Thursday, April 29, 2010

Time with Mama Iska--at last!




Pups are very happy to be with their mom and Iska seems content to hang out with them too.

Pups are now in a double pen system to allow for more movement and give them a play and sleeping area away from an elimination area. This is important as a pre-housetraining foundation.

Pups are also now out of the whelping room/office and in the midst of all of the activity of the house. It is important for them to be exposed to normal household noises and movements. In these videos, you can hear dishes being done in the kitchen and the television in the living room. You may also be able to hear Flute complaining because she is in her crate to allow Iska some alone time with the pups. Flute does not approve, but Iska and pups are clearly fine without her :-).





Monday, April 26, 2010

Hangin' with the pups




In this photo, Flute seems to proclaim with her look, "These are MY pups."

You can see in the video that Auntie Flute just enjoys hanging out with the pups. Doesn't matter if they are awake or asleep.

Here Flute amuses herself by chewing on a cow's hoof. She's right there if any pups awake and need attention.

I suspect Flute will be a great and super attentive mom.

Iska is a very good mom, but she is always mobbed by pups wanting to nurse when she visits, so she cannot just hang out like Flute can. Pups have very sharp teeth now, so Iska really limits her time with them in the whelping box.

5 weeks old: cow hooves are fun

Inspired by Auntie Flute, these girls enjoy playing with cow hooves.

"I've got teeth now--very sharp teeth!--and I'm gonna use them," proclaims this girl.






"Nursing requires proper supervision"

asserts Flute.

It is amazing that Iska does not mind Flute sitting in the box with her while she nurses.

After finishing nursing, Iska jumps out of the box and one pup climbs out after her and ambushes her for some more nursing.

Flute and the remaining pups lean out of the box to watch the nursing escapee.

Nursing is also, apparently, a spectator sport.



Pup or baby werewolf?




You decide.

Black boy & 2 girls portraits

Pups' heads are wet from nursing in the shot of one black girl (upper frame) and the boy (lower frame).

Pepper & Salt girl portraits



Dark PnS girl portraits

Here is the adorable girl up close. This pup is so cute. I can't stand it. She is also incredibly sweet and cuddly.

Each week there seems to be a Star. This week it is this girl.

So cute, so bad--a pictorial of oppression




One girl's comfort is very important ... to that girl!!

"What do you expect from a STAR?," asks DPNSG.

This is clearly a rhetorical question ...


Scenes from week 5



Scenes from week 5





Flute dreams of pups all to herself

Iska decided to sleep with my husband, rather than in with me and the pups.

Flute was only too happy to finally have the pups to herself :-).

Flute takes over

Pups seem to have no problem with Auntie Flute in charge!