We're going on week 6 now and several pups are nearing the 10# mark! Weather is consistently warm now and pups are in the outside kennel with mats on Kuranda beds for sleeping. One isn't big enough for them any more because they are getting to be quite the handful(s)! The picture you're likely to see the most of close-up is when they are laid out on the Big Dogs' bed, which is part of their "free" time outside.

Pearl is still doing a cursory nursing morning, noon and night, which is amazing to me considering Wenzi's distaste for it after 3 weeks. It's just enough for the quick ones to get a milk ring around their mouth, but takes probably less than a minute now for her to tire of it. So, they are eating lots more kibble and excreting lots more, which means constant cleaning up, at least for awhile. :o) Boy, I love my power washer!

The period between 6 and 8 weeks is is one of my least favorite times from a litter maintenance perspective because there's lots of waste cleanup with 9 puppies - a single puppy will be far less work, but a necessary task - don't forget, SOMEONE has to do it (great chore to assign), but the best as far as the puppy development, so you take the good with the bad.

We did first DHPP booster shots yesterday (Intervet Progard 5) and we have someone coming this week to evaluate the litter for one with the right temperament to do service work. I'm looking forward to that because by then I'll know more definitively which puppies I'd like to send to which new homes. Mother's Day isn't that far off...

If you are expecting a puppy this litter, please contact me at your earliest convenience to make arrangements for pick up or delivery of your puppy some time between Mother's Day weekend and May 17. I'll also send an email to those on my list.

We still encourage folks to come visit, especially if you have kids under 10, even if you don't have a puppy this litter but just want to see the puppies and our setup. Just give Mary a call at 910 675 0429 during the week (afternoons preferred) or on weekend (call 24 hrs in advance).