Darn - needed my camera!

I need to remember to ALWAYS take my camera when taking the puppies out!

Today they "worked" the chickens...It was pretty cute. Chickens likely didn't think so!

They also had a fun session playing in the creek. At first #1 thought she could walk on water, and was disgusted that she couldn't.  #4 was a wild for a bit but then Mirk stepped on her (accidental, so he says!) and she curled up in the relative safety of between my shoes.  #3 splashed around and barked at her mother...

And she sounded uncannily like Gem from this video:



 

Tonight our pigs came back from Freezer Camp, so the puppies got their first pork RMBs.  I don't expect them to get through all of it, but they are sure having a good Jawrobics session!

 

#4

#3 and #4 sharing...for now!

#1

Mirk says, "Where's my dinner?"

Fen also looking hopeful

Ffat would have approved of the adult-sized portions.  Here is an updated photo from his first day in his new home, on a hike, in his bag.  Taking a short nap.

 



Catching up...7 weeks old

September seems like it just began and now it is almost over!  Busy work projects then 8 days of house guests and agility seminars with Jenny Damm from Sweden, which were a big success!  Lots of changes with the puppies the last couple of weeks. 

They are learning to potty outside.  It is still hit or miss, but they are very good at going immediately when put outside. 

They are doing daily short field walks, which they enjoy immensely.  Below is a video of their very first walk at 5.5 weeks.  They get picked up for their "Elephant Ride" when they tire.  (We call it that because of the way the puppies' heads bob forward and back when being carried under an arm).

They have been to the vet to have their health checks and Health Certificates.  There was much exploring and some chewing of inappropriate things.

They had a ton of socialization during the agility seminars - lots of strange people and dogs about the place, strange and loud noises (when Jenny yells "RUN!" through the microphone, for instance).   Each one had some time ringside watching from the safety of someone's arms...They were handled by so many people!  They are not afraid of anything it seems!

The house is quiet now, all the guests gone, and #2 (aka Ffat already gone to his new home).  I desperately need sleep, and peace and quiet.  So, what better time to begin crate training?  I'd better go and buy a pair of earplugs.  One week until they will all be in their new homes...And I will then be on a marathon road trip in the camper with the gang plus "meG"....

Hmm....I'd better buy LOTS of earplugs!

Thanks to Val Henry and her new Go Pro camera for the footage of puppies first walk!

 

Busy Busy!

Had a really busy couple of weeks with work so got very behind on the blog!
The Gummie Bears are 5 weeks old now, and I can really see personalities developing. 

#1 is so sweet and cute...but don't let her small size fool you.  Pushover she ain't!  Feisty and does everything 150%, including sleeping - when she's passed out, she is really out!

#1



Ffat is "The man".  Some days he is practising his WWE wresting moves, some days he is at the bottom of the pile up. He just kind of rolls with whatever.  His curiosity so far has not gotten him into *too* much trouble ;)

Ffat



#3 is John's favorite.  Brave and playful and super cuddly.  She will lie on her back in your lap while you scratch her belly.  She is also very inquisitive, and has learned very quickly through the "School of Hard Knocks" about biting Mirk's toes while he is sleeping.

Busy #3



#4 remains the "thinker" and is often off by herself contemplating something. She is definitely a "look before you leap" type of gal!

 

#4



All the pups are eating really well now, they pretty much polish off whatever is put down in front of them.  I did begin feeding them in individual bowls as Ffat and piggy #3 were taking more than their portion from the flying saucer dish!  They are really grinding through the little bones in the chicken and duck necks now, though I am still smashing them up. 

Yesterday, they hung out in the yard while John chain-sawed and hammered fence posts, then later got underfoot as my new A-frame was assembled (finally!).  #1 tested out the rubber surface.  She found it difficult to eat ;) .

Gem is almost too tolerant with her kids, almost never disciplining them (she is such a doting Princess mother!)  But Mirk, Tap and Fen are happy to oblige, ha ha. The pups have a healthy respect for grumbly adult dogs and know when to back off!

Getting harder to even find Gem under her pile of puppies!

Such a great mom!



Photos and video from our time outdoors today - before the rain!

#4, #1, #3 and Ffat

Rainy Indoor Day

It's been raining all day - well, it actually waited until I returned form a great 3 hour hike this morning - but the puppies couldn't stay outside.  We did manage several short play sessions outside in the wet grass in between the downpours, but mostly, I ran around behind them with a bucket and my Benefect.  The new paint on the dog room floor is so far doing a good job of hiding dried mud!

When they were not playing, or peeing, they slept the sound, uninterrupted sleep that puppies do....Resting up for the next round of play, pee, play, pee, play....

Napping in the shoes again.  #3 actually is asleep with her nose in my smelly running shoe!

John's stinky boots are also a big draw.  This is #4.

Ffat chose the Big Kid hammock bed.



#1 and Ffat on the comfy, well padded big kids bed under the stairs.  Ffat's big head is the only thing that prevented him from falling off.  YES, he is fast asleep!

Reminds me of another, upside down puppy....

This is Creekside Fen back in May, 2008 - 8 weeks old,.  She is also fast asleep!
(photo taken by Tracy Carter)



 

Today is their fourth day of eating solid food, so I added a new protein. I am going slowly so I don't upset their tummies.  So far, so good!  Plus they still have unlimited Milk Bar access, although I have begun to gradually cut back on Gem's food to try and balance it out. 

 

Anyway, for dinner tonight they had chicken necks from our own chickens (chopped small and smashed flat).  Each pup got a small portion, maybe a tablespoon, and they had to really work at it, putting their new teeth to good use, beginning to grind and break the chunks and small bones.  There was a fair bit of regurgitation from #1, who was so excited, she ate too fast. 

 

Making sure there is nothing left!

#1 really enjoyed her meal and licked and licked the board trying to get every last morsel.

#1...Still at it!

I am guessing she is a fan of chicken necks.

Peekaboo!

Had a slight heart attack this afternoon...Only counted 3 puppies in the Xpen!

But then, I discovered where #4 was sleeping.  And it turns out it is quite the favorite spot.
Hint - turn down the volume so you don't hear my squeaky puppy voice!

Puppies had breakfast this morning. Same beef/goat yogurt with a tiny piece of beef liver and an equally small piece of beef lung. Oh and I threw one of the "mini" eggs that we are getting from our new hens, into the mixture. 

It took them a while to "wake up" but after several cups of coffee, they tucked right into their meal.

They went straight back to bed - on the big kids bed, under the chair, in a golf shoe...

 

 

 

Post Trail Run. 

Puppies out while I organize their outdoor pen for the day (and wash the floor - again!)

All the puppies we've had are very drawn to John's smelly shoes...

And my smelly running socks, LOL.

 

Family Coma.

Day 27 - First "Solid" Meal!

I was going to wait until the pups were over 4 weeks to begin starting on solid food, but they began to show an interest in Gem's meals, plus they are cutting their teeth. Ow!

They each got about a teaspoon of raw pasture-raised beef mixed with a bit of goat's milk yogurt.  I'll stick with this for a few days until I add another protein.   They are still getting unlimited milk from mom too, and are starting to look rather roly-poly.

They are beginning to show some personalities now as well; starting to really play and interact with the stuff I put in their pen (wobble boards, obstacles and of course toys!)  I bet you've already all got your favorites by now!

First Meal:

Mom gets clean up!



"Forced" Puppy Desensitization ;)

Lots going on around here this summer!  Yesterday the rock picker was here to finish up the field we are "renovating".  I had the puppies outside in their X-pen.  At first, a couple of them were a bit startled, but after a few minutes, all settled back down. 

All ready for a farm career...or perhaps in Construction & Excavation?  Turn up your volume!