What a busy day!

This morning, we all piled into my vehicle to visit the Canine Ophthalmologist in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  As you can see they enjoy looking out the 'window'.  What good riders they are!  Of course, there is comfort in company!  Hopefully, they will be good individual riders!  At least none of them vomited or had wet muzzles from salivation stress.  They all did great at the eye exam and captivated all the adults there that could not resist meeting cute puppies.  :+)

Then we drove to my vet to have their Distemper and Parvo shots and a full check up for the Health Certificates.  I love that my vet has me use a private door to go in so that they are not exposed to any of the sick animals that might be in the waiting room.  Once again, they had 'ooo's and ahhs' from Dr. Berry and vet techs.  Thankfully, all were in good health and cleared all the requirements for  the health certificate.

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While the pups were settled in the back of my car with the back door up and in the shade, we met up with Ms. Sadie Benz.  She was at my vets for her first progesterone test as she is being bred soon for her first litter.  Sadie is a lovely cafe colored Labradoodle.  Would you believe she was solid chocolate for almost one and a half years?  Most chocolates change to cafe.

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Lastly, still at my vets, Clary Mc Fadden was brought in by her guardians, for her x-ray as pups are due June 2nd!!  Her guardian and daughter were very excited to see the x-ray of her five robust puppies!  Clary has settled in beautifully here and is relaxed and sleeping next to my feet awaiting the big day sometime this weekend.  You can see her round belly above and also below.

It sure has been a busy day and I don't expect to get much rest given tomorrow is assignment day for Elsie's pups.  We also have other vet appointments on Monday too!  Fortunately, the pups stay home for that one.

Temperament Testing has some surprises today!

We headed up to Windham this morning under gloomy skies.  I wish someone was in the backseat to take pics of the little heads that kept looking out the back window - so cute!

After the initial small whines, the pups settled down quickly and were very quiet.  None of them got queasy which was WONDERFUL.

We arrived a bit early so that the process would get underway as scheduled.  I will not have the write ups until Saturday, so these casual pics are being shared so you can see some of what the trainer does as she assesses the pups.  What you will not see much of are the nuances that the trainer gleans that determines what sort of home each pup will do well in.  I had a few surprises!

I will be contacting everyone on Saturday some time!

Copper wasn't sure about the guy in the red suit but was fine after the first introduction.  She LOVED the stuffed dog!

Miss Yellow was all about focusing on people - nothing else mattered.    She would play with a ball, the tug toy and walked on all the surfaces but PEOPLE is her bowl of cherries.

 

Denim Boy had a ball!  He loved everything and thought this was an amusement park!

Lime Boy owned the room as well and could not get enough treats from 'the vending machine' person.  He IS food motivated!  A good thing for training a smart, confident pup.  :+)

It took Onyx Girl quite some time to feel comfortable in the area.    Neither food nor most of the stimuli interested her until the tug toy and the paper ball. Then it was playtime! 

Teal Girl did not surprise me - she always had a gentle and calm spirit.  She liked the toys and the treats
but was always a lady and looked for her support system (trainer).

Guardian Home Available!!

Guardianship for a female phantom patterned pup.  I will make my choice by June 1st but it will be either Onyx, Copper or Teal Collar.  You must be local, preferably under a 45 minute drive from my home or my vet in Rochester, NH.  Please read the link on this opportunity:  https://www.annabelledoodlesofnewengland.com/guardian-homes

Available for placement on June 8th at 1 pm.  :+)

WEEK SEVEN IS HERE! (Elsie x Duckie litter)

First, let me wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.  I thank God we live in a free country because of the enormous sacrifices of others.  My heart goes out to all families that lost a loved one. 💝

Finally the weather has broken so I was able to clean and set up the outdoor puppy area last week. Boy, have the pups been loving all the room to run and chase each other!  They are so little it is hysterical to watch them run and tumble over each other - sort of like watching bowling.  :+)

They are eating Life's Abundance kibble and are doing well on it.  So, if you have not ordered your food yet, I suggest you do so from the AnnaBlog Pup Prep tab.  Don't forget to also get the Snuggle Puppy!  This is a good time to read all the links, contract, and pup proof your home.  Hopefully, you have met your trainer and have enlisted in pup socialization classes.

On to pics!!

Teal Girl is 3 1/2 lbs. and enjoys the leaves!

Yellow Girl gained almost a pound this week!  3 1/4 lbs.  Sits so pretty.

I love the pretty white markings on Denim Boy.   4 lbs.

Onyx should be a dog model - she is easy to photograph.  3 3/4 lbs.

Okay, if I were naming this guy, it would be Fabian.  Anyone remember him?  Lime Boy 5 lbs!

Copper Girl staking claim to this toy.  :+) - 4 1/2 lbs.

Here are some more pics of them enjoying the play-yard and the toys in it.  So many things to smell and explore!  They are really enjoying themselves.  :+)

The Caterpillar tunnel is always a big hit with every litter.

Looks like a Choo Choo train!

Pups always have a favorite toy.

Checking out the Sit and Spin.

Oh the joy of just running, running, running!  Love the flapping ears!

Aren't leaves just soooo interesting?

Having a conversation at the 'water cooler'.

SIX WHOLE WEEKS! (Elsie and Duckie Litter)

We even have sunshine today!  :+)

This week, I decided to take a picture of each pup in a different setting rather than the same pose for everyone.  Sometimes, I just like to mix things up.

Elsie has gone home and the pups don't seem to miss her at all.  They are happy to eat their food, drink water and go exploring inside and outside in their pen.  Sometimes, I open the door and let them explore the ramp and alley.  I have also begun letting them use the dogie door by just using the swinging flap without the magnetic frame which makes it easier to use.  Yesterday, they all went outdoors through the open door then I closed the door on them to see who would try to use the flap to get through.  I went to empty the dishwasher and then checked to see if any got in - they ALL did!  I swear they had grins on their faces as if to say.....aha!

Onyx Collar is in the Fourth of July bucket. 3 lbs.

Yellow Girl sitting on the Sit and Spin.  She would be happier sitting on someone's lap.  2 1/2 lbs.

Copper Girl got to climb on a toy rocker.  3 1/2 lbs.

Denim Boy enjoyed sitting on our large garden frog.  He looks like he is ready to give a princess a kiss.   3 lbs. 

No, Lime Boy is not at school but I bet he would love to play with the kids if he was!  4 lbs.

Teal Girl is in a wagon but not going anywhere. Doesn't her look say..... 'Where is the driver?' 3 lbs.

A breathe of fresh air!

As usual, we had visitors this week and were also able to get a few hours of being outdoors in the small outside pen.

I like to use this pen for young pups because it is a safe and gentle way for their first experience to being outside.   I had spent the early morning cleaning up the equipment to use in this area as well as raking all the leaves that had accumulated.  We have had so few days of anything resembling sunshine that I knew if I did not get it done - I had no idea when we might see the sun!  They also had the opportunity to watch the other dogs run around and hear all the truck noises and traffic from the street. It won't be long before they are able to utilize the entire pup playground to their delight, but for now, we are keeping things simple.

They are very interested in what the other doodles are doing.

Looks like I missed one of the pups in this photo!

More interested in what is outside the pen than inside the pen!

Here is Teal Girl sitting and watching this visitors iPhone.  :+)

Nothing like a bunch of pups to bring smiles to faces.

Elsie went back to her guardians today but not before Lime Boy got a snuggle.

Hey, it is beginning to sprinkle - can we go in?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!

I am blessed by so many wonderful 'moms' from both two legged and four legged friends - THANK YOU!

FIVE WEEK OLD PICS ARE UP! (Elsie x Duckie)

We have had our pen expanded, numerous visitors coming to say 'Hello' and have been introduced to a new palette other than mom's milk.  Yes, they are still nursing but I am now also feeding them three times a day with some pup mousse and goat's milk in powdered form that I mix up with warm water.

They are doing pretty well using the litter box but as food is added, things will get messier.  My goal is for Elsie to wean this coming week so she can go back to her guardians - that is always a balancing act.  She needs to be ready and the pups need to be eating a more substantial meal than just a milk gruel.

Every day bring new objects for them to get familiar with such as a metal can lid (very noisy!), a baby slide in their pen for them to climb and a thick plastic bag that makes nice 'crunchy' sounds.

They get to run around the pup room and play twice a day and really enjoy the 'freedom'.  The coming week does not look promising for them to be outdoors yet.  Nor has it been conducive for me to use the pressure washer to clean up the stone pavers or the turf.  I like the temps to be at least 60 degrees for their first outdoor excursion, so we wait.  :+(

Miss Yellow (She reminds me of a Marigold flower) weighs 2 & 1/2 lbs.

Miss Copper is showing off her lovely colors in this photo!  3 & 1/4 lbs.

'The Grouch'!  Not really, he is a hoot though.  Denim Boy weighs 2 & 3/4 lbs.

Oh, those head tilts!  Captured Teal Girl doing one.  3 lbs.

Onyx Girl tips the scales at 2 & 1/2 lbs.

Lime Boy is hefty like his sis, Copper.  Weighs 3 & 1/4 lbs.

Here is the pen configuration now.  They love the little slide that Miss Yellow is on.
The two pups in the right corner are having a ball with a thick plastic bag.  The other three
are on the right with Onyx laying down near the brown rug.

We are FOUR WEEKS OLD and ready for some sunshine! (Elsie x Duckie)

Thank goodness it was not raining today and the weather was on the mild side!  So happy I could take their four week old pics outdoors this morning.  Nothing like Mother Nature's natural light. :+)

The pups are getting pretty sturdy on their feet and braver every day as they explore the puppy room when out of their pen.

I have not introduced food yet but I intend to begin this week.  Although they are doing great on Elsie's milk, I need to think about Elsie going back to her guardian family in a couple of weeks and begin gruel meals so both pups and Elsie have a smooth transition.

Coats are growing and personalities emerging - nothing concrete of course but it is fun to see some pups trying to initiate play while others concentrate on a new toy put in the pen.  They all develop on their own timetable and that is as it should be.  :+)

Copper Girl - 2 1/2 lbs.

Denim Boy - 2 1/2 lbs.

Yellow Girl - 2 1/4 lbs.

Teal Girl - 2 3/4 lbs.

Lime Boy - 3 lbs.

Onyx Girl - 2 1/4 lbs.

Guardian visit today!

My guardians always have special privileges.  Today Elsie's guardian, Laura, came for a visit with Elsie and her pups.  For the past couple of days, I have been taking the pups out of their pen to explore the puppy room.  This is important for their development and to stimulate their curiosity.  Today, we added Laura to the mix!  Enjoy.  :+)

I can say that I am feeling teeth bumps in their mouths now and soon those very sharp teeth will be coming in - ouch!