Radiograph taken five days before birth showed eight pups

This is a picture of the pups in their incubator keeping warm after completing their daily weigh-in and doing their exercises. We were changing the bedding in their whelping box so this helps us to keep them warm and cozy. Yes, it is crowded because they have been growing so quickly.

At one week of age the girls are on the left and the boys on the right. They have increased their weight at birth by 50% already.

Their eyes were opened up by about 12 days of age. The experts say that the big puppy eyes are what most endears us to dogs.

Davia likes the toys too but is comfortable just making sure the puppies play nice.

Davia not so patiently waiting for the pups’ arrival

Back with mom the pups take a nap and Davia decides to join them.

Davia keeping an ever watchful eye on the pups

Not long after the eyes opened the pups were sitting up on their own (see Carol in the pink collar) and walking around the whelping box (Bell on the right) without too much trouble.

With their added mobility it was time to introduce a few toys. They took to them right away and began carrying the hedgehog and chick around the whelping box on a regular basis.

Now that the pups can sit up and walk around, they can also stand to get a drink from mom. It is their way of getting a quick snack.

Who is that trying to climb out of the whelping box? It looks like it is time to move to a pen.

After a few days they were introduced to their litter pans.

Within two days the pups were using their litter pans and we could increase the size of the pen to 4' x 6’. Added room to play meant more exercise and much more fun.

Yule (left) and Carol (right) playing tug-of-war with another new toy.

Or this face? This is Mistletoe resting after a bit of play with his brothers.

At six weeks of age the pups have their microchips implanted but before that is done the need a bath. This is Ornament and he was not too happy about the bath thing.

The outside temperature is in the single digits and below. There is a foot or more of snow in the yard. So, how do you introduce the pups to things like grass and leaves? Bring them inside! It is a little innovative but it worked and the pups loved the leaves.

Carol enjoying the snow on a beautiful day

At five-and-a-half weeks of age the pups moved to a 6’ x 6’ pen with two litter pans and an open door crate. The open door slowly introduces them to a crate. That afternoon all eight walked into the crate and took a nap.

Trying to sort out who will play with which toy.

Speaking of resting… After almost one hour of play and exploration the pups decided to crash. Yes, all eight are in that pile of pups and some of them can’t be comfortable.

The pups enjoy playing in their agility tunnel. These pups took to it the very first time they saw it. One even went in it and took a nap.

Mom just can’t get enough of her pups nor they of her.

Motherly love.

Finally, a day that was not too cold for the pups to spend some time outside.

They loved the snow!

Bell and Carol checking out some exposed grass

A nice picture of Gift on the left and showing his retrieving skills on the right

They are having a bit of a discussion on just who has the right to retrieve the wing to dad

Yule on the left and Gift on the right

Elf with a pheasant wing

It was a group effort to pick up the pheasant wing and carry it away

Yule coming at you

Carol was the first to use the water bowl for a drink. Soon after, others followed her lead.

Gift with a new home made toy. He was having a ball running around the pen with it.

The pups are now in the walkout basement and able to play outside of the new pen while under supervision. Here a couple of them are checking out the dog bed. How can you not love that face?

Here is a short video of the pups at one week and three weeks of age.

Their first pen, giving them more room and no way to escape!