3 Weeks Old!

The pups are 3 weeks old tomorrow and we can't believe how much they've changed so far!  Everyday they get more active and more alert, but mostly the still love eating and sleeping the most.  We're excited to watch them start to explore in the next week as we start letting them outside, but one thing's for sure...I don't think we ever get sick of seeing those cute little puppy dog faces!

7 Week Pictures

It's hard to believe that these little rugrats are already 7 weeks old and are going to be going home tomorrow!  The time always goes too quickly, but we thoroughly enjoy every minute we get to spend with them. They've grown so much in the past weeks, but one thing has stayed the same....you aren't going to find a better looking bunch!  We decided to take them to the prairie tonight and snap a few photos, and they turned out great.   Here is one last shot of this rowdy bunch all together!

The puppies are continually growing, and getting more rambunctious by the day.  It's hard to believe that they are just about 6 weeks old.  It's even harder to believe that in a little over a week they are going to start going home!   They love playing in the yard, wrestling around, and doing what puppies do!   They are also enjoying the pheasant tail I've been introducing them to the last couple of days.  They're already showing that natural instinct! It's fun to see how they react when you take the tail away. They'll put their little noses to the ground, and go back to that last spot they remember seeing it with their tails-a-waggin! They've been a fun bunch, and have been pretty easy going as well.  I think a lot of that has to do with the time of year and the fact that they literally spend hours on end outside in the yard most days.

Aspen flashing a little point

Left-Poppy Right-Harper

Left Aspen Right-McKenzie

Left-Rosie Right-Many

Left-Creek Right-Harper

Mandy

Litter Announcement!

 In the wee hours of the night on Thursday the 8th and into Friday morning, Briar decided it was time to have puppies. She caught us a little off guard and by the time we realized 7 healthy puppies were already on the ground.  She really didn't show much for signs on Thursday, and her due date not being until the 12th we didn't expect much action. For a first time mother she did great!  Sometimes they just know better than we do, and it always amazes me how that natural mothering instinct just kicked in.  When we walked in she was laying their nursing, and gave us a look like, "don't worry, I've got this under control!"   When all was said and done, she had 9 healthy pups.  2 yellow females, 1 yellow males, and 6 black males!   As you can see, she's a pretty proud momma!  She reminds me so much of Belle when I see how she mothers her little ones, but also how she still loves a quick break from the action to see what's going on outside, or run and play.  However, she never leaves their sight for too long, and is always quick to see who is checking in on her little ones.  One things for certain, this puppy thing never gets old!

If only they all would cooperate like some did! It's always a challenge trying to get 8 puppies looking in the right direction.  They continue to grow and explore more by the day. They're loving their feeding of wet food twice a day, and enjoy their time outdoors. Last night a few of them got to make the trip to the farm to help with chores, and they're loving the warm weather where they can run and play most of the day.  This week has been very warm for Iowa in early June so I've go them all set up with air conditioning already as well.  They continue to be the focus of most of our free time. Many nights my wife and kids sit out in the Adirondack chairs in the backyard admiring the time we have with them. Sometimes it's the simple things in life that help us to realize how good we have it, and how truly blessed we are.  It helps us appreciate the times we have together.  With our oldest son getting married in August, we know how quickly that time goes by, and how much we need to cherish those moments when our kids are still willing to spend time with us!

Poppy

 A few pictures of the puppies from today. As you can tell they are growing, and becoming more active everyday.  Some of them don't have a lot of sit as you can tell from the pictures, but they have been a lot of fun so far this summer!   Today was the first day we fed them wet food....the kids have been begging me to feed them so today was finally the day I gave in!  The pups enjoyed the newest addition to their diets!   All in all this is a great litter. They have plenty of spunk, they are very social, and are great looking pups!  This crew is going to have everything you are looking for and more!

Aspen

Rosie

McKenzie

McKenzie

Harper

Mandy

Creek

Branch