Puppy Diary of the "Alien 11"
Hi everyone...well, nothing like a new morning of puppy fun. They had a blast digging while I did something for Dan's computer and Mocha came in COVERED in ants. Yuck. Wonderful. They also have a crater about 2 ft deep where woodchips once were and Rocky is covered in woodchips and dirt (camoflauge?)....gotta love 'em. Got a call from Jill that Max (aka Chip) is peeing in his crate on purpose to get out and found he can growl at dogs and people to get them to back off...ahhhhhhh the honeymoon is over folks. I know you are all having one problem or another with the new puppy that just isn't resolving. Some things are going really well, others seem like they will never end. Welcome to owning a Malamute puppy! It's a constant test of your resolve to turn this little wild child into a decent member of society. Don't give up - you WILL get through this! If you're not sure if you should correct keep this in mind - if it's something you wouldn't want a full grown dog to do, correct it. Keep in mind the temperament and sensitivity of your particular puppy. In other words, you would not correct Smoothie the same as you would Pistachio (sorry for using their puppy names, but thought it would be easier than the aka thing every time when I'm talking in general terms). Confident, pushy, determined puppies need firmer corrections than quiet, intimidated, scared puppies. It's your job to figure out where yours fits into the puzzle and work with it. If you aren't sure, CALL US, we want to help. That's what we're here for. Nobody is perfect or has all the answers, even us, but we'll work with you to figure out a solution. Be confident in your corrections and know that you will make mistakes - it's not the end of the world. As long as you are fairly consistent, your puppy will eventually "get it". And don't sweat the small stuff...Malamutes are not made to be obedience pros...they will ALWAYS test your resolve and capabilities. You are never done training them, this is just the beginning. Roll with it and look at the problem in a new way - maybe you can try something different that will work. You must be as creative a problem solver as your puppy is! Raising any puppy isn't easy - raising a Malamute puppy is a challenge. But look at the support group you have - us and 9 other puppy owners going through the exact same thing! We're here for each other...if you need help, just ask! Remember - exercise and a tired puppy is your friend! The worst thing you can do is let small things get out of control. One day you will look back on this with humor and go "I had NO IDEA what I was in for with a puppy, but he/she is the best dog I've ever had" lol....that's when you become a true Malamute owner!...9:45 7/9/08
Well, puppycam didn't end too soon. They've figured out how to open the X-pen door and escape! Several times today I was watching the webcam and discovered the door open with Jazzy inside the pen - and thinking I forgot to lock it, went and put them back. Turns out Rocky had figured out how to set them free (at least Rocky was the one I caught unlatching it!). Looks like they'll be moving out of the Romper Room very soon into new more secure quarters with Riggs, Jazzy and Mula back on the other side of the house so Gracie can have her apartment back. It was fun, but it's also sad. It was great inviting all of you into our home for the past 11+ weeks, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Rocky and Cheesecake still are waiting to go home (Rocky as soon as the car is fixed and they're back in town, Cheesecake when my daughter get's the new house they're renting). Maybe THEN I can get some actual work done (ha ha - nope, potty and crate training....) At any rate, I'll keep updating this blog for awhile even though the webcam is off. Ps...I'm running late on the forum...tomorrow maybe....10:00pm 7/7/08
Jubilee went home this morning - Rocky seems to be missing her alot. They were best buddies maybe because they were the "different" wooly ones. I'm going to be working on adding lots of new pictures this afternoon(at Brian's request ;-) and some snippets from emails about the pups that have gone home - so check back later, there's a lot to sort through! Rocky's departure has been delayed because his family hit a Badger on their way through Wyoming on the 4th, damaging the car. So they get to extend their vacation a couple of days while it's repaired and Rocky gets to hang out with his sisters and brother a couple of days longer than expected. Glad no one was hurt though! Cheesecake will be going to Colleen's the end of the month when they get their new house with the fenced yard. So, everyone is going home soon or has gone home. Puppycam will become inactive after tomorrow because soon I will be moving the puppies to the other side of the house with Riggs, Mula and Jazzy so I can supervise and potty train. It was a great litter! Great people! I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone joining the O'Mal family! I also will be working on the forum today and hope to have it operational tomorrow. Dan will act as moderator once it's up and running as he has more experience with that stuff (I just build 'em, I don't moderate them lol). There will be a public area and private (O'Mal dog owners) area so you can all exchange tips, photos, and fun stories. I hope it's a success. I tried this a few years ago with Holly's litter but the litter was smaller (5) so it didn't work - hopefully it will be more successful this time as we have several programmers, and other techy owners too. If you need help, just ask! So when it goes up make sure you post - it will be fun! 12:20 7/6/08
Went on a field trip Saturday to my Mom and Dad's. They hung out in the kitchen and met Rosie a chihuahua mix. I'm not sure what either thought of the other - but I think it went along the lines of "gee you're BIG for puppies" and "gee you're SMALL for an adult" so now what do we do as they stared at each other!. Jubilee and Mocha went so Mom and Dad could see the difference between a wooly and non-wooly coat - she said they still looked exactly alike to her lol! They rode nicely in the van and Mocha showed Jubilee how to walk on leash - something Jubilee occasionally wanted no part of! I don't think she liked Mocha telling her what to do - she's always been the "boss". But both rode quietly after a couple of minutes and it was a nice visit. 7/5/08
Well, it's been a busy week. Puppies went to the Balloonist and then to the fireworks - they were great...no freak outs, and very calm and got petted by a million people. This morning they dug a crater about a foot deep under the wood pile so all the bathing was in vain (at least the people at the fireworks got to pet clean puppies...geez). So now they are grimy again...these have now made the title of the most bathed puppies. Fortunately, they aren't too bad about baths (not any worse than other puppies) though they hate the blow dryer with a passion. They were all very good at Colleen's apartment (Cheesecake, her puppy was visiting) and only had a couple of accidents on the carpet, mostly hitting the towel I brought and going outside. They walked about 2 miles and met all sorts of people and heard a concert before the fireworks. I'd be rich if I had a dollar for every comment of "you need a sled" and "are they huskies" and "are they for sale" - uh no....
Feedback from everyone that already has their puppies is good - Sundae is reported to be an Alaskan Chowhound though...and Chip has been kind of itchy (food? mosquito bites? allergy? still investigating). Peanut Butter had a fun trip to Texas - pics to come... I'll try and post some of the comments and pictures soon and I have to get working on the f orum I'd like to put up but have been busy with the usual puppy "stuff" which eats up all my "spare" time lol. (Didn't help adult Chevy must have had a seizure last night and smeared poop from one end of his pen to the other and was covered from head to toe - yuck - his Pod alert system must have been out of order). So it was a VERY busy morning. The puppies have been getting us up regularly at 5:30 am to potty and eat but have generally been sleeping from 11:30 pm -5:30 am which is very good for puppies - Superman and Mocha in a crate even. After the fireworks last night they just crashed - Mocha was asleep within seconds of putting her in her crate. 9:00 am 7-5-08
Serious Emergency this morning. Rocky was chewing on the x-pen wire (the wire you see on the webcam that protects them from getting into other things they shouldn't) and somehow got his mouth STUCK. His canines prevented him from letting go, and the wire is strong enough it wouldn't give without being cut. He was trapped with his mouth wide open. Dan had to cut him loose with wire cutters. Rocky was freaking out screaming but couldn't get loose. The other puppies were mulling around trying to help. This is the exact reason why we don't allow pasture fencing for a play yard. Adult dogs have gotten their mouths stuck this way because it's large enough to get a muzzle thorough (chain link or solid wood they can't). We had Shadow (our Shadow, not the puppy one) do the same thing in a crate. It's assumed you'll be watching the puppy in the yard, but you aren't always going to be watching an adult. It's very scary when it happens and you are afraid they will break their teeth or die of sheer terror from a heart attack or something! They don't make anything smaller than x-pen wire for puppies unfortunately (maybe they should) . But being a puppy, he no sooner was cut loose than he tried to do it again - this time putting his head through the now "pasture fence" sized hole the cutting had created...So we had to zip tie another piece of wire over the hole...That's also the reason we don't leave collars on most of the time and especially when no one is home when the puppies are together in a pen...dogs have caught them and choked, or caught their mouth in another dog's collar and choked, or caught a chain training collar and choked.. So if you have any doubt as to why we are picky about fencing and collars, this is why. I'm just glad the outcome wasn't tragic. Now go hug your puppy and say a prayer of thanks that Rocky was just scared, but OK....6-29-08 11:00am
Another puppy goes home...I really will miss Peanut Butter...it's looking so bare in the puppy room! But it was great meeting Jennifer for the first time - my gut feeling was she's a great home and she is! Sundae goes home tomorrow and then I get an emotional reprieve for a few days - it's been a tough week. You get so attached to the little furballs....We'll be down to 5 - a NORMAL litter lol....I took a couple of puppies to the Balloonfest this morning when it was cool. It's a great socializing experience as there are people dressed oddly in the Medieval Village, you have hot air balloons sometimes flying in or out, lots of noise and people to pet puppies. They had a blast. I'll take more this evening when they have the balloon glow (they set up all the balloons and light them up. They also were dismantling the futon while I talked to Jennifer - somehow they got this one metal clip off - if you TRIED to do it it would be impossible - but not for a puppy....so now we know they have advanced mechanical aptitude. 5:00pm 6-28-08
After a little trial and error I got the better webcam working on one less cable...limited view, but clearer. I'm philosophical about it...every litter we lose one cord or cable at least ....and with 11 that's like 3 litters at once so they were overdue. So the webcam is up again, albeit limited. So we are down to 8 puppies...ONLY eight lol....more go home the rest of the week then it will feel positively void of dogs around here lol....on the other side, crate training is going slightly better. A couple of puppies stayed in their crates overnight without too much screaming or wimpering. Took Mocha out at 2:30 am to see if peeing was the problem - nope - she went outside and just did the flat puppy thing. I think she thought it was too spooky being outside at NIGHT in the dark. Oh well, a partial night of sleep with a couple of puppies in crates...we'll call that progress. I'm also adding a page for 'new home' pics of the puppies and also cute stories, common problems and all that. Follow the link on the right called followups....9:45am 6/25/08
ARRGH! I just got the new webcam cable...and they ATE it! Somehow they managed to get ahold of the cable and it's toast...so back to square one...I'll have to order another one. Then Mocha must have been taking the same climbing class as Smoothie as she is now our escape artist that lets everyone out...then poor Pistachio got stopped at the Canadian border - customs wanted to know how they found us and why they came to the US for a puppy and threatened to confiscate Pistachio and their car (fortunately they were able to continue after some harrowing moments for no sensible reason)...then, as I'm writing this all the dogs went NUTS...barking and carrying on like aliens were landing in the front yard. I see nothing....and they are still at it...hot air balloon? fireworks? Truly a strange day....9:35pm 6-24-08
I'm often asked how does the mom take it when they leave...actually not bad at all. It was funny, after Chunky Monkey left she went in the pen to nurse everyone but when she came out she had a confused look on her face. She looked around as if to say " gee, could have sworn there were more of them...something's missing, oh well...." as a passing thought. Then went about her business...I believe it is because they are old enough now...9 weeks. She's ready for them to leave the nest. Last week when just 4 went to visit homes and when all 11 went to the vet she was frantic...just those few days make a big difference. She was more concerned about the crumbs from the leftover pizza....as for the other puppies I don't think they've noticed at all...For myself, I see where Jazz is coming from...I look at the group and though there is still a LOT of puppies, it seems like something is missing...just doesn't seem like there are as many as there should be (2 went home). Funny how your mind learns to "count" without counting....I suspect that's what she is doing. 9:00pm 6-22-08
How do they know? Are they mind readers? Ever since I'd decided for sure who was getting who the puppy that that person was getting would go up to them and hang around during the visit - even if they didn't early on...it's like they know "these are MY people"....(can you hear the twilight zone music)....Even though Sundae's people didn't even know they were getting her, she was all over them. Yesterday, Chunky Monkey was all over his people (and he usually just hangs back or naps a lot of the time)...How do they know unless they are mind reading? A new mystery for science....They were especially wild this morning - Smoothie was again trying to scale fences...and suddenly everyone is more bitey than usual...all of a sudden you get nailed in the butt! But they are still better than past litters in that regard. Woke at 2:00 am to someone barking and couldn't fall back asleep...so after we cleaned out their pen at 5:30 am, we went back to bed. I threw an empty plastic water bottle and some new toys that occupied them for all of 15 minutes....they were playing keep-away with the bottle and Rocky had the upper hand - and would run into a crate with it with 3 or 4 others in hot pursuit. And Cheesecake's ears are up - sort of - only 2-3 more more to go.... 8:10am 6-22-08 (Chunky Monkey and Smoothie go home today.....)
Didn't dare let them out this morning after the storm...talk about mud. All their previous holes were overflowing with the thunderstom we'd had this morning...so waiting till later...mistake. They found the mud anyway. Time to rearrange their playyard again it seems...I'm running out of baby gates to make an ever expanding configuration lol....As soon as they went outside they attempted to start some new mudholes but Dan solved that by throwing rawhides all over which is much more interesting than a mudhole...for now. And they have a new indoor game. It's called KILL MOCHA...who is the willing victim...she pretends she's the rabbit while 3 or 4 puppies each grab a leg....she doesn't care...she'll get them all later. They are just wild today (in between naps) probably because with the rain, they haven't had any big yard time. I tried to brush them out this afternoon - as they ran around. Only Chunky Monkey was willing to lie quietly and get brushed. What a sweetie. They were getting way too rowdy so I threw an empty dog food bag in for them to destroy (slit from end to end and the corners so no one would get trapped inside)...so they played another game of kill the bison. They have formed their own mini-pack - with Jubilee as spokesdog...she's the one to ask to come in or go out. Superman is in charge of bison killing. First puppies go home tomorrow - Chunky Monkey to Florida and Smoothie to Troy, Michigan...I'll miss them. Chunky has matured into a very mellow, sweet guy - Smoothie has become an adept escape artist - good thing they have a 6' fence....the webcam will be operational until approx. July 7th when the last one leaves and only ours are left ....*sigh* 4:30pm 6-21-08
Day started out bad...Smoothie decided to CLIMB the tallest baby gate and almost set loose the entire mob in the big back yard - fortunately when she heard my exasperated scream, she stopped (at the other end of the yard) turned around and came back so I didn't have to chase her in my pajamas...then...took a couple of puppies with me to the post office for a van ride...both threw up and screamed the entire way...but when I got home that WONDERFUL COMPANY Custom Sensors, Inc. had sent a new replacement cable for the one that had died - so the webcam is functioning again!!!! Inside and Outside...Kudos to them as they really stand behind their products! So now I can supervise puppies outside and still *maybe* get some work done...ha ha...ah yes, looks like they're digging...gotta go...12:45pm 6-20-08
Microchipped the puppies today...all did fine, biggest screamer was Mocha....and if you saw the needle you'd understand why - it's huge. Now for the paperwork...6:00pm 6-19-08
Thanks to my daughter Colleen who helped me hash out everyting last night (as an alternative to putting her Mom in the looney bin) I think I've got the homes figured out. Just waiting on a couple people for feedback. Meanwhile, oblivious to all my heartache and anguish over who goes where, the puppies had a blast running around the whole yard this morning while Jazzy taught them her "chase" game again. They are sticking together a little better now and usually we can get them in with only a couple of stragglers now so they'll get big yard access more often. They just love hiding in the bushes and running full speed across the yard. They are positively crazy in the morning so NEED this energy expenditure or they fight, growl and carry on beating each other up. Once outside where there's space they run and play so nicely together, then come back inside and sleep. 9:00am 6-19-08
Thanks Donna (Nemo's Mom) for your help getting the gang's picture! Here it is...it's AWESOME....can you believe they sat still long enough for me to get some 50 pictures! This is my favorite...
In order: Cheesecake, Chunky Monkey, Jubilee, Pistachio, Smoothie, Superman, Sundae, Mocha, Rocky, Peanut Butter, Chip
Now you know why it's been so hard to make a decision...and why I still haven't made it...I want them ALL...lol... Cute overload!!!
It was a busy morning...we had a jailbreak early and they fanned out across the entire yard. They had a blast...I let Riggs and Jazzy out (Mula was too cranky at them) to try and round up the gang. They were everywhere, running as a pack and then dipping into the bushes. Jazz decided it was time to teach them the zoom around game. She zooms around and they try and keep up... Mocha got lost from the group and decided to hang out with Riggs...Chip was doing his own thing somewhere else in the yard. The rest decided to hang out together. Finally when she decided they were tired she brought them back to the porch (yeah~ I didh't have to chase down 11 puppies all by myself!)...She brought them back and about 6 went in the pen...the rest decided they were having too much fun. Caught them all except Chip who was hiding under this low pine tree...he was sitting there very still, thinking I couldn't see him. I'm calling "Chip where are you" and the little stinker PURPOSELY stayed really still hiding!!! Tried calling puppy puppy....he still sat perfectly still watching me. Finally, after I tired of the game, I tried to reach for him - and he took off in the opposite direction under some more bushes. Finally, when HE tired of the game he came out (he was in some dense shrubs that no way could I get him and he knew it) and let himself get "caught". He has an interesting sense of humor to say the least! Now they are all tired, dirty and we were going to do the 8 week all eleven of them pictures this afternoon...so it looks like bath time....greaaaaat, and I have a business meeting at 11:30...so better get cracking...8:45am 6-18-08
Good news...puppycam is back online. Bad news - one of the cables is dead so I can't put it as high to see as much of the area and the older cam has a longer cord and it's not as clear ...so you get a new perspective on things lol...Currently they are having the crate battles and they are always fun to watch. (someone goes in the crate and someone outside barks and carries on at the one inside...) Well, results of the vet appointment are they are all super healthy - no problems whatsoever - good eyes, good bodies, good joints, good ears, and no worms. Dr. Schultz was quite impressed with the quality of the litter and how healthy they are which was nice to hear. So they are good to go to their new homes as soon as I can figure out who their new homes are! (Friday I'll let you all know). 3:00pm 6-17-08
Well, the webcam is really messed up...I don't know what's going on but it's not the webcam and it's not the computer so must be something in between...this may take me a day or so to figure out so hang in there...we are having major technical difficulties...that's ok, you really don't want to see how muddy they were today anyway - yuck!....9:30pm 6-16-08
ACK the webcam is having issues...says it can't see the device but they BOTH can't be dead.... So may be down for awhile while I try and fix it.... but at least I have the 8 week pics up...take a look ---->
Looooong weekend. Mark and Laura helped me get the 8 week pictures done or they wouldn't be up! (thanks!)...This week is going to be hectic as there is so much to do before the puppies go home. Microchips...vet check...paperwork...and worst of all, deciding which pup goes to which home which is so hard because I have to give up 9 of them.... They are getting more and more like mini-Malamutes...digging, ranking each other, exploring and chewing. (You didn't think they'd be perfect angels forever did you????). Stock up on your bitter apple and digging rocks (to put in the holes after you correct them)...they go home next week. They also have a new fun thing to do - dump the water and play in the mess...so keep the water bowls filled, but not too full as many of them like to stand in the water bowl to REALLY cool off (well, it DOES cool hot feet you know...). I'm trying to figure out how to do the 8 week picture of all of them I usually take. Tried this morning and it was a disaster. I would put one on the couch (the only place I thought they might sit still a minute) and as soon as I'd put a second on, the first would jump down...they thought it was a game of "king of the castle"...oh well...They are getting big too - the boys are around 20lbs. with Pistachio as the biggest with Rocky and Chunky Monkey close behind.... They also let us sleep in Saturday to NINE AM....it was noisy, but not the usual FEED ME SEYMOUR screams so we could just lie there and pretend to ignore the yips and yells. Don't get your hopes up that you'll get this very often - this is the first time in 8 weeks. Crate training is going marginally well...as long as the door is open. Potty training is going VERY well - they are down to the area of 2 towels at night and always use them. Some are a bit figitey when groomed and nails done...they'll be getting some practice this week...Vet appointment tomorrow...I'll keep you posted. 12:20pm 6-16-08
Has it been 2 days since I've written? Seems like a few hours. I haven't had time to write, actually I haven't had time to do much of anything except chase and care for puppies. They've been keeping me busy escaping, yelling, demanding more water (they LOVE water) and pooping. They're a full time job (and then some). But I'm already crying when I think of them leaving in a couple of weeks. Fortunately, they will be going to some really super wonderful homes. I couldn't do it otherwise - I would have to keep them ALL--somewhere....I've heard about Jubilee about 10 times since putting up the video. I think she's touched a lot of hearts - including mine - as have the others. It's interesting how visitors and webcam viewers try so hard to know who is who - even if they aren't getting that puppy they want to know who he/she is...just interesting. I think there is a certain sense of "family" with every litter we have. I know I'm always asked once they go home how this one or that one is doing. That's nice. Well, on to the pupdate...if you haven't checked out the videos, they are here. I've started evaluating each puppy for structure, temperament and all that to determine which we'll keep and so I can sort out homes. Tuesday they go to the vet for the routine checkup. Cute stories: They all got in the pool at the same time this evening to splash around...did you know you can get 11 puppies in a tiny wading pool? It CAN be done....they escaped from the backyard pen yesterday and I was missing one puppy. Nowhere to be found, I yelled puppy puppy...out pops Chip's head from a bush on the far side of the yard - then in it goes..... They had a blast this afternoon running back and forth in their pen - in unison - because Auntie Mula was running back and forth with Mommy across the yard...too funny. I've been asked why they don't get to play in the big yard more - well, with 4 or 5 they'll follow you and you can round them up alone. With 11 they go where THEY want to go, which isn't always safe or appropriate and how do you stop 11 puppies trying to eat toadstools at the same time? So though I do it, it's exhausting corraling them all and making sure nobody is doing something they shouldn't......which reminds me, they caught a toad the other day - they were chasing it all over but couldn't figure out what to do with it (good thing, toads can make them sick)....Laid down to take a nap the other afternoon...heard growling...got up to find a half dozen puppies had escaped somehow into the family room and were being watched over by Riggs. It was Mula telling them "stay out of my crate" that I had heard, Riggs didn't care, he was taking care of things......They are being almost 100% accurate hitting their towels AND actually prefer to go outside if they can to potty - even in the morning from overnight. These guys will be a piece of cake (cheesecake?) to potty train if you stick with the program! .... Oh yes, and they ALL got full baths today - a regular production line. So they smell and feel much better now, as for myself, I got a bath too (I was soaked). I'm not so sure they were happy about it but they all cooperated nicely (except Smoothie who kept trying to jump out of the sink). They were really good, even with the blow dryer. In fact, Rocky did a "Riggs" immitation by almost falling asleep in the sink while I washed him. Photos to come....
Finally silence...they wanted to go outside and were going to scream until they got to...once out there, they pursued their favorite hobby...MUD. You think I'm kidding? Check this out....note the feet. He had a 1 ft. deep hole dug before I could catch them all....(this is Chunky Monkey, the others are just as bad)...Gone are the days of clean, pristine puppies...this group is hell-bent on being black labs... At least there's silence now and MAYBE I can get some work done ...I've spent all morning chasing puppies and giving baths and trying to find something to stop the screaming...but it's peaceful now (see below)...Maybe I should just work outside more often..Noon..6-10-08.
The hounds of Hell are at it this morning. They've been screaming nonstop since 7:00am because they want to go outside in the rain and play in the mud...I don't think so....I gave Jubilee a bath because she was so gross from yesterdays mud-play....watch for pictures. So I gave them a box to play with - that didn't do it. I just gave them some rawhides....it let up a little but Cheesecake, Chip and and a couple others are still screaming ....wait....silence....finally....(but how long will it last?).....9:50am 6-10-08 ....not long ...maybe I'll try music next ...
They were bored and screaming at the top of their lungs. So what can we do to keep 11 puppies busy...a toddler bounce house...well, without the bounce. I had found this at a garage sale and if they destroy it - so what. Obviously that is their intention. And they are having a blast taking down the bison (or whatever Malamute puppies pretend play....) . It's amazing how they work together toward a common goal (much better than ranking and battling each other). I even tried bitter apple to no avail...but they are having so much fun. Destroy. Kill. Shred....ah, they really aren't golden retrievers after all...1:50pm 6-9-08
JAILBREAK!! We had a major jailbreak this morning around 7:00 am when all 11 escaped from the pen into the big back yard over the baby gate while I was cleaning up their inside area. They were having a BLAST! I had gone into the other room to get something and Jazz let me know - when I returned they were all out and having fun defoliating a pine tree. Try and catch 11 puppies having the time of their lives - not gonna happen! (I have new respect for herding dogs and cowboys). Then, just as I get a couple rounded up, they made a jailbreak into the house and were partying in the family room. So I had puppies everywhere - in out and everywhere in between - except where they were supposed to be. They were having so much fun Jazz took the house ones and I watched the outside ones and we just let them wear themselves out. Even a call of puppy puppy puppyfood did NOTHING....worst offenders? Chip, Pistachio and Jubilee were the last to be rounded up. Jubilee managed to get herself filthy again...she is a real mud puppy. Chip was having fun diving off the rock ledge and didn't want to end the fun. Good puppies? Chunky Monkey who came to me when I called his NAME...and then stayed nearby as if to say "I'm the GOOD puppy" and rolled over for a tummy rub lol... Peanut Butter eventually decided she would come in of her own accord, and so did Mocha, Rocky and Superman. Sundae, Cheesecake and Smoothie escaped to the family room and eventually came when I put the food down. Sundae is a little foodaholic. She's actually looking kind of chubby. Someone had diahrea last night (yuck!) but seems to be ok this morning. Never a dull moment around here...so that's why when I put the webcam on this morning they were all sacked out sleeping - you missed the excitement....8:10 am 6-9-08
How do you give 11 puppies baths? They are the "alien" litter if you recall.. so by alien abduction! While they were outside getting totally filthy I'd open the sliding door, Dan would grab a puppy and I'd close the door before they realized someone got picked up. Kind of like being abducted! Then into the sink for a rinse and dry, then into their pen. Abduct next puppy....and the next....and next... it worked! I went to peek at them and the look I got was like "hey, you aren't going to do that BATH thing again are you?????" I think they are mad at me lol! 9:20 am 6-8-08
Well, the field trip went well - if you consider we only had 2 poops and 2 throw ups for 4 puppies (2 puppies are innocent). They also screamed nonstop all the way there and all the way back....so it looks like they will need a few more field trips to get used to the idea. Rocky and Jubilee got to meet cats too - Rocky was unimpressed, Jubilee thought they were quite interesting. So overall, it went well....do I dare try for the crates tonight with the tired ones???? .9:47 pm 6-7-08.
Crate training last night was an unequivical disaster. Picture 11 hot, cranky puppies screaming at the top of their lungs nonstop. When one group would stop (seconds) another would pick up the slack. So I gave up after about 10 minutes and gave cookies to the "good" and "quiet" puppies...we'll try again tonight - maybe one to a crate and not all of them at once. I think I tried to do too much too fast. Works great with 4 or 5 but the din is much too loud with 11. You learn something from every litter! They are having a blast getting wet and muddy though...they are ALL water lovers. This afternoon a few are going to check out their possible new homes (no, I am not any closer to knowing who gets who, but I have narrowed it down a bit)...it will be these pups first "car ride" and I'm sure it will be loud. Doesn't help the air in the van died so as I drive I'm sure people will wonder who is in back torturing puppies because the windows will be open as they scream bloody murder. Keep everything crossed they travel nicely and I can avoid total embarrassment! 10:30am 6-7-08 - correction: that was Smoothie with the ear up, not Sundae
I've been trying to sort out homes (far sooner than I should) and talk about difficult. Matching up everyone's needs and wants along with temperament is a daunting task, particularly because there are so many puppies and so many homes and the temperaments are so similar in many ways.. I'm a little closer, but still have to do the official temperment tests - I'm going to leave that for Sunday I think. These guys are really really into being wet and muddy (more than other puppies we've had). So it looks like a bath is in the works sometime soon too...they went out to play this morning and found every tiny mudhole that existed, walked through the water then plopped down in the mud...so unless their fur is VERY repellant, they are pretty disguisting right now. They are having a blast running up and down the ramp to the swiss cheese toy (which was moved outside) if you've been watching the webcam, you'll see them have meetings in the upstairs of the clubhouse - then jump out the window. (Maybe that's a fire drill?). I think crate training will go well, they slept through the night, woke up and then fell back asleep until 7:30 without a fuss - woah, haven't felt this rested in a long time. I think the crate doors may go on today and we'll shoot for tonight for sleeping in their crates (doubled up so they won't get lonely). I didn't even find much poop this morning (maybe 3) so they are trying to do most of their pooping outdoors which is excellent and are always hitting their towels. So the big challenge is this group is more interested in digging that we are used to, like mud more than we're used to, and there are 11 to correct and watch....so I'm warning you guys that are getting puppies - cover the muddy areas in your yards or they WILL be utilized.... PS...we now have an ear-girl to go with ear-boy - Sundae has an ear up! 9:45 am 6-6-08
They are growing fast - they now FILL their little room....it's getting quite crowded in there. Especially since tonight I put in 4 crates (which is NOT enough) and they were having fun checking them out. Only Chunky Monkey decided to sleep in one. For a while. I'll just put them in there for a couple of days with the doors off so they can play and get used to the idea (or enjoy them as new chew toys). Once I get a few nights of actual sleep under my belt I'll attempt crate training (they scream all night usually....or at least some will). It's fun (ha ha). I also expanded their outdoor area a bit and they think it's soooooo cool. They like the wood pallet I put over the mud - they think it's THEIR deck with a diving board for the pool (little do they know it's keeping them out of the MUD- ha, I'm not as dumb as I look!)...Rocky has decided water is quite cool.... Meanwhile it's going to be a busy next couple of weeks .... get them vet checked, heartworm given, temperment test, worm one last time, catalog and video movement and structure for each puppy, give baths, visit houses that are nearby with puppies to socialize them and prepare them for the big move, pick up poop, wash towels, prepare puppy go-home packets, get all the paperwork done (akc and microchip and contracts), start to crate train, take care of the big dogs, and somehow still get some work done (ha ha)... Good thing they are so adorably cute! 11:45PM 6-4-08
Mommy love. Anyone that says dogs don't love is full of poop. I went downstairs to do a load of puppy laundry and Jazzy followed me down. While I was rotating towels she rummaged around and managed to find a new toy whose squeaker was still intact - some big M&M guy with hands. I didn't even know we had this toy! She brought it upstairs and asked to go in their pen. She gave the puppies the toy, showing them how it makes this new honking noise. They nursed quickly, then about 5 of them held the toy and walked off with it, all together, with a satisfied mommy looking on. They liked their present. Too sweet. 9:00pm 6-2-08
Well, the pool is still a marginal hit. More for drinking than playing. Threw some toys in to see if that generated interest but they wanted to go inside. I think it's getting too warm - and just realized if you click on the "live" part of the webcam it gives you our weather! It's 77 farenheit (Jen and Kris, that's 25 celsius ;-) and sunny so no wonder they think it's too hot and would rather be inside. 2:15 6-2-08
WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO - We made it into the TOP 10 Webcams for Earthcam (which when you consider they have a gazillion cams, that's quite an accomplishment!). The Alien 11 are now FAMOUS...they even gave us an award:
The Top 10 Cams are chosen each week by EarthCam based on quality of image, uniqueness of content and overall technical achievements in webcam technology. Pretty COOOOOOOOL.... so thanks everyone for watching.... Here's the link to the top 10 cams (we're #3!).... https://www.earthcam.com/topten.php and here's the link to the main Earthcam page so you can see who we are competing with: https://www.earthcam.com (click on top 10 cams)....Anyway, that made my day! 10:30 am 6-2-08
What a Grandma! Holly went in to visit the puppies this evening and did something even Jazz hasn't done for her pups - regurgitated her dinner for them. Yes, it's gross, but "in the wild" wolves, dogs and other animals will do this to feed babies. It's a very self-less and nurturing thing to do...so Holly may be "hell on wheels" in one way, she obviously has a super soft spot for the grand-puppies! We also have our first pool explorers. Apparently the empty pool worked. They were able to explore it empty and get used to the idea and when I put 1" of water in, I had a couple of explorers - Rocky and Mocha! (I would never have guessed them). I'm sure others will explore in a few days - Peanut Butter got an unexpected clean up when she got rolled (by another puppy) into poop. And Cheesecake had a temporary nickname of Stinky Cheese for the same reason! Just a thought...if she is sad will that make her Blue Cheese? (I gotta get to bed, I'm getting slap happy!) 11:59pm 6-1-08
If any of you are thrilled they are going in the pool - don't get too excited - it doesn't have any water in it. I thought I would start out slower and let them explore it empty (and they seem to like that). I have the 6 week pictures up - included a standing shot though several were very stubborn about the whole thing. They also got their 6 week shots today - Superman being the biggest baby - nobody else even flinched (not very Supermanly huh?)....though he did do the nicest "show stack" for the camera . 2:35 6-1-08
Well, there must be some water lovers in this group as they flooded their pen with their drinking water - I didn't think it was even that full but they are all soaked and the floor was drenched. So they are now the soggy puppies....not that they care...it was FUN....8:45 pm 5-30-08
Hope everyone is enjoying the outside pictures. I found a small pool yesterday but they still don't have a clue what to do with it. They think I'm crazy for putting them in the big water dish....mom doesn't help either as Jazzy is drinking out of it! It's been relatively cool so next warm day maybe they'll catch on. They like going outside so much we're back to the "hounds of hell" wake up call in the morning...and evening...and noon...and 3:00...and just about whenever they wake up! Someone starts it (usually Superman, Chip, Peanut Butter or Pistachio) and then the whole gang joins in. It sounds like a puppy massacre unless you let them OUT....They chewed the edge off Jazzy's blue rug at last night's party, but generally have been pretty good (there's not much they can get into, really). I'm actually surprised how little chewing on the wood stools (almost none). They seem to like chewing on the blue piano the most, and of course all those toys! I put a non-skid tred on the big slide because I suspect they will be attempting to climb it any time now to get onto the roof of the clubhouse. I think Jazz has gotten serious about weaning again and is only feeding them "when puppies attack" (sounds like a TV show lol)...She's not offering voluntarily much at all anymore and is correcting the lone puppy that tries to nurse. It's rainy today so I suspect they will be wild and bored since outside time will be limited. I had a jailbreak already this morning. Went to switch the webcam to outside mode and it turned on and I saw them all escaping through a knocked down baby gate....gotta love 'em. 8:00 am 5-30-08
Ok, got the outside webcam up and running (it shoots through a window)....now you can enjoy them being crazy outside. It's kind of a pain to turn on (I have to unplug one cam and plug in the other then run back to the computer to restart the webcam program) but the way these guys are enjoying their outdoor time, I think it's a necessity or you'll never see them....Jazz was having a blast playing with them outside on the porch this morning if you were watching (and seeing me tweak everything)....will be great when I put up their pool! enjoy! 9:00 5-28-08
They are becoming MALAMUTES......last night's party must have been a blast. They managed to get the plastic bag from the poop can and pull it through the wire - and then shred it into itty bitty pieces all over their area. It looked like black snow....It was a challenge (half awake) to tell what was poop and what was plastic. The good thing is having the outdoor puppy pen I could just let them all outside to play while I cleaned up the disaster. Of course, then they proceeded to escape out of the back yard pen...off to chase puppies! After about an hour everything was cleaned up and we could feed the big dogs who were getting annoyed with waiting (Chevy threw up)....Riggs and Mommy were a big help coraling the little buggers outside and keeping them occupied until we could chase them down and put them back in the house. They are also close to going over the new barrier and I may have to lock Jazz out soon so they don't escape (guess who is the leader of this mutany - Superman again!).... Never a dull moment~...they are currently doing their "hounds of hell" I'm trapped in this PEN THING and can't get out screams...as I'm writing this I see Superman make the jailbreak had to run back there and am going to let them outside...I really need that outside webcam up! Gotta work on that... 8:00 am 5-28-08
This is the smartest bunch of puppies ever! They are practically potty training themselves. After eating, I'm letting them go outside (in daylight) and most are doing their pooping and peeing outside! At 5 WEEKS! Only a couple are missing the towels at all now and nobody (that I noticed) ran back inside to potty. Pretty impressive!!! Nobody even stomps through the poop by morning so it's not the mess I'm used to with even 4 puppies (that's a relief with 11). I think having a LONG area with one entrance has helped. They run to the door which is in front of the potty area so don't stomp through poop to get there.. At this rate it will be a matter of just reinforcing what they've learned when they go home and getting used to a new house and routine. You'll notice lettering on the swiss cheese toy - it says "The Clubhouse" since that's where everyone sleeps (when they fit)...and not one accident in the clubhouse - do you think they'd get kicked out by other puppies if they did? 3:30 5-27-08
Well, they really into enjoying their playtime outside. For safety I've included a baby fence this time (usually we'd let them explore the yard at will with someone supervising - but with 11 how do you keep track of that many at once!)....They now yell in the morning to go outside. I've updated the 5 week pictures and you can see they are all cute as a button. Looks like we may have 3 woolies - Jubilee, Pistachio and Rocky Road are looking pretty fuzzy...
Their new 2:00 am thing is to yell for Mommy. Who of course ignores them unless she can't take it anymore either. They have food, they have water and they have enough toys for 25 litters but they want their mommy!!!! Thanks to everyone that brought or sent toys (and towels) - you can stop now lol!!! They all have at least 5 toys apiece which is about 55 toys for 11 puppies. You guys are GREAT.... They are working on mastering our porch step - funny the reactions you get. Everything from "I know I can do this" determination to "help me, I can't" whining....their personalities are beginning to emerge and as expected so far - Sundae, Smoothie and Superman are the brats....but in a nice way.... but it is funny to listen to their growling and posturing as if they were these BIG BAD DOGS and so tough with their brothers and sisters. Rocky, Chunky Monkey, Peanutbutter and Chip also have their moments of toughness too. Their "victims" are usually Mocha, Jubilee, Cheesecake and Pistachio who finally get mad enough being chewed on that they go looking for trouble too.... . But their manners come right back as soon as Riggs, Mula or Grandma Holly enter the picture...just like real kids they are nice to Grandma and Uncles and don't listen to their Mom - after all she's just the food dispenser...(I can relate!)...It was so cute to see Holly trying to do a play bow to Mocha and get lower than she is...then let her crawl all over her face and body. Jazzy is still nursing them quite a bit. I thought she was working on weaning but only to a certain extent - now it's "quickies" while she stands and they get what they can as fast as they can.... They are all becoming more active longer (you can tell by the screaming, barks and growls in the next room) then exaust themselves and crash...gotta love' em....1:30 Monday 5-26-08
We have our first ear up! It's Chip....at 6:15 pm on 5-23-08 I noticed it....so his new name is EARBOY....
I increased the height of the barrier and now Super-Mouth is having a FIT. He is screaming his guts out because he wants OUT OUT OUT!!! Chip decides to help by chewing THROUGH the barrier - but wasn't too happy when I coated it with bitter apple....so much for being Super-Mouth's sidekick. Meanwhile, the others let me sleep ALL NIGHT....Not sure I can handle this! Sleep...wow! 5-23-08
Superman really is becoming the 'man OVER steel' as he has now escaped 3 times (in other words, when he feels like it) so now I have to lock Jazzy out when I go somewhere so he can't escape. Three times I've gone back to find him "hanging out with Mom" in her little area. So now we know who the escape artist is....they are getting so cute I can hardly stand it. They are also poop machines. And pee machines. And destruction machines (so much for the pretty decorating - anything they can reach, they are trying to eat!). They now scream to go outside to play (after 1 time)...."because we're bored"....(YEAH RIGHT!).... 1:30 5-22-08
If you were watching this afternoon, you saw the sign on the webcam that the puppies were outside. A few had a taste of the great outdoors yesterday - Mocha, Jubilee, Pistachio and Sundae - and since Dan was home to help carry, they all got to have fun today. They had a blast - and everyone did a poop outside (how did they KNOW this???).... Actually the changing the inside to towels and tile is working much better. They're hitting the towels about 80% of the time now for pee and about 95% for poop so they are doing quite well in their potty training. Not bad for 4 1/2 weeks! Anyway, I tried to figure out how I can rig the webcam for outside and it just won't reach - sorry! I'll put some stills up later of their first experience with grass. Right now they're in the same pen they originally were in when they were little, but eventually will be able to play in the whole yard outside when a little bigger. In all they loved it. Pistachio yelled the entire time yesterday while he was out - that seems to be his modis operandi - yell till you're comfortable with the situation. Today he was fine. Sundae had a blast and was exploring everything. I opened the pen to bring them in and she was the first to find her way out. We put up a beach umbrella for shade and it looked like a day at the beach! 4:30 Wed. 5-21-08
I missed the party last night. They were up yelling and screaming most of the night. I thought they were hungary, brought a huge bowl of food at 3:00 am but that wasn't it...then I realized I forgot to put the nightlight on - but that wasn't it either. So they must have just been playing really loud. The towels were all over the place and mostly clean, but several had "hit" the quilt so I think I'm going to try something new this morning for pottys....just towels where the quilt goes and hope they hit it - just leave the tile bare. They seem to prefer sleeping on the tile anyway (pushing the towels out of the way). So we'll see how it goes... Jazz is nursing them very little now (only when they can grab and hold on!) so looks like she is working on weaning. Time to step up the food... They got a treat last night - salmon. They loved it - maybe that's what the party was all about lol. Unlike previous litters, it wasn't kill or be killed for the Salmon, they were very polite and ate nicely (Bonnie says that's Chilly's influence ;-) She says he's a very polite guy. We had an escapee yesterday - Superman - the man OVER steel.... got out and was cruising Jazzy's space. They will probably get to go outside (weather permitting) by the end of the week....a new adventure! Even with all those toys they are getting bored and are looking for something new to stimulate their little minds....Here's the lastest personality update....Superman is a super suck-up (maybe he found that gets him out of trouble when he's a brat?), Peanut Butter is outgoing and cuddly, Cheesecake seems to be a bit shy and quiet, Smoothie loves to talk and you can have a conversation with her already!, Mocha is friendly but quiet, Jubilee and Mocha are easygoing - Jub-ee may be a woolie, Sundae rules the roost and swagers around like the boss, and Chip is still adventurous. The biggest guys - Chunky Monkey, Rocky Road and Pistachio are all a little uppity sometimes, but generally are all quite mellow - I'm not seeing much of a difference in them yet. Maybe it's because the boys tend to develope later... Amazing how Pistachio went from being the smallest boy to one of the biggest....8:30am (too early after an all-nighter!) Monday 5-19-08
New 4 week pictures are up...my they've gotten chunky!
Thanks to Santa and Di for the awesome puppy decor! They will be the smartest puppies alive when they learn their ABC's from the cute banners! Also, occasionally you'll see 2 big dogs in the puppy pen - that's Jazzy and Riggs who she's allowing in now. Though she supervises VERY closely ....and he is very careful where he steps and humors mom by not stealing toys. He just wants to meet the new pack members! Interesting how it's come full circle - Riggs used to love hanging out with the big guys (Homer) as a puppy, and now he's the big guy - that loves puppies.... 12:15 Saturday 5-17-08
I can't believe how much they're growing. Today is the last worming. A few interesting things - I found a good solution to puppies stomping through their water - use a narrow trough like container for water (works for pigs, so why wouldn't it work for puppies). An old ice cube tray I picked up at a garage sale works better than anything. On the down side, the quilts are not working now that they're mobile. I had hoped they would pee on the towels, sleep on the quilt but the opposite seems to be happening. Looks like I'm going to have to go to all towels soon as they don't get it. They wake up, walk 3 inches and pee - which means they are probably still on the quilt. On the other hand, thought it would be a problem with them peeing under the jungle gym toys - nope, they'd rather sleep there. They're getting a little more feisty now...every so often you hear a blood curdling scream because someone is chewing on someone elses leg like it were a chicken leg . Generally though, they do place nice together. Not a lot of posturing, ranking and all that going on. I'm doing my best to learn the differences in their faces as they are tired of me picking them up just to see who they are. However, there are several sets of "twins" that have identical markings! Also, they are changing so much - Pistachio used to be the smallest boy, but he's now probably next largest and his face markings have changed considerably. Superman was one of the biggest, and is now losing ground, but he still is a dead ringer for Chip. Every week something changes so what worked (some little spot or marking) may be gone next week.... 10:00 am Saturday 5-17-08
Well, if you don't see any puppies...they are all inside the swiss cheese toy with the slide (look into the yellow opening and you'll probably see a head or tail). They love it. Everyone is growing so big I need to expand the feeding facilities - in other words, get a second tray. I'm having fun with the new webcam as it pans and zooms in and even has puppy tracking (face tracking) which follows movement. I'd say overall they like their new play area as they are playing with the little toys and even occasionally plinking a key on the "piano" toy. Meanwhile, Jazz has somehow managed to fit herself and 3 puppies UNDER the swiss cheese. How she did that was an amazing feat of dexterity - especially without one puppy squeeling. Now she's upset because I kicked her out. Riggs has moved in to her crate to try being "mommy" on for size....and Gracie does not like moving to the maternity ward room (where the puppies were born) and managed to pee a lake in protest and is refusing to eat. Holly thinks relocation to our bedroom is wonderful - she lies on the bed all day all sprawled out like the Queen of Sheba...I've been working on trying to recognize them by their faces - HA! Not easy when Chunky Monkey, Pistachio and Rocky are identical, and there are other identical sets. A few I can recognize individually such as Superman, Smoothie and Chip, but it's been a daunting task as they are changing daily - and the weird thing is you "lose" a puppy for a day or so because there are so many. All of a sudden I'll realize I haven't picked up and talked to say, Pistachio or Cheesecake for some time so go looking for them. It's always someone different, and some days you seem to pick up the same each time. Wonder if that's what it's like in big families of children? I have a new respect for Jazz (keeping track of them all) and mothers of mulitples! Wow, the webcam just got hacked while I was sitting here writing this! Someone put their (human) picture with big ugly x's on it and arabic music - fortunately I was here to turn it off and restart which got rid of it...that's weird!!!! . Been an interesting morning! 8:32am 5-15-08
We've moved...well, we haven't but the puppies have. They are now in their new area and I've set up the webcam so you can watch all the fun.. I haven't decorated yet, but that's easy compared to rearranging dogs that have a set routine. They think it's a big adventure but still want to go and do what they used to... old habits die hard....plus they have to get along with dogs they are not best buddies with....but the puppies, heck they don't care...as long as Mom is there they're cool. By the way, I'm changing Superman's name to SuperMOUTH lol...5-13-08 3:45pm
Mula and Riggs finally got a chance to go in and see the puppies all together (they've gotten individual visits as I held them, but never as a group). Riggs was cool. Mula's eyes got THIS BIG as if to say - OMG there's THAT many of them???? Too funny. And having issues with the webcam this morning.. not sure why but it's freaking out...so please be patient while I try and do actual work and deal with these technical difficulties too...Don't forget to check out the 3 week pics I put up yesterday....5-12-08 12:45 pm
Happy Mother's Day Jazzy! 5-11-08
A pooped puppy here (ME), giving a pupdate...well, they are finally sleeping better at night but it's going to take awhile to catch up as they are still getting me up at 4 am for "breakfast" (which of course means Jazzy decides she might as well go outside too) after going to bed at 1:00 am. They are starting to get soooooo cute. If I sit down near them a few will come and climb in my lap. Thanks to Di and Santa for the cool itty-bitty toys. In a few days I bet they have them figured out. They are eating solid food (soaked) about 3 times a day now but that will be increasing as soon as Mom Jazz lets up on nursing them so much. They are really a fun and active group - great temperaments. Other litters it was like kill or be killed when you put down that food dish but these guys are very polite - if they can't squeeze in, they will usually just wait. There are a couple though that try a different technique - it's called whoever sits in the MIDDLE of the dish gets all the food. It also helps if you fall asleep there to preserve your place in line for next time lol....I just love the bright little looks of intelligence Malamute puppies have - they look at you and you can see everything processing in those little brains. A few personalities are beginning to emerge - Smoothie is very easy going and best of all QUIET, Chip is the escape artist - somehow he got out of their little pen so I had to put up a barrier because Jazz was whimpering that he got out...Mocha thinks she's tough but she's really all talk and a BIG cuddler, Rocky Road is very friendly and is one of the first to come visit if I sit down....and Sundae and Pistachio the big mouths are chlling out and aren't nearly as fussy as they were. Chunky is the biggest. Superman is kissy boy - pick him up, get kisses (love that). Peanut Butter and Cheesecake are just plain sweet but going through a fussy stage of "don't pick me up". Jubilee and Mocha may be woolies...it will be easier to tell in a couple of weeks but their fur is sooooo soft. Of course, all this is subject to change as they grow ....but that's what makes it fun! Friday 5-9-08
They are becoming self aware. It's been all too cute when they are awake for like 5 minutes at a time and sit up and look at their brothers and sisters with the look of "where did YOU come from"? Too funny! They seem much happier since I freed them from the pool... they love food mush, but nobody seems to care about "water" (mom is better for liquid refreshment)..Sometimes when I sit down among them I get mobbed before Jazzy - like toddling zombies coming at you - which is really really cool!...7:45pm Monday 5-5-08
Ok, the racket is getting to me. Chunky Monkey and Pistachio (and everyone else) is wanting to expand their world but can't so they scream. So I removed the whelping box and expanded their world. The din is incredible (I thought 5 puppies were loud!!! 11 is insane - it sounds like Dante's Inferno when they all get going. All the poor tortured souls that can't find a nipple or explore or do whatever it is puppies think they should be doing at this age.) This is the tough age - sort of like when a toddler wants to walk but can't and gets frustrated over everything. When they aren't sleeping they are barking, yelping, screaming and fussing. The din is incredible. They are now occasionally getting solid food, but also want mommy too - then they are ready to explode from eating too much and either sleep or scream. I was up half the night with Superman and Cheesecake (and the cuddles once they did settle down were so awesome) so am not exactly 100%. Mommy Jazz had a fit when I locked her out of the pen so the puppies could eat, but she'll steal their food if she stays and I'm not watching like a hawk. I have tons of website work to do and am accomplishing nothing except going back and forth to see who is screaming and why. Wait....listen....it's quiet....could it be...they ALL fell asleep....ahhhhh don't you just love puppies! 12:30 Monday 5-5-08
5 hours of sleep last night - Yeah!!!! Which is good because I was really starting to need it . Yesterday tried to take a nap and heard a noise, got up to go see who screamed (it was nothing) and when I went back to lie down - wham - cracked my cheek on the nightstand - so now have nice purple bruise to show for it -ouch. They've gone from yelling at the milk to poop yells which are much more shrill, but pretty obvious what they are. What they do is try and walk and poop all the while screaming so it can get pretty loud but at least they are now mobile enough to get out of harms way when they get behind Jazzy. The danger of being crushed is pretty much past now because they move well enough to get out of the way and can scream loud enough that she'll move. They got their first solid food in a dish today about 1:00pm if you were watching the webcam. A mixture of hamburger, yolks, and yogurt. They gobbled it down and then proceeded to walk through the dish. Sundae decided to fuss when everyone else fell asleep - she wanted Mommy! Sun May 4 2:45pm
Funny story! Ate a hershey's kiss this morning and then picked up Chocolate Chip - well, his name fits him well. I blew a chocolatey breath on to him and he just LOVED the smell of chocolatte and was trying to dumpster dive into my mouth. Too funny! Meanwhile Superman and Sundae were the party animals last night....first Sundae and then Superman later on...I only got up about 15 times and then finally brought them each to bed with me so I could at least lie there with my eyes closed. That seemed to help both of us...is it me or is this litter more rowdy than past litters (or maybe it's just because there are eleven of them - that's probably it...). Looks like I'm going to have to start rearranging the back room soon if I ever expect to get any sleep someday. Once they're more mobile that will be a better place and I can set up all the fun play equipment I bought last year. It will be a regular Romper Room.. Today's project is their first worming - don't worry, they love it - tastes like butter. They are 2-2.5 pounds already. Sat. May 3 12:20 pm
And the first to walk is......(drumroll please) ......Chocolate Chip! (actually he did it to poop, but who cares, he walked!) I think they grew overnight as I could visibly see they were larger this morning...must have been all that beer and pizza from their party last night....hopefully they will SLEEP tonight....and quit trying to scale Mt. Mom....Thursday, May 1 10:00 pm
Everyone elses eyes opened over night - the last one was Superman (maybe it's the kryptonite!)....and did they celebrate. We were up all night with screaming partying puppies. Just when I'd go back to bed another one would start up - or all of them would . Even the big dogs joined in - Chevy who is normally quiet would start as soon as they'd quit, which of couse would keep them going (as their ears are open now too). Pistachio being the noisiest (I think he thought he was talking to the milk). I couldn't take it anymore and brought Mr. Mouth (this one may be yours Dawn lol) to bed with me where he was pretty content to sleep on my chest and when he'd fuss I'd do the puppy hang. Over the years I found the puppy hang really helps them calm down and helps colicy puppies - you hold them under the front legs and let the back legs just hang down - most puppies will eventually relax and quiet down unless they have severe gas or stress in which case they'll keep the legs stiff and out. Don't know what Pistachio's problem was - he'd relax but start fussing a few minutes later. I think he just opened his eyes and wanted to see the world, not sleep. The challenge was finding the noisy puppy among eleven - I probably got up 15 times before I figured out who was the one making the non-stop racket. As soon as I'd turn on the light, everyone would suddenly become quiet. UNTIL I went back to bed. If I hadn't been so tired it would have been really cuddly snuggling with a puppy on my chest (but of course you can't SLEEP...) So needless to say, another sleep deprived night...if I start snoring next time I talk to you, you'll know why! May 1, 2008
Eyes are opening! Peanut Butter and Sundae are now peeking at the world! More to come! 10:15 PM 4-29-08 Jubilee and Chunky Monkey were next...
Yeah! Mommy is finally eating a little puppy food in her cottage cheese...even prima donnas have to come down to earth some time. Puppies also got their first nail clipping...yes, this young they get it done! (makes them much better about it when they are older) and a little easier on mom's belly (they are sharp!). I FINALLY can tell them apart 90% of the time without my cheatsheet - now that's an accomplishment since their bellies are changing again...a few personalities are starting to emerge and it looks like there are quite a few "Hoovers" (aka very mellow and easygoing puppies like Grandpa Hoover was). A couple are feisty - Sundae and Rocky Road come to mind but even they have their mellow moments and several are very very cuddly. Most have lightened up a lot in color - looks like no true black and whites - a couple look to be sable and the rest are either seal or dark gray and white - and we don't believe there's a wooly in the bunch (though that's not for sure until 5 weeks when you can really tell). Jazz is now letting Dan hold the puppies and even came out of her room for 10-20 minutes to socialize with us last night while the puppies slept.. Sat. 4-26-08 PS...still getting up 10-12 times a night to check on screams but usually it's nothing - just yelling at the milk machine
Last night was kind of crazy - the puppies were squeaking and screaming all night - I think they figured out they have voices! Then Gracie piped in - who knows what that was about? Mom Jazzy is still being a princess and will only eat Cottage Cheese with Dan Active Yogurt in it...(this is getting expensive!). I tried hamburger...no, I tried LIVER...no, I tried hard boiled eggs...no...gosh she's being picky!!! She's giving Dan a hard time about getting close to the puppies - so I'm trapped in the house. Don't dare leave for more than a few minutes should she accidentally sit on one or something (though she's being pretty careful). As I ran out to Kroger for 5 minutes to get MORE cottage cheese she had her elbow on one, but caught her before I left. Figured out the webcam problem - it was my new computer. Now that I'm running it off an antique laptop it's working MUCH better - you should see the updates more consistently now...yeah! 6:30 Wednesday
Well, Jazz is becoming a pampered princess. She wouldn't drink water which is a necessary ingredient to milk...so I tried adding broth - nope. Yogurt - nope. Egg-nope. Chicken-nope. Cottage cheese-nope. What is working (for now) - a PEOPLE bowl with yogurt water in it.. No dog bowls for this primadonna! She's still being a picky eater too and subsisting on Salmon and Cottage cheese. New mom's are always so hard to please! It's like they KNOW they can get away with it! Monday 1:30 pm
Ok, never did get any sleep...we had to make sure they all got their share and for now have decided on the girl box and boy box because it's too hard to tell them apart otherwise! (Girl box is the wicker basket). This is a full time job just making sure she doesn't squish them and making sure everyone is fed (and they have fat bellies to prove they are getting plenty). Oh yes, and don't forget cajoling Jazz to eat and drink, teaching Jazzy how to make them poop and pee (they can't do it on their own for several days) and cleaning up the icky mess! Dan did a magnificient job of delivering, especially with 4 of the pups that were stuck and not coming out well...he was awesome! I will write everyone as soon as I can make a coherent sentence...we are both totally exhausted. 11 puppies is a lot of puppies for one litter! Fortunately, labor (when it finally started) moved along at about 1 puppy every 20 minutes and no stalls (which we've had before) even though her contractions weren't that strong. But they have plenty of milk and all are fiesty and healthy and doing great. Nobody stands out yet (if not for belly markings, they look almost identical)... Here are some first photos....I'll add the details later as I figure it out and they actually get names....
OH Never mind...who needs sleep anyway? I'm just putting on the web cam and giving up on getting even 5 minutes...7:30 am Sunday
They're here! 11 puppies - all healthy and feisty...5 boys and 6 girls - they all look to be seal at this point though one may be a sable and one a black and white but they are almost impossible to tell apart...first one born at 2:00 am - last one at 6:00 am...We're going to bed now (in the whelping box so we can watch over things) and the webcam will go up when we do...crashing for now...over and out 7:00 am Sunday
9:30 pm Saturday mucus plug is out and she's having some mild contractions ...things should get rolling shortly (thought that before!) but you won't see anything till morning b'cuz I have my jammies on! lol Hopefully there will be something to see then besides the usual....keep everything crossed it goes well
7:30 pm Saturday and there are some changes in her vulva (as Dan puts it, there's some serious puckering going on...eeeewww) and the positioning of the puppies (lower and further back) but no real labor yet...just like a first time mom - taking her time! LOL Still refusing food - except Pizza crusts...
It's 5:30 Saturday...she's still nesting but nothing yet...
Getting close and the webcam is crashing! ARRGH But it will be going off anyway when she actually gives birth (would YOU want to be on tv? of course not!)..and will return when done... 1:50 pm Saturday
Wonder where she is? She's walking up and down the hall looking for somewhere to have the puppies when she's not digging in the pool (whelping box). She got the green quilt so slobbery I put in the white one. 12:15 Saturday
They're moving a lot and temperature dropped more, seems a little nausious. 11:30 am Saturday
After a frenzied night of digging in her whelping box and behind it...NOTHING YET. Though her temperature did drop almost the full degree so it's just a matter of time now...9:00 am Saturday
Still nothing...8:00pm Friday - no signs of impending labor - temp still up but that's her messing up the blankets in the whelping box - I make them neat, she messes them up!
Nothing yet, just a restless night. A lot of bed rearranging. Ate realllllllly slow this morning...8:10 am Friday
She's starting to pant heavily, looks a little nervous, temp still hasn't dropped though...I think it's going to be a long night of waiting for her to get up to speed...11:00 pm Thursday
