4 Weeks Old!

WE are 4 weeks old today! YIPPEE! Don't know why I am so excited, except that each week is a triumph that I myself survived (LOL). They are growing and developing and it is a very exciting time for a breeder. To see the fruits of my labor and years of developing my line coming together. Sometimes things turn out exactly as you expected and sometimes they do not, but as long as all are sound, healthy, hearing and sweet and socialized, I have done a good job. The ones that make it to the label of show quality or "show potential" are icing on the cake. Spotting is such a critical part of a Dalmatian. An otherwise almost perfect specimen can quickly become a pet if too many or too little spotting. Hearing is critical and all continue to hear! All are very SOUND little buggers. Alot of hurdles crossed already, now to start looking for the nit picky stuff.

I apologize I have been so very busy with WORK this week that I have had little time to amuse you with stories of puppy kisses, puppy breath, growling, and even barking. They are so darn cute and will be ready for socialization beginning at Week 5. I will plan a puppy social... maybe get some ice cream or something... (except that I am on a diet!). Okay maybe watermelon! I am picky about germs, so must have clothes that have not been around public dogs, kennel club, shelter, boarding kennels etc. Will have to spray your shoes with mild clorox water at my gate, and wash and wipe down your hands.

Okay for today... it is now 3 p.m. and I am going to try to get a few photos... I meant to work until noon, run an errand and then puppy photos, but am now far behind...

Our first attempt at stack pictures was not awful... they were sleepy and I am all out of block cheese! That is the only way I can get good puppy stack photos... I did take some, but I am going to go to the store and get some cheese I can cut into strips.

Black Girl 1

Black Girl 3

Liver Girl 2

Liver Boy

Liver Girl 4

Liver Girl 4

27 Days Old...

Today we decided to wake our Momma Julia up at 4 a.m.! I bet she was so surprised and happy to see us. We just could not wait to see her! :) And yes... how could I resist. I drug myself out of bed when someone was fussing downstairs. Opened the pen and out they came... puppy snuggles and kisses and piddles... ah yes... they were happy campers then. Much better to potty on the plastic outside the pen, a couple are thinking. This is good to not want to go potty in their bedroom and play area, but soon will have to equate that with going outside the house. :)

Even though pups are now eating/licking up soaked puppy kibble, Figgy is still being kind to me and cleaning up after the pups. I am changing damp newspapers with small piddles a few times during the day and changing their blanket, wiping down the linoleum and plastic. Laundry is going around the clock so I can have it all kept up and ready for the rotation... blanket in pen, waiting to go in washer, washing, drying, or clean in stack... 

26 Days Old...

We had our first visitor today! We got held and admired by a very nice lady. Momma Julia had a very busy day so she doesn't have much to report. Except that we are so CUTE!!! More tomorrow.

3.5 Weeks Old...

These pups are so very sweet and polite. They are cuddlers and lovers. Liver Girl 4 (first to do so) and Liver Girl 2 have figured out that they can get a soaked and soggy piece of puppy kibble fed directly into their mouth by me. This is so cute, but very time consuming! It is all my fault. In an effort to teach them to actually pick up and chew instead of just lick, I started hand feeding one piece at a time. Now Liver Girl 4 EXPECTS me to do that! Oh my I have created a little spoiled Diva monster already. But how smart is that? It is not usually until a couple more weeks when they understand that my fingers can mean cookies (i.e. cookie dispensers). Liver Girl 4 has been doing this for a couple days, and now Liver Girl 2 figured it out as well. The other pups have all taken a soaked kibble from my hand or fingers, but they still like to lick and grunt on their own as they try to eat it. Liver Girl 4 will stop licking and come up to my hand and paw (probably a nursing reflex), but to understand that my hand means a kibble in her mouth, she chews and swallows. Usually puppies are so frantic crazy for the food that they just inhale it. These guys are a bit young yet, so maybe why they are so polite. But I tend to think they are geniuses of course... LOL

24 Days Old....

Okay okay... here are some photos from this morning! I did not get a non-blurred one of LG2 so will go take some more, after getting these uploaded first. :) Sorry for the sideways ones... hate that this blogger will not let you change picture orientation. It is not saved that way.

Puppies got to come out and visit in the Living Room this morning. I spread out a blanket and put out a bunch of toys and let them toddle from their pen in the Dining Room to their new playground. Figgy was a bit nervous at first, but then settled and let them nurse. Then they all started falling asleep so back to the xpen den!

Black Girl 3

Black Girl One sleeping

Black Girl 1 (front), Liver Girl 4 (middle) and Liver Boy (behind)

Liver Girl 4 getting sleepy

The Black Figs nursing on Day 24

Liver Girl 2

23 Days old...

Today is a beautiful day. Not only nice outside so far, but everyone (me especially) got a full night's sleep! HooRaH! You just have no idea how good it felt to be laying in my bed with legs stretched out. I thought gee I need to get my sheet to cover up with, but apparently that was just a dreamy thought... and I was OUT for the night. I woke up a little chilly and stiff... but I will take it. ;)

Pups are wanting soaked kibble again this morning. I will try to get a better video... it was not the usual crazy scramble for food, but they are still young and Figgy has raised them with manners... LOL... just wait Figgy!!! She is in for a surprise. :)

I checked eye color again, do not see any 'bright' blue eyes... so still thinking (darn I need new reading glasses for that fine of detail!) all three livers have Amber eyes (although Liver Girl 2 has very dark Amber eyes) and the two Black Girls definitely have dark brown eyes. All continue to hear!

I have alot to get done today, but pictures are top of my list! First morning dog chores...

22 Days old...

Yep, we have teeth and are ready to use them on some soaked kibble! I am soaking some puppy food right now and will see how they take to that yet today. These are the most cuddly puppies I have ever had (that I can remember... LOL). They all LOVE to be held and kissed on, they will nibble my nose, or snuggled in and BG1 even makes cooing noises. Little funny dogs!

It's time for some more photos and/or video isn't it? I will try, need a quick nap first. You think I would get more sleep with them out of my bedroom, but the loveseat does not make for the best sleeping. WHY did I move them downstairs already? I was loving the luxury of my own bed! Oh yea... time to expose them to more noises, vibrations and stuff going on around the whelping pen... okay, I remember now.... LOL

Momma Figgy and all five pups are doing great. All are still hearing and no more loose stools, so life is good for today. :)

The five Black Fig puppies nursing at 3 weeks of age.
And video of 1st puppy kibble (soaked and tender, of course).