2 Weeks Old Today!

Would you like some coffee with your breakfast???
In birth order there is Vienna, Joe, Kenya, Kona, Maxwell, India and Peaberry

Another week of magic and milestones! I am still in awe every time I peer into the whelping box and see Tioga lounging so contently with a sprinkling of puppies all around her. She really LOVES being a mom. She is vigilant about cleaning them and checking on them. In fact, many times when they have all been feed and have fallen into a deep "milk-drunk" sleep, she will get up, have a good long drink, go outside to take care of business and then come in almost disappointed to find that her babies are STILL sleeping. She will wander around the house and then return, looking quizzically at me and them before carefully stepping into the box. She whines a bit perhaps at the lack of space to lay down, perhaps at the still babies at her feet - and then she proceeds to nudge each one awake! She licks them and moves them around with her muzzle and when she's got them all worked into a frenzy of wobbly legs and squeaks and mews, she lays down and lets them climb all over her. She exhales a deep sigh and they all settle in together to start the process all over again.

This week we have seen eyes open and pups figure out how to get up on four legs. Their back legs seem to be much stronger than their front legs so there are a lot of "face-plants" and tumbles. . It is a riot to watch! The pups have more than doubled in size and are exploring their environments more. Aside from just nuzzling up to Tioga for milk, they are climbing on her like a jungle gym. The favorite spot is her neck and many wrestling matches ensue to procure the spot. The pups have begun interacting with each other in ways beyond the puppy pile for warmth and comfort. I have seen the beginnings of mouthing games. They have been scratching behind their ears with their back legs - just like the "big dogs"! When you pet them, they seem to want to wrestle your hand and will roll onto their backs and mouth at your fingers. They are more aware of - gravity, I guess... more frightened when you pick them up if they are not held close right away, more aware of the ground not being below them - they squirm and squawk until your hug them tight. We have had to change their id collars from ricrac to a larger type so you will note a few color changes

Each puppy is spending some alone time with each of us - the kids each have a different "favorite" While Levent and I remain completely politically correct and give all the pups equal time as our favorite.Vienna is Sophie's favorite and she is a super cuddle-r. She was the first born, first with eyes open and yet is the smallest. She is always content and very quiet, accept if you are holding her in a way she isn't fond of -then boy can she kick up a storm! Kona and Peaberry are Morgan's favorite. Kona is still a loner, preferring to nap away from the group. He has found his voice and is equally as squeaky as some of our noisier pups. Peaberry is still the first and last at the milk bar and the scale shows it! She is super sweet, but tough as the big boys! Daniel's favorite is Joe. Joe is a funny guy - laid back and sleepy but one of the noisiest ones in our crew. He lets you know when things aren't going his way... LOUDLY! But he is very easily contented. I love Maxwell for his calm, cool confidence. He is a quiet, easy going pup. He is one of the biggest and one of the first to be up on all fours, but he is so mellow that he flies under the radar. India reminds me SO MUCH of Bristol from our last litter - who reminded us so much of Callie (Tioga's Mom) I guess it is in the genes. India is our princess/warrior. She is independent and clever - the first to figure out those wobbly legs. She knows what she wants and she lets the rest of the litter know when they are in her way. But she is also so sweet. She loves to be held and given love and attention. Kenya is just pure and simple a love bug. She literally melts into you when you hold her. She is a big, robust puppy, but like Maxwell is so quiet and content. In all, they are a lovely crew. They make us laugh and sigh and overflow with "happy" :)

So here they are at two weeks. Our delicious Morning Blend!

VIENNA

female, id: purple, weight at birth: 15.4 oz, weight at week two: 37.2 ozs

JOE

male, id: blue, weight at birth: 16.7 ozs, weight at week two: 37.8 ozs

KENYA

female, id: black, weight at birth: 16.4 ozs, weight at week two: 40.2 ozs

KONA

male, id: red, weight at birth: 16.8 ozs, weight at week two: 43.8 ozs

MAXWELL
male, id: green, weight at birth: 17ozs, weight at week two: 37.8 ozs

just noticing this frog has a super menacing grin :(

INDIA
female, id: pink, weight at birth: 14.8 ozs, weight at week two: 38.6 ozs 

PEABERRY
female, id: light green pattern, weight at birth: 13.6 ozs, weight at week two: 41.0 ozs