Piper x Thomas Litter - some misc. pics to enjoy.

In a couple of days, Pipers pups will be four weeks old. Until I do their official pics on Monday, these should bring a smile or two to your face. They really are adorable and using their voices, paws, mouths and eyes to discover their little world.

"Little Jack Horner, sat in a corner.....'

The sun streaked in through the windows as Piper Moon nursed her brood sitting up so they all fit.

Life is good.

They love snuggling with the bunny when Piper is not there.

Kissy Faces!!!

Drinking water is a new development this week.

The whole bunch!

'And what is your name?' asks Black Boy.

This pup is showing a lot of interest in the little gym I set up opposite their sleeping area.

WEEK THREE of the Piper x Thomas litter.

Three weeks of age means nails need clipping, teeth nubs are swelling and very sharp teeth are soon to follow. They are lapping up the milk gruel better as the pups realize not 'all good things to drink come from Piper'!

Potty box use is improving day by day and I am pleased with their efforts. :+) They sure see better now and interact with each other as well as some of the toys hanging from the sides of the pen.

They certainly are hardy and healthy (and noisy!)

Yellow Girl - 2 3/4 lbs.

Blue Boy - 3 1/4 lbs.

Red Boy - 2 1/3 lbs.

Purple Girl - 3 lbs.

Pink Girl - 2 1/4 lbs. (She is so small, she just cuddled right in and fell asleep!)

Teal Girl - 2 3/4 lbs.

Green Boy - 2 3/4 lbs.

Pumpkin Girl - 3 lbs.

Tan Boy - 2 3/4 lbs.

Black Boy 3 lbs.

I hope you enjoyed the pics posted yesterday!

Piper x Thomas Litter - Interaction Pics at almost three weeks!

For the first time, the pups are beginning to really notice each other and begin to play for very brief periods. The three week age marker is generally when this happens. Mouthing, pawing and rolling about will now occur in earnest.  They can see well now and notice the toys hanging on the sides.

This is one of the most 'critical' periods of their development and strange noises and new people smells can really trigger the startle reflex. It is a time that breeders must be very careful with people visiting as any negative impression can affect the pups lifelong! In a humans perspective it is equated with a traumatic experience of which you never overcome.

By the time they are four weeks, they are better able to recover from new experiences but each individual puppy will reach this point at their own pace. When you visit at this time, you will notice some pups will want to be left alone while others are more than willing to be on your lap. This is a perfect example of 'individual' adaption. Eventually, all of them reach a comfort zone and are happy to have visitors to interact with. In no way should you feel that the less interactive pup is a loner or unsociable - it just isn't 'ready' yet. Patience. :+)

The group right after nursing from Piper.

I think Blue Boy wants seconds!

They are working on their wrestling moves. :+)

'Take Down' !

Oops! Potty break! Yes, they are using the litter box.

Can you say 'shiny coats'?

Walking is getting stronger.

Black Boy has discovered one of the hanging toys that makes a gentle noise when moved.

Gentle touching.

'Hey man. I gotta go'!

Piper x Thomas at 2.5 wks.

I found this very large bunny the other day and the pups just LOVE it! They like to snuggle under it, use it like a pillow and just cuddle with it.  Thought you would enjoy the pic.  :+)

Cute, huh? 

Sunday can't come fast enough!

We have a bunch of diehard PATRIOT fans gathering together to 'rah, rah' the team against Denver on Sunday!

Since they are under age, there will be no tailgate parties; however the 'Milk Bar' will be open as usual. Let's party!!!

Piper and kids are very excited for the game!

Piper & Thomas' litter have a 'bathroom'.

Today, after I finished cleaning the pups' area, I decided it was time for an addition - namely a potty area. So I placed the pups in my portable x-pen and went to work rearranging. Some litters learn more quickly than others, but to me you can never introduce a potty area too early!

I also hung some baby crib toys for them to focus on and chew in the days to come. Having a large stuffed animal for them to crawl under is also a popular addition.

No, I don't expect them to begin using the potty tray (white pee pad in it) immediately but by providing a place, it does help them decide where they should go potty. Most litters make the trek to the potty area very quickly.

There is a baby crib bumper around the pen so they don't get paws caught in the space bars as well as to prevent drafts - just a precaution. :+)

You are going to have to look really hard to find the tenth pup!

WEEK TWO of the Piper Moon x Thomas litter.

They all made it to two weeks of age! All are doing well and adjusted beautifully to the puppy room environment. Their eyes are now open but they see cloudy images. Each day, it will get more and more clear and then the world becomes a frightening place! This is why I wanted them to be in the pup room now so they adjust to the light and TV sounds - it is a much more gentle 'awakening'.

We went for a car ride today! I bundled them up in my laundry basket and already had my car warmed. It was just around a country block but they all did well. We will continue to do this on occasion.

Soon there will be more activity and taking pics will be more fun. Right now, they are still inactive. They eat, they sleep and mom takes care of their bathroom needs. Every now and again, I offer a bottle to those that want more to eat but Piper is doing a great job.

Green Boy weighs 2.2 lbs.

Purple Girl is 2 lbs.

Blue Boy is at 2.4 lbs.

Pink Girl is 1.9 lbs.

Yellow Girl weighs 2 lbs.

So does Teal Girl.......

and Pumpkin Girl is 2 lbs. as well! Four out of the five girls weigh the same!

Black Boy weighs 2.4 lbs.

Red Boy is 1.6 lbs.

 

Tan Boy is at 1.14 lbs.

We moved! (The puppies that is!)

I decided to move the pups to our puppy room which is off our kitchen instead of staying in my office until Monday.  Typically, I wait until they are around 2 1/2 weeks, but this is a very 'uncomplaining group' so far and they moved into their new location without a whimper and settled right in. :+)

I am keeping them in the green Perla Bed for a few days because it has high sides; soon it will be switched to just the fleecy bedding. The move will allow them to adjust to light and sound as their eyes and ears open which will be happening in a couple more days.

WEEK ONE of the Piper x Thomas litter.

It started out with a very long labor and ended with a healthy litter of ten chunky babies that are growing and filling out quickly! Piper Moon is a good mommy who is taking very good care of her brood with a little help from me.

I am sure the pics below will testify to how cute they are developing and the beautiful coats these pups have.

Piper Moon does not shed but she IS a hormonal shedder (sheds during pregnancy, lactation and recovery). Her coat is very easy to manage with a good brushing and combing every two weeks or so. She does not have an undercoat and mats just slip right off her hair when you use a quality brush. It is very low maintenance. This coat is perfect for both busy families or people who love to fuss and brush their doodles. What it may not be good for are people with severe allergies to hair/fur. Right now, Piper's hair can be seen in clumps on my floor! When I brush her, lots come off on my brush. However, when Piper is not bred or nursing babies, you will find very little hair anywhere but on the brush when you groom. This is a huge difference from a 'shedding' breed that drops hair everywhere, every day. So be aware.

I don't expect these pups to shed at all. The coats on them are beautiful - especially on the sparkling black pups! None of you will have to deal with hormonal shedding because they will not be reproducing for you. It is important to realize the difference when you visit though, which is why I bring it up.

Enjoy their week old pictures!

Meet Pink Girl! A tiny thing at 15 1/4 ounces.

This little round darling is Pumpkin Girl. She weighs 1.3 lbs.

Blue Boy is a chunky one at 1.6 lbs.

Miss Yellow Girl weighs 1.1 lbs.

Black Boy is the heaviest this week. 1.8 lbs.

Beautiful shade of apricot on Teal Girl. 1.4 lbs.

Red Boy is the smallest male today. 15 3/4 ounces.

Purple Girl weighs 1.4 lbs. - will be a solid medium.

Green Boy is tracking to be one of the smaller boys. 1.2 lbs.

So is Tan Boy at 1.1 lbs.

When I take these close ups, it is so you can see the details of the face. They are still quite small. This group pic shows their size better.  :+)