Six Weeks Old

Just a few more of our favorite pictures from the past week.  The weather has been perfect for the puppies to be out and about.  They love the sound they make when they crunch in the leaves and run through grass.  They are becoming more and more playful and their personalities are increasingly evident.  I can't wait to meet all of you and tell you all about them!

A field trip

A few of the puppies took their first car ride.  They went on a little trip to school and were show-and-tell for Amirah.  It was fun to listen to Amirah tell her classmates which puppies were boys, which was a girl, how old they are, and every other bit of puppy knowledge she had.  The puppies did great!  Not even an accident!  It is amazing to see at 5 weeks already how their Labrador personality comes through...so calm, and quiet, yet so very social.  I am not sure who enjoyed the attention more, Amirah or the puppies!  Amirah's teacher had done a little research before the visit and shared with the class that Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog in the United States and in fact, there are twice as many Labrador Retrievers registered than any other dog.  She made the kids guess why.  I would have to agree with all the answers she eventually shared with them:  They are smart, obedient, easily trained, loyal.  She also talked about their strong, athletic build that is perfect for hunting. swimming, or for hiking and exploring.  She told me that after reading all about Labradors last night, she decided that she needs one!  

Ready or not, here we go!

Back in the bag and ready for a nap!  The school in only four blocks from our home and they were all three sound asleep by the time I got home! 

Another First

We started the puppies on soft food last week.  They did not waste anytime figuring out what it was.  They dug their noses in and went right to work.  They are still nursing a couple times a day, but the weaning process is well on it's way.  The kids get such a kick out of their bulging tummies when they have finished feasting!

Enjoying a drink of water after they licked the pan clean!

If you stand still for more than a couple seconds, you will have one climbing your leg, begging to be picked up.  Their attention span is very short, so are easily distracted by a shoe string...or a ball...or a blowing leaf...basically anything else that moves... 

like Willow...

First Trip Outside

Well today was the day.  The kids have been waiting for this day!  The first time the puppies ventured outside.  It was sunny and 70 with no wind.  A perfect fall day.  It was fun to see the puppies go from very unsure of their surroundings to rolling, running, and pouncing in the grass.  We even heard our first real bark.  

There was no football, volleyball or basketball practice for any of the kids, so all 5 were out there to keep track of the puppies.  I was glad we had so many extra hands, because they move faster than you think.  I counted to 9 several times!    

Somebody thinks they need a mid-day snack!

 We live on the edge of town and have a bike trail that runs behind our house.  A couple of college girls who were out for a run, couldn't resist stopping to play with puppies too.  

Playing outside is really hard work!  

{-three weeks-}

I can't believe these little duffers are three weeks old already!  They are becoming more playful and fun to interact with.  It is fun to watch them roll around, tug at each other's ears, and even give a little growl.  You can already see some of their personality coming through.  One of the yellow males reminds me of a little old man.  He seems so wise and tender-hearted.  One of the black females {who we are calling Daisy}, is a little spit-fire.  She is always the one on top of the heap and always looking for trouble.  Our kids can sit for the longest time just watching them interact with each other. They are anxiously awaiting the day when they can take them outside to play for awhile.  Next week the temps are supposed to be back in the 70's so maybe next week.  I will be sure to post some pictures of their first trip to the outdoors.  For now, just a few more pictures from inside their warm cozy shed.

    

Do you see what we see?

The puppies officially have their eyes open!  On Thursday and Friday we saw a couple of them with the corners just starting to peek out, but as of today (Saturday) they are all fully opened.  They are putting those eyes to good used too.  No more smelling for Hazel.  When she hops in the whelping box, they see her and are begging for food!  Here are a couple of pictures of those cute little peepers!

Although they are becoming increasingly more nosey and alert, they still love to cuddle up in your arms and sleep the afternoon away!