Author: Dackel Princess

The day started out cold, rainy and even though I was up at 5 AM with the pups, I had a lot of trouble convincing the other four dogs to go outside in the horrible weather to do their business. Eventually I got them all out, with the exception of the puppies, and then set about cleaning the puppy room, feeding my babies and then settling in to have my first cup of coffee. Oh what joy!

I am truly enjoying the new laptop and I have it just about set up for every day use. I love the machine. It is faster, and many of the new features make it easier to use.

Eventually the rain stopped and the sun came out and I was able to get the puppies out for a run. And run they do. They are all so darn quick! Here is Baron just before he kicked into high gear and got me running to catch up with him!

The great thing is that I have Arnie and Greta as well as Mama Anneliese to help teach the puppies about doggy life. Today Greta gave Ali a little, gentle lesson on how to behave with ones elders. I was a little nervous, but was amazed at how gentle she was with her grandchildren. Here she is with Ali.

The kids come over every day now to play with the puppies and they’re a big help. These little guys are so fast and keep me on my toes. They are also getting to know what grass is for and I follow them with little shovels!

Time for this Granny to put up her feet. Happy Saturday!

On Wednesday I rearranged the puppy room. After all they are getting to be big doggies now.I opened the whelping box, placed Fritzi’s old dog bed in there, and spread the newspapers. It’s all working out quite well. The puppies seem to understand that the newspapers are the place to go to do their business, and so aside from picking up newspapers and washing my hands constantly, this works out well for all concerned.

Here is a picture of the room now that I have rearranged things.

I can still open the door to the outside pen, and they can watch me in the kitchen when I am cooking or cleaning up a meal.

Best of all, I can capture these little moments when all the puppies are asleep and snuggled up. Just too darn cute!

The pups finally cooperated in showing you all how they eat!

Can you hear their little licking noises?

I swear these guys are so adorable that you could just do nothing but sit and play or gaze at them. I know I could! Although today I bit the bullet and actually did some much needed house work, like vacuuming, laundry and cooking. I took time off to do a little computer work and to actually drink a cup of coffee while watching an early morning movie on Encore. (The English Patient)

I also tried to photograph the pups. I came out with three that are pretty cute.

This shows the pups all playing while Ali sleeps on the right.

Belle in the back and Ali in the front.

Ali.

I think tomorrow we will convert the puppy room into a full room for them and get rid of the whelping box. They need a place to run and jump around on these rainy days, and they really do prefer to sleep stretched out on Fritz’s old doggy bed.

They have gone to sleep now and probably will sleep until the morning. 5 AM! Oh that comes awfully fast! I think I need to get to bed a little earlier.

Today was the puppies six week check up at the Vets. They began their shots, and were weighed and de-wormed. All went splendidly for the pups, and Anneliese too, as she was with us and her mastitis is responding well to the antibiotics.

But then, as we prepared to leave and put the pups into the pet carrier I closed the door. I turned to ask the Vet a question and then I heard it. A squealing puppy! I ran back and there he was. Baron. He had tried to gnaw the metal door grill and gotten his lower jaw caught! He was screaming and I started to cry.

The Vet and her technician ran back into the room and slowly, carefully freed Baron from the door. I immediately opened the door and took Baron out and held him.

In fact I held him all the way home. Of course he was fine and had just scared himself (and me!), and once we got home I placed him with his siblings in their bed and they all fell asleep. Here is a picture of Belle, sound asleep.

They’ve been quiet since they got back, although they were up and running around dinner time. Then one by one they crawled onto their bed and fell asleep.

From left to right we have Bogey, Baron, Belle in the green collar in the back and Ali (Birgit) in the front far right.

Now it’s time for me to sit down and put up my feet. It’s been a long day and I am really beat, but happily so. The babies are all happy and healthy and progressing right on target!

As promised I have pictures and a short montage of the puppies. They are the cutest things in the entire world and I keep thinking how lucky we are to have produced these splendid little creatures!

Today we got the exercise pen out and set up outside the door of the puppy room. This means I can open the door, and let them outside while I clean their box or mix their food, without worrying about them too much. It’s taking them a little while to get used to it, but this will be such a help for me now that these guys are so mobile.

The pen.

Exploring under the watchful eye of their Mom.

It seems the little ones are sleeping for an hour or two then up for two playing and then sleeping a little then up again raising all heck. It’s wonderful to watch even if it is a bit tiresome. I kid you not when I tell you that I am on my feet racing around most of the day. But happily so!

I have a new little friend who comes by. You will see her in the montage. Her name is Makenna and she is the daughter of our neighbors. She is almost seven years old and quite a joy to have around.

Have a great week everyone!

The days seem to be falling into a pattern. Me up at an ungodly hour, pups to be fed, and walked, a box to be cleaned and then the puppies play for about 2 hours before they fall back asleep and I can sit down.

I am so thankful for our mudroom. I can gate it and then allow the puppies to play in that room. It works out so well.

During the day we take them out. I think today we actually had them out 4 times. They love it and run and jump in the grass. Bogey does this really cute thing where he runs, jumps and then somersaults. He’s a wild guy. His sister Ali (Birgit),

is almost as athletic. Baron likes to run around, and when he gets done he stands in front of the sliding glass doors and wants to go in.

Baron

Belle is running around now too and she will follow you like a…….little dog! LOL!

I like to feed them outside because as soon as they get done they need to use the grass. It saves newspaper, and I like the idea that they are learning to do their business on the grass.

So for now I plan to get my pajamas on and watch some mindless TV until I fall asleep. I imagine that will be long before the sun sets.

I hope that when my new laptop arrives next week I will get back to commenting on every-one’s blogs. Please forgive this rather exhausted Granny! I promise I will be back to commenting soon!