty good time on their own once in their outdoor space and I took the opportunity to do a few outdoor chores close by. As I was wrapping things up and preparing to break them free of their spot we were surprised by a gentle afternoon shower. A look at the sky told me it wouldn't amount to much so I opted to sit on the porch and observe their response. A couple of them, seemed to enjoy the drizzles or at least were not phased by them. And it was obvious a couple preferred the shelter from the rain provided by a blanket that was actually placed for shelter from the sun. Tan especially seemed unfazed. He's a pretty fearless little boy actually. Guess it comes with the territory being the smallest of the pack. You either cower or put your chest out and hope for the best. He's one that goes for the latter. Has the potential to be deemed the firecracker of the litter actually. No one thus far though, in my eyes, has truly earned the title. Once the drizzle eased and all had huddled into one corner sheltered by the blanket I brought the pups up on the porch to spend a bit more time with them and offer them a little more exercise. The last pup to be brought forth was Purple. I left him with the gate open and noticed when I looked back at him, he was attempting to make his way on his own... I sat back and let that happen. He did great! No worry about being the lone ranger left to a task... just a determination to fulfill the task at hand. He wasted no time figuring out how to mount the brick outside the enclosure and over he went. His landing wasn't graceful but he stood up, brushed it off and trucked on! Then came lunch... and then the girls... and once again, I think they may have ended up the most photogenic of the bunch. Might just be a girl thing. lol.... They also seemed to be the most needy of the two groups and are already hanging close to me. I gave them a blanket to lay on and some toys to play with but by my feet was their preferred spot .. already! I did eventually get them engaged in each other rather than myself but that feat was more difficult with them than it was the boys. They began their adventure the same as the boys... within the new outdoor habitat. Then I decided to give them the challenge of escaping their enclosure on their own. I opened the gate and sat back and watched, I was pretty sure Yellow would escape first but as it turned out, Pink was out first! Funny though, as she walked the parameter of the enclosure she realized she was the odd man, or girl, out and went to work pretty quickly to correct that. She re-mounted the brick and laid there, looking very proud and majestic (for a pup) ... until she fell backwards. An unintended move on her part I'm sure, but one that put her back within the enclosure. Again she climbed her way out... And once again... I'm guessing the boys are going to be under represented in todays photo shoot. lol I try... can only go with what they give me. The Boys! And we still have the girls to go. But not tonight. Tonight you have the boys. Girls tomorrow. :-) The Girls |
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