The pups are changing by the minute, it seems. They are quite steady on their feet now, and almost ready to start exploring beyond their whelping kennel....that means they'll get turned loose into our baby-gated living room soon.
Oh boy...that's when the fun really begins! We'll see who's the first to climb onto the couch by his or her self. Who likes to torment the adult whippets the most. Who likes the cats (usually all of them like to interact with the felines), etc.
They are now sleeping downstairs in the whelping kennel at night, and Spicy goes downstairs a few times per night to nurse them, while I (Jen) continue to feed Winston at those times. Up to now, the pups were in a large kiddie pool overnight in the bedroom with us.
All pups, including Winston, are now eating puppy kibble soaked in water. This is a major breakthrough for Winston (meaning I can now supplement with 3 to 4 hourly formula feedings, instead of every 2 - 3 hours), and for the other pups, as well - as Spicy now also gets some freedom as the weaning process begins.
Today the pups had their second toenail trimming. I generally wait until they're conveniently asleep to slip into the kennel and clip, clip, clip. Today, Marsellus Wallace was in the mood to foil things a bit, as he was simply NOT tired. So, he made himself verrrrry helpful by climbing all over me, all over his brothers and sisters, mouthing and tugging while I tried to do the other sleeping angels' nails. :)
Some personality traits we're seeing so far (these change a bunch over time, but are fun to watch & note):
Esmerelda Villalobos likes to sleep in the kennel we put in the whelping pen. As long as it's warm enough during the day, she prefers her 'den' as opposed to sleeping out in the open. But when it cools down in the evening, she joins her littermates under the heat lamp.
Vincent Vega is our 'steady as she goes' pup - very balanced in play with the other dogs, pretty mellow and unflappable. He reminds us of his uncle Sprocket (HT Rye Manhattan) at this age, whom he also resembles in looks.
Fabienne is a pistol! She loves, loves, LOVES people. She gives a huge tail-wagging greeting to our legs and feet whenever we enter the whelping kennel, or she sees us standing outside it. She likes to rip around at full speed occasionally and it's funny to see her take off running in her humpty-dumpty-ish little stride.
Winston Wolf talks to his food - both formula and kibble - saying "Nom, nowm, nom, nom, nowm" while he's eating. He has absolutely no idea he's smaller than everyone else, and he plays with his mates, and the toys, and us just like the big pups.
Jules Winfield is also a pistol. He's very active and likes to pounce on and chew sleeping puppies. He's also a talker and has lots to say about everything. He thinks grabbing toys and shaking them is only slightly less fun than grabbing his siblings' necks and shaking.
Marsellus Wallace is a lot like Vincent Vega - very steady and balanced. He prefers following people around the whelping box and nibbling shoe laces or pant legs to toys.
All of the pups are willing to 'talk' when they're bored, or hungry, or have some other thing to tell us about. They will tilt their little noses skyward and give us a good howl. They also do some barking at each other - and in their sleep! But overall, they are a pretty quiet, mellow group. We've seen this with our other smaller litters. We think because there is so little competition for resources, they just tend to be mellow and take things in stride.
The whole crew - passed out after a tough afternoon of toe nail clipping.
Esmerelda Villalobos - sporting a bandit's mask.
Fabienne, giving a 'come hither' pose for the camera.
Fabienne - unable to resist looking right into the lens.
Winston - nomming some kibble.
Vincent Vega - looking very alert.
Jules - another bandit masked pup.
Vincent & Esmerelda squaring off.
Esmerelda (left) & Marsellus Wallace - wagon training.
Ooops!...Winston has fallen. But he can get up.
Esmerelda 'shaking' off a butt bite from Vincent.
Marsellus, Vincent, and Winston.
Last but not least - another fantastic pic of a past pup - "Cheyenne" (HT Snow Pea of Cheyenne), showing off her soft, sweet, expressive face.
