Is this not the FUNNIEST smile you have ever seen?

When Clara's pups were outside in the snow for their 9 week pics, I snapped this one of Eloise when they were in the kitchen. I laughed so hard when I downloaded the pics as her smile was just hysterical! My flash was on and bleached out her color a bit but not the smile. :+)

Finally, they slow down and relax. (3 posts Clara x Clifford)

I should have made this post the last one, but messed up my sequence. OOPS!

Clancy is my best sitter. I say the word and his little tush hits the floor. He did this one on his own with no coaxing from me.


Hazel's favorite spot continues to be the caterpillar. She has a penchant for a 'soft' bed.


Red Boy has run out of steam and is happy to curl up anywhere on the floor for a few zzzzzzz's.

Kitchen time for Clara x Clifford pups!

Trust me, there is enough energy from playing in the snow outdoors to bring into the kitchen for more 'rough and tumble'.

Here Hazel and Red Boy attack the tunnel.


Then they attack each other - this is REAL wrestling! Can you pick who is whom?


Eloise and Red Boy 'sharing' a ball. At least that is what I prefer to call it. :+)


I can't tell you who had the ball in the first place, but it appears that Clancy has it all to himself for the time being.

Nine weeks and I think the snow is making them grow faster! (Clara x Cliff litter))

Here are the latest pics of the 'snow bunnies'. They adore playing in it and since we have plenty, most of their picture backgrounds are of the white stuff. Thankfully, they have color and it is a rather pretty contrast. :+)

I would say that these babies are in my kitchen about 3/4 of the day, unless I have to go out somewhere. When I do, they are in the puppy room so they can go outdoors to potty as necessary. They are very good about this. They are also fed in there and sleep all night cuddled up with their over-sized teddy bear together in an x-pen. Nobody complains and lights are out at 10 PM. There are no excuses regarding bedtime such as another drink of water, or boogie men under the bear, or complains of snoring. They are content puppies. :+)

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Red Boy is not named yet, as his owners want to mesh with him first before coming up with a suitable 'title'. I do believe they are working on his 'Pedigree Name' and I am waiting for that information. Till then, he is Red Boy and weighs 10 & 1/2 SOLID lbs. I do believe a Maine Moose is moving to New Jersey! :+)


I think you all know Hazel (8 lbs.) and Miss Eloise, who is peeking around the corner. She is always with the pups and mother hens them all the time. Both Hazel and Eloise are candidates for local guardian homes.


Here is Clancy! No more Green Boy for him! Yea! He is running full tilt in the snow and loving it. Clancy will always be the smallest sibling in the group at 7 lbs. A perfect 'package size' for his new owners.


Hazel (left) and Red Boy watching Clancy run around.

Our weekend of new experiences! (Olive x Cori 4 wks.)

At the tender age of 4 weeks, the pups were exposed to numerous new 'controlled' experiences.

Four different families came to introduce themselves to the litter and all of them were so good about being low keyed and very gentle with the pups. Thank you! This was the pups' first exposure to people other than myself and my husband. They actually did very well and as their potential owners come to visit more, they will see the pups develop more confidence with personalities emerging and the energy level increase by 7 fold!

Since they are now able to regulate their body temperatures, I started removing some of the foam 'draft prevention' squares, one by one, from their x-pen until all were gone. This impacted their world in a big way as some of the pics show below.

The rule of thumb is to always bring new things for the pups to be exposed to. So, each week I add a different toy, sound or texture for them to explore. This helps build up confidence and tolerance to new things and will need to be continued when they go home. It is suggested that your pup be introduced to THREE new things each and every day for an entire month when they go home with you. It can be as simple as a new sound, new walking path or new person - BUT BE SURE YOU DO IT! This is how to build your pup into a well rounded, curious and well adjusted puppy. :+)

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The big new activity this week was the placement of the Step 2 Playgym in their small area. It was very well received!


Both of these pups were attempting to climb to the top. One side is a slide and the other a very small step. Crucial for coordination development and a new challenge.


Cautious at first, but curiosity prevailed. :+)


Soon they were all giving it a try.


They were also very happy to meet their neighbors.


Clara's pups think they are so cute and were very happy to play nice with their toys.

Olive & Cori's litter is 4 weeks old tomorrow!

With visitors coming both days this weekend, I felt that it would be better to get their pics up today. I did not think anyone would complain.

These pups are really getting the hang of the feed dish and there is less 'oatmeal' footprints being tracked back to the crate. We have tried three different potty type containers, trying to find the one they prefer using as 'the bathroom' rather than a 'sleeping area'. Happens all the time, but I keep taking them out and putting them back on the cushion or stuffed animal. I know the potty areas are being used - but so is the floor, cushion, toys, etc. They will get it eventually. We must all remember they are still babies. :+)

They do have periods of playing. It is brief, but that will expand as they grow. Sizes are beginning to take shape. I believe, Orange Boy, Rose and Rainbow Girls will fall in Coriander's category while the others seem to favor Olive's size. Time will tell. The pups like to be held and are very good about getting their eyes trimmed. Hopefully, that will continue to be something they tolerate well.

They are seeing better but still frightened of sharp or loud noises - so children visiting must be gentle and use 'inside voices' please! :+)

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For this photo shoot, I placed them in a green wagon I usually have a pile of toys in. It contained them well and kept them safe but there is a bit of a 'greenish haze' in some areas of the pics.

The coats on these pups are full and will be wonderful to groom. They will grow quickly, so please be sure to get them use to brushing so that your groomer will be happy to see them and your doodle will have a pleasant experience.

I adore the lovely wide heads, nicely spaced eyes and soft expressions. :+)

Orange Boy - 3 & 1/4 lbs.


Blue Boy - 4 lbs.


Fudge Girl - 4 lbs.


Black Boy - 4 & 1/8 lbs.


Rainbow Girl - 3 & 1/8 lbs.


Rose Girl - 3 & 1/4 lbs.


Teal Boy - 3 & 3/4 lbs.

We have moved! (Olive x Cori)

Olive's pups are now three weeks old and they can see, hear, wobble, drink water and eat gruel. Of course, this now means lots more noise and definitely piles of messes that I now take care of not Olive. It comes with the territory. :+)

They are liking their new surroundings and certainly interested in the small world they now live in. From this time forward, each week will bring them new sites, sounds, textures, food intros and experiences. This is also the time that I must be very careful that they not get traumatized but also not live in a bubble. It can be a fine line. :+)

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Here they all are on moving day. They know my voice and have been having a wonderful time climbing out of their pool in the office - even after wrapping it in a baby bumper. They are ready to do some exploring and were letting me know.

Once moved, the new experience was 'dorm eating'. I believe I would call this a 'food fight'!! They wobbled out of their crate onto the 'dining room' and dove in. Oatmeal gruel blended with Goat's Milk and Gerber's baby food meat was everywhere including them. Oi!