Daisy helps Piper's pups navigate the ramp for a 'breathe of fresh air'!

After quite a bit of yelping and complaints, I let the pups out of their pen for some play time. Daisy likes to be with them and allows them to nurse for short periods of time and then jumps straight up in the air when one of them 'bites' too hard. Daisy is soooo tolerant!

To get away from them, Daisy would go out the dogie door and then come right back in, so I took that opportunity to keep the door open and hoped the pups would follow Daisy outside.  Here is a segment of the event.  :+)

Some of the pups are very brave and immediately follow Daisy out.

Others are s l o w l y thinking about this challenge.

Oh, they want to but are just not quite 'there' yet. 

Some are very brave boys and girls!

Others tentatively watch with much interest.

Daisy looks at the ones still inside as if to say 'Are you coming, or not'?

A new bed....Piper x Thomas litter.

Today, I decided I needed a new bed for puppies. I knew I wanted one with rounded edges and a bit of height for 'soft climbing' to encourage muscle development and to be a bit of a challenge as well. I found just what I wanted at Target!

It seems all the pups are happy with my choice.  :+)

If you look really close, you will see that there are two black pups snuggled together on the left front.
From left clockwise: Tan and Black, Green, Yellow, Pink (hiding), Blue, Red, Purple, Pumpkin and Teal.

HAZEL#2 X EMMETT - INDIVIDUAL PICS!

Okay, photography has been burning brightly lately and will continue for a few weeks! Please enjoy Hazel's little sweethearts, who are all of three days old.  Hope you don't mind that I continued the Valentine theme.  :+)

They are identified by the color of their collars.

Lime Male.

Checker Male.

Rose Female.

Navy Male.

Copper Male.

Lilac Female.

Denim Female.

Cutting it close today for pic updates. WEEK FIVE OF PIPER X THOMAS PUPS!

As always, it has been a busy week. All is well with two litters occupying most of my time. Both are doing well, so all is good.

Week five is such a change from the previous weeks. Now the pups bite like crazy and attach themselves to your shoes, clothes and dust pan - so doing anything takes forever! I did use the vacuum for a short time this morning because it is very loud but short bursts of it helps desensitize them. They yell to be let out of their pen to play in the room - they understand 'more space' for sure!

Daisy interacted with them for a brief time this morning as I was preparing Hazel and her litter for a routine trip to the vet for a check up. It is too cold today for considering outside but I did open the door for those willing to peek and consider - none were up to the challenge.  :+)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Purple Girl is at 4 lbs. this week.

Teal Girl weighs 4 lbs. 

Green Boy is a solid 4 1/4 lbs.

Pink Girl, the smallest pup at 3 1/2 lbs.

Pumpkin Girl is also 4 1/4 lbs.

As is Yellow Girl - 4 1/4 lbs.

Tan Boy - 4 1/4 lbs.

Red Boy - 3 3/4 lbs. - will be the smallest male in the litter.

Blue Boy - 4 1/2 lbs. tracking to be his daddy's size.

Black Boy - 4 3/4, the biggest pup in the litter.

It is early in the morning and Hazel is whelping! PICS!

Hazel had been quite uncomfortable and panting excessively all day Saturday and I knew she was in early stage labor. I decided it would be easier on my back to have her snuggle with me on the couch for bedtime and sure enough, right around 12:30 she began to have some small contractions. So I immediately got her set up under my desk and by 1 am, I could see the first pup making its journey into the world.

• 1:11 am - Black Female weighing 9 ounces - Rose Collar
• 1:30 am - Creamy Apricot Female weighing 6 3/4 ounces - Lilac Collar
• 2:15 am - Black Female weighing 7 5/8 ounces - Denim Collar
• 2:47 am - Creamy Apricot Male weighing 6 3/4 ounces - Checker Collar
• 3:10 am - Creamy Apricot Male weighing 7 1/4 ounces - Navy Collar
• 3:58 am - Creamy Apricot Male weighing 6 5/8 ounces - Lime Collar
• 4:55 am - Apricot Male weighing 8 1/2 ounces - Copper Collar

All went well and I look forward to taking a nap later on to be ready for the game this evening. :+)

                                     

Week Four of Piper x Thomas litter is all about exploration!

Here are some casual shots of the pups during week four that show them becoming so much more inquisitive and mobile.  :+)

The pee pads are on the floor to give them traction on the tiles and prevent slippage at this young age.

I kept the door open and one pup is very curious about what is out there!

 

I love that many of them will return to the potty box when necessary!

Under the cabinet is an interesting place.

Gotta go!

Look! I am on the stairs!

Wanna play little man?

Oh goodness, they potty a lot.

Legs! This tunnel has legs!!

Twins??  Nope, he is looking at his reflection in the mirror.  :+)

It was great that there have been quite a few visitors to socialize the pups so far this weekend. Two brave families even came during our snowstorm on Friday! Today, we also had two come and I had to cancel the last one because Miss Hazel seems to be quite uncomfortable and has begun early signs of whelping. I won't know if it will be tonight or tomorrow but I am keeping a close eye on her.

I think Piper may be going back to her guardian home very soon as she is quite ready to leave the care of her ten demanding puppies to me! She really needs the break so that she can begin to gain weight again and enjoy her freedom. Her pups are in good hands.  :+)

Whever there is a lap, there is Hazel.

She prettily perched on my husband Carl last night as we watched tv.  She has great balance in spite of that big belly!