Before the storm hits..... UPDATE: Day after Sandy

Like the entire East Coast, we have been scrambling to get everything in order before Hurricane Sandy dumps wind and water upon us.  There is so much to consider when you have a farm and animals in your care.

Since I am pretty sure we will lose power and it could take days before we have it back, I wanted to be sure you had your six week old pictures of these darling puppies!  I sure hope we will have power again before they hit 7 weeks!!!  Be safe everyone.

Update:  We are all fine.  The pups did super and were very happy to go outside this morning to play.  They did a lot of sleeping yesterday and played indoors.  We are grateful that Sandy spared us.

Green Boy is shutting his eyes in disappointment because he knows
there will be limited outdoors for the next few days.  6 1/2 lbs.

Teal Girl belies her impish nature in this pose!  5 3/4 lbs.

Orange Girl, sweet as taffy.  7 lbs.

Who could miss this pup.  Red Boy 'Mr. Photographic'.  6 lbs.

Purple Girl is not sure about being in this basket!  5 3/4 lbs.

Black Girl striking a pose to rival Red Boy!  6 3/4 lbs.

Taking advantage of the outdoors while we can!

All of us on the East Coast are thinking of Hurricane Sandy and what the impact may be come early next week, so the puppies are getting lots of outdoor time until then.  Like most of you, we are trying to tack everything down just in case.

The pups are also listening to a 'random noise collection' which includes loud traffic noises, screaming kids at a playground, chain saws and jackhammers, etc. to help expose them to the many situations they may find themselves in when at their new homes.  So far, they are doing very well and no pup is cowering or whimpering.  Their ears twitch as they listen and they seem very curious - a good sign.

Also, they only have one potty box in their pen.  They have been doing so well with pottying outdoors a lot, that it is not necessary to have two anymore.  Of course, that might have to change if we get bad weather - we can't have them 'waiting in line' for the bathroom!   I like that they keep their area quite clean by utilizing the 'facilities'.

They love playing outdoors.  This is Teal on the mini slide.

Oi, that face.  Green taking it all in.

Purple and Red saying 'How do you do?'

'Take turns pups, one at a time to slide, please!'

Whoopee!  Purple found her way out of the pen, through the gate, & through the dogie door!

They enjoy this little tunnel as well and are always playing around it.

I wonder what Orange and Black have discovered.

Our five week 'profiles'.

Purple Girl weighs 5 lbs. exactly this week.

Black Girl is 6 lbs. today.

The leaf did not add much weight to Green Boy's 6 lbs.

Red boy is 5 1/2 lbs. and still has gorgeous eyes.  Wow!

Teal Girl is at 5 1/4 lbs. - A little 'Mighty Mite'!

Lastly, Orange Girl is the heavyweight at 6 1/4 lbs.!

Now that we are five weeks old, we get to play outside!

Don't they LOVE the outdoors!  We have had a couple of days with some sun and the pups have begun to use the dogie door to go outside to play with leaves, new toys and each other.  They get to expend some puppy energy; have some vitamin D from the sun and explore their expanding world.  

Weekends can get busy around here with pup visitors and such, so many times new pics will be done on Mondays.  Hopefully no one will mind.  :+) 

Red in the back with Teal in the middle and Green boy in front.

So many thing to sniff and examine.

Here is Orange Girl being very cautious at first. 

Green Boy chasing Teal Girl.

Back in from the fun and sun to take naps.
I also expanded their indoor pen today as they are growing so fast!

Every day is a new adventure!

The Musical Rocking Horse is being investigated by the group.

Teal girl loves the string of little balls - just the right size!

Trying out the 'new' bed.

It is not just for sleeping either, they like to play in the bed too.

At last, naptime!

A changing environment.

 

As I watch this group grow, it is advantegeous to keep rearranging their area in small increments.  Today, I removed the bumper and added an adjustable double water bowl.  I am finding that they are drinking a lot more water now that Olive is not nursing them constantly.  My feeding them solid food about three times a day allows Olive to slowly reduce her milk supply.  She still goes in with them and nurses but they are not solely dependent on her now.   I don't need the bumpers any longer because they have been able to regulate their temperatures for about two weeks now.  As newborns, Olive and I must provide the proper warmth (and prevent drafts) for them to thrive.  Plus, removing the bumpers allows them to see more of their surroundings - another new experience for them. 

Olive's pups at 4.1 weeks old. :+)

The pups continue to grow and grow and are developing little personalities.  They know my voice very well now and when I climb into their pen to sit with them, they crawl over me and are even beginning to lick my hands, feet, pants, etc.  They wag their tails, bark and get easily startled with quick movements or if I move my hands too quickly which is pretty normal at this stage of life.   Some continue to hang on to me dearly when I lift them but that too will diminish over time.   :+)

Finally, I am adding 'food' to their milk.  I noticed Olive dropping a neck bone in the pen the other day which gave me the green light that she would like for them to be less dependent on her food supply.  I am obliging by continuing the Gerber Meat along with Beef Flavored Honest Kitchen mix.  I add Goat's Milk and still continue with the supplement Dyne.   I am giving them this three times a day but in very small amounts.  They need to 'prime' their digestive systems to this new food source and Olive needs to begin reducing her supply of milk by them drinking less from her.  Their appetites are extremely good.  By the way, my apologies for the pic delay - very busy weekend!

It is still the lovely month of October, so the Halloween theme continues!!  Boo!

Purple Girl weighs 4 1/4 lbs.
(She looks mad at me.  I woke her up.)

Black Girl weighs 5 1/4 lbs.
(She is so shiny, she looks slippery.)

 

Orange Girl weighs 5 1/4 lbs.
(I think she and Green Boy went to the same party.)

Teal Girl weighs 4 1/4 lbs.
(This girl should be named Wendy, the good little witch!)

Green Boy weighs 4 3/4 lbs.
(Does he not look like he has a hangover? )

Red Boy weighs 4 1/4 lbs. 
(Red has great focus and looks into your eyes all the time.)

The pups have short bursts of energy after eating.

Immediately, after eating, they begin to wrestle.

This is the beginning of  'pack formation'.

Purple Girl laying way in the back, has already decided to nap, not wrestle.

Red Boy, Black Girl, Teal Girl and Green Boy continue to play.

 

Soon, they all join Purple and Orange Girls for another nap.  :+)

As you can see from the pics, I have already rearranged their area.  Their Perla Bed was removed and now there is a mat for them to lie on along with two potty boxes which they are beginning to use!

The baby bumpers are to keep them from getting their feet stuck in the pen wiring and also to prevent drafts.  I have begun to feed them from a dish and they are happily lapping Goat's Milk laced with a raw egg yolk and an energy supplement.  Today, I also added Gerber's Baby Meat to add a flavor to the mix.  A small bowl of water is in a corner for them to sample.  

They grow and learn by staggering quickness at this time.  It is delightful to watch them play and interact.  They have discovered that they have voices and can sometimes be rather loud!!

Olive's pups are three weeks old and getting into the Halloween spirit!

Orange Girl weighs 4 lbs. this week!  A chunker!!

Teal Girl is 3.7 lbs. today.

Green Boy is a solid 3.12 lbs.

Is this a laugh or a yawn?  Purple Girl weighs 3.6 lbs.

Red Boy has mesmerizing eyes.  Weight is 3.4 lbs.

Black Girl is another heavyweight at 4 lbs.
I am looking for a local Guardian Home for this girl & one of the apricot girls.

Such leaps and bounds this week!  They love being in the pup room with all the light, sounds and activity of the kitchen area.  This is very necessary for their social exposure.  Slow introductions are always best.

I can now feel their teeth buds developing which is right on schedule.  I have already cut their toenails three times and with the added sunshine, the coats will begin to thicken.  They can hear my voice and lick my fingers - especially when I bring them some Goat's Milk as I try to reduce their demand from Olive just a bit.  Can you imagine how much milk Olive needs to produce to satisfy over 20 lbs. of puppy demand?  It will take them about a week or so before they decide Goat's Milk/Gruel is good stuff.  Not better than moms, but still GOOD and nutritious!  :+)