Play and Hiking Videos

We are well into our final week together.  My boys will meet their new packs on Friday/Saturday and will start the journey to their new homes on Saturday/Sunday.  (We'll post pictures of their new pack leadership on Sunday).

I will miss them, but know it will be the right time.  Pack Leader will need lots of help with his approaching separation anxiety --- Silken, Faolin, Maggie and I will take shifts looking after him.

I have gradually been reducing access to the milk bar but still enjoy getting together with my boys so that they can have a little slurp just before bedtime.  Latest weights has everyone around 10 pounds.

They are a solid and tightly connected group.  When we get up in the morning and everyone is out of their crates the boys check in with each other, and before the wrestling starts anew they always have little kisses for each other.

Following are a series of vides that show some of the activities they have been participating in over the last couple of days.

The Dominant Pup(s) Revealed

Puppy Play

#3's Sonotube Dash

Sonotube Wrestling and "Doggie in the Window?"

Silken's Daycare Forest Walk

New Videos

My boys made it to the back forty at the farm today.  But first, I want to show you a little video of them responding to a "that'l do" command.  Note that #3 and #1 had a head start --- they were wrestling in the junipers while #2 and #4 were at the bottom of the hill.

Recall

Sorry for the camera work.  The pups aren't exactly following a script --- they are at the stage of discovering new smells and textures and have short attention spans.  So Pack Leader's poor camera work is pushed to the limits by running backwards and trying to capture all the pups.

On the Way Up the Field

On the Way Back

Those who wrestle during the break (and don't take a pee break) fall behind --- not mentioning anybody by name.  But I was still impressed (other than with Faolin's attitude) because it was about 500 yards up the field, and the little fella's had to cope with hay stubble and new growth.

Portrait Shots (and other adventures)

On Monday we went to Hambly Lake to visit our friends Larry and Sam.  The boys enjoyed exploring a number of hollowed out tree stumps.

#3 Coming Out of a Hollow

#4 (and #3's tail)

They also found an old football.

#4 and #2 Fight for Possession

We also took a trip to Amherst Island yesterday.  The waves were a little high so Pack Leader's concentration was on keeping the pups safe --- so sorry we don't have any pictures.  All of the pups were a little overwhelmed by the wave action, but watched Silken, Faolin, Maggie and I swim through the surf with interest.  After that, and when the boys were a bit tired, Reta helped us get some portrait shots.

#1

#2

#3

#4

Schmoozing at Six Weeks Old

Party, party, party.  People to see, places to go.

Yesterday we made our longest car trip yet - 1 3/4 hours to Brockville, Ontario to visit my Uncle Donald and Aunt Val, cousins and extended family.  Everyone loved my boys, and the boys put on a grand performance.  I was one proud Mom.

Following are some pictures Uncle Donald took.

Me, Emma and #2

Maraika (and #3) and Darragh (and #4)

Emma (and #2), Darragh (and #4), Maraika (and #3) and Mathias (and #4) and Cait

Recovery Time (#2, #4, #1 and #3)

When we dropped off Gayla in Kingston, we thought the puppies might need a pee break --- and we had a spontaneous block party break out.  The boys sure are popular and love people --- and I must confess it isn't so bad getting lots of compliments and pets myself (although the occasional liver treat from these puppy affectionados wouldn't go amiss).

When we got home, everyone was ready for bed --- and last night we had only one little accident (in the second half of the night). 

We spent a quiet day in the back yard with the big dogs playing fetch and the pups playing with their favourite toys --- a plastic water bottle and a margarine tub.  Keep away is starting, and when they get a hold of the big dogs cloth frisbee, they try hard to build pack relationships.  Faolin isn't buying in to that program yet, but it is amazing how well each of them have learned to read what behaviour is acceptable with each member of the pack.

They love Silken, and would love to get Faolin and Maggie's participation in play.  Not a chance .... yet.

Tonight, crate training begins (so keep us all in your thoughts and prayers).  Don't feel too badly for them --- Pack Leader is a softy and starts with two in a crate and half nights.  He apparently doesn't have my ability to ignore needless whimpering.

Tomorrow we are on the road again --- hopefully we'll get a video worth sharing.

Aunt Silken's Day Camp

We've had a busy couple of days.

Made our first car trip on Monday (to Amherst island).  Even though I lost my usual front passenger seat riding position to a puppy crate I didn't mind --- Pack Leader was able to keep my boys settled --- only a little bit of squacking at the start of the trip, and when we were on the boat.  No upset tummies as well.


While the big dogs and Pack Leader went for a swim, Gayla and Reta looked after the pups.  We're going to go back on Thursday and slowly start the introduction to all the farm animals. 

The boys are eating and drinking for themselves now but they are still after me for a slurp at the all day milk diner.  Fortunately Aunt Silken provided lots of diversion for the pups today which was a great relief.

Aunt Silken Playing with #2 (and #3)

Playing with #3 (and #2 and #1)

Even when pinned they continue to wag their tails.

Pouncing, stalking and heading have been dominating outdoor activity.  They all could use more work on their stopping skills, but going faster is of much more interest.  All of the pups watched Faolin, Silken and I play fetch today, and were beginning to noticeably follow the movement of the frisbee.  However, they are equally captivated by wind blown leaves.

Didn't get any good pictures of #4 today, but Joyce (Trim's Pack Leader) sent on a great shot she took on Sunday.

#4

And some new shots of the other pups.

#1

#2

A plastic water bottle was the favourite toy of the day.  Following are shots of #2's stealth attack to get that bottle --- this time #3 fended off the attempt.  But today, is another day ...

My Water Bottle

You Asked For It

A Defence Completed With A Face Plant