Discovering the World Outside

Just a quick blog tonight.  Enough to say we had a great time this afternoon with introducing the pups to their mother's outside pen.  Placed their puppy food saucers outside, hitched the swinging door open, and called them out.  Have some video footage of it which is so cute. Just when you think you have the cast of characters figured out though they change roles!  This is a real turning point for them as they reach 5 weeks of age and we're going to be extra busy with these little rascals each and every day from now on.  No rest for the weary as they say but I am not complaining.  Had some more company today for the pups to meet and greet and they showed such confidence, we were so pleased. They have also had some early opportunities with some of the other crew here.  Scooby is especially gentle with young pups and he enjoys laying on the floor letting them crawl over him, or observing them from a point of safety perched on the dog house couch.  Pippin is very interested in the pups - just a mere young one herself.  She is always so playful and understands the need to be gentle with the babies.  Treasure has shown no sign of concern with the other dogs being nearby but these kinds of things are always done with close supervision of course.  She is being very stern with her puppies if they try to nurse and she does not want them to. Rarely does she submit to their demands for food from her, only to relieve herself a little bit and then teaches them ENOUGH!  They are now eating 3 meals a day of puppy food. Treasure stays with them at nightime but is with us most of the day.  Next weekend the PAT will take place and we are also making plans for the whole litter evaluation (more for breeders than anything).  Right now there are actually 3 pups I am personally interested in so I am anxious to get other breeders opinions.  Pam is also pretty much interested in the same ones that I have my eye on.   We are looking with a much more critical eye because of this being the first litter with Treasaure and Gibson. We both know what we were hoping to get and we are definitely not disappointed at all.   Today was a gorgeous day here in Southern Maine, and we enjoyed it to the fullest but now I'm exhausted, Treasure is ready for her time with her puppies, and I would have to admit so am I! 

Take care and God Bless you and yours, as always thank you for your interest in ATB! John, Ann, and the crew