Week Five Puppy Photo Shoot

This week's photo shoot was difficult to say the least. I've decided to add a bunch of the candid shots from the week as well. The reason for the graduation theme is that all over the world school graduations are occurring this week. Our pups have graduated in their own way. They are now capable of living without their momma's help. They have went from dependent little beings to independent ones much like our graduating classes of 2009.


Leonidas - the perfect gentleman.


Max and Leonidas exploring.


Typical Beagle - Mowgli already trying to figure out how to get on top of the doghouse.


Papa Tate and daughter Mowgli


Leonidas and Max with Momma Maya.


Papa Tate talking with his children.


Mowgli and Chevy playing.



Papa Tate playing with daughter Sydney. Uncle Sam in the background.


Copper loves to lay down and sleep in the Ice Plant. Silly Boy. It must feel good on his belly and paws.


Copper and Sydney snuggling with their heads on a brick in the kennel.

Mowgli sitting like a little lady!


Chevy says..."graduation - I'm outta here!"

Week Five Puppy Update

Wow, time is just flying by and these pups are really growing up fast. They have gotten to the stage that they are just gorgeous puppies. However, they have also reached the stage that they are unstoppable (unless asleep). Pictures are becoming quite difficult because they don't hold still long enough. lol

Food: We are now feeding Puppy Kibble mixed with warm water only. No more formula. Mom is still nursing but only about 10-15 mins total per day. It is usually while she is cleaning up their messes in the whelping box.

Training: We've begun leash training. Each day we let the pups drag a chain around for awhile and also connect 2 together so they get the feel of something pulling them by the collar. They think nothing of having the chain attached and hanging loose and think it is play time when they are connected to a sibling. Kennel training has also begun however, we are only placing them in the kennels for a couple of hours per day (daytime) and we are still placing them with one or two of their siblings. Taking the pups outside has greatly reduced the messes inside. They will pee and poop on the grass whenever we take them outside. Of course they are still soiling their puppy potty pads inside as well, but they are still very young. Every one of the pups has learned how to climb up and down the stairs leading to the dog door and with very minimal assistance from another dog they can go in and out of the dog door on their own.

Week Four Puppy Photo Shoot

The back yard play area - or as you can tell...the sleeping quarters. lol All the adult dogs love to watch over the puppies, especially Auntie Sulli who is very anxiously awaiting her own brood.


The play area in the front yard! Again you will notice quite a few have already pooped out in the fresh air and are sleeping in the shade.

Mowgli being adorable!

Copper - is this ridiculously cute or what?!


Special Delivery - Sydney!


Harley - Picture perfect!

Max - as cute as a button!


Leonidas of Sparta busy checking out his new surroundings.


Chevy busy ducking while thinking to himself... 'Flowers - really? I have an image to protect here!'

Be sure to check out the individual blog entries for each pup to see more adorable photos.

Week 4 Puppy Update

The puppies are all growing so well and they are at an adorable stage in their development. Eyes and ears opened on schedule. Their teeth are all in on schedule, although they are still reluctant to eat more solid food. I am still feeding them crushed puppy kibble mixed with formula and a jar of baby food meat. As of the morning I will be doing crushed kibble and formula only though. The pups all wag their tails on purpose now and they are playing like little puppies. We hear growls, yowls and little barks. Occasionally a puppy scream too. That usually makes all the adult dogs and the humans come running to make sure all is well. We are taking the puppies outside for short periods of time each day. This allows me time to get their puppy pen freshened up and the puppies are getting more used to the outdoor noises and the feel of grass and concrete under their feet. Oh and it cuts down on the messes and smells inside the house (always a good thing). lol All of the pups have reached or are nearing the 4 lbs mark. Again this is right on schedule. They will start to slow down a little on the weight gain now as most weigh right around 6 lbs at 7 weeks. A little less than a pound a week weight gain is a good mark for their growth. Also momma really slows down on the amount of nursing she allows from this point forward. Those little teeth can hurt her. All the puppies have been wearing their collars from about 2 weeks on so our goals this week will be to start getting them used to a leash. Stay tuned for Week 5 updates.

Week Three Puppy Photo Shoot

Our little girl Sydney is quite photogenic, even during the embarrassing first bath scenes. lol


"Heavy" Chevy as we call him...totally relaxing during his bath time.



Our group photo of the "first supper".

Okay, so this was probably about their 5th or 6th time of eating, but I couldn't resist calling it the "first supper".



Harley enjoying his first bubble bath.



Copper thinks there are better things to be doing that getting clean. He says puppies are supposed to be dirty and stinky. lol



Rub a dub dub - Mowgli's in the tub!


Leonidas of Sparta hanging on for dear life!




Max as a bubble head. J/K.

Sunday May 24th, 2009

Week Three Puppy Update:

All of the puppies are doing great. They are walking now with steadier legs. Their eyes and ears are opened. They have had their first baths and are wearing their collars with no trouble. They have begun to go potty and poop on their own without the assistance of Big Momma (Maya) now. They are getting to the potty pads about 75% of the time, but are still having accidents on the rugs a bit too. They are eating formula mixed with baby food meats as a supplement to the nursing from Maya. I am feeding them 2 times per day now with 8 oz of formula and one jar of meat baby food at each feeding to share amongst the 7 of them. They are beginning to have their teeth erupt-canines are coming first.

Week Two Puppy Photo Shoot

This is one HOT Dog!

Momma Maya watching over her litter! She certainly seems to be producing enough milk. None of the puppies are suffering from malnutrition that is for sure. lol


Sydney saying "oh no they are going to eat me!"


Week 2 group shot! They no longer all fit in the same bed!


Chevy 5/16


Mowgli just waiting for someone to gobble her up!