Visitors

The pups had some more visitors today.

Cricket on the lap of a visitor

Cuddles with Cricket

A very relaxed Katy

Katy closeup

Skeeter getting his massage

Yet another hypnotized pup

Tired puppies on the crash pad under the back porch

A few pics

Still lots of snoozing going on

Pups in the puppy pen

Chow time for the yellow pups

5 weeks old

A belated 5 week update.  The gang is thriving, making up for their slow start.  The pups have been getting lots of outdoor time, and my living room is currently a puppy playland.  I have set out tunnels, ramps, boxes, and things that wobble or feel different under foot.  The pups are doing a great job keeping a clean puppy pen and toileting outside when giving the opportunity.  Outside, I have started taking them on short "walk abouts" to new areas of the yard and it is fun to watch them problem solve.  This weekend, they will start receiving visitors.  A couple of my co-workers joined me for puppy lunch today.  The pups gained approximately 1 1/2 lbs each last week.  They are still nursing, although Riley is starting to indicate she is ready to weaning.  They are currently getting individual meals of kibble with a small amount of milk.  Riley is down to 6 c of food.  Puppy weights at 5 weeks of age ranged form 6 lbs 12 oz (Cid) to 5 lbs 13 oz (Gnat).  Since then, Cid has become the first 7 pounder and Gnat has finally made it to 6 pounds. 

Lots more outdoor fun

All eight pups - I have added a crash pad to cover the front steps

The pups are currently using the steps as "home base" when outside

Skeeter demonstrating his mastery of steps - all the pups are able to get up and down the steps

Possibly Gnat

Skipper showing that he can also go down

Cid doing an "Up" 

Puppy wrestling

Sniffing and exploring

Skipper wrestling with Gnat

Katydid

Ladybug, not so graceful going over the drain spout

Ladybug sitting on front walk, she is so much darker than the other yellow pups

Silly Cricket chewing on a small stick

Cricket and Skeeter, Skeeter has a cowlick down his nose

There was still a bit of snow along the north side of the drive.  Probably the only time
the pups will get to experience snow before next winter. 

Checking it out

Katy - my favorite picture of the day

First outside adventure

The weather was finally warm enough to take the pups outside. 

Pups on the front lawn

Pups on the front walk

Pups at my feet

Sitting pretty

Ladybug exploring

Skeeter

Skeeter

Skipper exploring

Looks like little Midge who is proving to be quite bold

Incoming

Cid and Cricket

4 weeks old

The pups are loving life in the big puppy pen, very playful and interactive.  Their coordination improves by the day.  The pups weights ranged from 3 lbs 12 oz (Gnat) to 5 lbs 9 oz (Cid) - see how much they have grown in the table below.   Together, they are quickly approaching Riley's weight since she is a relatively petite girl.  Poor Riley has had her chow decreased to 8 cups of kibble (from 9 cups).  The pups are getting fed soaked kibble 3 to 4 times a day individually from bowls so that we can better control their rate of growth.   I added a small water bowl to the pen a week ago, and the pups are slowly starting to drink on their own.  At this age, mostly just paw and nose dunking, and or stumbling through the water bowl.  Until they can drink well on their own, I am being careful to provide adequate hydration with the kibble we are providing.  They have already had 3 nail trims and a couple of wormings.  We have introduced brushing, and have started invasive/rude petting and handling.  We cradle the pups briefly on their backs; massage feet, ears, and tail, pet them around their heads and mouth, etc.  The TV is next to the puppy pen and NPR is playing during the day when I am at work.  We are starting to also train basic manners by rewarding pups for being quiet with 4 feet on the ground.  Amazing how fast baby pups can learn to sit to get picked up or fed.  Looking forward to finally getting some Spring weather so that we can get the pups outside. 

Collar	Name	Sex/color	Birthweight	Day 6	2 weeks	4 weeks
Pink	Katydid	F/Y	8  oz	14.8 oz	1 lb 15.6 oz	4 lbs 11 oz
Blue	Cicada	M/B	11.4 oz	1 lb 5.4 oz	2 lb 7 oz	5 lbs 9 oz
Purple	Midge	F/B	7.6 oz	13 oz	1 lb 9.8 oz	4 lbs 2 oz
Yellow	Cricket	F/B	9.4 oz	1 lb 3 oz	2 lb 3 oz	5 lb
Black	Skeeter	M/Y	6.8 oz	12 oz	1 lb 12.4 oz	4 lb 6 oz
Orange	Gnat	M/B	7 oz	12 oz	1 lb 6 oz	3 lbs 12 oz
Green	Skipper	M/Y	10 oz	1 lb 3.8 oz	2 lb 3.8 oz	5 lbs 1 oz
Red	Ladybug	F/Y	10.8 oz	1 lb 2.2 oz	2 lb 3 oz	4 lbs 12 oz

A few more puppy pics

Look how bigs these pups have gotten

Pups hanging out next to me in the pen

Silly Gnat

Gnat wrestling with Cricket

Gnat takes down of his big sister

Paws up

Skeeter

Midge and Ladybug

Midge and Ladybug on my lap

Midge doing a nice "Visit" on my lap