Wet and Snowy? Who Cares!

Well, actually these boys care about the cold and rain.  It's not their fav but they will tolerate it if the reward is powerful enough and I think we have what it takes.  Digging is getting pretty high on their list.

But perhaps even higher are the little winged creatures ...  Birds!

Quick (blue) and Jack (orange) find a quail first.

Jack (orange) is very excited to find her again.

Nimble (green) just can't get enough.  He searched high ...

He searched low

Quick (blue) had a little trouble scrambling over the bigger log.

They're so cute and little.

Where did that bird get to????

After a romp through the woods finding the birds, they split up for a couple of hours of time away.  Quick (blue) went to visit Susie and the girls.  Nimble (green) went to visit Kelsey and her cats and his Great Uncle Vezer.  Jack (orange) learned a thing or two at Wendy and Eds from Gramma Lannie and Auntie Aerial.  Everyone had a great time and Pixie and I were very happy to have them back.

I'm a Travelin' Man

I've made a lot of stops...
Friday and Saturday were visiting days.  Friday after taking a little nap I loaded up Roady, Pixie and the McTrio for a trip to the Alzheimer's Day Center where my dad works part time.  The little guys went for some Meet-a-bunch-of-people and See-how-sweet-I-am time while the big dogs did a little agility, obedience and conformation demo.  The puppies were a hit - Roady and Pixie were too - but who can resist a puppy?  Even a woman who never pets the various dogs that go there had to pet these guys.  The boys kept their teeth and claws under control which was a major bonus considering all of the potentially fragile skin in the room.  I had several takers for the boys, but never fear, I left with everyone in tow.  Amazingly, for as much of a spaz as she can be, I think Pixie has potential to be a therapy dog.  She was good about sitting or standing quietly to be petted and for one man who was in a very large /high wheelchair she carefully jumped up with her front feet only resting on his knees so he could pet her.  I was a little concerned it was going to be a full out leap into his lap but she was a very good girl.

Pixie moves in for easy access

Roady shows off how to do a tiny tunnel

After the visit, the boys went for solitary visits to various friends.  Each visit was for a few hours so they got some time on their own, encountered a new situation, a new dog, and then got to come back home to mom and brothers.  This way their first time to their new home isn't their first time away.  Making a few of these visits helps make the transition easier and the puppies more comfortable with new things.  With only three they'll each get a decent number of visits.

Terri of course had her favorite Quick (blue)

Nancy had the pleasure of Jack (orange)

He is good for a kiss or two

Nimble had a bouncy time with Diane

 Thank you so much to each of you for helping make these boys as wonderful as they can be.

Pixie was very happy to have all of her boys back

Jack thinking about what a fun time he had

Everyone was worn out and ready for bed.

Saturday was more of a big day of running around for me than for the boys since Drew had a wrestling tournament that lasted all day.  However, Quick (blue) went for a visit with Chad, Chrissy and 2nd cousin Rooney down in "the big city". 

Quick had a great time meeting new people, his cousin, and trying out a leash.

Nimble (green) and Jack (orange) played McVelociraptor, and figured out multiple times how to break out of the pen.  Each time I came home they were free.  Nice.  Well they had fun.  I had a lot to clean up.
The original plan was we were going to take advantage of the great weather go for an outdoor field trip and play with some birds.  Wrestling trumped that so we are going to brave the elements before it gets too nasty and go out this morning.

Fun In The Sun

Who would have thought that 30 degrees could feel "warm".  With the sun out and the wind down it probably felt like 32 out there so the pups had several romps out back.

McKissable

Lots of sniffing in the wilds

Lots of pouncing in the wilds.

Lots of chasing in the wilds.

Lots of fun in the wilds.

Roady and Pixie got to go for a short run today and afterward this is what happened....

Some mothers just don't know when to let go.

 I got Drew to take some pics of the pups doing their Food Bowl Zen.  What good little boys.  It takes only a few lift ups to remind them hineys on the ground!

Jack (orange) is moving...oops

Jack (orange) and Nimble (green) are moving ... oops!

Jack (orange) is actually only shaking his head so that is ok.  Notice which little bum has stayed down each time.

Zen....Oooohhhhhmmmmm

Forgot to post their weights yesterday:
Weights (birth -- --> 6weeks --> 7 weeks)
Nimble (green)  10.6oz --> 7.5 lbs --> 9.25 lbs
Quick (blue)  7.9 oz  --> 6lbs 12.6oz --> 8.75lbs
Jack (orange) 9 oz  --> 7.25lb --> 9 lbs
weights were after chowing down on a big lunch so it may be off a little.


The pups are learning some more Zen training.  What is that you say?  Zen is controlling your crazy puppy behavior to get what you want.  Want to eat but you act like a nut barking and leaping at the bowl hoping to knock it out of my hand?  Well, for you my puppy friend, the bowl stays up high until you sit then it starts to come down.  Start your little shenanigans again?  The bowl goes back up and we start again waiting for calm sitting behavior.  The first time we had three little butts planted firmly in place within 1 minute.  Normally I would do each puppy separately but they are pretty quick to catch on and we've been working a little on keep your mouth quiet if you want to get out. Good boys!  Everyone is the McSmartie today!

7 Weeks Old Today!

So now the baby growing up stuff starts to happen.  Almost 3 more weeks with us and during that time they will start sleeping in a crate at night, being introduced to walking on leashes, learning a trick or two, eating from their own bowls sometimes in and sometimes out of a crate, going on field trips by themselves, going on outdoor field trips together, getting introduced to birds and all kinds of puppy fun. 

Today the boys played outside and inside.  Drew got a cold and came home early from school so there went my plans to take them for an outdoor field trip.  Maybe tomorrow.  It is pretty cold out so any outdoor time is pretty limited.  Pixie showed them the joys of a Buster Cube and something like it that looks like a hard Kong that weebles and wobbles spilling treats out of it.

While they have been pretty soft-mouthed with people, they can be brutal with each other.  Yesterday, Quick (blue) and Nimble (green) got into it to the point that Pixie jumped up and stood between the two of them.  Have I said what a good momma dog she is?  Today Jack (orange) decided that Nimble (green) needed to be shaken like a rag doll and that he could do it by grabbing the skin on the top of his head!  Pixie had to break that one up as well but poor Nimble had a swollen spot on the top of his head afterward.

Bath Day and Who's Who?

Yes!  They eat now!

Sunday morning was going down open slatted stairs, exploring the basement and additionally some fun before ....

Yes they are way scary stairs

Quick (blue) was first one down though he managed to slide down the last one sideways somehow

And Jack (orange) protested as usual but eventually he did it.

It was well work the effort because there is lots of stuff down there including this giant spider from our Halloween decorations

Bath time.  Talk about unhappy puppies!  The wailing and gnashing of teeth could probably be heard for miles :-).  They all survived and snuggled together under the heat lamp and a blanket afterward.

It's not easy being clean.

When clean is all there is to be

And clean is cool and friendly-like

Pixie tucked them in

Everyone rested after the Great Water Battle

Monday morning was met with a very cold breeze and a little more snow. Not much to speak of really but it was so cold it was still there in the afternoon.  Once they get out they have  good time.  It's confronting that wind when you've been all toasty warm in the house that is difficult to do.

Quick (blue) checking out Pixie checking out Dino and Sandy the neighbor dogs.

Collars didn't go back on after bath time so it's a guessing game a to who is who.  I know and Drew knows but do you know?

I don't think you are supposed to be in there

Contemplation

Mine!  No mine!

Can I have that when you're done?

Let us on the couch!

Worn out

Not quite yet