PUPS GOING OUTDOORS AND LOVING THE SNOW ! Phoebe #2 x Diesel

Well, we finally got the pups outdoors and I can tell you they all loved it but Cinder and Elf REALLY like being outdoors.  They play and chase each other round and round and use the dogie door at every opportunity.  Jingles and Star needed the taxi driver (me) to introduce them to the outdoors. THEN, they decided they liked it.  :+)  

Here are some shots of their excursion:

The 'body-less' doodle!  Jingles will need a colorful vest when outdoors so you can find him!

Whoopie!!! Where did THIS playground come from??

Isn't this stuff fun?  Huh? Huh?

Hey, where are those two going??

Monkey see, monkey do. Star & Jingles.

TEMPERAMENT TEST went well today! Got pics up!

WE are all back home and in spite of the storm of heavy snow (but thankfully not a foot of it!), we traveled very well up to Cumberland Maine to visit my trainer.  The pups did super in my car for the hour and 15 minute drive.  :+)

Once we arrived, I set up my portable pen in her garage and they all settled in.  Each one was seen individually for about 20+ minutes as she went through the steps with all of them.   I did take pics but they will not download from my phone - I am such an IT idiot _ I really hate it so you must forgive me.  I did not take my 'user friendly Canon' as I though the iPhone would do the trick - WRONG!  I will see if my savvy son can help me later.  :+(

Anyway, until then, I can say I was proud of every pup and was complimented by my trainer for raising such a nice group of pups.  Thank you, Judy!  If I get lucky and my son can help I will update this post.

OH MY GOD I DID IT BY MYSELF!!!  WOOT, WOOT!!!!

There are few more tests that she does but I was pushing my 'talent' to get at least one of each pup in this trip.  Next time I do this, I am bringing my trusty Canon.  I know how to work that.  (grin).

SEVEN WEEKS! - Phoebe#2 x Diesel

 It is certainly looking like 3 out of the four pups will be following in their sire's footsteps when it comes to a 'mature' size!  Diesel is a sturdy 30 - 32 pounder.  A rugged boy with nice solid boning.   Personally, I love this size - not too big or too small - a perfect companion size to wrestle with, take hiking, swim in the ocean or boating.  Of course little Miss Star will be the exception - NOT in personality but is size.  I expect her to only be about 24 lbs.  Still able to 'nap in your lap'!!!

We are in 'shark' week(s) now.  They use teeth for everything in their path - toys, food, shoes, fingers, clothes ...oh my!  When you visit, be prepared and don't wear your cute shoes or nice pants - I warned you!! :+)

Tomorrow the group will go to my vets for their full check up, the Distemper and Parvo Virus vaccine and their microchip.  Hence, no visits are scheduled on Friday because I want them to stay as calm as possible to watch for any vaccine reactions, if any.  I have never had any but like to stay vigilant.

On Monday morning, we go for the hour trip to visit my trainer for their temperament assessments.  A BIG day!  I will NOT have any write up results for several days, so please be patient.  You will know very quickly when I receive them.  Till then:

1. Please send me your three favorite pups.  Discuss and let me know as soon as possible.
2. It is important that you have both a name for a female and one for a male when I call you as I have a ton of paperwork to do and absolutely REQUIRE that name.
3. Once you have been assigned and agree to a pup, the balance will be due via check or cash.  
4. Be sure to order your Snuggle Puppy on Amazon as they are not available in stores (that I know of).
5. Start puppy proofing your home and check out the Puppy Prep Tab on the website!

Before you know it, February 10th will be here!  Time for everyone to arrive is 11 am that morning!  Should take about an hour.  :+) Joyce

Cinder - A coat of silk and a clone of her dad in looks and personality.  A good thing. :+) (7 1/4 lbs.)

Sporting a green bib, Elf depicts his love for food.  The largest pup at 8 1/2 lbs.

Like a poofy marshmello, Jingles waddles his way into your lap and heart. (8 lbs.)

Star, belying her spunky nature, her feminine qualities abound!  (5 1/2 lbs. of cuddle)

Good information to have regarding kibble dog food and what I recommend :

 This link is VERY important to read because there is NO KIBBLE TYPE FOOD THAT IS EXEMPT!

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/copper-in-dog-food/?fbclid=IwAR0sr3vdIvGH-2jdsFvM6tihJtIOs4bHTQThC3y0z67RU2YoXo5cCjFJq1E

A couple of posts ago, I posted THE FARMERS DOG which is a company that makes FRESH food for your pup/dog.  We make our own food for our doodles and it is not hard to do.  I rarely feed kibble - only in an emergency situation.  The pups are being fed a raw food diet - our own.  They are thriving.

A great book to purchase is SWITCHING TO RAW by Susan K. Johnson.  Shows you how to create your dog's food, a calendar to use as a guide to be sure all nutrients are met and interesting information that will make sense to you.  You can purchase it on Amazon.  I highly recommend it.

SIX WEEKS - Phoebe#2 x Diesel litter

During the past week, I have added a crate into the pup pen because I want them to have a 'level' of comfort being in one.  They are not in an individual crate but one that fits all of them - as being part of a pack is comforting.  With momma Phoebe only visiting once a day for nursing, they entertain themselves with multiple toys, wrestling, visitors and sleeping!

Today, I added the 'busy mat' which has small toys stitched onto it to tug, chew and snuggle with.  I also used it in the photo session - they enjoyed it much more when it was on the floor.  :+) I change up the toys every few days for interest and to wash them!

They continue to eat 3 to 4 meals a day depending on when Phoebe comes for a short visit.  They are gaining well and have lots of teeth - never come here with good clothes on!  They are chewing up a storm!

After their photo session, the pups investigated the busy mat further.

JINGLES - wk 6 and 6 3/4 lbs.
He really enjoys cuddling.  

CINDER - Wk. 6 - 6 1/2 lbs.
No dainty dot! Gets right into the chow dish with her brothers.

STAR - 6 wks. and 4 7/8 lbs. (Almost made it to 5 lbs) :+)
She is no runt! Gives as good as she gets! Does love a lap to nap on.

ELF - wk. 6 and 7 1/4 lbs.
A big lug.  More to love.

THE FARMERS DOG food

 Let's Talk About Nutrition:

Today, I started the pups with their first 'mixed' meal using some of our 'normal' raw dog food as an addition.  The pups loved it.  With so many issues (bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, refusal to eat) coming out on dry kibble from NUMEROUS brands like Purina, Merrick, Instinct, Acana, Stella & Chewys, Origen, Organic, Hills, Royal Canine, Pure Balance and more being added every week, I really think you all should consider looking for a better diet for your companion.  I have never embraced feeding my children a steady diet of Mc Donald's, so why settle for a diet devoid of any live nutrients for our pets?  The Farmers Food is a terrific alternative, plus they provide you with 'do it yourself' recipes for you to make if you choose to do so.

Please think about it and check out this company.  Please note I receive NO kickbacks for suggesting this food and I despise pyramid companies, I AM an advocate for good nutrition for the pets I bring into this world though.  :+)

The pups will continue on my raw protein diet with veggies and sweet potatoes until they go home on February 10th. 

A couple of pics of our visitors this week!  The pups really enjoy all the attention and cuddles!

FIVE WEEKS! Phoebe x Diesel Litter

 Man, these pups are now rocking and rolling!  So much growth is happening.  Pups are wagging their tails when I come in and do the same when my other doodles go in for short stints of dog socialization. Phoebe is quite happy to share.  :+)

I have been introducing a gruel of milk and The Honest Kitchen blend with Gerber Turkey meat to entice the pups to eat more gruel and lessen the load on their mom.  They happily have embraced the gruel.  

Phoebe has been enjoying spending chunks of time with her family and always comes back to make sure her babies are all well.  Very soon Phoebe will be spending more time with her family and small brief moments here as we 'officially' wean the pups.  I like to do it over a week so both mom and pups are not stressed.  Then Phoebe will be invited to visit her brood to play and teach until she decides she has had enough.  

The pups now have teeth, wrestle until one calls 'uncle', actively play with the toys in their pen, drink water and enjoy their free time out of the pen to meet, greet and investigate.  They are all like toddlers now.  :+)

 

Miss STAR is now four chunky pounds and identified as a Caramel with her liver colored pigment on her nose and footpads.  She is the smallest in the group as expected.

A true 'Momma's Boy'.  Loves to eat and the first one at the bowl of gruel and his mom's 'milk bar'.  Jiggles weighs 6 lbs. today.  He is identified as an Apricot & White Extreme Parti.  He will have black pigmented eye rims and nose - just like his momma.  Jiggles is an oversized marshmallow.

'Do you see what I see'?  Yes, Elf has blue eyes.  It is another trait of the Caramel identified color code.  Most Caramels have light eyes similar to a hazel color.  Like his sister Star, Elf will also have a liver nose and footpads.  No, they won't need sunscreen.  :+)

Finally, a decent picture of Cinder showing she actually HAS beautiful brown eyes!  With her black nose, Cinder is identified as a Black Abstract.  The sweet 'goatee' and splash of white on her chest defines this color code.  She also has a couple of white toes too.  :+). Weighs 5 3/4 pounds today.

Changes!

 When I was cleaning up the pup's area, I had let them out of their pen to make some changes.  They met my other doodles with no concerns at all - wagging tails and lots of interest. I finished my chores and returned them to their pen.  They are quite comfortable with the new set up.  :+)

We met 'strangers' for the first time....

 Today, one of the families receiving a pup from this litter came for a brief visit.  This is these pups first experience with complete strangers.

Aside from a couple of shivers and whines, they did very well!  Soon, tails were wagging and noses were sniffing all the interesting people in the room.  Gentle hands held each one and there were smiles all around.  :+)

While these three were introducing themselves....

Little Star found a lap and...

then Star tried to wrestle with a human finger while Cinder was happily enjoying mom's lap!

WEEK FOUR - Phoebe & Diesel Litter

Oh boy -  the fourth week has soooo many developments!  They walk, see, hear and learning to drink water.  This week is a 'leaps and bounds' learning curve!  Also, for those who want to visit them for a short period, please email or call for a time.  Just remember, the world is a big and scary place for them to navigate, so gentle handling, soft voices and absolutely NO screams of delight!  They are just now able to navigate sound, we don't want to scare them.

I will only schedule two visits a day so please understand this.  You will have many times to visit longer and interact with these pups as the weeks go by.  Okay???  Sometimes, I may have to re-schedule a visit if a vet, trainer or other appt. should conflict - we need to be flexible a bit.  :+)

Can you find them?  They are all snuggling with the big black bear in the pen.  Cinder is way in the back left corner with Elf, tucked squarely between the panel and 'black bear'.  Star fits perfectly on the colorful stuffed doll with Jingles contemplating whether to sleep on the feet of the doll or look elsewhere.

JINGLES!  Such a photogenic pup!  He weighs 5 lbs. at 4 weeks.  His nose and pads will be black.  He is considered an 'extreme' parti which means his coat has more white than colored hair.  He did not fit in the basket, hence he was draped over it.  :+) 

ELF - A Caramel Abstract is his descriptor as his nose and footpads will be a rose/liver shade.  Elf has adorable white feet with a splash of white on his chest as well.  Smidgen over 5 lbs. at 4 weeks of age.

Twinkle, twinkle little STAR.  The mini in the litter for sure at 3 lbs. this week.  Star is a Caramel Abstract like Elf.  Caramels also have hazel eyes!  She is so sweet.  :+)

CINDER 'block' :+) weighs 4 3/4 lbs and is one rugged lady!  Nothing dainty about this girl.  She holds her own with her big brothers for sure.  Cinder has the same markings as her sweet daddy, Diesel, who has tiny splashes of white on the chin, chest, and a toe or two.  This defines the term 'abstract' which only means 'splashes of white anywhere on the body'.

The pups are wrestling now - learning the moves.  It is fun to watch.  They make little growly sounds too.  I have had to cut their nails twice now as they grow like crazy.  They are becoming a tad more tolerant of holding which will continue to improve.  Mommy is allowed to visit her guardians for a couple of hours to begin the weaning/separation process.  As soon as the pups are adjusting to a puppy mush, that time will expand and eventually Phoebe will just come for a 'visit' and then her job is complete.  All in all, things are going well.  Ready for this weekend's snowstorm??