Day 62 (Updated)

Star Garnet is a whirlwind.

Puppy training has been ongoing and as a result, she (and Sapphire) already have a fast and mostly reliable recall.

They both follow reliably, and so are ready for the next phase of leash training. This means they will get used to wearing both a collar and a harness — under supervision and with lots of treats.

Sapphire loves sticks.

And his sister loves whatever Sapphire has and so she swiped the stick and he grabbed it back but it split in half and so each puppy — not being skilled in math/measurement — think they won the Stick War.

😂

(Later)

Thanks to Kira and Jay for letting Capella engage in her favorite form of exercise.

The puppies did not swim but you will see they are wet — this is why.

Sapphire has so much coat! He is a wooly mammoth preparing for a really cold winter.

Star Garnet and Sapphire were fascinated by their mom’s crazy water antics.

But not interested in joining just yet — there were sticks to chew.

🩷💙 (and 💙 in OR and 💙 in NH).

Day 61 (Updated)

Sapphire will be staying with us for about two more weeks.

Star Garnet is blissful about the idea that she still has a brother to chomp.

And to run from — none of the boys could keep up with her. Star Garnet is FAST.

Sapphire thinks sticks are an easier playmate than his wild sister.

But he is doing his best to represent the Boy Team 💙

Tommy Topaz and Jasper are both settling in nicely — that is such a relief for me. The Gems met A LOT of humans while they were here — about 100, I figured — and they visited new places as well and went on multiple car rides (safely in crates, of course). I feel really good about their socialization but you cannot replicate leaving home for a new life — all you can do is make sure the puppy is prepared and resilient. So far, so good 🙏

(Later)

Jasper is enjoying his new life 💙

Jasper and his Uncle Zuber — how cute is this?!

Jennifer reports that Tommy Topaz is also doing so well 🎉🙏

I have always wanted to do this — a daily photo of a puppy to watch the nose go from pink to black. I picked Sapphire because his nose was darkening the fastest, and made a video of 8+ weeks of daily photos 🎥

Whew! It feels good to get it finished 🙌🏼 Let me know what you think 😊

Day 60 (Updated)

Moonshadow Obi (Pippin x Daisy) recently spent some time on the Oregon coast and found his own special sign — check out his heart rock 💙

Thanks, Linda!

I love catching the puppies in a natural stand — this is Topaz.

Such consistent dark, dark eyes in this litter — Sapphire.

Topaz and Sapphire practicing a sprint.

For those wondering when we will have puppies again — here is the scoop. Because Capella is 4.5 years and I need to pay attention to her fertility, and because there are just four in this litter, and because Capella is in good shape, I am planning to do her second (and last) litter right away (aka back-to-back breeding).

I am breeding her again because I want two Capella puppies at my house 🏠 and because some very Good Humans are hoping to add a Capella puppy to their families 🍀🙏 But two litters will be it — my girls have other things to do in their lives that are also important 💪🏼⭐️🩷

This means Capella will be bred again whenever she comes into season, which I expect to be in the early fall 😬

(Later)

Another fun and busy day for the Gems — and their mom!

Topaz has a new home and a new name. He is now living with Jennifer Graffunder and her family, and he is named Tommy for Jennifer’s late father.

His registered name is Kaibab’s Never Say Goodbye ❤️