Author: Dackel Princess

The days are winding down and on Friday the first pup leaves us for his new home. Then Wally and Fenway leave and then little Schnapps. Today we spent this beautiful day outside, playing and running around, and of course taking pictures! I put together this slide show so you could see my beautiful babies!

I also wanted to thank you all for your kind wishes yesterday. I share my memories with you about Katie so that perhaps her beautiful spirit will not be forgotten.

It was a cool day here in New Hampshire and the winds were blowing hard. The puppies wanted to be outside so much, but they would get cold fast and stand by the door to come in. About 3 o’clock I asked Hubby to go outside with me so that we could run the pups. This is a great thing to do at the end of the day because they settle down about 6 and sleep all night long.

I definitely need his help when they are all out, as they all seem to run in different directions now and they are so very fast! Fritz was a help, but after a while he got bored and went over to the little stream and escaped from their attention.

But first, we had Schnapps running around.

And of course she was running with Fritz at first and her brother Calvin ran along as well.

Here is Calvin in mid-jump.

Fenway and Wally were playing under our patio table.

Here is Wally

And Fenway.

Curt seemed to be moving along quite a bit. I had trouble getting his picture because he was following me.

So the pups are ten weeks old now. Their AKC Registration papers came today. They are all set. Next Friday our first puppy leaves for his new home. Then on Saturday 3 more. Curt will be with us a little longer. Amazing, isn’t it?

Happy Saturday!

I was thinking today, as I looked at the puppies, how much they have changed in the last few weeks. They came into this world totally helpless little creatures and slowly day by day they grow, and they begin to change.

I wanted to share this in a very meaningful way with you, by going back and finding their baby pictures and putting them side by side with a picture from this week.

First, here is Curt.

Then there is Wally. Now here is a great frontal shot of his head at birth, and then today.

And Fenway

Schnapps

And Calvin

On Monday the Breed Warden from my dachshund club will be coming to inspect the litter and to tattoo their right ears. They are tattooed with my kennel number and then their pup number. Here is a picture of Anneliese’s daughter, Baerbel getting her tattoo.

It is quick and a permanent marking that is required but our parent club in Germany.

Tonight I went into the puppy room and sat down and they climbed on me, curled up around me and I snuggled each one. They are all such sweet dogs and although I will not miss the work, I will miss them.

The puppies are pretty much grown now and ready to go. Often buyers ask me why I keep them until they are 11-12 weeks old, especially when it means a lot of work for me?

Take today. The puppies were in rare form. They spent quite a bit of time outside running around, before I brought them in. Usually they have their dinner and go to sleep. Not tonight. Tonight we had the shredding of newspaper, the chewing of sibling ears and toes, and general madness and mayhem! Even Greta wanted nothing to do with them.

I thought I might go mad as well, with the swirling newspaper and yelps. However, this is why I keep them. Yes, there is a reason.

You see the puppies learn about proper dog behavior from me and from each other. They learn how much they can bite their sibling before it hurts and they learn about what is a toy and what isn’t. I took the newspaper from their little mouths and put mini rawhide bones in there for them to gnaw on. Eventually I got them settled, and could put up my feet, but it was a challenge.

However, I really am pleased with this group of pups. They are sweet dogs and so friendly with everyone. They have learned so much in their short 9 ½ weeks on this earth.

I found out today that they will get their tattoo’s on Monday, and then the following weekend we bid adieu to most of the pups! I cannot believe how quickly this litter went by.

Our day began early. Since our clocks changed back an hour on Saturday night I’d hoped for a little extra sleep. Of course, no one explained this to all 9 dogs. So at 6 AM I was up with the dogs. I walked them all, one by one, cleaned up the puppy room, and then sat down with some coffee. The worst part was, there was absolutely NOTHING on TV to watch!

I contented myself with the computer and waited for three hours for Hubby to wake up! Then I made brunch for us.

By late morning we decided to take the pups out with Nanny Fritz to play in the yard. I have to tell you that little Schnapps is really head over heels in love with Fritz and follows him everywhere, with a look of such adoration!

Fritz and Schnapps!

Fritz and his babies.

Also, if the pups begin to wander all we need to do is holler to Fritz and he goes and rounds them up.

Greta came out too, and of course she nursed them.

You know, it’s a very good thing for these pups to remain close to Greta and slowly be weaned. Later in their lives they will be well adjusted little creatures, and they will know their birth mother loved them dearly.

Here is Calvin

Curt

Wally

Fenway

Schnapps

So, there they are. 9 weeks old and full of life and spirit. They all know their names, they use either the grass or the newspapers now and they sleep through the night. The time is drawing near, my friends. Soon they will go to their new families and my job as “Puppy Granny” will be done.