 Puppies are so endearing.
It makes it harder to choose among the pups when some very distinct personalities seem to
say: "Me! Pick me!". Zor seems to be more enthusiastic about nursing them again.
I think this is likely because the pups have learned more about bite inhibition - a good
reason in this breed, for letting the pups remain with the litter and mother until they
are 8 weeks. When they nibble my fingers, they are much more gentle than they were the week before. Taking a puppy biscuit from my fingers, they have a soft gentle inquisitive mouth. No snatch and grab here! Maybe next week! Haha! Puppy kisses from them also involves far less biting and chewing than the previous weeks although they sometimes do a little of that. |
 Here, the
black-collared female manipulates a suitably buzzed elephant to demonstrate to her
audience how one properly brings about "Shaken Stuffie Syndrome". The pinto
female looks on. They love playing tug-of-war with their stuffie toys and they try chewing on just about anything now. I have cow hoofies, rope bones, stuffed squeaker and latex toys laying about for them to amuse themselves. They have all sorts of footing to walk on. Crackly tarps, metal grills, narrow boards and other things to explore. |
 This week, we're putting a more critical
eye on puppy evaluations. Looking for balance and form, hoping we don't find
disqualifications. Both boys have their 'family jewels' in place and seem to be bored with
all the peeking and poking - except with their mouths. Tired of that poking around there.
Not only is temperament of each individual under consideration but breed character
important. Evaluating their conformation is assuming a more serious level of importance as
this and the next two weeks reveal more of their potential. |
 Puppies are not so happy about being
formally stacked. We sort of just put them down and let their shapes take form.
Artificially stacking them, eg, moving a foot here and there to get them to stand square
is going to alter their appearance for frank evaluation. Show competition where a handler
wants to hide what is less flattering and breeder evaluation - seeing what comes natural -
are two different things. Doing the freestyle stances and moving about the yard can be a
great way to assess them, but they are often out of camera shot when they show how
balanced they can be. So it's hard to come up with good shots for this week. Most of them
don't really care for this weird standing-still-on-a-box idea too much! Here, James looks
at least as bored as the puppy. Shame on me, torturning everyone! haha! ;) |
 We're moving the pens around so that it's
easier for guests to visit with the puppies now. The pups are very flexible about how we
rearrange things. Nothing really seems to faze them! At night, and for major naps, they
sleep in their favorite dog house but we bring them up to the front of the yard for
viewing and socializing with guests. And of course, when guests are here, they get bored
quickly and fall asleep. |
 Grandma Bertha (12 years old) cleans and
cares for the pups. She's always been a wonderful mother, and she's a wonderful granddam.
Uncle Aslan (nearly 13 years old) continues to be a patient teacher. Mama Zor is watchful
that the adult family members are careful with the babies. She doesn't seem to be very
worried if one of the other adults tells a puppy, "ENOUGH! Cool your heels!".
Puppies are gaining a lot of respect for their elders. |
 How much the puppies have grown!
This is Grandma Bertha tending the new babies when they were merely a few hours old.It's been a fun week! |
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