Nap time. Adjusting to all new things tires a puppy out!

Boomer looks very happy.

The pups were 9 weeks old yesterday!
They are still baby puppies, but time has passed
quickly. All the reports from Rigby, Boomer, Marlowe,
and Stanley are good. Everyone is settling in and happy.
Pearl goes home on Sunday. She and Miss Yellow are having
fun together, playing in the pool and making mischief. I took them
for a van ride to visit at a friend's house. Another outing is planned
for today. The girls have a busy social calender. : )

Thank you for letting me know how the puppies are doing.
I understand how busy you are with your new pup, and I appreciate
that you took the time to keep me posted. Thank you!

A rest stop for a little couch time.

First stop on the way home for Boomer was playtime with

Beanie the Corgi. Breeze (on right) can't believe that Boomer

is coming home with her.

Marlowe reports that he has discovered toy baskets are filled

with things he can play with, and that crate doors open faster

when all four paws are on the ground. Spenser has discovered

that the puppy isn't going away, and he is fun to play with.

Rigby and Trilby running on an Oregon beach.
Happy puppy!

Rigby had a four day road trip on her way home.

She has been out in pastures, fields, orchards,
been to the woods, the redwood forrest, visited rivers,

walked out on docks, been caught in fog, caught in a

thunderstorm, roamed through hotel lobbys and by

swimming pools. Lynn and Michael report that she is a

great traveler.

Spa Day for the girls! They like to "dig at" the
water coming in by the hose nozzle. Did I mention that
they love water?! Miss Pink on left (tummy in the water),
and Miss Yellow on the right.

Mr. Blue, aka Boomer, is ready for his new adventure!

KibbleMan says goodbye to Boomer (with his
sisters). Boomer gives KibbleMan a tug on his
moustache! Naughty puppy! : )

Some important words:

do your business: for going potty

More words the pups are familiar with.

kennel: as I am putting them in a crate.

quiet

leave it!

aaaaat!: stop what you are doing!

relax: said in a soothing tone with a body rub

Reflections.
For the first time, I went back to the
blog pages of the puppies first week. Looking at
the videos of the weeones nursing, and moving about
so strong....it's hard to believe it was just two months ago.
What a wonderful, exciting, tearful, happy, and exhausting
time it has been.

Pearl (Miss Pink) loves the kids.

Boomer (Mr. Blue) loves the kids.

Marlowe reports in. He has two new big dog friends at home,
Nicholas (lab) and Spenser (flat-coat).

The three pups spent most of yesterday playing in the pool,
wrestling in the grass and dirt, and playing chase.
Today's schedule includes an outing in the van, and more
children visiting. We are expecting hotter temperatures each
day this week. I'll be focused on keeping them as cool as I can.

Miss Pink, who will be known as Pearl.

The happy trio.

Mr. Blue, Miss Pink and Miss Yellow all ate
breakfast in their own bowls this morning (for
the first time). Previously, the girls ate out of the
"flying saucer" bowl together, and the boys ate from
their own bowls. The boys eat faster than the girls.
This way, I could control how much was eaten.

KibbleMan modified the puppy pens a bit this morning.
We are trying to keep Houdini (Mr. Blue) from escaping!
He almost got out twice yesterday (by climbing over the
board at the entrance).

Rigby (formerly Miss Purple) taking Trilby for a walk.

And then there were three. It's been a long day...with
fond memories to treasure. Thank you puppy families,
for loving your new companions, and being prepared for them.
I look forward to news and photos (hint, hint).
Now we are three....but only for a short while.

Mr. Red aka Marlowe ready for adventure!

Mr. Green aka Stanley with his new best friend!

Miss Purple aka Rigby leaves for her new life. Bye sweet girl!

The Journey Begins
It's Going Home Day One.
Reports and photos to come much later.
Mr. Red aka Marlowe, Miss Purple aka Rigby,
and Mr. Green aka Stanley meet their very special
people today.

The sire's owner, Anna Daly, was quite pleased
with the structural quality of the puppies. They also
charmed her with their personalities. :)

More visitors, puppy play, a wee bit of training,
a nap or two...and soon it will be time for some to
go home. Mr. Red, Mr. Green and Miss Purple will
be going home tomorrow.

Anna Daly (Eagletarn), will be evaluating the
puppies today. She owns the puppies' sire, Lore.

An example why it's important to have kids visit
puppies. Kids do things adults don't. : )

Sam, Mr. Green and Beth.

Kid Visit Thoughts
Instead of letting them greet them on the ground,
I would hold a pup in my lap while Sam, Gus and Camille
rubbed and talked to each pup. The puppies were so gentle.
I was very proud of them. They were interested in all the wee
toes in the sandals. : ) Both boys wanted to hold each one (to
see how heavy they were). The pups didn't wiggle or struggle,
just went along for the ride. Sammy was a star asking lots of
questions, and enjoying each pup for how different they were.

Mr. Blue telling Beth a secret!

Puppy toys can be kid toys too!

Mr. Green charming Sam for some tummy rubs.

Miss Purple checking out the girly sandals.
After greeting all the children with wagging tails
(safely on the other side of the pen), the pups were
introduced one at a time.

8 weeks old today! In some ways, it's hard
to believe that they are that old. This is the
time I look at puppies and say "it's time for you to
begin your journey!". It's bittersweet. They will be joining
the families that have waited so long for them. We will miss each one.
We've tried very hard to give them a healthy, happy start and prepare
them for their new lives. They begin to go home on Saturday.

We have lots of children coming to visit today. Photo op!

Three pups came along for the ride while
I ran two errands this morning. Miss Purple,
Mr. Green, and Miss Pink were perfect travelers.
They were quiet from the time I put them in
the crate, until I made the last turn for home
(two hours in the van). Then, Miss Purple let me
know she needed to"do her business"....
and she did (at home). Mr. Red, Mr. Blue, and
Miss Yellow had a peanut butter Kong to share
while we were gone. It is very clean now.

Peanut butter is your friend. The pups willingly
have their nails trimmed by KibbleMan while I
keep them occupied with licking peanut butter
from a spoon. Good puppies!

Escape! Mr. Blue escaped the pen last night!!!
He heard food being prepared (they are usually
in the kitchen with me while I prepare meals).
He decided he was going to miss out if he didn't
get in there quick....and he did! KibbleMan and I
looked at each other with surprise. Oh my! He "raised
the bar", putting an extension on all the pen entrances.
Mr. Blue, agility dog indeed.

Puppy play (that is not our dog barking).

Busy Days! Yesterday was the temperament test.
The journey was over two hours one way, and they were
super travelers. I was so proud of them. The pups tested well,
and consistent with what I have observed. A couple of the
girls were too sleepy at the end to be tested well, but I feel
confident that I know them well by observation in all the
experiences they have had. We also did a structural evaluation.
They are nice puppies! : )

Mr. Blue...future agility dog? All the pups love to
climb and walk over things. Mr. Blue did this twice
on his own, and we encouraged him to do it again
for the video.

Two of the words the pups are most
familiar with are No Bite! I have worked
on bite inhibition since they first started
mouthing/biting weeks ago. They are doing very well,
and I will show you how to continue this when you pick
up your puppy.

I'm compiling a list of words the puppies are
familiar with. I've given them an *introduction*
to the basics.

Sit

Stand

Down: lay down

Puppy Here!: come (pup pup pup is
more informal and usually gets their
attention)

Off: when the pup is jumping up-to get off,
also when they are standing with paws up
on the side of the pen-most times I tell them
off as I put them in a sit then pick the pup up.

Let's go: to come along with me.

More later, pups just woke up from a nap.

More field fun!

Look out! We're coming!

Mr. Red

Wheeeeee!

The pups had a grand time in the field!

Mr. Blue (top) with the group.

Miss Pink

Field Trip! The puppies outing today with be to
acreage that we lease with a group of dog friends
(for training). We'll bring the camera and hope to
get some good photos of the not-so-weeones.

KibbleMan, aka ApplianceMan, is removing
the old washer now. He'll install the new one shortly
and I'll have opportunity to get caught up with the
piles of laundry awaiting me.

Cooling off in the sprinkler.

Mr. Red (with Mr. Blue)

Miss Pink

The puppies had an early morning excursion
to a friend's house. They were all quiet when
I put everyone in the crates to leave! There was
very little noise as we took off. They then traveled
quietly for the short trip. The puppies played in a new yard,
exploring and playing with some toys. On the way home,
all was quiet. Mr. Green and Miss Purple fell asleep. I had
to wake them up after taking the other pups out of the crates
at home.

The pup's dance card is quite full for
the next week! So much to do, places
to go, people to see!

I had planned to get new photos taken yesterday,
but there just weren't enough hours in the day.
KibbleMan was busy trying to fix the washer,
which he has decided needs to be replaced. :(

Vet exam.....check!
First vaccination....check!
Microchips....check!
Thank you to Beth for carrying puppies back
and forth to the van, listening to their complaints,
and spoiling them. I couldn't have done it without you!

The pups are 7 weeks old today! They decided to
start celebrating early, waking up at 3 am! Once awake
and pottied, they could not be persuaded that it was too
early for breakfast. (yawn)

A long drive for the puppies this morning.
They complained about the accommodations,
the lack of DVD player to watch movies, and no
"in flight" snacks! ; ) They did eventually settle down.
I wish I'd remembered to bring my earplugs!

Puppy Secrets?

Miss Pink

Miss Purple

Miss Yellow

Happy 4th Birthday to Paris!
She will celebrate with BBQ steak and vanilla ice cream!

Mr. Green sleeping in the water bowl.

Pool Puppies. Slideshow here.

Mr. Blue

Miss Yellow

The pups went on a ride in the van, 3
pups to a crate. They are vocal about the
whole experience again. We have lots of rides
planned for the next two weeks.

I've added my field whistle to the recalls.
I blow the whistle "toot toot" then call "puppy here!".
The pups are rewarded with yummy meat baby food
for coming.

Life is good!

Mr. Green with toy 07-09-09. More photos
here with thanks to Jeanne and Tom Thompson.

KibbleMan tries to get a puppy closeup. : )

New noise for the puppies...thunder!!
A thunder storm just rolled in. The pups
were sound asleep in the outside pen on the deck.
The impressive sounding thunder didn't wake them!
I quickly moved everyone inside to safety.

A few photos KibbleMan took last night. I'll try
to upload more later. Off to play with, clean up after,

and feed the pups (and clean up after).

The pup's after breakfast nap gives me the
opportunity to quickly catch up on the computer.
The puppies are doing well with their "lessons".
Each one is learning sit, down, stand and recalls.
Good puppies!

Everybody outta the pool!

Maggie and Mr. Green. Sorry that this is so
dark. Uploaded videos always appear darker
than they started out.

There are lots of visitors coming today.
I'll try to get photos up as soon as I can.

Next week is the vet check, first vaccinations
and microchiping.

Six weeks old!! We still have growing
and learning to do before we go home.

Miss Pink

Miss Yellow

Miss Purple

Mr. Blue

Mr. Red

Mr. Green

A bit of puppy fun with the popper toy!

A variety of noises for the pups yesterday:
a compressor running a power washer, leaf blower,
skill saw, and 2 garbage trucks coming up to the
front fence. The pups handled it all in stride.

KibbleMan showed his Equipment Manager skills
modifying the inside puppy pen last night. The pups
now have more room and two levels. After exploring
and approving the design, the pups settled in.

The puppies will see rain today. They have
been playing in the water, so it won't be a big
surprise. They are getting big, more like small doggies.
Weights today:
Mr. Blue-11 lbs
Mr. Red-9 lbs 9 oz
Mr. Green-10 lbs 13 oz
Miss Pink-8lbs 13 oz
Miss Yellow-9 lbs 6 oz
Miss Purple-7 lbs 8 oz

Mr. Green (on left) and Miss Pink. Not much action,
but you can see how big they are getting.

Last night we had a puppy party.
There were more big, loud fireworks in our neighborhood
than usual. It went on for about 2 1/2 hours. The pups had
been sound asleep, but woke up even with all the background
noise we provided (air conditioner, music, TV, fans).
I couldn't take them outside to do their business. I let them
loose in the livingroom/diningroom/kitchen. Yes, it was a bit messy,
but the puppies did super. They played and romped with loud background
music, only occasionally noticing a loud "boom". At about 11:45 pm, I was
finally able to bed them down for the night. A late night puppy party indeed.
I hope they don't expect that to happen every night! :)

Mr. Green in his camo "collar". Thank you servicemen
and servicewomen for keeping us free!

The smallest puppy, Miss Purple, pulling on the
largest puppy's tail (Mr. Blue).

Miss Yellow and Mr. Red.

Miss Pink, Miss Yellow and Mr. Green.

Pinkerooooo!

Miss Yellow power napping with visions of bumpers
in her head.

Miss Purple.

Here's licking at you Mr. Blue!

Mr. Green (front) and Mr. Red at the water bowl.

Here's looking at you, Mr. Red!

Happy 4th of July! With our warm weather,
the pups have had trouble sleeping. Last night
we put a fan over them, and they rested more
comfortably. KibbleMan brought home a kiddie
pool yesterday for his favorite puppies.

Sorry for the delay this morning. My DSL
has been down for hours. I was in the process
of uploading the previous video when it quit.

Pups can communicate well. :) Miss Pink (left),
Mr. Green, Mr. Red and Mr. Blue (center), and
Miss Yellow and Miss Purple at the water bowl (right).
KibbleMan delivered more shavings after this was
taken yesterday. This puppy pen is on the back deck.
It's more quiet to take them out there first thing in the
morning (instead of the front puppy pen). There is forest
behind the back fence.

Miss Pink. Mr. Red, Miss Purple.

We are water dogs! The weather is very warm
(for here), so I let the pups cool off in some water
in a crate tray. Mr. Red.

Mr. Green sleeping with his head on the water bowl.

Miss Pink (top) and Miss Yellow. The pups love sleeping
in or under things (the stools, tunnels, totes, chairs, tables).