We are passed the 'hump' - WEEK 7 OF THE PHOEBE & DIESEL LITTER!

The next week is a very busy one with these pups! Tomorrow we have three different families coming to visit.  I do hope we can get a couple in before it rains but it is not looking good.  Hence, we shall all use the pup room as best we can!  They also have a visitor on Sunday.

On rainy Tuesday,  I take the pups on their trip to be temperament tested.  That takes the entire morning.  Another visitor on Thursday, but in between all this, Bellamy may whelp - so I have to take it one day at a time and hope the 'stars align' to accommodate everyone.  On Friday, the pups go into my vet for their health certificates, microchip insertions and just TWO vaccines that are necessary for them to go home - Parvo and Distemper.  

It will take my trainer several days to do the write ups on each  pup.  We need to be patient - even me! :+) I will make assignments as soon as I can, trust me.  

Please note, there are two pups in this litter that are available.  Which two? I have NO clue until my trainer's reports come in.  Such drama, right??????  :+)

Orange Collar is one hefty boy weighing 6 1/4 lbs. on Week 7. He has the most beautiful hazel/blue eyes and a liver nose shade which is exactly what you need to have to be labeled a Caramel!

Brown Collar Male is even HEAVIER than his bro Orange by a quarter of a pound.  He weighs 6 1/2 lbs.  Obviously he is a chocolate/white parti and; true to chocolates, has hazel eyes and a deep brown nose.

Mr. Blue Collar is black and brawny!  He weighs 6 1/2 lbs and has dreamy brown eyes and a rich coal black nose.  A quieter personality as well.  Very similar to his dad, Diesel.

Black Collar Girl is 5 1/4 lbs.  Look at the width of her chest - no fragile young lady here!  She is 
a full black/white Parti patterned rugged pup.

                               

Lilac Collar Girl - Chocolate.  Would you believe she is the smallest in the litter?  She weighs 3 3/4 lbs. A tiny thing but don't let her size fool you at all!  She likes to wrestle with all her big brothers!

I can finally stop calling Ruby Collar Girl 'itty bitty'!  Given she was only 4 ozs. at birth, I am happy to say she is now 4 1/4 pounds!  Ruby has a black nose and eye rims like mom.  She is an Apricot/Wht. Parti. 

Green Collar boy is one of the smaller males at 5 1/2 lbs.  He favors his mom the most with his light, fleecy coat.  I do believe he is going to like to play fetch though. A mom trait! Color is Cream.

Teal Collar girl is a replica of mommy as well.  Like her 'twin' Green Collar, she weighs 5 1/2 lbs.  
Her color is Apricot Solid.  She is a darker shade than her twin brother.

Bellamy

Bellamy had her x-ray this morning and we saw six puppies lined up for birthing!  She has 'moved in' with my crew and is doing very well.  

I took just a coupe of pics of her pregnant belly and to show how lovely her wavy fleece coat is.  I will have to trim her up soon as when a coat is this long, little tiny feet twirling it as they nurse makes huge knots that are very difficult to comb out.  Bellamy should not have to deal with that discomfort while nursing babies!

Poor thing looks so big for her mini size.  Bellamy is normally 22 or so pounds.

Looking outdoors from our dining area.  Such a sweetie. Love her soft apricot coat.

This litter of minis should range in the low 20's in weight and about 15 inches in height.  They all will be  sturdy little guys.  There is a high chance of some of the pups having a phantom pattern which is similar to a Bernese Mountain Dog color and pattern - NOT their size though!!!

We have openings in this litter that is planned for a pick up the second week in July.  Delighted to read any applications!  :+)

Fun in the big play-yard!

 The pups will be 7 weeks tomorrow - imagine!!  The sun came out for a bit late morning, so I decided to let the pups investigate the big play-yard.  They had their lunch outside on the turf and then 'took a tour' of all the great space.  Enjoy.

There is so much to sniff!

Of course, a good sniffer takes you places where others have not ventured yet.

I'll follow you.

Where are the rest???

Is this a good sit?

Hey, let's go into that hole, okay?

Catch me if you can!!

This is mine????

Are we playing hide & seek??

WEEK SIX! Phoebe x Diesel

Boy, this has been a big developmental week for the pups.  As you all know we have been working on Phoebe weaning the litter and this has been accomplished quite well.  The pups love seeing their mom but don't NEED their mom.  Phoebe has gained some weight being away from the pups and the pups continue to gain with their kibble.

I also was able to clean up the outside pen a bit so the pups can enjoy some fresh air and a change of scenery.  They really enjoy the outdoors and have acclimated beautifully.  More room for running and playing and new toys to investigate. :+)

This is their outdoor pen that the pups initially go into at this young stage.  Later, they will have full access to the large turf area where there is much more to explore.

Blue Collar boy nesting in my flower box of sedums.  5 1/2 lbs.

Teal Collar Girl is quite relaxed in this unusual prop.  5 lbs.

I think Green Collar Boy is looking at me like "Is this the best prop you have?"  4 3/4 lbs.

Black Collar Girl was just so compliant.  4 1/2 lbs.

Orange Collar Boy looks a bit concerned.  'Don't worry little one, I am close by'.   5 1/4 lbs.

Lilac Collar Girl was not happy about being in the window box at all! 3 1/2 lbs.

Ruby Collar Girl was non plussed. Just take the pic, please!  3 3/4 lbs

Brown Collar Male just about fit! Sheesh!! 5 3/4 lbs.

The pups just love the visitors!  However, shoelaces are sooooo tempting!

                                         

 

FIVE WEEKS! Phoebe x Diesel Litter

 The pups are at such a fun age now.  They enjoy meeting people and using their little teeth to 'taste them' or their shoes, clothes or toes.  :+). By the end of the weekend, the pups will have met five different families and more are scheduled.

They are eating food now (kibble soaked in some warm water) but still nurse from momma Phoebe every now and then.  I would think by the end of this week Phoebe will be with her family full time except for visits to meet and play with her litter every now and again.

I hope to get the outside pup area cleaned and set up so that the pups will have some outdoor play to get some sunshine, fresh air and new stimulation.  We shall see.

FOUR WEEKS - PHOEBE X DIESEL LITTER!

The fourth week!  I am sure everyone has been waiting for this big week!  Finally visits can be scheduled!  On these visits:

• Wear clothing that you don't mind getting dirty.  Although I provide 'coverings' to avoid getting peed on, pups are unpredictable.
• Please keep your voices gentle - no shouting or high pitches - this will scare the pups.
• The pups will be let out of their pen to explore the surroundings - some will be scared, while others will be more adventurous.  Some will not want to venture out of the pen - it is ALL normal.  Just like kids mature at different times, so do pups.  
• Most will whine and shake as you hold them, this too, is normal.  This is their first time with strangers.  All will improve with more exposure as they grow and learn.  Don't assume this one or that one is shy or timid - it is way too early to determine that!
• The room is small, so you will be sitting on the floor with the pups on clean pads.  I do have a step that serves as a seat as well.  I can provide a chair for seniors if necessary. :+)
• REMEMBER TO NOT VISIT ANYWHERE BEFORE COMING HERE.  YOU WILL BE ASKED TO USE MY SANITIZING MAT AND WASH HANDS BEFORE MEETING PUPS.

This has been a very big week of growth.  The pups see and hear normally now.  They are walking (some waddle) and they scare easily.  They are now lapping up prepared milk meals and I will be adding Gerber Meat and Rice Cereal to their milk meals now.   Phoebe thinks they are ready for chicken drumsticks! She actually dropped hers in their pen and they sniffed and licked and were very interested!  Phoebe's signal to me to 'step up their meals'!  Ha, ha.  Today's photo segment introduces the Easter Bunny theme. :+)

Blue Collar is not sure about that bunny in the basket.

Ruby is the only pup that can actually fit in the basket - barely!

Black Girl seems to be thinking 'Do I or don't I'?

Brown Boy thinks it is a pillow for a snooze.

Try as Orange Boy may, no way this chunk can fit in the basket. 

Lilac Girl is quite content resting that cute chin on the basket.

Teal Girl says 'I almost fit'!

Green Male is hanging on for dear life!

A tentative step....

Today, I decided to entice the pups with Goat's Milk in an effort to help take some of the feeding pressure off of Phoebe.   Several of the pups were willing to give it a whirl - yea!!  That means they are ready to begin exploring some other alternatives other than 'momma's' milk supply!  Once a few begin to lap up the formula, their siblings will follow and both momma and pups will be satisfied and happy.  Phoebe is an excellent mom but needs some help and that is what I am here for.  Now that they are showing interest, I will continue to offer 'milk meals' but still feed Phoebe large helpings of food.  Once the pups begin to truly 'dive in', I will began the task of weaning Phoebe.  Happily, her guardians live very close to me and can take Phoebe for a few hours to slowly wean them from her milk supply and her momma duties.  

I am so grateful that the bunch of them are doing very well using the potty area!  

Brown Boy was the first to lap up some of the milk, soon Ruby , Lilac and Teal joined in.