I've never before had 2 litters of puppies at a time. The age spread has made it relatively easy--right now, the N puppies are the perfect age for cuddling and playing and the O puppies are just opening their eyes and starting to walk. The O puppies are here in my office (where the N's spent their first 3.5 weeks), so I spend most of the day in the room with them, all too often getting entranced by some new thing they are doing--whether walking or climbing out of the box or vigorously demanding that Xita be more accommodating of their every need and whim.
The N puppies are now 6 weeks old have graduated to the front yard, mostly, where they have shelter and water and room to explore--and, most especially, room to teach themselves to seek out the grass and to go potty. This has translated nicely to their mid-day siestas in the TV room, where they hide in the AC to avoid the excessive heat (it was 102 here on Saturday!). At 6 weeks, they are actively seeking specific areas to potty and if I walk them outside, they take turns pooping in the grass before we head back into the AC and away from the blasting sun.
On Sunday, a friend helped to give the puppies a great snuggle/play session and to take pictures of all the babies.
Nineva, Nora, Navarre, Nick, Nemo--look at Nemo's ear up! (for all for 30 seconds)
They are turning out to be delightful babies, very affectionate and kissy, and are showing very nice drives--between nap sessions! Nineva even retrieved a ball many times in a row, running and sliding to catch the ball before it got away, then pausing to chomp thoughtfully on the ball for a few seconds before happily bringing it back to be thrown again. Such a good girl--and a natural retrieve at 6 weeks!
Nineva and her ball
Nemo has grown big and handsome and true to his earlier experience of falling asleep in the food bowl--he is *very* food motivated.
Nemo
Nemo and Nora had a fun time playing tug together and were very interactive and affectionate.
Nora and Nemo
Nora is a lively girl with very nice drives and excellent eye contact. She's a charming girl who will do well in almost any sort of home that offers her love and regular exercise and intellectual stimulation--whether a competition/working home or an active, involved companion home.
Nora
We tried to photograph Nick during his nap time yesterday and got shot a few dirty looks because of that, but he's shown himself to be lively and bold and very friendly, with good drives.
Nick
Navarre shows flashes of very nice drive and also of being people oriented, but naptime took him under quickly and I only have a few shots of him awake. He seems to be affected by the heat more than his siblings, and I'm not sure why. I think I'll be looking for a loving pet home for him.
Navarre
