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Introducing....The Sensational Six Born October 8, 2010
Gracie and Elvis are proud to announce the birth of six adorable puppies. Four girls and two boys. All have beautiful ridges, no kinked tails and no dermoids detected. Of course we have lots of white feet but that was to be expected with mom and dad both having them. The puppies are large, strong and healthy. Gracie is an outstanding mom and we have to insist that she leave the whelping box to potty.
Week 1: The puppies' first week flew by. We began early neurological stimulation on day 3 and this bunch of puppies aren't phased one bit by the strange positions we put them in. The puppy in this photo is yawning, which they do a lot. Their noises are sweet and endearing to hear, no squeaking or squealing for these little guys (at least not yet).
It doesn't matter when you look in the box, they are always lying all over their mother. I managed to catch this one. We aren't surprised since Gracie loves to snuggle.
Week 2: Look how much they've grown! This week is all about change. They can hear and their eyes are open. By the end of the week all the puppies are standing on their legs stumbling around the box. They still enjoy climbing on their mom and she is still attentive to their every need.
The puppies are alert and active and love when the any of us climb in the box for playtime. As soon as they hear us enter the room they pop their little heads up in anticipation of human interaction.
Week 3: What a busy week! Now that the puppies are mobile playtime is in full swing. We've introduced some toys for their playing pleasure as well and the ones that squeak are a hit. By the end of this week they will spend their daytime hours in the puppy pen we have set up in our kitchen where they can be in the middle of all the action!
Here the puppies are being introduced to puppy gruel. They are interested but end up getting most of it all over themselves and the box. Gracie loves coming in for clean up! It won't be long before they are licking the bowl clean.
Week 4: The puppies were introduced to lots of new places this week. First they spend some time in the puppy pen. Then they get to enjoy the warm screened porch. Last they get to check out the backyard. These little guys didn't miss a beat. They explored and played with confidence in each new area. When they were through they all piled up for a nice nap!
Week 5: We've had warm, sunny afternoons and the puppies love exploring the backyard. Mom still spends lots of time with them teaching them all sorts of useful information.
The puppies are licking the bowl clean these days. They seem to be getting bigger every day.
Week 6: Here Grandma Zoe is having her turn minding the puppies. She is a steady, confident influence giving lessons in manners when necessary. Zoe was the best mother I have ever seen and now that she has passed those skills on to her girls she is enjoying being a grandma. The puppies seem in awe of her while paying careful attention to her every move.
There not a shortage of people who love to play with puppies at our house. Even my husband takes a turn rolling around with the little darlings. Zoe is right there getting her lick in first.
Week 7: It's hard to believe this will be our last full week with the puppies. They enjoy time outside with the big dogs who enjoy teaching them about the world around them.
Annie has taken over the role as puppy nanny and she seems to enjoy it as much as Gracie did. The puppies love to play with Annie and I often see her bowing down so they can climb all over her head and neck. I never captured a shot of that but here she is hard at work!
Week 8: All the puppies have gone to their forever homes! What a wonderful bunch of babies. They will truly be missed by everyone here. Puppies from left to right....Boomer, Jessie, Cammie, Coco, Chanterelle and Chewie. |
