How big?  Looking more like puppies now – they continue to put on 100g per day!  They are properly up on their feet, with some scampering about, starting to explore the corners of the kitchen.  Busy is very excited to have playmates and is already enjoying their company.  Aura is less sure, princesses like to hog all the attention 😉

Their owners have all been to see them and we are more or less sorted with who is going where.  It’s very hard to decide and inevitably everyone likes one more than the other (can you guess?)  Choosing names is an ongoing discussion as we need a ‘set’ of Kennel names AND their pet names, which may or may not be related.  I tried to register them with the Kennel Club yesterday and have had to change one of the names as a result – we’re getting there, but if you have any suggestions, do pass them on.

I posted a video clip on Facebook the other day, but you have to ‘friend’ me in order to see it.  One day I’ll get to grips with setting up a YouTube account…  I’ve had so much wonderful feedback from the previous puppy owners – it’s great to be in touch with them to hear and see how they are getting on.  Toggle from the second litter came to visit on Sunday as he is getting a nephew to play with 😀

This week they have been practising eating real food.  It’s more for fun as they still have plenty of milk at this stage.  They continue to change enormously, day by day.  Having their eyes open means they can start to be aware of their surroundings and their faces change and begin to take on a more dog-like appearance.  They are becoming more sturdy on their feet, although they are so fat that running is not yet an option.

Eyes are opening and they are up on their feet, staggering around like drunken puppies.  They are so contented they still don’t do much, but we are just starting to see some interaction with each other and with Luna.  They are more confident in the way that they move around – they certainly know when Luna is there!  Sometimes we hear the odd little ‘woof’, but generally they are quiet – they never cry when they are hungry, because Luna feeds them so often.

We’ve had a few more visitors during the last week, which has been lovely, so they’ve been cuddled by a variety of people and are happy to have that interaction.  Aura does not like to be left out, so I have to give her a cuddle as well, which she always loves!  Remember to let me know if you would like to come and see us – the more the merrier 🙂

These puppies are record breakers in this house; I now totally understand why having half as many offspring is a biological advantage – they are growing twice as fast!  Luna is the most brilliant mother, constantly feeding, cleaning and cuddling her puppies.

Luna gets rather hot in the bed, so despite having lots of comfy bedding for her and the pups to sleep on, she would rather push it to one side and sit on the paper to feed.

This has resulted in the puppies being snuggled up into, or up onto the bedding – ready to go off and explore the world?  Not just yet..

We’ve had a few visitors, despite the fact that they are not very interesting at the moment.  They really do a good impression of guinea pigs – they are the right size, nice and smooth and silky and they even squeak and grunt (although they do occasionally bark as well!)

I have realised with these puppies in particular, that handling them from such an early age is really important in making them familiar with people of all different shapes and sizes.

Even though they can’t see or hear yet, dogs are so reliant on smell that they do know when they are being held by someone and whether that person is familiar or unfamiliar.  They already ‘snuggle in’ and it is so nice when they do 🙂

Finally this week, I wanted to share a montage I’ve made from recent pictures of the last litter, with their parents.  This picture shows mum, dad and the five princesses.  Aren’t they beautiful?  You can see the family likenesses and how much they are all enjoying life.  Makes me very proud.

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of Luna’s second litter, once again to the gorgeous Delicious Chocolate Sundae (Oz).  They arrived on Thursday 20th November.  Two girls and two boys, all big and healthy.

The puppies are weighed at birth and then monitored daily for the first few weeks.  This puppy is one of the biggest my girls have produced.  They all put on around 60g in the first day – pretty impressive work from Luna!

Luna is such a proud mother. She really loves her babies and is so pleased to show them off.  She doesn’t mind visitors (grown-ups only at this stage) but they need to be respectful – she watches carefully to see what is going on.

Luna brought these toys up from downstairs; she likes to make sure that her babies have something to cuddle up to.  Since these are Busy’s toys I had to go and buy some new ones today!

Luna looks after her babies so well, making sure they are kept clean, although this can be quite a challenge!

So gorgeous – couldn’t you just eat them up?

PLEASE NOTE:  Visitors are needed regularly for the next eight weeks, so I shall expect to see everyone I know at least once!  Children are especially welcome once they are a few weeks old (they’re boring until then) and will be required to cuddle and play with them as much as possible.  Cake is usually available.  Please make sure you get in touch to arrange your visit(s)?