Sampling Mom's Food

Tonight the pups were still feeding when I had Zinger's dinner ready.  I took it over and put in the pen as I often do.  She'll eat while the pups nurse.  Things were going smoothly until, Chai decided Mom's food looked pretty good.  She moved over and began lapping it up.  Then the boys joined her.  I let it happen until Zinger began to growl at them. Zinger is not yet ready to share her dinner! 

Here is Chai after joining Mom for dinner.

No problem that she had soft dog food/yogurt all over her head!  The boys got busy and cleaned her up. (Sorry this is not on video. It was fun to watch!)

Once Chai was mostly clean, she began working on her brothers.

After all that...time for a nap!

Growing and Changing!

Here's a few videos I put on YouTube to show you how the pups are growing and changing. We now talk about "when they were little"! (It was 2 weeks and 2 days ago that they were born.)

Amazing how the pups are blind one day.  The next day, the eyes open and immediately their limbs seem to strengthen, their squeaks become mini "barks", they even seem to "play"...they become little border terriers!

Watch these little ones find what is really important to them!

AND

Bravo Junior now has also opened his eyes.  

Tiberius - eyes also open

Yesterday, the pups got to go on their first "long" field trip.  My sister and her husband were headed to the airport after a week long visit.  We decided it was a good day for an adventure.  The little guys are pros at travel.  They squeal a bit and then go to sleep. Except for some clean-up times and some feeding. Zinger rode in a separate crate with Bonny. It was an easy trip.

When we were home again and all the pups were being loved a bit (by us humans) before going into their puppy den, I noticed that Tiberius had his eyes open as well.  Junior will be the last...maybe today.  It was hard to get a photo of Tiberius as he was squirming so!  Here's a head shot and an eye shot - in different photos!

Zinger is spending more time away from the pups.  It is interesting to watch the process.  Though ever alert to their needs, she is spending more time outside, entering into some of her "before puppy" behaviors with Bonny.  Zinger initiated a short play session with Bonny last night, the first in many weeks.  They are curling up together again in crates, beds, etc.  Here they are in their bunk bed...sharing the bottom bunk.  

Eyes Open - 13 days old!

It has been a busy few days.  My sister and her husband are visiting from Indiana and are doing much to help socialize these pups.  Between us, there is one pup per adult so we spend a little time holding and petting them each evening.  Field trips continue, though the pups sleep their way through most of the excursions out. The focus for these little guys (and their mother) has been on getting (and giving) mother's milk to grow!  Their efforts are paying off.  All pups are well over a pound now.  They have become sturdy little BT pups.

The first born, Bryce, and the last born, Chai, have their eyes open today!  See?!!!

Chai

Bryce

The other two pups will open their eyes soon. I will be certain to take a picture to celebrate the occasion when it happens.

Here's a picture of all four doing what they do best after a good nursing session:

Just plain cute!

Here are some cute photos...enjoy!

Tiberius loves sleeping on his back. He is a fat, happy and  contented pup!

One Week Old Today!!

Here is an attempt at some individual shots of these little guys.  I believe I have the photos labeled correctly but when going through a dozen shots to find a good one of each...it is easy to confuse who is who.

Tiberius

Bravo Junior

Bryce

Chai

A sample to show that these guys don't just sleep and eat! Look at this little guy go.....no wonder Mom needs a break!  (This is Bravo Junior, I think, but it could be Bryce! Took some video of each and without seeing the white on the chest...I just do not know.)

Zinger taking a much needed break!

Bonny's Son, Dodge, comes to visit

This week-end there is a dog show in Sequim.  Dodge, Bonny's son, is being shown by his 4H owner, Caleb.  Dodge has done well in the show world!  Grand champion and continues to compete. Dodge stopped by for a visit with his Mom (and us)!  It is fun to see how he has grown up.

Bonny on right and Dodge on left.  He's a handsome boy.

Here is what Dodge (then Fos) looked like just before he moved to his new home.  It was his last visit with us.

Any dog Charlotte has bred and raised knows her.  They never forget those early lessons with her - to come when called and how to behave to get treats!  Here is Bonny, Dodge and Zinger - all know exactly what is expected from them in order to get some treats.

First field trip

Puppies who travel in a car at a very young age, do not get car sick, I am told!  Charlotte takes her litters and her dogs to work with her each day.  Luckily, I am on summer vacation as that would not be possible for me to do.  Instead, we shall go on daily field trips.  That way the pups will not be strangers to being loaded up and transported when they go to live with Charlotte. 

Sometime, between 4 and 5 weeks, Zinger and pups will go to live with Charlotte.  Skip and I become "back-up" baby-sitters" on week-ends.  That way the pups do not lose out on all the wonderful toys and environments that Charlotte has to offer them.  She also begins their training...potty, come when called, etc. Charlotte mentors us so that we do all those important preparation exercises so they are "good to go" when they move to her home.  And the lucky pups learn they are safe with different people in different places!

This morning, I had a short errand in town.  It was cool enough that I decided this would work as their first outing.  

Used this deep basket to transport the babies to and from the car crate.

Zinger getting out at the end of the trip.  Used the smooth sided plastic crate so babies would not get stuck in the wire crate sides!

Loaded babies up and brought them back inside.  I put the basket down for a minute in their puppy pen.  Zinger was a little anxious with this procedure, as you can see.  She crawled right in with them! 


It was a good trip for our first one!  Babies traveled with their Mom easily.  No whining from adults or babies going or returning home.  The adult dogs were happy to "go" again...as they usually do go with me.  The pups did not know the difference.  Zinger seemed fine when loading and unloading the car crate.  The anxiety appeared only once we were returning pups to their puppy pen.  She needed to be certain everyone got back where they belonged once we were home!

A little "action"

Some folks requested some action!  Well....5 day old pups can be pretty active but not all at the same time!  "Action" is more individual at this point...and that is only if you happen to see them crawling away from the others to hide in some warm, hidden spot!  Usually the action happens when you are not looking.  When checking on the pups and you only find one or two.....the search is on.  Sometimes baby gets stuck under the blanket and can't figure out how to get back.  Then the squeals begin!  They are easier to locate when squealing!!

This video demonstrates how well the pups are eating and growing.  All are gaining daily! It is also the very best action at this stage where all pups are"moving" at the same time.

Mom and Babies are doing well!

All the pups are gaining daily.  No worries.  Zinger seems to be a great "milking" machine!

Charlotte came by yesterday to puppy sit for awhile.  As she took a day off so she would be available for their birth on Tuesday AND as they were already born on Sunday, I got to go run some errands.  She used the time productively to take care of the dew claws.  All is well.  None of the puppies seemed to notice - really!

Zinger is a very attentive mom.  She does take a break now and then but, as you can see, she stays close by to make certain none of her babies need her.  One "squawk" out of any of them and she is ready to get back into the crate to take care of her babe!

You probably cannot tell in the picture above, but she has her figure totally back except for the necessary feeding equipment on her tummy.  Oh.... if humans could be so lucky!!!  When she is not in the crate, she is moving taking care of her needs.  No time to spare during these occasional breaks! 

Hard to get a good picture!

Thought you might enjoy seeing what Charlotte does when she is "relaxing" while waiting for puppies to be born.  Also kept her occupied during puppy sitting time when she was not taking off dew claws!  The puzzle is more than half done!

Introducing the Babies

These little guys and gal are not quite 24 hours old. 

Please note: it is really difficult to take a picture of a squirming, little pup! 

For those that are interested, it gives you some idea of what each little one looks like. 

FYI: all are doing very well and have gained weight since birth

Bryce - the first born

Junior

Chai

Tiberius (See the "T" on his chest?)

So...what do you think?  Are they not the best pups EVER?!!!!

Birth Announcement

Zinger and Bravo

are proud to present to you

their new family.

Born 7/21/2013

Bryce     6 7/8 ounces     a dark grizzle boy     2:40 PM

in honor of a special grandson whose birthday is July 23. 

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Tiberius   6 7/8 ounces   a light grizzle boy     3:15 PM
Suggested by my daughter....puppy has a big "T" on his chest! Maybe nicknamed "Mr. T"!

Bravo Junior     5 1/8 ounces    a light grizzle boy     4:13 PM 

in honor of his DAD, of course...shall be known as "Junior"

Chai         5 1/2  ounces   a dark grizzle girl!    5:05 PM

in honor of a great neighbor and a good friend - who happens to have a birthday tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Gina. (Chai is her favorite tea!)

*Puppy names will be used until adoption into their new homes!

Zinger and Bravo, Mom and Dad

The romance was an arranged, long distance one.  A visit to Toledo, Ohio proved that this arranged romance was meant to be. 

MOM: Zinger, still with her figure!

DAD:  Bravo's owner sent me these so I could see Zinger's mate! 

 He is a very handsome boy...don't you agree? 

With such handsome parents, these pups should be terrific!

Where, oh where?

The search is on!  Where, oh where, shall I have my puppies?

Zinger is getting ready.  This morning she got up and began a very busy "nest" search.  She has been looking on and off for days.  Her favorite sites seem to be between the wall and fireplace or under the back deck. As that doesn't work for the humans in her life...we have frustrated her by making certain those areas are off limits. However, that does not keep her from checking them out.  She keeps circling around the house, thinking a new special place will open up. 

After Zinger dug in all the dogs beds in the house (and there are quite a few), she finally agreed to rest in the puppy pen.  She likes the lid partially closed.  More like a den? She has spent most the morning there.

Happy Spring

 March 1 -  Certainly came in "like a lamb" - no "lion" weather out there!

The sun was out. It was so "spring like" that I just sat on the deck for about an hour after work.  The girls were out enjoying their day. They were running loops in our yard in an effort to keep track of all the outdoor "spring" action: birds, cows, cars, cats, people. Everyone was out today!  In between the running and gleeful barking, there were a number of rest times.  Even then, both dogs were always on alert!  Here are some nice shots.

Here's Zinger:

On my lap...

On alert - the cows were out and moving around the pasture!

Higher is always good-especially when Bonny just got down!

A very smart and pretty girl!!


And Here's Bonny:

My gentle girl ...

Bonny likes it high - the better to see everything!

Happy Spring-for as long as it lasts!

(I suspect winter will be back for a bit.)