Day 26--Changes

I suppose each day could be titled "Changes" as it seems the puppies, as well as their environment,  change daily. Yesterday I added this blow up, wiggly, spikey toy. Nikos was the first to give it a try. He managed to get to the center and then it started moving about and he decided he had investigated enough. I also added a plastic bottle filled with popcorn kernels that I duct taped shut. It made a great gadget for startle/recovery and also fun for the pups to roll around. You may notice that I also enlarged the potty box. I am seeing about 1/3 of the deposits make it to the box. I'm shooting for 100% but I may be dreaming. Last night worked great because they were closed into the whelping pen with just enough space for their bed and a potty box. I got up to a clean pen this morning. Of course shortly afterwards I fed them in the play pen and followed around as they left their messes everywhere. All is quiet now; they ate, they pooped, they played and then everyone headed back to the whelping pen for a nap. They come and go from the whelping pen on their own during the day.

Another change yesterday was an outdoor pen that I placed on the deck. They didn't all make it out there yet but a few had a try. It was a little scary to be out in the big world with different footing but they did well. I will eventually set up a pen out in the grass for yet another experience. 

Meal time has become a little crazy as they grow. It will soon become too crowded for them all to get around the bowl. Barb will loan me her puppy saucer so no one misses out. 

Feeding has become an issue for Hope. Take one look at the photo below and you will see that with all of those sharp teeth this is no pleasure for her. Yesterday she began to refuse to lie down for the puppies and would just stay long enough, even standing, to just get the puppies excited and then she would jump out of the pen. I decided it was time to dry her up so that she will be able to go in and enjoy the pups again. I have cut her food in half and closed her out of the pen. Yesterday was stressful for her---and me. She wants to be with them ---but she doesn't. I let her sleep in my bedroom last night with the door closed but neither of us had a great night. Hopefully today will be easier. 

We had more visitors yesterday come and love on the babies. Elaine and her daughter Paris had a great time sitting in the pen and having the Kidz crawling all over them. One of these puppy girls will be going home with them soon to become a show dog and family pet. Which one???