It's been 11 weeks now since the pups were whelped, and they have all now gone to their new homes.  This was a fun litter to raise.  Very sweet temperaments, and very lively!  Maybe next time I'll be a more timely blogger. 

 

Meet the pups with their new names.

 

 LaughingMountain X Blue Mojo (formerly Mr. Blue)

 

LaughingMountain X Hoa Ulu (formerly Mr. Teal)

 LaughingMountain X Great Elias (formerly Mr. Purple)

 

LaughingMountain X Idlewilde (formerly Miss Pink)

 

LaughingMountain X Lulu (formerly Miss Yellow)

Oh my gosh, where does the time go? We've been in overdrive since the pups moved into the kitchen. Lots of movement.  We've continued on the socialization.  They received their first set of vaccines last week, and are now pretty much on solid puppy kibble with a little warm goat milk or water mixed in.  They are great sleepers!!!!!! The only thing that wakes them up, is if they have to pee/poop or if Freyja wakes up and has to go out.  Then everybody sings!  

 

We've been playing lots of different styles of music, with Diana Krall being a favorite for quiet time. They also seem to like Mozart.  Zydeco music got them going, or maybe they were just hungry.  

 

The weather has been cooperating, with clear skies and temperatures anywhere from 28 - 70 degrees, so the pups have been exposed to a range of outdoor weather conditions.  We've even had some snow!  The pups love being outside, and are learning to "do their duty" out there.  We "run the gauntlet" every morning.  We wake up, prop open the laundry and back doors, let the big dogs out, and use Freyja as bait to run the pups outside.  It is one mass swarm of tawny as they move from the pen through the doors and outside.  Then the start squatting and doing their thing.  It's great!

 

I can't believe we only have 1 1/2 weeks before they go to their new homes.  (Pictures to follow, but I thought I should try and write something since it has been a while.)

At 4:30 this morning, the pups let me know in no uncertain terms, that they were done with the whelping box.  After a feeding with Freyja, and a bowl of puppy gruel, the pups were still screaming and crawling out of the box!  So, after a quick clean of the pen, a bit of bedding remodel, and a short play sesstion, the pups have officially "moved up to the East side." (Though they are actually on the North side of the house.)  They are now fast asleep, happy in their new home.

 

 

The pups have just entered their fourth week, and it seems the cycle has settled into a non-stop routine of wake, pee/poop, feed, pee and poop, crazy wrestling and exploring in the kitchen, sleep, pee/poop, eat, pee/poop, play.....

 

 Miss Pink asks, "Did I do that?"

We started the pups on gruel this week, with Freyja still filling in, reluctantly.  She is ready to be done.  Freyja does not enjoy the first four weeks of puppy care.  She is a great cleaner, but a reluctant nurser.  She is just now starting to enjoy the pups, and was even playing with them this afternoon.  In about a week she will really be having fun!

 

The individual personalities are starting to emerge.  Up until this point, the two girls were the most adventuresome, but now it seems they are all starting to explore the far reaches of the kitchen. They still sleep in the whelping box, but can now climb (or flip) out of it.  During the day, we have them set up with a large crate and pen in the kitchen so they can experience all the noise, sights and sounds of the house. Mr. Purple and Miss Yellow (Christmas Surprise) remind me of WWF.  With their favorite activity being the run and pounce. With some poor, unaware pup being the target of their ambush. 

 

Freyja having play time!

Mr. Purple and Miss Pink practice breakdancing on the kitchen floor!

Pink and Yellow are the most adventurous and outgoing, though Purple is evolving into his own.  Purple is built like a tank and has a lot to say.  He is a spunky fellow.  Teal and Purple are the most cautious with new things, but adjust pretty quickly.  Mr. Blue is the most laid back of them all.  He just wants to hang out. 

 

   Mr. Blue, looking cool                                           

 

Mr. Purple and the rope toy

They all have really nice temperaments.  No bullies that I can see at this time.  The girls are very assertive, with Yellow being the most.   All the pups are lovers, and love to cuddle.  I'll sit on the floor, and they all run over and start climbing into my lap to give me kisses (or just chew on me). And they all love their belly rubs!

 I even got Pink to sit the first time I asked!

 

Miss Pink

   Lunchbreak!

Mr Teal coming and going

Exploring in the front yard

 

 

Time has flown by.  The pups are now just over three weeks old.    Their eyes and ears have opened.  As soon as that happened, it was World Wrestling Puperation!  The pups have been introduced to one new surface each of the last few days (I lose count how many.)  We have been making loud noises to help condition them, and they have already had their nails trimmed four times, much to Freyja's delight! In addition we did puppy calisthnenics during the first two weeks and they passed with flying colors.(Some louder than others) It is warming up enough this weekend to take them out and introduce them to the last little patches of snow.

 

Yellow and purple

 

Teal and purple tussle

Purple and blue try to bust out!

 

 

Master, What is the meaning of life?

Pink and purple duke it out.

 

 

Miss Pink doing her chipmunk impression

Mr Teal expressing his feelings

Mr Purple wondering when his next meal is coming

Mr Blue waiting for dinner

Miss Surprise after a big meal

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

                                 

                                                  

What a day. The first puppy started coming around 7AM on Christmas morning. Turns out to be the biggest one, which we later named Mr. Blue (at this point, they are named for the color of their ribbons!). Unfortunately, he got stuck halfway out! It took a few minutes, but with a little help, and some extra pushing from Freyja, he finally popped out, safe and sound. The next two were easy and quick. Number four, was a bit exciting. Freyja had to go out to the bathroom, but while she was going, a puppy also popped out! Guess that pushing does two things at once! Finally, within 3 hours, all four puppies were born.......Or so we thought! Unbelievably, 13.5 hours later we heard a noise, looked into the whelping box and wondered how one of the puppies got all wet! In a moment, we realized it was a new puppy! Once the confusion and initial panic dissipated and with a little help and drying, in a few moments she also was doing fine. So, we have 5 puppies, 3 boys and 2 girls. The last two were the smallest, but now after the first full week, they've caught up to their other mid-sized sibling. One each boy and girl are absolute monsters! They are going to be a couple of big dogs! The other three all seem pretty normal sized. Everyone's been gaining weight as they should and eating fine. Here're a few photos, more to come!