The Brew Crew: Intrepid Explorers!

The one thing I lamented about with our first litter was that because of the timing (dead of winter... freezing cold) we didn't have any of those wonderful 'puppies playing in the grass on a sunny afternoon' kind of days. I was very excited this time around that our timing was a little kinder to not so sturdy pups and a temperature wimp like me. Yesterday was a beautiful, crisp fall day. There was a bit of wind, but the sun was bright and warm, so the pups and I ventured out into the backyard. I didn't set up an x-pen or just plunk them right outside the door - we went all the way up the small slope toward our garden shed. I say 'all the way up' but as I have mentioned we are on less than half an acre - it is not so far away, unless you are with seven tiny puppies! I sat in the grass and took the puppies out of the bin I had carried them out in. I readied my camera for the intrepid explorers first taste of freedom! As I sat with my lens focused on the group I began to notice all the little gaps in the fence and areas under the shed that they might be able to slip under and began to panic a bit, but this fearless crew decided to huddle beside the big boulder - too afraid of the wind or their shadows to do much exploring. Here is a little photo blog of our adventure:

The pups on their first big outdoor adventure!

 After a few minutes of serious whining (they sound like a flock of seagulls!) Tioga came over to coax them to see what the backyard had to offer. 

The pups began to look around and at each other as if to say, "okay YOU go first!"

And finally, they all began to wander.

Maxwell looking off in the distance.

A few pups even decided to go ask Dakota what he thought of the backyard adventure!

Pretty soon all the puppies were exploring! Sniffing the grass and chasing
the leaves blown by the wind.

Everyone, that is, EXCEPT INDIA! Can you spot her in the picture below? She curled right up in a little well by the boulder and had a good long nap. Tioga and Dakota each went by a few times to sniff her to be sure she was in fact alive. Tioga even nudged her a time or two, but on she slept!

Tioga on Sentry duty.

The Brew Crew huddle up against the wind.

Pretty soon, the wind and the outdoors got to be too much. Even India woke up and joined the crew. And where did the pups head? Right on my lap!

Peaberry gives my jeans a little nibble.

And eventually they all ended up right in my shadow (literally!)

So I loaded them up in the bucket to bring them back into the house.

And they all had a lovely long nap!

Look at Vienna trying to sneak a drink from mom.