Day 54 (Updated)

Morning playtime is getting very loud.

It is quite entertaining to watch.

I love watching the structure of puppies emerge and it is fun when photos capture it — like this one. Look at Sapphire’s rear and Star Garnet’s pretty head and front.

And check out Jasper (planning a sibling attack). Such a pretty puppy.

Best Toy Award goes to the sherpa bag 🤷🏼‍♀️

Topaz and Sapphire.

Capella with guess who?

Topaz 💙

Jasper stole these keys from someone else. Stealing is a favorite puppy pastime.

The first puppy leaves on Thursday. Sigh. Yes, the boys have amazing homes and will bring much joy — but their leaving is hard to fathom. New homes will need to send us weekly updates for a month or so to help us all adjust 🙏

(Later)

The puppies all had a swim lesson — so fun! They also practiced following, and had multiple play sessions outside. A busy day for the crew 🩷💙💙💙

Day 53 (updated)

Busy morning so photos delayed but all is well!

🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

Puppy swimming lessons/hydrotherapy continues tomorrow in a new outdoor pool.

Topaz and Sapphire continue to do so well. Here is a little video of Topaz from earlier today.

This is Sapphire running down the ramp 🎉

They are happy and playful 💙💙🙏

The puppies have been introduced to metal things over the past few days. This is Jasper with the canning ring.

Topaz had fun with it as well.

Yep — future Utility Dog ✔️

Sapphire.

Star Garnet and Jasper taking a rare break from attempting body piercings on each other.

Jasper totally looks like Uncle Atlas in that photo!

Jasper with a stolen crinkle duck.

Star Garnet (aka _____________?????!!!!!).

The last weekend they will all be together. SO bittersweet.

❤️

Day 52 (Updated)

I am a big fan of the NY Times Wirecutter, and randomly found a really excellent Wirecutter article on dog food this morning that I want to share — you can find it HERE. It is worth the read. Note what they have to say about grain-free, pulses (e.g., lentils and peas), and also the lack of research independence in the field of veterinary nutrition.

The article also mentions an excellent site titled, Pet Food Manufacturer Evaluation Report. Super interesting.

I wanted to share one of the recipes that I am using for the puppies. It is an Instant Pot version, which is my preference for making dog food just because it is fast and easy. This recipes makes enough for a couple of days.

My dogs do eat some kibble — but not the puppies. Why? Because I am trying to help them develop a diverse gut microbiome to support a strong and well-functioning immune system.

In addition to their diet, the puppies get FortiFlora to support their gut health. FortiFlora is a probiotic specific for dogs but there are other dog-specific probiotics that are also good. Human probiotics won’t necessarily hurt a dog but probably won’t contain the species-specific bacteria a dog needs.

Puppies should get probiotics whenever they have dietary changes or show signs of GI upset (i.e., diarrhea).

I also give FortiFlora routinely to my adult dogs — gut health is REALLY important for a well-functioning immune system, and in Berners, we should care deeply about this.

Another fun day of visiting — and a field trip!

🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

These two just get better and better — Sapphire and Topaz.

The dark eyes!!!! ❤️

The Ace Puppy Socializers were here for a few hours today.

Capella LOVES Berkeley.

And Carol will be happy to know that Pozy gets plenty of love as well 🩷

Then another special visitor arrived 🩷 These puppies have met SO MANY people!

This photo shows a lot — the puppies traveled (safely in crates) to a new place (inside Kira and Jay’s house), met more new friends, and spent about three hours in the middle of everything. They did great, and we all had so much fun.

It was Jay’s birthday — HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY and thanks for letting all of us crash the party 🎉