Author: Dackel Princess

My day, on Friday, began at 4 AM. Anneliese woke me with the desire to get up and play. One thing you should know about me, I do not play well at 4 AM! I grumbled and placed her under the covers and then I was able to sleep for another hour or so.

After that I gave up and got up with all 9 dogs. I let Anneliese and Greta out in the back yard and before I knew it, they were running up our driveway (500 feet) in my night gown and a fleece jacket! Oh yeah, I was not a happy camper.

I corralled the girls and led them back to the house. Then I set about cleaning the puppy room. Let’s just say, they outdid themselves overnight.

I fed them, and then sat down with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Oh thank all that is good for a great cup of coffee!

Hubby slept in and part of me wanted to hold that against him, but by the time he did get out of bed, I was past that and happy to see him.

The day was gray and although we both got a lot done, the puppies seemed to sleep an awful lot. I guess we all have our sleepy days. Of course when they were awake, oh my did they cause their fair share of trouble!

They are sleeping like little angels as I write, and soon I will be too.

Oh yes, Happy Halloween!!!

I sent Hubby off to the Recycling Center to dispose of the two dozen bags of rolled up newspapers and puppy poop! I smiled and asked him to do me a big favor.

Get me more newspaper!

I actually can brag a little here. You see all of the puppies are now paper trained! I am so please about that. Yes, I do still have a ton of newspaper to clean, but their beds and toys stay nice and clean.

I was also thinking about Greta nursing her babies yesterday. How cute it was, right? Well think back. Here are side by side photo’s of Greta nursing the babes. The first was the day they were born, and the second one is of her nursing them yesterday.

It’s amazing to me how, in just 8 short weeks they can go from tiny, helpless creatures, to puppies that run and jump and wag their tails when they see you!

Time is slipping by and soon they will be leaving for the adventure of their new life. The best part for me (aside from the extra sleep) is knowing that I had a hand in making it all happen.

I have great news for you all…Curt has a home!!! He will be adopted by Gail in New York, where he will be loved, and adored and spend his days hiking, playing and sitting by the fire! I knew almost immediately that she was perfect for Curt. It’s kind of a strange thing that happens when I find the correct person for a pup. I just get this overwhelming feeling of ‘rightness’! And I got that with the first email I had from Gail.

So little Curt has found a forever home!

The day was cool, windy, but…no rain. This meant I had the puppies outside a lot. Today’s exercise was to have them in the yard with me, one by one to see how well they followed and how well they know their names. They all did great, but I have to tell you how much Schnapps LOVES Fritz. She follows him everywhere and he nervously keeps walking. It was really quite hilarious!

At one point I had them all out with Greta and what did she do? Greta lay right down and nursed them!  They’re 8 weeks old! I can’t believe how strong her maternal feelings have been. What a great Mama she is!

At the end of the day the puppies were starting to settle into their bed for the night. The funny thing is, at one time they all quite easily fit into this bed, Now…take a look.

They don’t fit, but they work quite hard trying to get all of them into it.

The puppies all go to the Vet’s today for their shots. I’ll bring the camera again and take a million pictures, I’m sure.

In other news, cuteness abounds. Anneliese and Arnie were sitting with Hubby and I snapped this shot of them all.

Isn’t this sweet?

*****Have a great day everyone!!!*****

Did you ever have one of those moments, when you look over at the litter of puppies (or kitties) that you have helped bring into the world, and you are overcome with an overwhelming sense of peace and joy?

Yeah I have, but Saturday morning wasn’t one of those times!

I got up late actually, and felt almost rested after a full 8 hours of sleep. I pulled on my bathrobe, and headed out of my bedroom. I was immediately made aware that rain was pouring down outside, as  I opened the door, and none of the four adult dogs wanted to go out.

I encouraged Greta first, and then went to check out the puppy room. Usually, no matter how bad it is, I open the door and they all go outside into their little puppy pen while I clean up their room, but today it was cold and raining and I didn’t have the heart.

I looked at the mess (literally) and figured I could handle it. I was wrong. The pups saw me and got all excited. Before I could scoop up their little poopies they were jumping up and down in it! I reached out, trying to roll the newspaper up, they jumped on my arm! I used a wipe to get some horrible stuff off the floor and it ended up on my hands! I felt like a new parent changing their first poopy diaper!

I finally got the papers up and then started washing down the floor. The puppies tried to get the sponge and me and as I turned to move a puppy squealed! Oh no! I’d flattened one! Only there was no puppy there.The little bugger just wanted to be held!

I quickly attempted to put down fresh newspaper, and that was fun with 5 little babies all playing, “let’s keep Granny from putting the paper down”. After a few minutes I got enough down and then escaped over the fence. I gently washed each pup with a wash cloth, because I wasn’t sure who had made it into the poop and who hadn’t.

I mixed their food and fed them and then sat down with my first cup of coffee and just did nothing. Yes, I accomplished all of the above, caffeine free!

It never did stop raining today, but towards the end of the day when I cleaned the room for the last time, I did the unthinkable! I put them outside in their pen! Now before you turn me in for cruelty to animals, remember that the enclosure has a large overhang and when they came in, they had their dinner and then went to bed. Happy, healthy and clean!

And I made it through a very rainy day!

We spent quite a bit of time with the puppies outside yesterday. It was cold, and we had them out until we all were feeling the chill. Me, Hubby, Makenna and the pups. I grabbed my little camera and snapped away as the pups chased each other, Hubby and Makenna. They are so darn cute the way they jump and run around. Hope you all enjoy the montage.

Today I made another modification in the puppy room. I added a large doggy bed that used to belong to Fritz. The pups loved it, and when my neighbor, Jacqui came over she sat on the bed and they climbed all over her.

As you can see, the pups enjoyed climbing all over her, as well as chewing her toes! Yes, we discovered that Wally is a toe lick-er!

Then I decided that we needed to take every-one’s picture. I think they just get cuter and cuter every day!

Here is Curt. Gosh he is just so handsome!

Next is Calvin. He is also a totally handsome dude! He looks a lot like Curt.

Then there is our Little Miss. Schnapps. She is beautiful and I swear she has a very feminine face.

Fenway is probably the darkest of the bunch and has a sweet and lovable face.

And the brother who most resembles Fenway, is Wally, which is sort of funny. Fenway and Wally are not only brothers here, but will be going to the same home and will be forever brothers! Here is Wally.

Friday should be a lot of fun because we will be working outside with them laying lines of deer blood for them to follow, as well as having some children here for most of the day. I’m babysitting for a friend and this is always a favorite time for the pups!

I hope you all have a great weekend!