Four Weeks Old Now!

Please forgive us, Regular Readers, for our inconsistency in blogging over the last ten days. We've had a few substantial things happen recently with loved ones (including but not limited to a death in the family and a surprising cancer diagnosis)  that have kept us occupied.

The little ones are fine and thriving, and they are turning into real puppies now! They're up on their feet, wagging their tales, seeing, hearing, playing with toys, romping, and chewing on each other (and biting each other's ears, which hurts with those sharp puppy teeth).  They're getting much more 1:1 time with us, apart from each other, and we're beginning gentle redirection on things like puppy biting and jumping to which they are responding quite well (they are *so* eager to please!). 

They're still nursing, but we'll slowly introduce them to solid food toward the end of this week with the goal of transitioning them completely by the time they're six weeks old. They should be weaned by their six-week-old vet visit for check-ups, vaccines, and deworming. 

This week, since it's supposed to be 60 degrees F here (quite unusual for early February), we'll probably try to more fully introduce them to the outdoors.  Just two days ago, on a sunny 50-degree day, I carried each outside to experience the feel of the sun and breeze and the sounds of planes overhead, wind chimes, and bird calls, but it was chilly for them, so we stayed outside only a minute or two with each pup.  All were appropriately timid at first but seemed to relax and enjoy the adventure.

Here are pictures of them now (all taken within the last two days--and don't forget that you can click on the photos to enlarge them):

I won't caption these (just for time's sake so I can get these up on the blog), but will try to provide more details this week sometime.  Thanks for you patience!

Enjoy!

'til next time,
Joan