Auntie Deb finally arrives!

This is Deb Abbott, happily writing as a guest blogger!

I arrived in NY on Saturday to spend the week in New York with the Time litter and then will take Page back home so we can get back to training!    I know how much work it is to raise these puppies, but getting a first-hand look has been fun – and exhausting! 

Deb Abbott meeting Page's puppies for the first time

Lots had happened, but let me tell you about our day yesterday - it was a busy one.  In the morning, they were introduced to birds. Levi and Page gave the puppies great genes, they knew exactly what to do with the birds.    After rearranging and cleaning the puppy pen (a huge task) and taking them for a walk, the puppies slept (ahhh, peace!). 

After napping and on a second walk, they all bravely climbed the mountains of snow here in New York.    Mr. Yellow climbed up the snowy plateau, the snow is at hip level,  and ran towards a large branch that was sticking up out of the ground. After trying to pull it out of the snow, he broke off a small piece and proudly brought it back to show us.

Hard work getting through the snow - but FUN!!!

After lunch, the agenda called for a ride to Connecticut for their eyes appointments. For this appointment, I learned what a great thing it is for the puppies to be trained to a litter box! Lise has this down to a science: The litter box is slid into a garbage bag and toys plopped on top of it. The box goes into the room with the puppies. We put drops in all the puppies’ eyes.  Then one person plays with the puppies as the other person works with the tech to put the puppies on the table while their eyes are examined by the veterinarian. All eyes looked good, so it was back in the van for the trip home.

Arriving at Dr. Stuhr's office

The early evening was time for crate training. And of course lots of planning and preparation go into this lesson, just like everything else they learn and experience.  In their third session Lise and I trained them for 10 minutes teaching them to be quiet in the crate. Not an easy lesson, but a really important one - and they did really well!!!  

Mr. Green and Mr. Blue stopped their play for a photo

Finally, it was time for a rest before dinner. After they ate dinner, Devon, Spring and I said good night to leave them to their nighttime play. We needed to go home and rest before another fun day! Raising puppies is exhausting for everyone!

Somebody is exhausted!!

So Much To Do And So Little Time!

The Time litter continues to thrive despite the horrendous weather we have been having in New York!  The puppies were oblivious to the foot of snow that fell today as they continue to play, climb, fight, bite and run while learning in their pen!  They try to convince us that there is NOTHING to do when they scream at the top of their lungs!  I have never raised a winter litter before and it sure has its challenges. We are used to walking a litter of puppies this age every day for about an hour.  With no way to take them on walks we keep them busy and present them with learning opportunities by giving them as many experiences as possible.  

Mary giving one of the visitors a puppy to hold

The first trip they had was when my friend Mary Paulich and I took them to the south shore of Long Island where they were holding a Special Needs Fair.  There were hundreds of  people there, many with special needs!  The puppies were a hit!  People had to wait on line to get in to hold one of the puppies.   The puppies had a quiet night after their big outing and then were ready for their many visitors over the next few days!   

Their next outing was last Thursday when we took the litter to my friend Judy's barn.  

Judy enjoying one of the Time pups!

The barn is heated and safe for the puppies.  They entered cautiously and explored the area.  Within a few minutes they were quite comfortable running and playing in the aisle.   The puppies got to meet lots of men who took a break from their work to play with and love them up.  We even got to practice recalls in the aisle!

Puppies playing in the aisle

Mr. Green exploring

They particularly liked to run in and out of the stall filled with hay and shavings!    What a wonderful experience this was for them!  Thank you, Judy!!!    It's so exciting to observe the puppies as they learn about the world!!!  

The next blog will tell you all about our move to Cold Spring, NY,  Does anyone remember The Beverly Hillbillies?  That will give you an idea of what the trip looked like!

In the meantime, enjoy the latest photos and videos.

To Err Is Human - To Forgive Canine!

First, I know how much you all look forward to the puppy blog and I have been REALLY remiss in keeping up with the blog.   Please forgive me!  

Gaylan's Color Litter Enjoying The Tunnel

Gaylan's Time Mr. Green

Of course then I realized even if I could not find the time to tell you what was happening with the Time and Color litters, if I just uploaded the photos and videos you could see for yourself.  So they are uploading as I type.

You will notice that the sidebar has changed a bit.  The Color and Time litters now have one folder each containing all the photos/video sorted by date taken with the most recent showing on page 1.  This way you will not have to go in and out of folders, you can just scroll through the pages.

As far as the puppies themselves, in just a few words, they are all doing GREAT!!!

Enjoy the photos and I will try to write more soon.

Avidog's Adventure Box - Puppy Tested - Kid Approved!

Jake checking out Avidog's Adventure Box

Today was a day filled with visitors, including our friend Sandy Washburn, her daughter Samantha and grandson Jake. The Color pups sure had fun, but after Jake left there was a clear question - who had more fun, Jake or the puppies?  I think it was a tie.

The pups had a great time with their mini dog walk - a plank across two Fitpaws disks.  Nothing like a little wobble to the board - but it does not faze them in the least.  

Scoop has been wonderful with the visitors and Dart insists in joining in on the fun, jumping into the box, playing with the pups for a few minutes and then making sure she gets lots of attention.

There are tons of new Color photos up in the Week 5 folder - Enjoy!

Jake and Color Red

The Time litter continues to thrive.  They cannot see, hear, or control their body temperature yet.   For that matter, they cannot go to the bathroom without assistance from Page.  But they sure can find her to eat!  They can smell when she gets into the whelping box and once she has cleaned them she lies down and they are quick to latch on and nurse.  

We continue with biosensor and Early Scent Introduction.  Today's scent was evergreen - which had all the responses: intense interest, neutral reaction, and intense dislike.

Gaylan's Time Litter - 6 days old

It was quite warm in the room today, which you can tell by looking in the box - the pups are all spread out.   If they were piled together, like the picture above, it is likely because it is a bit chilly.   Our pups generally like the room between 72 and 75 degrees.   

Page and the Time Pups Napping

Page continues to be a wonderful mother, both nurturing  and protecting her pups.  Dart stuck her head in the other day and Page told her with just a look - "Back off" and Dart read it beautifully and left.   In another week or so I suspect Page will let the other dogs in the room.   If it takes longer, that's fine.   After all, they are Page's pups and it is her call.

There are lots more pictures in the Time Litter - Week One Folder - ENJOY!!!