Puppy pics

 Mindy with Juliette, first adventure in the backyard

 Mindy decimating the day lillies

 Mork helping out

 Mork

Adventures

This morning, I woke up to the sound of puppy squawking - more complaining than in distress.  I guessed that we had an escapee, and sure enough, when I opened the bedroom door, Mork came bopping down the hall.  Took these pups longer than average - 4+ weeks old before climbing over the half gate.  In contrast, the Bridget pups had climbed over the half gate before they were even three weeks old.  After breakfast, we went outside in the front yard and I took the pups for their first walk about - coaxing them to follow me into unexplored areas of the yard.  Surprisingly, it was Mindy who was reluctant to follow, Mork came right along.  Eventually they both followed me around the mulch bed and to my car parked in the driveway.  And then they were off, eagerly running around exploring the new areas.  Their time loose in the front yard may be coming to a close, it may be time to move into the fenced backyard. 

4 weeks old

Four weeks old, and the size of 6-week old puppies.  Mork weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and Mindy weighed 7 lbs 4 oz.  The pups are eating 1 T of canned food three times a day, and I have reduced Juliette's rations to 3 cups of kibble + extra protein/calcium rich supplimental goodies.  Pups from big litters would be eating soaked kibble by now, but these pups don't need the extra calories.  The pups are thoroughly enjoying their time out of the pen, either out in the yard of loose in the house.  Like previous litters, they like going under the couch when tired out.  This morning I took the play tunnel out into the front yard.  Outgoing Mindy almost immediately checked it out and walked through when I called her.  Mork wasn't confident enough to give it a try.  Still not as agile as other pups their age since they have so much more body mass to move around.  No serious attempts to get over the low half gate of their pen, and only Mork has managed to get up on the first step on my front porch.  They received their 4-week worming this morning, and I trimmed toenails yesterday.  We are starting to do extra handling/invasive petting.  Lots of hugging; rolling over on their backs; cradling; handling feet, ears, tail, mouth, etc.  Also getting them used to being brushed.  During the day when I am at work, I have NPR playing for them. 

Puppy pics, almost 4 weeks old

 Mork

Mindy practicing her Under

Puppy wrestle mania

 

 Silly Mindy

 Mindy the retriever

 Mindy with toy

 Mindy again

Mindy chewing on her brother

Puppy play

The pups have turned into real puppies.  Sleeping less, playing more.  They have finally found their feet, and are starting to run and bounce around, although still not very coordinated.  I have bumped the puppy pen out to full size, and added more toys.  The pups have had lots of outdoor time, and Mork is become more confident.  They are doing great about toileting outside when given the opportunity.  This morning, they had their first adventure playing outside of the pen indoors on the tile and laminate, and interacting with the other adult dogs.  Although Mork looks quite light, I expect him to be a honey gold like Juliette, but he may have more light feathers.  Mindy will likely be dark like Yuma and Bridget.  The best indication of adult color is the ear color of the pup.  As you can see below, Mork's ear color (top pic) is actually quite similar to Mindy's. 

First Outing

 Initial reaction to being outside for the first time

Becoming a bit more confident

 Mindy

 Mindy

 Mork

 Mork sniffing

 Mork howling

 Mork on point

 Mindy on the prowl

 Mindy playing with my foot

 Mindy checking out the plants

 Mork being Mama's boy

3 weeks old

 Mindy with toy

Mork checking out the piano

3 weeks old and these little butterballs continue to grow.  They gained 1 1/2 pounds last week, and weigh considerable more than Bridget's pups at this age.  Mindy weighed 5 lbs 8 oz and Mork weighed 5 lbs 10 oz.  I am finally convinced that both pups are Goldens, so CCI Zorba II wins the paternity prize.  They are now able to nurse with Juliette standing up and I rarely see her actually nurse them anymore.  Although they are obviously still getting plenty of chow.  They are also getting a couple of tsp of canned food twice a day, and will increase that to 3x a day this weekend.  They are enjoying their toys, but I need to constantly replenish the supply since Juliette steals the stuffed animals and carries them around the house.  This morning, the pups had their first big adventure - we went outside.  I took the pups out on the front lawn while it was still relatively cool.  Initially a bit overwhelmed, Mindy fairly quickly started exploring and appeared to have a grand time.  Mork was the wuss, stayed close to me or Mindy and even howled a few times.  Poor Juliette was not happy about her pups being away from her and watched closely from the living room window.