Feels Like Spring
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 5:59PM 
Here's a few photos from today. This was early morning play before brush and combs.
We still have a solid 12 days left for heat for the girls. It's not fun for them or us. I have to talk our son Jon into taking them downstairs so they have their playtime otherwise they are in my office. I hate heats. I feel like I am holding them prisoner. I am giving them chlorophyll pills that someone suggested to minimize the boys reaction. They are still aware but doesn't seem as acute or maybe they are not at peak. I don't know but why does it have to last 3 weeks and why do the boys get freedom vs gals? Well, usually we trade off but with pups I can't have Kat in here and we have a visiting boy so it is what it is.
I feel when it is all over I should take them to the park and let them run their hearts out. They do get outdoors but only with the girls.
Oh well - end of my rant and feeling bad.
Lucy was here playing as you will see in the gallery. The family is on a Spice list so he was the first to see one upclose and personal. I am taking the pups around to allow then to see the rooms, people etc for a bit of conditioning. They don't shake. They just look. Both litters seem to be in awe.
I look outside. We need a new door for the pool house and we have to figure out how to do that. It may be comical. I look at the garden and go oh my so much cleanup but okay its exercise. I may have a heart attack after this spring cleanup and this is the year to reduce my plants.
Snow is gone. We can still get a dusting. I can't wait till pups can get outdoors. We will try week 4 or 5.
Still haven't managed to get my gopro but I am holding on to the $$ like it doesn't exist as I intend on getting it as soon as pups are not so time consuming. I am spending bedtime watching videos on how to use and it gives me ideas of how I want to use then with the pups. I see Rens has a strap I can put on Inula and catch the dog play in action. Now wouldn't that be fun? Oh to have the bug of creativity. One should never lose that. Nathan wanted to go out and buy it for me where I want to actually go out and get it. I want to walk into Henrys and see what my options are such as a macro lens or a polarizer or... It's part of the experience plus I need to get out too.
Dogs are wonderful. They go outside and feel the breeze in their hair and go ah. I like how they enjoy life. We could learn a thing or two from them.
Reader Comments (7)
The dogs are collecting garden debris in their coats. I see they love their sticks.
yes - my floors are collecting garden debris too - sigh
You are absolutely right Darlah. Rusty sits on the step outside and enjoys the breeze just like you said. Amazing how inviting it looks when they sit there and then I go out and freeze. The gals are always the stronger ones and so we keep being tested to prove the theory. You hVe to go to Henry's yourself. So much to see. Like an adult playground. All you need is time??
Curious about your Kat comment. Can the boys not be trusted with the pups?
Kat would never do anything with the pups. It would stress out the moms as he is in that whining stage where he wants the gals. This would stress me out and the moms to have him blocked off in the same room. Stressing out moms means their milk reduces so then suddenly pups are crying more often and are hungry and not gaining. It is not wise to do this.
Moms allow each other to be around each others pups but not the others. They are still vulnerable and its not till they are running outside that moms relax knowing that an adult can step on a pup by accident etc. especially one who has never been a mom.
It is quite normal to be protective at this stage but I am lucky that moms trust the other moms with their pups as they are in that mode of motherhood and get what you need to do.
I do know another breeder that had her pups killed by another mom. It happens but my crew really love and trust each other. You should be able to see signs that something is not right about this dogs temperament and not breed or have her in the house. But thats hindsight, I suppose. Some dogs are not meant to be moms but rather have a different journey. That's okay too. But when they are vulnerable they are extra careful as a human would be with the baby when someone else is holding it and may not be doing it right by not supporting its neck.
It's instinct to protect your babies. Each time we have had multiple litters the moms have always trusted each other.
Ronnie: I love Henrys. I just wish I had lots of $$ as it would be a treat. heh
Heh, looks like Patches comes by her love of sticks honestly. She just loves the sticks in our back yard and grabs one then plays "catch me if you can" with it. She gets more bored with the stick the less attention I pay to her. Funny pups!
I would love to go to Henry's too but am nowhere near the photo/video taking aficionado that you are Darlah.
I think the Moms are being great Moms by protecting their pups the way they do. I think a lot of that instinct is natural but they also feel the love and caring that comes from the humans in the house. It is a very, very loving house for sure.