Another Field Trip-The Big Yard

The pups got to run and play in the big yard--the  yard where are adult dogs play and run.  There are lots of trees: both aspen and pines.  There is a slight hill which is great for the pups' physical development.  There are all kinds of smells.  The pups had a great time.  All were curious; none were afraid of this new, big space.  They took a good nap after this experience.

Okay--let's play follow the leader.  Wait a minute--do we have a leader?

They say that you aren't supposed to prune a Colorado Blue Spruce--who are they?  I'll take care of this tree.

We are on a mission.

Tedy loves oregano.

Timmie says if you run really, really fast your ears will help you fly.

Eggball work

Today the pups all got to exercise on the eggball.  It was fun to sit with the pups while I bounced it gently and rocked it back and forth.  They all stood and sat on the ball and were relaxed as it moved.  While I would work one pup, several others were usually trying to climb up to get on the ball.  This work is good for developing core muscles and balance.  These pups love anything I try with them.  They are such fun to work with.

"Why can't you put all of us on the eggball?"

With a little support from me, Joey stands on the eggball.

Surprisingly Joey was able to balance on the ball while she turned to look at me.

Tedy sits on the eggball while Joey begs for another turn.

Great Grandmother Mackie (nearly 13 y/o) and Sadie fall asleep while guarding the gate to the x-pen. 

Catching Up

It's been quite a while since we've posted about the pups.  All are doing well-growing like crazy.  Sadie is still nursing them, but we are also feeding 'real' raw food to them, too. That's good with them.   They love to have people come visit and play with them--these are real people dogs.  It's very important that the pups are socialized with many people. They also have a good time playing on our deck.  We've had great weather which allows us to take them outside daily for play and fresh air.  They are now 5 weeks old.  We are having  fun with these pups.

This is Brady with our friend, Pat.

Our friend, Bill, came from Denver to see the pups and take photos of them with his new camera.  Here he is holding Joey and Petey. 

Johnnie (female) says that she is almost ready for utility obedience.

The pups practice their agility skills each day.  Here 2 are looking through holes in the tunnel (borrowed from Friday, the cat).  There was actually another puppy inside the tunnel.

The pups are now learning to stand and sit on a grooming table.  This is important for all the pups whether they are destined to be show dogs or not.  With this training they get used to being handled in a quiet relaxed manner.  It will pay off for conformation, performance and for going to the Vet for their check ups. We also like to use a grooming table when we groom our adult dogs.  It's much easier to brush teeth, brush the dogs, check them over, and do their toenails when they are on a grooming table.

This is Joey-liver female

This is Elway-black male

This is Georgie-black, ear patch female

This is Johnnie-black female

This is Montana-black male

This is Petey-liver, eye patch female

This is Tedy-black female

This is Timmie-black, ear patch female.  She is nicely marked-but the sunlight disguises that.

This is Tommie-black female

This is Brady-black male

Another Big Day

The pups are now eating one real food meal each day.  They didn't hesitate to dive in and lap up the fresh ground chicken necks and goats milk.  Not one picky eater in this bunch!

Elway enjoys chewing on a chicken neck.  For now the pups just learn to chew the necks.  Sadie cleans up when they are finished working on the necks.  They don't really eat them at this point.

Are Petey and Tedy really going to share this chicken neck?

For the first time Great Uncle Jordi got to meet the pups.  Here he is introducing himself to Brady while Sadie nurses other pups.  She is very trusting of Jordi.  He was extremely gentle with the pups and didn't mind when they were walking around and under him--really checking him out.

Field Trip

On Sunday the pups took their first field trip.  They celebrated their 3 week birthday by going outside to our deck.  For this occasion we set up x-pens so they would have lots of room to move around.  The weather was perfect: nice and warm with no wind.

They started this adventure with a picnic.

Of course, they brought Elmo along with them.

Elway took it upon himself to check fence.

Adam and Lauren, grandkids, came up to hold puppies.

It was a big day for the puppies!!

Toys

Today was toy day.  I put several toys in the whelping box with the pups--they were immediately very curious.  Not one pup thought the toys didn't belong.  One of the favorites was a big, furry toy sent to us from our friends, Rosemarie and Peggy, in Holland.  They pups are loving that toy-it's a hit.

Tedy and Montana attack the 'big furry thing.'

All Dalmatians must have their own pony.

Even as much as they have grown-Sadie can still fit everyone in.  She continues to be a great, patient, and tolerant mom.

Dad and Grandma and ustream

This morning Dad, Slade, and Grandma Stevie viewed the video of the pups on Pam's computer.  Slade notcied his pups talking to him first, then tried to find them.  When he couldn't find the pups, he called in Stevie for help.  The search began.

Slade:  "I can hear my puppies, but where are they?"

Slade:  "Mom, do you see the pups?  Can you hear the pups?  Where are they?"

Stevie: "Slade, they have to be here somewhere. We have got to find them!  Slade, I don't see them.  Could you have put them somewhere else? Now Slade, think about it. Did I ever put you guys behind the desk? Get serious!"

Slade: "Has Scandal been in here?"

Meanwhile, the pups here in Colorado were having a grand time playing with one another, having pigrail races,barking, eating and sleeping.  What a great life they lead.  2 (Tedy and Timmie) escaped out of the whelping box this morning.  Others tried to follow, but it was too late.  They had been caught by the humans.  Sadie has also discovered they have teeth.  Many are showing signs of hearing--yeah!  Tonight they got their first look at a doggie toy given to them by our friend, Annette.  They were very curious about the fuzzy ball.  Some tried to taste it while others tried to butt it.  Tomorrow the mobile gets put up--it will be fun to see who notices it first.

2 weeks old

The pups turned 2 weeks Sunday.  How they are growing and changing!  The spots are in and eyes are open except for a couple.  They are trying to walk and are actually getting around quite well.  Some of Sadie's best human friends have come to visit.  She greets them with smiles and her tail wagging.  She loves to show her pups to her friends.  We have decided that since we were watching football the day they were whelped, that we will use the names from some of our favorite football players for their litter names:  Green male is now Montana and the female is Joey for Joe Montana--a great player; Purple male is Brady and the female is Tommie for Tom Brady of the NE Patriots; Blue male is now Elway and the female is Johnnie-another great player; Red female is now Georgie for George Blanda--one of Tana's all-time favorite players-he played forever and there wasn't anything he couldn't do; Yellow female is now Timmie for Tim Tebow--we hope he and she both have great careers; Orange female is Tedy (yes-that is how the name is spelled) for Tedy Bruschi--another great player for the NE Patriots-Bernie's favorite team; our Pink female is Petey--we called her that from the time she popped out and it has stuck.

Sadie continues to be a great mom.

Eyes beginning to open

Our Purple male pup's eyes are beginning to open.  The others should be following his lead soon.  They are all trying to walk-very cute.  These pups are looking good--Slade and Sadie should be proud.

We love these photos that Pam Fisher, Slade's mom, put together.  It just goes to show that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Dad Slade as a pup on the left; Slade puppy (purple boy) on the right.

Spots are coming

Pups are beginning to show their 'true spots.'  Had their nails done today for the second time.  160 little toenails--sounds like a lot, but it really doesn't take long to do them.  They are growing before our very eyes.  Seems impossible that they are now almost 2 pounds--I'm betting some will be over that tomorrow.

Nursing just wears me out!!

My mom makes such a good pillow.