Day 16 (Updated)

Just a reminder — all puppy eyes look blue-gray! This is Jasper and Star Garnet (with Topaz).

So much playing but only for a few minutes because puppies need their growing sleep! These next two photos capture Topaz and Star Garnet playing together.

This photo offers an explanation as to why there are rails in the whelping box. Puppies are less likely to be squished when there is a protected space for them. That is Jasper — he loves being under the rails.

Our morning “aaaahhhhh” 💙 Capella with Sapphire.

Jasper preparing to ascend Mt. Dino.

Successful summit!

Happy Friday!

🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

Jasper and Sapphire consider the dinosuar.

Topaz 💙

Star Garnet had another busy day — here she is checking in with mom. What a good girl!

Look at how alert and UP they are all are! This is Star Garnet ⭐️💎

Topaz and Star Garnet with a brother sleeping behind them.

These burst of play and marching practice are still quite brief, but definitely more frequent and showing better coordination.

They still spend most of their time sleeping 💤 I love how Sapphire made himself cozy on top of everyone else.

Thank for being with us 💙🩷💙💙

Day 15 (Updated)

As the eyes open, they are all blue-gray at first.

Topaz

The faster they look dark, the darker the puppy’s eyes will be as an adult. Puppies who have lighter eyes at 5 - 6 weeks are likely to have lighter brown eyes as adults.

This morning Star Garnet stayed awake for a while, interacting with the Bluey pillow and then with me.

Star Garnet

Star Garnet

Jasper was also awake for a while, doing his morning marches around the whelping box and checking out the toys.

Jasper

He also continued to plot his escape.

Jasper

All three boys are in this photo. Sapphire was playing tug with the fleece before he fell asleep.

And here they all are, growing right in front of our eyes.

Happy Thursday!

🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

What was new today was excellent walking and lots of short bursts of play — especially involving Jasper.

This is Jasper telling Star Garnet about his escape plans.

Jasper and Star Garnet

Jasper hasn’t quite mastered reciprocal play. This is Sapphire sleeping while Jasper plays 😂

Jasper and Sapphire (and Topaz)

Jasper playing while Topaz attempts to sleep.

Jasper and Topaz

Capella continues to do a great job with the puppies 🩷

Capella and Topaz

Star Garnet was also pretty busy today (for a 15-day-old puppy, that is!). This is her with Sapphire.

Every day with the Gems is magical 🪄

TWO WEEKS! (updated)

Happy Two Week Birthday to the Gems 💎

All of the puppies now have their eyes open, and that makes photos harder because I want to minimize the flash in their eyes.

Novelty that is noticeable but not stressful is important to puppy development, and so today we have something new in the whelping box. Star Garnet checked it out and decided it would make an excellent pillow.

Jasper also checked it out, including tasting it 😂

Puppies are starting to perk up their ears, and let me tell you — THAT is adorable.

Topaz

But again, they are still small babies and that means they use 98% of their energy to eat, sleep, and grow.

Sapphire

Two week photos later 🎂

Please have a day worth celebrating 🥳

(Later)

It is so crazy how quickly they change! This is Star Garnet with Capella — look at that sit.

Mark my words — Jasper will be first out of the whelping box. Here he is making his plan.

Two week photos were a bit of a rodeo. It took four separate sessions to get a halfway decent shot of Sapphire.

Sapphire

Topaz is the litter cooperator — he must be a middle child.

Topaz

Jasper would not sit still — this is the best I could do.

Jasper

This photo of Star Garnet is exactly like one I did of Sparkle at two weeks — in the same glasses.

Star Garnet

Here is the comparison.

🩷🩷

I sure miss my Sparkle.

Two weeks is all about the mouths — here are some outtakes from the two week photos, starting with Star Garnet.

Star Garnet

I love this one of Jasper — it is like he is singing.

Jasper

Even our cooperative Middle Child got into the mouth act.

Topaz

Sapphire also had mouth open photos but they were all blurry — he was like whirly twirly for his photos today 🌪️

Two weeks — amazing.

🩷💙💙💙