We’re at week four with the puppies and they’re continuing to make such great progress!
Now, they’re recognizing that humans are their friends.
When a human enters the room, they’re either going to get food, cuddles or toys. When they see us, they run to our feet and start climbing all over us. Going in the pen, you have to know that your ankles will be licked and chewed at by all them.
They’re hearing every little sound and are teaching each other whose the boss of the pen.
We started feeding them puppy food and transitioning them off of Addie’s milk more since they’ve gotten the hang of the guel so quickly. Addie somehow knows when it’s her time to feed them, and waits at the gate to go in. She takes a stroll around first, cleaning up any mess that we might’ve missed. Unfortunately, as soon as they wake up they go to the bathroom…it’s literally instant. They smell her and it happens faster than you can even get in the pen!
Now, Addie is spending less time with them, and we’re only having her stay with them when she feeds. They’re getting so big that she doesn’t even have to lie down anymore to give them milk…
As soon as they see her, they run to her as fast as they can…whine and beg for milk. Although she’s getting sick of it (and their sharp little teeth) she’s an amazing mom and knows she has responsibilities to take care of.
Along with Addie spending less time with them, comes less poop eating…(still gross, I know).
It’s amazing…as soon as food goes into their mouth, it comes right out the other end. Do you know how challenging it is to chase around 11 puppies who are all pooping at the same time? They’re really starting to stink.
They eat their gruel, and then frantically run around trying to find the best spot to poop. Some of them are getting the hang of the puppy pads and others like a little more privacy…
Throughout all of the events, Ivy lays by the gate, anxiously waiting to play. She’s taught herself how to open their pen, and inches her nose in slowly to be included. They’re starting to realize who she is and are excited to play with her too.
So far, she’s been very sweet…and if they get too close, she backs off…she doesn’t want Miss Addie to be upset with her.
It’ll only be two short weeks before their families come and meet them for the first time. By then, their personalities will be more distinct and you’ll have a pretty good idea of who runs the puppy pen.
Although I’m excited for them to meet their new families, it’s sad that the time has gone by so quickly.
Today’s Lesson: time flies when your having fun. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a lot of work…I feel like I’m constantly cleaning up poop and mopping the floor. The smell of their puppy pads never seems to leave me. There’s all these big dogs and small dogs who are always looking at me to feed them and keep them alive…but watching 11 little puppies grow from little beings who couldn’t even walk, to small dogs who can play tug-of-war is amazing. They’re really growing up so fast.
#blog-51
