Day 29 (updated)

There will be some big changes here today because of this handsome dude — Jasper.

Or as the kids call him, “The Big Guy.”

Jasper now climbs out of the whelping box and so it is time to transform their inside space. Photos of that later.

In the meantime, we are having a delightfully cool morning on the deck. This is Star Garnet.

The puppies are very interactive with Capella now, which basically means they bite her 😂 This video is Jasper with Capella.

Star Garnet.

They are in constant motion and are biting everything and everyone with their shiny new teeth.

Jasper

I get the best pictures when they are tired. This is Sapphire.

The boys are figuring out water — this is Topaz.

Topaz and Star Garnet.

Capella and Sapphire.

Topaz sleeping on Capella paw.

Sapphire.

🩷💙💙💙

(later)

Cindy, Kira, and Aubrey came for a visit.

Kira summoned Logan, the one who built the beautiful whelping box, to the party. Well, we really needed him to dismantle the whelping box before Jasper hurt himself escaping so not much of a party 🤷🏼‍♀️ Logan, who likely wonders if I will ever run out of projects for him, came right over.

Aubrey wrangled puppies while the whelping box went away. We added the second piece of marmoleum on the floor — here is Sapphire being very helpful.

And just like that, Puppy Land expanded and got pretty fancy — and escape-proof! 🍀

So much gratitude to Cindy, Kira, Aubrey and Logan ❤️🙏

With Jasper busy contemplating the wages of sin (i.e., jail), Sapphire was able to be the first puppy on the slide 🏆

Star Garnet was next.

Tomorrow the kids and I will be setting up the outdoor play area — that will be fun 🎇

Thanks for following along with our adventures 🙏

Four Weeks (updated)

It really is hard for me to believe that the Gems are four weeks old.

Jasper

Isn’t time such a strange thing? It seems to go quickly when we are savoring something, and so slowly when we are waiting.

Puppies seem like they are in fast forward mode. Everything happens so quickly. You hardly get to enjoy the latest version of puppyhood before the next one arrives — hours later, it seems.

Sapphire

Teeth are growing and jaw strength is increasing. We have arrived at that stage when puppies hurt each other but are clueless about how that is happening. They will simultaneously chomp the ear of a sibling and look very concerned about the cries of pain from that sibling — but not understand how to make it stop (i.e., stop biting!).

Sapphire and Jasper

It is a painful stage for all of us.

The Gems are still exclusively nursing. Teeth are not a barrier to nursing — you cannot suck and bite. Try it!

Sleepy Topaz

And when they do bite, which they will, Capella will remove herself and puppies will quickly learn that biting closes down the Milk Bar.

Star Garnet

Milk from their mom is optimal nutrition for babies, and the Gems are still babies. There is no need to substitute inferior nutrition by introducing “solid food” at this time. They are growing and healthy, and so they will be exclusively nursed until they are close to six weeks.

Jasper

The Gems will not be fully weaned until they leave for new homes.

Creating new life is a significant responsibility — I believe one should do it as well as humanly possible.

Star Garnet

That is why I am so focused on such things as optimizing the lactation process, doing fecal samples instead of unnecessary deworming medication that can upset the developing GI system (which is part of the immune system), and using titers to avoid overvaccination.

My commitment to doing things well is why I have slept next to the whelping box for the past few weeks, only leave my house — very briefly! — if I have a puppy sitter, and pay close attention to the puppies’ environmental stressors and their reactions.

Topaz

It is all about getting things “just right” so that the puppies have the best possible start to their lives. I want that for the Gems, and also for the humans who will share their lives with these puppies 🩷💙💙💙

(later)

I think I am going to give up on the official photos! UGH. This photo of Jasper is perfect for how things went — for such a handsome dude, he was not in the mood any of the five attempts I did with him 😂

Sapphire — he just wanted to take a nap or chew on the gems.

Topaz and Star Garnet were the cooperators today. This is Topaz.

Star Garnet.

Notice her star garnets!

I will likely try one more time next week. Probably. Maybe.

This is from the morning — not sure how I missed posting it. I love this photo of Topaz.

He is so charming 💙

Day 27 (updated)

I have so many photos that are blog worthy this morning and I will get those posted soon but I want to start off by thanking my Texas friends that I have never met.

They sent me beautiful glass names for Sparkle, Capella, and Pozy. They also sent hilarious stickers, a cool hat, two glass star garnets, etc. 🩷 I am so grateful for the gifts — they made my day.

Even more, the note enclosed that recognized my continuing sorrow for the loss of my beloved Sparkle meant so very much to me. Thank you seems inadequate to the depth of my gratitude 🙏 There are so many good humans in the world, and I will remember that every time I see the girls’ names in glass hanging on my walls ❤️

This photo is from last night. rePete is old and crabby but he still wants to be the Head Puppy Nanny 😻

Capella and Sapphire 💙

The puppies have increased play endurance now — they stay awake longer, and they can sustain focus on toys. This is Jasper.

There are a lot of Jasper today because he was here, there, and everywhere. This is also Jasper — notice his tiny teeth!

A rare moment of Jasper stillness. He pretty quickly moved on to biting Capella’s foot.

After recharging for approximately 1.5 seconds, Jasper was back in action.

He loves playing tug with the fleece. At one point he pulled so hard that he fell over and rolled, managing to wrap himself up like a burrito. He got himself out of that, and went right back to playing tug with the tortilla — I mean, the fleece.

Star Garnet.

Snuggly Sapphire.

Star Garnet demonstrated her increasing focus with the ball this morning. She is stalking it in this photo 🦁

I love her profile.

Kira, Jay, and Aliya came for a visit ❤️

The puppies were tuckered out and ready for naps. Most of them…

And then I let Pozy out who had great fun with the puppy’s flower.

🩷💙💙💙

(later)

It was extra hot here today so no evening outside time for the Gems. They had lots of fun playing with toys — and each other — inside where it is cool. This is Star Garnet.

Topaz.

Sapphire.

You know…

🩷💙💙💙