Daybreak Puppies 2011: The half-way mark.

a few pups found Tioga's "hiding spot" and
came in for a snuggle and a nap.

This week is a tough week for any "mom" raising a litter. While Tioga technically is their mom, I feel like their mommy too and this week marks the half-way point of their time here at Daybreak. It is bittersweet to think about all they have learned, how much they have grown and how quickly 4-weeks has flown by... that means the last 4-weeks will go by twice as fast. To that end, we have some really great families lined-up to raise these pups and we are excited about building friendships with them.

This week our Brew Crew has ventured outdoors to take the first steps in house training. We are trying to get them used to the idea of a 'wake-up, go out to potty, then come in for breakfast' routine. We are so pleased with their progress especially since we have had a surprise October snow shower and it is quite cold on little paws. The Morning Blend beans have proven they are big brave dogs - all of them, after the appropriate initial tentative whines, have been curious and adventuresome.

Tioga has been a marvelous teacher and caregiver to the babies. She nudges them on to encourage them outdoors, cuddles them close when they just can't seem to settle at night, and without a doubt LOVES to clean them up after a messy meal. She seems relaxed and happy in her role as mom. During the next several weeks, she will begin to teach them through play about controlling those sharp little teeth that have emerged in the past week. I am sure she will love having them all as playmates and less as suckling babies.

We have begun "testing" them following the rules of seven. 7 days, 7 new experiences. New floor surfaces, new food bowls, new outdoor adventures, new visitors, new positions to be held in and beds to sleep in. While we have seen slight differences in who is bravest, who is most reserved, who waits to let another pup try it first, we are very pleased overall with the outgoing nature of this group. Kona has proven time and again that he will not be contained. He has escaped both whelping box and puppy pen set-ups. India and Kenya continue to be the aggressors in wrestling matches often looking for unsuspecting sleeping siblings to torment. Maxwell and Peaberry continue to rule the food bowl - climbing over other puppies to get to the best spot. Vienna and Peaberry continue to be the snuggle bugs. They tend to seek out the attention of people that come to play. Joe continues to be laid back. Make no mistake he still is a feisty match when playing with the other pups, but he finds a spot to settle easily and seriously loves a good nap!

Without further ado ~ here are the 4-week old coffee cuties!

VIENNA

female, id: purple, weight at birth: 15.4ozs, weight at week three: 4lbs 10.8ozs